Chapter 181
The battlefield was silent save for the crackling of dissipating energy as the Lycan King’s essence faded into the ether. Aurora lay on the ground, her silver hair matted with dirt and sweat, the enchanted blade lying a few feet away. Cassian knelt beside her, his voice urgent as he called her name.
“Aurora, stay with me!” he pleaded, his hands trembling as he cradled her face.
Selene hurried to their side, her face pale but resolute. She placed her hands over Aurora’s chest, a faint glow emanating from her palms as she began to channel her own energy into stabilizing the bond.
“The Pact is in flux,” Selene muttered, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Her connection is unraveling, but I can hold it—barely.”
Cassian’s jaw clenched as he looked around at the wolves who had gathered, their faces etched with a mixture of awe and fear. “Anica, get everyone to secure the borders. We don’t know if this is truly over.”
Anica nodded, her gaze lingering on Aurora for a moment before she turned to rally the pack.
As the wolves dispersed to tend to the wounded and fortify their defenses, Selene’s glow grew brighter. Aurora stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as she gasped for air.
“Aurora,” Cassian said softly, his relief palpable as he helped her sit up.
Aurora’s first instinct was to reach for her abdomen, her voice hoarse as she asked, “The baby?”
Selene smiled faintly, stepping back to give them space. “She’s fine. She’s strong, just like her mother.”
Cassian handed Aurora their daughter, the tiny infant cooing softly as she nestled into her mother’s arms. A wave of peace washed over Aurora as she held her child close, her heart swelling with a mix of love and determination.
“She saved us,” Aurora whispered, her voice breaking.
The Pact’s energy pulsed faintly around them, a sign that it was beginning to heal, though it remained fragile. Cassian placed a protective arm around Aurora, his gaze scanning the horizon.
“We’ll keep her safe,” he vowed.
Aurora looked up at him, her silver eyes glowing softly. “We’ll keep them all safe.”
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