Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 30

Fenrir crouched beside the smoldering remains of an abandoned campfire, the scent of Cassian's wolves faint but unmistakable. His trackers stood nearby, their postures tense as they awaited his command. "Close," Fenrir muttered, brushing a finger over the ashes. The faint warmth told him it wasn't long since this site had been used.

Nathan approached cautiously, his tone measured. "The border is just beyond those hills. Cassian's wolves are guarding it well. If we push too far without care, it'll provoke an outright conflict."

Fenrir stood, his eyes fixed on the forest ahead. "Then we move carefully. I'm not leaving without her."

Nathan hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Are you sure she wants to return, Alpha? Aurora made her choice when she left. Bringing her back by force might only-"

Fenrir's glare cut him off. "Aurora is my Luna. She belongs with me. Whatever choices she made were under duress, manipulated by fear. I'll remind her where her loyalty lies."

Nathan nodded, though doubt flickered in his eyes.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Fenrir's thoughts churned. Images of Aurora's soft smile and steady presence haunted him, contrasting sharply with the chaos Arianna had brought into his life. He had let his pride guide his actions before, but now, jealousy and guilt spurred him forward.

Meanwhile, Arianna sat in the holding room beneath Cassian's main hall, her smirk fading as the hours stretched on. The cold stone walls seemed to close in around her, and the distant hum of voices from above grated on her nerves.

The young wolf she had bribed stood guard just outside the door. She could hear his shuffling footsteps and the occasional nervous cough, a sign of his unease.

time," she called out,

should keep quiet. If Cassian hears

interrupted, her tone icy. "I am. And if you don't want to

but Arianna could sense his wavering

patrols. She moved with quiet efficiency, her focus on the task at hand, but she couldn't ignore the growing tension

from the far side of the clearing, his presence drawing the attention of everyone nearby. He nodded to the group

she asked, her voice low as they stepped

closer. We've

you think he's coming for

Cassian replied. "But

hands trembling. "Maybe I should leave. If I'm not here, he won't

gaze softened, but his tone was firm. "You're part of this pack now, Aurora. Running won't solve anything-it'll

rush of conflicting emotions through her gratitude, fear,

the tension in the pack was palpable. Wolves moved through the central grounds with purpose, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The distant howls of Fenrir's wolves echoed through the forest, a haunting reminder of the danger

the fire, her thoughts racing. Lila was quiet, her knitting

try to take me by force?" Aurora

thoughtful. "If Fenrir is here, it's because he still believes he has a claim on

nodded, though her fears lingered. She placed a hand over her abdomen, the faint movements of the twins grounding her in the moment. "I won't let