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

a mix of gratitude and guilt, but he

you, Cassian. Don't let their sacrifice

flickered with a mix of gratitude and guilt, but

***

where Nathan and a few warriors were regrouping. Despite their fatigue, they were sparring with renewed determination, their movements sharp

you," Aurora replied,

faint smile. "No rest

hesitated before speaking. "How... how do you do it?

option. If we give up, Magnus wins. And I'm not

resolve hardening. "Then I want to

moment, his

to

anyone can figure out how to put

room when Aurora found him, his

should be resting," he said without

you," Aurora

lips twitching into a faint smile. "Fair