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.

in position!" Elyra barked, trying to steady the chaos around her. "We won't let them break through. Not

warriors readying themselves for the inevitable. But as Elyra glanced around, she saw the uncertainty in their eyes. Lucian's words haunted her. If they couldn't stop Dain here, there would be no stopping

"The encirclement is already in place. They'll

know," Elyra replied, 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

seemed to search for an answer. "We can't afford to wait any longer. The shadow grows

sky above seemed to darken, as if reflecting the growing storm on the horizon. Elyra could feel it, a weight in the air, the pressure building. Dain was coming.

Elyra surveyed the

she had known-who had smiled, who had laughed who had dreamed with her. That Dain felt like a distant memory. The man

shouted to her commanders. "And make sure the southern flank is protected.

warriors spread out, readying their positions, but Elyra's mind was elsewhere. She had to stop Dain-she had to save him before it was too

the shadows at

went on high alert, and she motioned for her men to be still. The figure stepped forward into the moonlight, revealing a

with an

of Dain's, infused with the

she could react, the wolf spoke. Its voice was a low, almost