Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 23

The council chamber was dim, the flickering firelight casting long shadows across the room. Fenrir sat at the head of the table, his gaze fixed on the far wall as the voices of his council echoed around him.

"Alpha," one of the elders began, his tone cautious, "there's been increasing unrest among the pack. Some of the younger wolves are questioning recent decisions. They say..." He hesitated, glancing nervously at Fenrir. "They say what?" Fenrir's voice was low, but it carried an edge that made the elder falter.

"They say Arianna is overstepping her place," the elder finished quietly.

Fenrir's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Another voice joined in, this time bolder. "She's taken liberties with the pack hierarchy, issuing orders as if she's already Luna. Wolves are beginning to resent her interference."

Fenrir leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the table. "I'll address it," he said curtly.

The elders exchanged wary glances but didn't press further.

As the meeting concluded, Fenrir remained seated, his mind churning. Arianna's presence had always been a double-edged sword-a reminder of the past and a source of tension within the pack. Her return had disrupted the fragile balance he had worked so hard to maintain.

When the door creaked open and Arianna herself stepped inside, her sharp gaze immediately found him.

she asked,

need to concern yourself with," Fenrir replied,

eyes narrowed. "It's about me, isn't it? The council doesn't like me, and you're

casting a shadow over her. "You've brought this on

a bitter smile. "And yet

but

voice dropping to a whisper. "You need me, Fenrir. You might not want to admit it, but I'm the only one who understands you. The only one who can stand beside

away, his jaw

as I can see, you're

mention of Aurora's name,

his demeanor. "She's gone, Fenrir. She abandoned you. And now you're left clinging to a memory while the pack questions your leadership. Tell me how long before they turn on you

then turned on her heel and stalked out

drifted to Aurora. Her absence had left a void he couldn't ignore, and the knowledge that she was out there-living, thriving, without him-was a

he thought was for the best. But now, as the pack

***

group of young

gaze sharpened.