Chapter

145

The aftermath of the battle brought a mix of relief and tension to the camp. Wolves with battered bodies and weary spirits moved among the remnants of the fight, patching wounds and exchanging grim nods. A fire burned at the camp's center, its flickering light casting long shadows across the gathering. Aurora sat beside Cassian, her hand resting lightly on his bandaged arm. He leaned closer, his voice low and reassuring. "We'll figure this out. We always do."

She nodded, but her eyes were distant, fixed on the horizon. Within her, the Pact stirred unpredictably, a warm energy spreading through her veins and making her heart race. "It's changing," she whispered. Cassian frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The Pact-it's different now. Stronger, but... restless. Like it's waiting for something."

Before Cassian could reply, Selene approached, her sharp gaze scanning the couple. "You don't have much time to wonder," she said bluntly. "The Lycan King retreated, but it wasn't a loss. He'll come back harder and faster, and your child—" Aurora stood abruptly, her silver hair catching the firelight like liquid metal. "My child is not a weapon," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the air.noveldrama

Selene crossed her arms. "You can believe that if it comforts you, but the truth doesn't change. The child is tied to the Pact's power, and the Lycan King will exploit that any way he can. You need to decide how far you're willing to go to protect them." The tension hung thick until Anica's arrival disrupted the standoff. "We're preparing for the final confrontation," she said, addressing the group. "We need every wolf ready. Aurora, you too. Whatever you're feeling, use it. We'll need every ounce of strength."

Aurora exchanged a look with Cassian before nodding. The camp quieted for the night, but Aurora's rest was short-lived. She woke suddenly, her chest heaving as the Pact's energy surged through her like a storm. For a fleeting moment, she glimpsed a vision a swirling mass of light and shadow colliding violently. A voice, faint but resolute, echoed in her mind: The reckoning begins.