Chapter 344

The camp was buzzing with unease. Scouts reported movement on the outskirts of the forest, and the air was thick with the scent of tension. Elyra sat in the council tent, surrounded by her allies, her hands gripping the edges of the wooden table so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Cassian and Fenrir stood to her left, Selene to her right, all watching her with expectant eyes.

The flap of the tent suddenly opened, and a young guard stepped in, his face pale. "Luna," he said, bowing his head. "An emissary from Dain's forces is here. He claims to bear a message."

Elyra's stomach tightened, but she forced herself to nod. "Bring him in."

Moments later, a figure entered the tent. The emissary was tall and cloaked in shadowed leathers, his face partially obscured by a hood. His aura radiated dark energy, and the faint scent of shadow magic clung to him like a second skin. "Speak," Elyra said, her voice steady despite the unease curling in her chest.

The emissary pulled back his hood, revealing sharp, angular features and eyes that glowed faintly with shadow. He reached into his tunic and retrieved a scroll, which he unfurled with deliberate slowness. "From Alpha Dain," he announced, his voice smooth and cold. "You are to deliver this message to Luna Elyra." His gaze shifted to her, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Or so he said."

Elyra's heart clenched at the sound of her brother's name, but she kept her face composed. "I am Elyra. What is his message?"

The emissary straightened, his tone growing darker. "Alpha Dain sends this ultimatum: Join him, or be consumed by the shadow. He offers you a place by his side a chance to unite the packs under his rule. But refuse..." He let the sentence hang in the air, the unspoken threat lingering like a storm cloud.

Cassian growled low in his throat, stepping forward. "He has no right to make such demands. Tell him we won't bow to his shadow."

Elyra raised a hand, stopping Cassian before he could continue. She met the emissary's gaze, her voice calm but firm. "And what of the packs he's already claimed? Did they have a choice?"

the right choice. Perhaps you

with memories of Dain-of the brother she had once known, the one who had stood by her side, fighting for unity and balance. She had believed in him, in the bond they shared. But now, she could

not join him," she said, her words cutting through the tense silence. "And I will not let the packs be consumed by

as if studying her. "A bold choice," he said softly.

to Selene. "He's not giving us a choice. If we wait any longer, the

meeting Elyra's. "You've always believed he could be saved," Selene said

her

"But I'm running out of time. If

stepped forward, his voice hard. "He's already made his choice, Elyra. You can't keep holding on to the past. We need to be

throat, drawing their attention back to him. "If I may," he said, his tone laced

taken control of the Riverstone

through

Kel

meant more

Cassian growled, stepping forward

shrugged. "Believe what you will. But

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255