Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

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?"

emissary's smirk deepened. "They made the right choice. Perhaps you

tightened. Her thoughts swirled with memories of Dain-of the brother she had once known, the one who had stood by her side, fighting for unity and

cutting through the tense silence. "And I will not let the packs be consumed

head, as if studying her. "A

his taunt, turning to Selene. "He's not giving us a choice. If we

her silver eyes meeting Elyra's. "You've always believed he could be saved," Selene said gently. "Do you still

her chest

guilt and doubt. "I've always believed he could be saved," she admitted her voice quieter now. "But I'm running out of time. If he keeps going down this path..." She trailed off unable

Elyra. You can't keep holding on to the past.

Elyra could respond, the emissary cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "If I may," he said, his tone laced with mockery, "there's one

has taken control of the Riverstone Pack. Their Alpha swore fealty to him

rippled through the

Kel

symbolically. Their defection meant more than just a loss of territory-it was a blow to morale, a signal

lying," Cassian growled, stepping

"Believe what you will. But soon, you'll see the truth for