Chapter 71
The camp buzzed with quiet intensity as preparations for the mission began. The plan to infiltrate the Lycan King’s fortress had spread quickly, filling the wolves with a mixture of resolve and unease. Supplies were gathered, weapons were sharpened, and scouts were sent ahead to map the dangerous terrain.
Aurora moved among the preparations, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn’t shake. Anica’s revelations had left her unsettled, their cryptic words looping in her head: You carry a power you don’t fully understand.
“Lost in thought?”
She turned sharply to see Anica standing a few feet away, their expression unreadable.
“Not anymore,” she replied curtly, brushing past them.
But Anica followed, their tone softening. “You can’t ignore it, Aurora. The Lycan King won’t stop until he gets what he wants. You need to be ready for what that means.”
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, keeping her tone steady despite the flicker of doubt in her chest.
Anica stepped closer, their golden eyes catching hers. “I can help you, but you have to trust me.”
Aurora’s jaw tightened. “I trust Cassian.”
“And that’s a good thing,” Anica said smoothly. “But Cassian doesn’t know what you’re capable of. I do.”
Before Aurora could respond, Cassian’s voice cut through the tension.
“Anica.”
The two of them turned to see Cassian approaching, his gaze locked on Anica with a mix of suspicion and irritation. “I need you in the war room. Now.”
Anica gave Aurora a faint smile before following Cassian, their confidence unshaken.
***
The war room was a flurry of activity as Cassian laid out the final stages of the plan. Nathan stood by his side, his brow furrowed as he studied the map of the northern mountains.
“We’ll move under the cover of night,” Cassian said, his voice firm. “The scouts have identified a weak point in the fortress’s defenses. If we time it right, we can get in and out before the Lycan King knows what hit him.”
“And if the timing’s off?” Nathan asked.
Cassian’s gaze hardened. “Then we’ll adapt.”
Anica leaned against the table, their golden eyes scanning the map. “The Lycan King doesn’t leave weaknesses by accident. If this weak point exists, it’s because he wants it to.”
Cassian turned to them, his voice sharp. “Do you have a better idea?”
Anica shrugged. “Just don’t assume it’ll be as easy as you think. He’s always five steps ahead.”
Cassian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue.
