Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 17

The clearing was alive with music, laughter, and the hum of conversation as Aurora stood on its edge, watching the pack's celebration unfold. Lanterns hung from the low-hanging branches of ancient oaks, their soft glow casting a golden light over the gathered wolves. Long tables were laden with food and drink, and the air carried the mingled scents of roasting meat and blooming flowers.

Aurora adjusted the shawl over her shoulders, hoping to ward off the cool evening breeze, though her unease had little to do with the weather. The celebration marked the end of a bountiful harvest, and nearly every member of the pack was in attendance, mingling freely in a way that felt alien to her. She had spent the past days avoiding too much attention, but now, standing on the sidelines, she felt as though every smile and laugh drew her further into their world.

"Enjoying yourself?"

The voice startled her, and she turned to find Cassian approaching. He wasn't dressed in the formal attire of an Alpha but wore simple, well-fitted clothes that made him seem more approachable. Yet his presence still carried an undeniable authority. Aurora offered a small smile. "It's beautiful," she said, her voice soft. "The way everyone comes together-it's... different."

Cassian nodded, his gaze following hers to the dancing wolves at the center of the clearing. "It hasn't always been this way," he admitted. "But after everything we've been through, we've learned to find joy where we can. It keeps us strong."

Aurora watched him carefully. He spoke with a quiet conviction that she found both comforting and disarming. There was none of the coldness or detachment she had come to associate with leaders like Fenrir. "You've built something remarkable," she said, the words escaping before she could stop them.

softening. "It's not just me," he replied. "A pack is only as strong as the people in it. And you've already made your mark here, Aurora, whether you realize it or

away, unsure how to respond. Before she could think of anything to say, a group of

spend the entire evening on the sidelines. You're part of this pack now-whether you think

he walked away, Aurora felt a strange tug in her chest. Cassian's words lingered, stirring something within her she wasn't ready to

background. The pack's warmth and openness chipped away at her walls, and by the time she returned to the cottage, her exhaustion was matched only by the

of tea in hand and a knowing look in her eyes. "Making

into a chair.

front of her, her smile faint but amused. "You can't help it, Aurora. People are drawn to you. And it's not just the pack-it's Cassian, too." Aurora looked away,

on. "Cassian doesn't strike me as someone who offers kindness without reason," she said. "Be careful. Trust is a powerful thing,

Cassian's gaze lingering on her more often in recent days, his questions unspoken but ever-present. Each interaction with him chipped away at her carefully constructed defenses,