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 toward the

Its dark fur glistened in the firelight, and its small eyes gleamed with menace

waving it in

massive claws. Elyra stumbled backward, her heart

Matthew started, but Dain was

that defied logic, Dain lunged at the bear, slamming his shoulder into its chest. The bear staggered back, growling in surprise. Dain didn't stop. He grabbed a thick branch from the ground and swung it with incredible force, striking the bear's side. The bear roared in pain, swiping at Dain with its claws, but Dain dodged with an agility that seemed almost inhuman. He growled a low, guttural sound and leapt onto the bear's back, forcing it to the ground. With a final, guttural roar of his own, Dain shoved the bear away. The massive animal scrambled to its feet, its gaze darting between Dain and the fire. Finally, it turned and bolted into the woods, its growls fading into

still clutched in his hands. "What

back to them, his chest heaving. "It was... adrenaline," he

let someone wrestle a bear!" Matthew snapped, stepping