Luna Aurora (Alpha Fenrir)

Chapter 349
Elyra paced the war room, her thoughts a storm of frustration and fear. The map laid out before her showed the grim reality of
Dain's rapid conquest. The Ironfang Pack, the Riverstone Pack, and now two more territories-packs that had once sworn loyalty
to her had fallen under his control. Shadow markers indicated the positions of Dain's forces, growing dangerously close to her
borders.
"We can't wait any longer," Cassian said, slamming his fist on the table. His golden eyes burned with urgency. "If we don't strike
first, he'll overwhelm us. We've already lost too much ground."
Elyra stopped pacing, her fingers tightening into fists. She looked at Cassian, the weight of her responsibilities pressing on her
shoulders. "If we fight him now, I'll lose him forever."
Cassian's jaw tightened, and he stepped closer. "Elyra, he's not your brother anymore. He's chosen his path, and every day you
wait, he gets stronger. If you don't act, you're not just risking him-you're risking everyone who's still loyal to you."
"Do you think I don't know that?" Elyra snapped, her voice cracking. "I can feel him slipping further away. But if I attack him
outright, there will be no turning back for either of us."
The room fell into a tense silence. Fenrir, leaning against the far wall, crossed his arms and muttered, "Maybe it's time to stop
thinking of him as someone who can be saved." Elyra shot him a glare. "Don't say that."

Selene, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. Her silver eyes were calm but held a weight of their own. "Elyra," she
said softly, "there might be another way."
All eyes turned to Selene as she unrolled an ancient, weathered scroll from her satchel and placed it on the table. The symbols
etched on the parchment glowed faintly, as if alive with their own light.
"This," Selene explained, "is an ancient ritual created by the first Lunas to combat the corruption of the shard's power. It can
sever the shard's connection to its wielder, stripping them of its influence." Elyra's heart leapt with hope. "You mean... I can save
him?"
Selene hesitated, her expression darkening. "It's not that simple. Severing the shard's power isn't without risk. The ritual
demands an extraordinary amount of energy-yours, specifically. And if the shard resists, it could destroy Dain entirely." Elyra
stared at her, the hope flickering like a fragile flame. "There's a chance, though. A chance that he could survive."

"There's always a chance," Selene replied, her voice heavy with caution. "But you need to understand this isn't just about saving
Dain. If you fail, the shard's power could spiral out of control, consuming both of you."
Cassian folded his arms, his face dark with doubt. "This is madness. You're risking yourself and everyone else for a slim chance
at saving someone who's already chosen his side."
Elyra met his gaze, her voice unwavering. "He's still my brother. I won't abandon him."
Fenrir sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What do we need for this ritual, then? If we're going to gamble, we might as well
know the stakes."
Selene pointed to the scroll. "The

ritual requires a sacred place of balance, untouched by either light shadow. There's one such
ок
location the Eclipse Grove, done
in
neutral territory. But reaching it will be dangerous. Dain's forces are everywhere."
Elyra nodded, determination hardening her resolve. "Then we'll find a way. If this is the only chance I have to save him, I'll take
it."
A sudden commotion outside the
war room interrupted them. One of Elyra's scouts burst in, his face pale and his breathing ragged. "Luna!" he gasped. "We've just
received word Dain's army is on the move. They're heading straight for our borders."
The room erupted into chaos. Fenrir cursed under his breath, and Cassian immediately began issuing orders to prepare the
defenses. Elyra, however, stood frozen, her mind racing. "Selene," Elyra said urgently, grabbing her arm. "How long do I have
before the ritual can be performed?"
Selene frowned. "The preparations will take time—at least three days. But if Dain reaches your territory before then..."

"He won't," Elyra interrupted, her voice steady. "I'll find a way to stall him."
Cassian overheard and turned to her, disbelief written across his face. "Stall him? You're planning to face him?"
"I don't have a choice," Elyra replied. "If I can buy us time, we might be able to stop this war before it consumes everything."
Cassian grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not harsh. "You're walking straight into his trap."
Elyra pulled away, her eyes blazing with determination. "Then let him trap me. I won't give up on him-not yet."
-: Elyra clenched her fists, her voice
resolute as she looked at her allies. "Prepare the ritual. I'll face him myself if have to." As the scout's words echoed in her mind,
the shard in her pocket began to pulse again, whispering a warning: "He's waiting for you."