Chapter

161

The Lycan King moved first, sending a wave of shadow magic crashing toward Aurora. She raised her blade, meeting the attack head-on. The resulting clash sent a shockwave through the battlefield, scattering debris and knocking several wolves off their feet. "Your strength wanes," the Lycan King said, his voice cold and mocking. "You cannot defeat me while clinging to that fragile balance."

Aurora gritted her teeth, refusing to yield. "I'll fight as long as I have to."

The Lycan King laughed darkly, his form shifting as tendrils of shadow erupted from his back, lashing out at her. Aurora dodged, her movements fueled by a determination that burned brighter than the pain in her limbs.

Cassian and his warriors tore through the Lycan King's forces, their claws and fangs glinting in the dim light of the stormy sky. Nathan fought at Cassian's side, the two working in tandem to eliminate clusters of shadow beasts.

"We're thinning their numbers," Nathan growled. "But not fast enough."

Cassian glanced toward Aurora, who battled the Lycan King with a ferocity he'd never seen before. "She needs more time," he said. "We'll give it to her."

Aurora's blade clashed against the Lycan King's claws, each strike sending sparks of light and shadow into the air. Her connection to the Pact surged and faltered in turns, the instability growing with every moment she spent drawing on its power. "You cannot hold the Pact together," the Lycan King taunted, his attacks growing fiercer. "It was never meant for someone like you."noveldrama

Aurora pushed back, her blade carving through the shadows surrounding him. "It doesn't matter what it was meant for," she said. "It's mine now."

The Lycan King snarled, his form twisting as he drew on the corruption of the Heart of Solara. A sphere of darkness formed in his hands, pulsing with malevolent energy. "Then I'll tear it from you myself," he said, hurling the sphere toward her. Aurora braced herself, raising her blade as the sphere hurtled toward her.