Chapter 309: Aurora

A loud knock shattered the early morning silence as I was getting dressed. Rowan’s urgent voice reached me.

“Luna! Open the door!”

I swung the door open to find Rowan, his chest heaving as if he’d run the length of the packhouse. He held a crumpled paper, his face pale.

“What is it?” I asked, steadying him by grasping his arm.

“It’s Orion,” Rowan gasped. “They’re moving now. It’s happening.”

I snatched the paper and quickly read the map and scrawled notes. This was more than mere intentions; it was a clear plan to breach our borders by sunrise.

“Call the council,” I snapped. “Get them ready. We’ll deal with this now.”

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Thick air filled the council room. All eyes turned to me, standing at the head of the table, the weight of leadership heavy on my shoulders.

“Orion’s forces are mobilizing,” I announced, meeting each gaze. “We don’t have time to waste. If we don’t act now, they’ll breach our borders before dawn.”

Trajan spoke first, his voice measured. “We should intercept them, laying traps along their main routes. We know this terrain better than they do.” Evelyn leaned forward, her eyes ablaze.

“Why not strike first? Hit them hard before they regroup.”

“Because they outnumber us,” I said firmly. “A head-on attack would be a massacre.”

Warrick folded his arms, his tone disbelieving. “And waiting for them to strike is any better?”

I didn’t flinch. “We don’t wait; we prepare. Trajan will oversee the traps. Piper and Warrick, you’ll guard the packhouse and keep our people safe. Nobody gets left alone.”

The air remained thick.

“Surviving isn’t about pride,” I said softly. “It’s about being smarter, not just stronger.”

The door creaked open, and Dane entered.

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His presence commanded attention, even in his weakened state. “And what’s survival without strength?”

The room fell silent.

“Dane,” I said, barely concealing my shock. “Where did you go? You should be resting.”

“And you shouldn’t be making decisions without me,” he replied, irritation lacing his voice.

“We can’t take them directly; we’re too weak,” I replied.

“We have to stage it, somehow, force their backs against a wall where it’s in our favor,” he said, his eyes squinting.

“And if they call your bluff? We can’t always run, Aurora, and the time has come to show them we will not be intimidated.”

“This isn’t about fear!” My voice cracked under the emotional strain.

“It does mean the protection of the pack,” Trajan interjected, his voice level but firm. “Dane, what Aurora is saying makes sense. Orion’s forces are too great for a direct attack. If we play this smart, we can weaken them without risking everything.”

Dane’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing more. His silence spoke volumes.

Chapter 309 (4/6)

By the time the meeting concluded, I was pacing the packhouse perimeter; the cool morning air did nothing to quell the storm in my mind.

Dane fell into step beside me, his footsteps unhurried.

“You’re taking a big risk,” he said quietly.

“Everything about this is a risk,” I replied, avoiding his gaze. “This way, we can win without losing everything.”

“And what if you’re wrong?”

I turned to him, “At least I’ll know I gave everything to protect this pack. Protect you.”

He offered a fleeting smile. For a moment, the burden lightened.

Without a word, Raven raced forward, face white and heaving. “Luna,” he choked out, thrusting a paper forward. “A message from Orion.”

I unfolded it, my eyes falling upon the bold strokes: “Your move, Luna. Let’s see if you are as strong as you claim.”

I handed him the paper, it trembling in my still-clenched fist.

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His face darkened; his hands trembled with contained wrath.

“He’s playing games,” Dane breathed quietly.

“This is not a game,” I countered sharply.

He met my gaze, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Then stop treating it like one. Fight him. End this.”

“I will,” I said, my voice steady. “But I’ll do it my way.”

Raven shifted, his gaze darting away. “There’s more, Luna. Orion’s forces are closing in on the border. They’re baiting us.”

Dane’s eyes flashed with anger. “And you’re still considering playing his game?”

I turned to him, undeterred. “It is not a game, Dane. It’s strategy.”

The tension hung heavy as the scout watched nervously. Finally, Dane exhaled, his shoulders slumping in reluctant acceptance.

“Fine,” he said. “But don’t wait too long. He won’t.”

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I clutched the paper tightly as the sun rose, casting its light over the packhouse.

“Your move also, Orion,” I whispered. “Let’s see if you’re as strong as you claim to be.”