Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 356

The air in Elyra's tent was suffocating as Marcus stood before her, his gaze defiant yet shadowed with fear. She could feel the tension radiating off him, the weight of unspoken words pressing against her chest.

"Tell me it isn't true," Elyra said, her voice steady but strained. "Tell me you didn't meet with Dain's emissaries behind my back."

Marcus hesitated, his hands clenching into fists. "I did," he admitted, his tone sharp. "Because someone has to face reality, Elyra. He is stronger than you can imagine. You're leading us to ruin!"

The words hit her like a blow. She took a step back, her heart pounding. "You betrayed me, Marcus. After everything we've been through, you chose to side with him?"

Marcus's voice rose, his anger spilling over. "I chose to protect my pack! You're so blinded by your hope of saving him that you can't see what he's become. He's not your brother anymore, Elyra. He's a force of nature, and we can't stand against him." Elyra's voice hardened, her sorrow giving way to resolve. "And you think kneeling to him will save you? Dain's path only leads to destruction-for all of us."

Marcus shook his head, frustration etched into his features. "You're naive, Elyra. You think you can win this with speeches and hope? It's not enough. It was never enough."

now, I'm making mine. You're banished. Leave this camp before nightfall. I will not tolerate treachery in my ranks." Marcus's jaw tightened, but he said nothing more. He turned and strode

the east, Dain's forces descended upon the Riverstone Pack under the cover of darkness. Shadow wolves surged through the forest, their glowing eyes and razor-sharp teeth striking terror into the

the chaos, shadow magic rippling around him like a living force. "You're wasting your strength, Garrick," Dain said,

"We won't bow to you, Dain. Not now, not

curled into a smirk. "Then you'll burn with the

of shadow erupted from the ground engulfing the frontlines of the. Riverstone defenders. Their cries echoed through

from the smoldering remains of their camp, and the surviving wolves limped away,

later that morning. The sight that greeted them was devastating. Wolves scavenged through the wreckage, searching for survivors. The smell

heavy in the

through the ruins, her heart sinking with every step. She found Garrick slumped against a fallen tree, his fur singed and his eyes hollow. "We tried," he rasped. "But his power... it's like

beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm