Luna Aurora novel (Alpha Fenrir)

Elyra's boots crunched softly against the mossy ground of the Moonlit Forest, a place that once radiated peace but now carried a sinister aura. The trees were shrouded in darkness, their twisted branches reaching like claws toward the crescent moon above. Shadow magic lingered thick in the air, making the forest feel alive with malice. Elyra tightened her grip on her blade, her senses heightened as she led a small party through the treacherous terrain. Cassian and Fenrir flanked her, their expressions grim, while three of her most trusted warriors brought up the rear. "This place feels wrong," Fenrir muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "The shadows... they move when they shouldn't."

Elyra nodded. She felt it too-the forest was tainted, corrupted by Dain's growing influence. She kept her voice steady as she replied, "Stay sharp. If his raiding party is here, they won't make this easy for us."

Their mission was simple: intercept one of Dain's raiding groups that had been terrorizing nearby territories. But as they ventured deeper into the forest, Elyra couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

A sudden rustle to their left made everyone freeze. Cassian raised his bow, scanning the darkness, while Fenrir bared his teeth, his claws elongating in anticipation. Elyra held up a hand, signaling for silence. The group moved cautiously, every step measured. Then it happened.

From the shadows, wolves lunged with unnatural speed, their eyes glowing an eerie crimson. The ambush was swift and brutal. Elyra barely had time to react before one of the shadow wolves pounced at her. She dodged, slicing her blade across its flank, but to her horror, the wound closed almost instantly.

"This isn't just shadow," Elyra shouted over the chaos of battle. "He's turned them into monsters!"

Cassian loosed an arrow that struck one wolf in the chest, but instead of falling, it snarled and charged him. Fenrir intercepted, tackling the beast and slamming it into a tree, but even his immense strength seemed barely enough to hold it off. "These things don't die!" Fenrir growled, wrestling the creature.

Elyra darted through the melee, her blade glowing faintly with the light magic she'd been training to harness. She slashed at another wolf, this time infusing her strike with power. The beast yelped as the light burned through its shadow-infused body, dissolving it into mist. "They can be killed!" Elyra yelled. "Use light magic if you have it!"

But her allies were struggling. The shadow wolves were relentless, their movements erratic and unpredictable. Elyra's heart pounded as she realized they were outnumbered. She spotted one of her warriors fall under a wolf's attack, and rage surged through her. She pushed forward, carving a path through the fray, desperate to turn the tide.

That's when she saw him-Dain's lieutenant. A tall, menacing figure cloaked in shadow stood just beyond the battle, his crimson eyes locked on Elyra. He smirked as she approached, twirling a wickedly sharp blade in his hand.

"So, the little Luna thinks she can stand against him," the lieutenant taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. "He doesn't need you anymore. You're nothing but a memory to him."

Elyra gritted her teeth, refusing to be

baited. She lunged, her blade meeting his with a clash that sent

sparks flying. The lieutenant was fast, his movements almost

inhuman. He parried her strike

ease, countering with brutal precision. Elyra felt her strength

with

wavering as she fought to keep up.

"You're wasting your time," he sneered, pressing her back. "The Warden of Shadows has plans for you, Luna. And trust me, they won't be pleasant."

Elyra's anger flared, and she

unleashed a burst of light magic, forcing him to stumble. She pressed the advantage, slashing at his arm and drawing blood. But before she could deliver a finishing blow, a shadow wolf leaped at her, knocking her off balance. She hit the ground hard, her vision swimming as pain shot through her side.

The lieutenant seized the opportunity to retreat, calling out as he disappeared into the shadows, "You can't stop him. The Warden's power is absolute!" "Coward!" Fenrir roared, but the lieutenant was gone, along with the surviving wolves.

Elyra struggled to her feet, clutching her injured side. Cassian was by her side in an instant, his face etched with concern. "You're hurt," he said, his tone urgent.

"I'll live," Elyra replied through gritted teeth. She surveyed the battlefield. Two of her warriors were down, one gravely injured. The rest looked battered and shaken. "We have to fall back," Cassian urged. "We can't stay here."

Elyra nodded reluctantly. The ambush had taken its toll, and staying in the corrupted forest any longer was too dangerous. With Fenrir's help, she rallied the group, and they began their retreat, moving as quickly as they could despite their injuries. As they exited the forest, Elyra couldn't shake the lieutenant's words. The Warden of Shadows had plans for her-what did that mean? And Dain... how much further had he fallen under the Warden's influence?noveldrama

Once they reached safety, Elyra collapsed against a tree, her mind racing. The shard's whispers grew louder, taunting her with doubts. You're not strong enough to save him. You never were.

Elyra pushed the thoughts aside,

focusing on the here and now. She

looked at Cassian and Fenrir, both of whom were watching her with a mix of concern and expectation. "We can't keep letting him gain the upper hand," she said, her voice firm despite her exhaustion. "This ends soon."

But even as she spoke the words, the chilling message from the lieutenant echoed in her mind. The Warden's plans were in motion, and Elyra had no choice but to face them head-on-whatever the cost.

-: Injured and shaken, Elyra stares into the night sky, the crescent moon obscured by shadow. She whispers to herself, "How do I fight a war when the enemy is my own brother?"