For the first time in what felt like ages, the pack relished a fleeting moment of peace. The crisp morning air carried the sound of wolves working side by side, their camaraderie a balm to the lingering wounds of battle. Aurora sat on the porch of the main cabin, her hand resting gently on her swollen abdomen. Cassian stood nearby, his sharp eyes scanning the distant treetops as the pack fortified the perimeter.

"You need to rest," Cassian said, his tone a mixture of concern and command.

"I am resting," Aurora replied, a hint of defiance in her smile.

Cassian shook his head but didn't argue. He knew better than to try and cage Aurora, even now. Instead, he turned his attention to the wolves carrying out his orders, ensuring that every defense was solid and every scout briefed.

Nearby, Selene sat cross-legged in the grass, her aura calm but intense. She was carefully sketching glyphs into the dirt, their symbols glowing faintly before fading into the earth.noveldrama

"The Pact is shifting," Selene said suddenly, her voice cutting through the quiet. "It's adjusting to the new vessel."

Aurora looked down at her belly, feeling the faint hum of energy that had become a constant presence. The child was more than just her own flesh and blood; it was the future of the Pact itself. "What does that mean for the child?" Cassian asked, his protective instincts bristling.

"It means they'll need guidance," Selene said, her tone measured. "From both of you. And it means the Lycan King will stop at nothing to claim them."

Cassian's jaw tightened, his hand unconsciously moving to the hilt of his blade.

Before Aurora could respond, a scout burst into the clearing, his fur matted with sweat. "Movements in the eastern forests," he reported, his voice urgent. "Something's stirring out there."

Aurora exchanged a glance with Cassian, her heartbeat quickening. The peace they had savored was fleeting, and the weight of what was to come pressed heavily on her.