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.

their heads snapping toward the

Its dark fur glistened

waving it in an attempt to scare the animal

swiping at the air with massive claws. Elyra stumbled backward, her heart racing, but Dain stepped

started, but Dain was already

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

branch still clutched in his hands. "What the hell was

to them, his chest heaving. "It was... adrenaline," he muttered, avoiding their eyes.

a bear!" Matthew