Chapter

154

Cassian gritted his teeth as Arianna's blows pushed him to his limits. Her strength was almost inhuman, and her taunts cut as deeply as her strikes.

"Do you really think you can protect her?" Arianna sneered, her blade scraping against his. "The Lycan King will have her and her child. That vessel belongs to us."

Cassian's fury ignited, and he shoved her back, his strikes gaining speed and force. "Over my dead body," he growled.

"Easily arranged," Arianna said, lunging forward.

Their fight became a blur of motion, each of them drawing blood but refusing to yield. Around them, the pack fought valiantly to hold the line, their howls of defiance echoing through the night.

Meanwhile, back in the infirmary, Aurora's screams filled the room. The energy of the Pact surged wildly, the glowing glyphs around her growing brighter with each contraction. The healers struggled to stabilize the room's chaotic energy, their voices rising in chants to contain the power.

"It's too much!" one of the healers cried. "The Pact's energy is overwhelming her!"

Selene stepped forward, her hands steady as she placed them on Aurora's abdomen. "No," she said firmly. "She's stronger than this. Aurora, listen to me-you can do this. Let the energy flow through you, not against you."

Aurora's head lolled to the side, her vision swimming as the room seemed to blur and twist. "I can't—"

"You can," Selene interrupted, her voice a commanding presence in the storm of pain and magic. "For her. For your child."

Aurora clenched her jaw, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. A final, agonizing push sent a wave of light surging through the room, blinding everyone present.

And then, silence.

The baby's first cry shattered the stillness, piercing and powerful. The light dimmed, and the healers moved quickly, wrapping the newborn in soft cloth.

Selene held the child up, her eyes wide with awe. "It's a girl," she said, her voice trembling. "And she's... she's magnificent."

Aurora reached out weakly, her fingers brushing against her daughter's tiny hand. A surge of warmth flooded through her, and for the first time in months, she felt a semblance of peace.noveldrama

Outside, the glow from the newborn's birth spread across the battlefield. Wolves paused mid-fight, their howls turning to cries of triumph as the energy revitalized them. Even Arianna faltered, her eyes narrowing as she sensed the shift in the air.

Cassian, emboldened by the surge, drove her back with a powerful strike. "You'll never win," he said, his voice steady and filled with conviction.

Arianna hissed, her confidence faltering. "We'll see about that," she spat before retreating into the shadows.

As the battle momentarily lulled, Cassian turned toward the camp, his heart pounding as he raced to Aurora's side.