Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter

215

occasional rustle of leaves and the hoot of an owl.

The evening air was crisp and cool, the stars overhead twinkling in a vast, cloudless sky. The fire crackled in the middle of the campsite as Matthew, Elyra, and Dain sat around it, roasting marshmallows on makeshift skewers. The wilderness was quiet, save for the "This was a good idea," Matthew said, leaning back against a log. "Feels nice to get away from everything for a bit."

Elyra nodded absently, her golden eyes fixed on the flickering flames. Dain was poking at his marshmallow with a stick, his fiery orange eyes scanning the forest like he was expecting something to emerge at any moment. "Relax," Matthew said, noticing Dain's tension. "The bears are more scared of us than we are of them."

As if summoned by his words, a low growl rumbled from the darkness beyond the firelight.

heads snapping

heavy footfalls. A bear, massive and hulking, lumbered into view. Its dark fur glistened in the firelight, and

grabbed a large branch from the fire, waving it in an attempt to scare the animal off.

claws. Elyra stumbled backward, her heart racing, but Dain

started, but

bear roared in pain, swiping at Dain with its claws, but Dain dodged with an agility that seemed

branch still clutched in his hands. "What the

"It was... adrenaline," he muttered, avoiding

a bear!" Matthew snapped, stepping closer.