Luna Aurora novel (Alpha Fenrir)

Nathan bowed his head, though doubt lingered in his eyes.

Arianna, still confined to the holding room beneath Cassian's main hall, paced the small space like a caged predator. Her lips twisted into a sneer as she thought of Aurora, safe and protected while she was left to rot.

She glanced toward the door, where the young wolf she had bribed earlier stood guard. His nervous shifting told her he was still susceptible to manipulation.

"Hey," she called out, her tone sweet and coaxing.

The guard turned, his expression wary. "What do you want?"

Arianna leaned against the wall, her eyes glinting with feigned vulnerability. "I just want to talk. It's so lonely down here, and I'm starting to wonder if anyone even cares about what happens to me."

The guard hesitated, his grip on his weapon tightening. "You're here because you tried to hurt someone."

Arianna sighed dramatically. "That's not what happened. Aurora's spun some story to make herself look innocent, but I was only trying to protect Fenrir's interests. You wouldn't understand-unless you've ever felt betrayed by someone you trusted." The guard's expression faltered, and Arianna pounced on the opportunity.

"You've felt it, haven't you?" she pressed, her voice softening. "That sting of being overlooked, underappreciated. It's not fair, is it?"

The guard's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply.

Arianna smirked to herself, knowing she had planted the seeds of doubt.

Cassian returned to the central hall after leaving Aurora, his mind heavy with thoughts of Fenrir's impending arrival. Nathan met him at the entrance, his expression grave.

"Reports from the patrols," Nathan said, handing him a folded parchment.noveldrama

Cassian unfolded it, scanning the contents. The scouts had confirmed Fenrir's presence near the northern border, along with a group of his strongest trackers. They were moving slowly but deliberately, their intent clear.

"He's waiting for the right moment to strike," Cassian muttered, crumpling the parchment in his hand.

Nathan nodded. "What's the plan, Alpha?"

Cassian's gaze hardened. "We hold the borders. If Fenrir crosses, he'll regret it."

Nathan hesitated before speaking again. "And Arianna? She's already tried to undermine the pack once. We can't risk her causing more damage."

Cassian's jaw tightened. "She stays locked up until this is over. If she tries anything, I'll deal with her myself."

Nathan bowed his head. "Understood."

The night stretched on, each hour filled with tension as the pack prepared for what felt inevitable. Aurora lay awake in her bed, her hand resting on her abdomen as the twins stirred faintly.

She thought of Cassian's promise to protect her, of the quiet strength he carried with him. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope-hope that she might find safety and belonging here.

But as the forest outside her window grew darker, she knew the storm was far from over.