Chapter 301: Aurora

Rowan approached with purpose in his eyes. I had just given Piper and Warrick their mission, and my mind was racing through all the variables when he broke the silence.

“Luna,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty, “I want to help. Tell me what I can do to prove myself.”

I studied him a moment; he was sincere. “Rowan, are you sure? The pack’s trust in you is far from solid, and this mission calls for more than courage.”

He nodded firmly. “I know, but I need to show them and you that I’m not the wolf I used to be.”

After a brief hesitation, I explained, “Calla’s allies are still out there. We need to disrupt their network, and I need someone to lead a group to intercept one of her known associates. Do you think you’re up for it?”

Rowan didn’t falter. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“Good,” I said. “But remember, you’ll need to earn the trust of those who follow you, not just demand it. Your leadership will be tested.”

As we discussed the details, Lila quietly approached, her supportive presence increasing Rowan’s confidence.

That evening, late, Rowan returned with his people, all of whom seemed exhausted but pleased. He presented himself before me, partly proud, partly relieved to give his report.

“The mission was intense,” he began, glancing at Lila for reassurance. “The group was hesitant to trust me at first, but I managed to convince them. I laid out a strategy, and once they saw it working, they followed.”

“Tell me about the strategy,” I pressed, wanting to understand his approach.

He explained how they used the landscape to their advantage, taking up an ambush position that completely surprised the rogue wolves. His rapid thinking had turned the situation around as the fight became disorganized.

“And what happened?” I asked, my voice softer now.

Rowan stood tall, his voice steady. “We won. They ran and we derailed their mission. It’s a small victory, but it’s a start.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Good work, Rowan. This is the kind of effort the pack needs to see from you.”

Later that afternoon, as our meeting concluded, I watched Lila pull Rowan aside. They spoke quietly, but the look of admiration in her eyes was unmistakable.

“You were amazing out there,” she told him, her voice warm with emotion. “You proved to them and to yourself what you’re capable of.”

Rowan’s expression softened. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Your support means more than you know.”

Their bond deepened in that moment, and as I watched them, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. While I was proud of Rowan, the weight of Dane’s condition bore down on me. His time was running out, and the emptiness beside me felt sharper than ever.

With the pack disbanded, the weight of the day’s events pressed heavily upon me. The packhouse, usually my haven, felt oppressive with tension. I walked wearily to the center table, exhausted, and noticed an envelope there, a stark contrast to the dark wood.

“What is this?” I mumbled, more to myself than anyone else.

The envelope was simple, with no seal or markings to indicate its origin. I picked it up, my fingers tracing the rough paper as a chill ran down my spine.

“Luna?” Rowan’s voice was behind me. He stepped closer, his eyes following my gaze to the envelope. “Are you alright?”

The scent of unfamiliar paper reached my nose as I unfolded the letter.

Rowan leaned closer, his curiosity evident. “What does it say?”

The words, written in a sharp, deliberate hand, were few but ominous: “The choice is yours. The deadline awaits.”

I read it aloud, my voice steady but tense. Silence followed, the gravity of the message settling upon us.

“What does it mean?” Rowan asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

I placed the letter on the table, staring at it as if willing it to reveal more. “It could be from anyone. Orion, Calla, or someone else entirely.”

That prospect tightened the knot in my stomach. I rubbed my temples, trying to clear my head. “Whoever sent it knows exactly how to rattle us. And it’s working.”

Lila entered, her eyes moving between us. “What’s going on?”

Rowan handed her the letter, his face grim. As she read it, her face paled. “This isn’t just a warning. It’s a challenge.”

“What do they want me to do?” I mumbled, again to myself.

The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. My fists clenched, steely resolve hardening within me.

“They want a choice? Fine. I shall give them one. But it will be on my terms.”

As the words left my mouth, a distant howl pierced the night, sending a chill through us all. The message, the howl, the impending decision—they were all connected. And time was running out.