Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 362

The air was thick with tension as Elyra's forces approached the Silver Vale, the looming mountain pass offering little comfort in the face of what was to come. Her wolves moved in formation, their senses sharpened, prepared for a battle that would test every ounce of their strength. But there was something else hanging in the air-an unsettling feeling that weighed heavily on Elyra's chest. The Silver Vale was their last stronghold, the last place where they could truly rally support. If they couldn't hold it, they would have nowhere else to go. As they entered the territory, the Silver Vale Alpha, Lucian, met them at the gates with a stern, unreadable expression. His pack was large and well-fortified, but Elyra could see the lines of worry on his face as he surveyed the approaching troops. His eyes flicked over Elyra, a silent accusation burning in their depths.

"You brought your army here, but you're too late," Lucian said, his voice low and sharp. "Dain's forces have already encircled us. He's cut off our supply routes, and we're on the brink of starvation. How do you expect us to survive this?"

Elyra took a deep breath, holding back the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She had fought for months to keep this moment from coming, but it was here now. Dain's shadow stretched further than she had imagined. And yet, Lucian's words stung like a slap to her face. She had done everything she could, and still, it wasn't enough.

"I'm not here to take over, Lucian," Elyra replied, her voice steady but tinged with the frustration she felt. "I'm here to fight with you. We need to strengthen our defenses, fortify our position. We stand together, or we fall apart."

Lucian's jaw tightened, and he took a step closer, his gaze hardening. "You don't understand, Elyra. Your war has brought us here. If you can't stop Dain, we will-whether you like it or not."

The words were a harsh reminder of the burden she bore. Elyra had always believed that she could save Dain-that somehow, she could pull him back from the darkness. But every day, it felt like that belief was slipping further from her grasp. Dain was becoming a force she could no longer control, and now, the Silver Vale was paying the price for it.

Before she could respond, a sudden shout echoed from the edge of the camp. "They're here!" The cry sent a ripple of panic through the gathered wolves as the first signs of Dain's forces became visible in the distance-shadow wolves, moving like dark wraiths through the trees.

The battle was imminent. The Silver Vale's defenses, though sturdy, were no match for the growing strength of Dain's army. Elyra felt the familiar pull of the shard at her side, but this time t was different. It wasn't just the shard she was sensing. It was something darker, something that made her skin crawl. Dain's power had grown exponentially, and she could feel it pushing against her, challenging her every step.

forces in position!" Elyra barked, trying to steady the chaos around her. "We won't

around, she saw the uncertainty in

had arrived at her side, her expression solemn. "The encirclement is already in place. They'll strike at the heart of

frustration creeping into her voice. "But we can't fight him like this. Dain's forces are stronger, more organized. We need a plan-something that'll break their

distant as she seemed to search for an answer. "We can't afford

growing storm on the horizon. Elyra could feel it, a weight in the

surveyed the battlefield,

felt like

commanders. "And make sure the southern flank is protected.

their positions, but Elyra's mind was elsewhere. She had to stop Dain-she had to save him before it was too late. But with every passing moment, that hope

from the shadows

a figure slipped past the guards. Elyra's senses went on high alert, and she motioned for her men to be still. The figure stepped forward into the moonlight, revealing a shadow

an

It wasn't just any wolf-it was one of Dain's, infused with the very essence of the shadow. The wolf stepped forward, its movements unnaturally calm, its gaze locked on

instinctively reached for her dagger, but before she could react, the wolf spoke. Its voice was