Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 63

The battlefield's silence stretched into the next morning, broken only by the soft rustle of wind through the trees and the occasional distant howl of wolves patrolling the borders. The once-vibrant northern perimeter was now a grim sight, the ground stained with blood and the air heavy with loss.

Aurora awoke early, her body aching from the endless hours spent in the healer's quarters. Her mind replayed the chaotic events of the night before the faces of the injured, the steady hands of Iris, and the quiet determination in Cassian's eyes as he returned from the front.

She stepped outside, her breath visible in the cool morning air. Wolves moved through the camp, their steps slow and weary as they gathered the dead for burial. The weight of their loss hung over everyone like a shroud.

Cassian stood at the edge of the forest, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He hadn't slept, his mind racing with thoughts of Magnus and the battle that had pushed them all to their limits.

Nathan approached, his steps careful as he came to stand beside him.

"The scouts report that Magnus's forces have retreated beyond the mountain pass," Nathan said. "For now, at least."

Cassian's jaw tightened. "It's not over. He'll regroup and come back stronger."

Nathan nodded grimly. "And we'll be ready."

Cassian didn't respond immediately, his gaze sweeping over the camp. "We need to bury our dead and tend to the wounded. They deserve that much."

a hand on his shoulder. "They followed you because they believed in you, Cassian. Don't

mix of gratitude and guilt, but

you, Cassian. Don't let their sacrifice weigh you

of gratitude and

***

warriors were regrouping. Despite their fatigue, they were sparring with renewed determination, their movements sharp

Aurora

faint smile. "No rest for the

before speaking. "How... how do you

grew serious. "Because stopping isn't an option. If we give up, Magnus wins. And I'm not about to let

hardening. "Then I want to help. More

her for a moment, his brow

she admitted. "But there has to be something I can do.

softened. "Talk to Cassian. If anyone can figure out how to put you to

in the war room when Aurora found him, his expression

he said without looking

you," Aurora

twitching into a faint smile. "Fair