Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 117

The forest was a cacophony of crashing stones and distant roars as the ancient temple behind them collapsed. Dust and debris billowed outward, clouding the moonlight and leaving the group disoriented. Cassian tightened his grip on Aurora, her body growing limp against his chest as the Lunar Key pulsed faintly in her grasp. "Aurora, stay with me," Cassian urged, his voice laced with worry.

Aurora's eyelids fluttered, her breaths shallow as the Pact's energy flickered around her. "I can... feel it," she murmured weakly, her hand instinctively moving to her abdomen. "The Key... it's connected to the Pact. To the baby." "We'll figure it out later," Cassian said firmly, scanning the darkened forest for any sign of their team. "First, we get you to safety."

The ground beneath them was slick with fallen leaves and mud, forcing Cassian to tread carefully as he carried her. Anica's distant shouts cut through the chaos, drawing him toward a faint glimmer of light. "Over here!" Anica called, waving their glowing staff to signal the others.

Cassian pushed through the underbrush, his muscles burning as he cradled Aurora closer. Anica rushed to meet them, their golden eyes narrowing as they assessed the situation.

"She's burning through her connection to the Pact too quickly," Anica said, their tone clipped. "If she doesn't stabilize it, she could lose control entirely."

voice, her grip tightening on the Lunar Key. "The Key... it's a part of the Pact," she said faintly. "It's pulling me

we reach the camp," Anica said, though

growing unnervingly quiet. Cassian's sharp senses picked

he muttered, his golden eyes scanning the

followed by the slow encroachment of a dark mist. It

Anica hissed,

shadow beasts with glowing red eyes, their snarls echoing through the forest. Cassian set Aurora down carefully, placing her against a tree before drawing his blade. "Stay

flashing as it cut through the creature's shadowy form. Another beast charged, but Anica intercepted it with a burst of light, momentarily dispersing the

she whispered, her voice trembling. "We can't let them

reserves of her strength, Aurora raised the Lunar Key, its light cutting through the mist like a beacon. The shadow beasts recoiled,

her, his expression a mix of awe and relief.