Chapter

82

The battle raged on, the earth shaking beneath Aurora's feet as the clash of wolves and shadow beasts echoed through the forest. Her blade gleamed with the faint light of the Celestial Pact, but the weight of its energy still felt unfamiliar, difficult to wield. Cassian was at her side, his strikes precise and unrelenting as he cut down the shadowy creatures that lunged at them. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the pack fought with unity, their howls a rallying cry in the chaos. But something was wrong.

Aurora could feel it a faint pulse in the air, a deep, unnatural rhythm that seemed to vibrate through her chest. She glanced toward the Lycan King, who stood at the edge of the battlefield, his glowing eyes fixed on her. He wasn't fighting, wasn't even moving. He was waiting.

Aurora turned to Cassian, her voice urgent. "He's doing something. This isn't just a battle-it's a distraction."

Cassian's gaze followed hers, his jaw tightening. "What is he waiting for?"

"I don't know," Aurora admitted, her pulse quickening. "But it's not good."

Before Cassian could respond, the ground beneath them trembled violently, a low rumble that sent the wolves stumbling. A deafening crack split the air as the earth tore open near the Lycan King, a jagged rift spilling forth an eerie, otherworldly light. From the chasm emerged a figure a towering being of shadow and flame, its form barely contained by the physical world. Its eyes burned with the same sickly green light as the Lycan King's, but its presence was far more overwhelming. Aurora's breath caught, her chest tightening as she felt the oppressive energy radiating from the creature.

"What the hell is that?" Cassian growled, his blade raised defensively.

The Lycan King's smirk widened as he stepped aside, his voice carrying over the battlefield. "You've met my soldiers. Now meet my commander."

The creature let out a roar that shook the trees, its massive claws slashing through the air as it charged toward the pack. Wolves scattered, their formation breaking as the sheer force of its presence sent shockwaves rippling through the ground. Aurora gripped her blade tightly, her glowing eyes narrowing. She could feel the bond to the Celestial Pact flaring in response, its energy pushing against her, demanding to be used.

Cassian moved to intercept the creature, his blade slashing through its shadowy form. But his strikes barely left a mark, the creature's body reforming instantly as it swiped at him. He dodged, his movements sharp and calculated, but Aurora could see the strain in his eyes.

"It's too strong," Cassian said through gritted teeth.

"We'll figure it out," Aurora replied, though doubt gnawed at her.

Anica appeared at Aurora's side, their expression unusually serious. "This isn't just a creature-it's a tether. The Lycan King isn't just using it to fight. He's using it to destabilize the bond."

Aurora's heart sank. "The Celestial Pact?"

Anica nodded grimly. "If he severs it, the balance won't just shift-it'll collapse. No more fated mates. No more packs. No more order."

Aurora swallowed hard, her grip tightening on her blade. "How do we stop it?"

"You have to sever its connection to the Lycan King," Anica said. "But that means going through him first."

Cassian joined them, his breathing labored as he deflected another attack. "Then we take him down. Now."

The three of them advanced together, their movements precise and coordinated as they fought their way through the battlefield. Wolves rallied around them, their howls filling the air as they pushed back against the shadow beasts.

But as they drew closer to the Lycan King, his smirk deepened, his confidence unshaken.

"You're persistent," he said, his voice almost amused. "But you're too late."

Aurora's pulse quickened as she felt the energy of the Celestial Pact surge wildly, its warmth turning to searing heat. She stumbled, her blade slipping from her grasp as the bond threatened to overwhelm her.

"Aurora!" Cassian shouted, catching her before she fell.

"I'm fine," she managed, though her vision swam.noveldrama

"You're not fine," Cassian said, his voice tight with worry. "What's happening?"

"She's reaching the threshold," Anica said, their tone grave. "If she doesn't stabilize the bond, it'll consume her."

Aurora gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stand. The Lycan King was watching her, his gaze sharp and calculating. He raised a hand, and the shadowy commander let out another roar, its form twisting and expanding as it drew power from the chasm. "You can't win this," the Lycan King said. "Surrender now, and I'll spare your pack."

Aurora's grip tightened on her blade as she stepped forward, her glowing eyes locking onto his. "I'm not giving up. Not now, not ever."

The Lycan King's smirk faded, his gaze narrowing. "Then you'll burn with the rest of them."