Luna Aurora novel (Alpha Fenrir)

Fenrir crouched beside the smoldering remains of an abandoned campfire, the scent of Cassian's wolves faint but unmistakable. His trackers stood nearby, their postures tense as they awaited his command. "Close," Fenrir muttered, brushing a finger over the ashes. The faint warmth told him it wasn't long since this site had been used.

Nathan approached cautiously, his tone measured. "The border is just beyond those hills. Cassian's wolves are guarding it well. If we push too far without care, it'll provoke an outright conflict."

Fenrir stood, his eyes fixed on the forest ahead. "Then we move carefully. I'm not leaving without her."

Nathan hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Are you sure she wants to return, Alpha? Aurora made her choice when she left. Bringing her back by force might only-"

Fenrir's glare cut him off. "Aurora is my Luna. She belongs with me. Whatever choices she made were under duress, manipulated by fear. I'll remind her where her loyalty lies."

Nathan nodded, though doubt flickered in his eyes.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Fenrir's thoughts churned. Images of Aurora's soft smile and steady presence haunted him, contrasting sharply with the chaos Arianna had brought into his life. He had let his pride guide his actions before, but now, jealousy and guilt spurred him forward.

Meanwhile, Arianna sat in the holding room beneath Cassian's main hall, her smirk fading as the hours stretched on. The cold stone walls seemed to close in around her, and the distant hum of voices from above grated on her nerves.

The young wolf she had bribed stood guard just outside the door. She could hear his shuffling footsteps and the occasional nervous cough, a sign of his unease.

"You're wasting time," she called out, her voice sharp.

The guard hesitated before replying. "You should keep quiet. If Cassian hears you causing trouble_"

"Cassian isn't your concern," Arianna interrupted, her tone icy. "I am. And if you don't want to regret your choices, you'll let me out of here before it's too late."

The guard didn't respond, but Arianna could sense his wavering resolve.

In the central grounds, Aurora worked alongside a group of wolves to prepare supplies for the increased patrols. She moved with quiet efficiency, her focus on the task at hand, but she couldn't ignore the growing tension around her.

Cassian approached from the far side of the clearing, his presence drawing the attention of everyone nearby. He nodded to the group before gesturing for Aurora to join him.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice low as they stepped away from the others.

Cassian's expression was serious. "Fenrir's wolves are moving closer. We've spotted fresh tracks near the eastern perimeter."

Aurora's stomach twisted. "Do you think he's coming for me?"

"I know he is," Cassian replied. "But we're ready for him."

Aurora hesitated, her hands trembling. "Maybe I should leave. If I'm not here, he won't have a reason to attack your pack."

Cassian's gaze softened, but his tone was firm. "You're part of this pack now, Aurora. Running won't solve anything-it'll only make you more vulnerable. And I won't let him take you."

His words sent a rush of conflicting emotions through her gratitude, fear, and something deeper she couldn't quite name.

By nightfall, the tension in the pack was palpable. Wolves moved through the central grounds with purpose, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The distant howls of Fenrir's wolves echoed through the forest, a haunting reminder of the danger lurking just beyond the border.

In the cottage, Aurora sat by the fire, her thoughts racing. Lila was quiet, her knitting needles clicking softly as she worked.

"Do you think he'll try to take me by force?" Aurora asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Lila paused, her gaze thoughtful. "If Fenrir is here, it's because he still believes he has a claim on you. But he underestimates Cassian-and you."noveldrama

Aurora nodded, though her fears lingered. She placed a hand over her abdomen, the faint movements of the twins grounding her in the moment. "I won't let him take them," she whispered.

"You won't have to," Lila said gently.

Near the border, Cassian stood with Nathan and a group of senior wolves. The air was thick with anticipation, the distant rustle of leaves putting everyone on edge.

"They're testing us," Nathan said quietly. "Pushing the boundaries to see how far they can go."

Cassian's gaze was steady. "Let them test. If Fenrir steps one paw into my territory, we'll remind him who he's dealing with."

Nathan hesitated before adding, "And Arianna?"

Cassian's jaw tightened. "She's already proven where her loyalties lie. If she tries anything else, we deal with her."

As the night stretched on, the pack braced itself for the confrontation they knew was coming. And in the shadows of the forest, Fenrir waited, his resolve hardening with each passing moment.