Chapter 4

When she moved again, her eyes finally opened, still hazy and confused. Cael was there, lying beside her, holding her hand firmly.

"Mate?" Her voice was hoarse, low, and she seemed confused for a moment. Her eyes were clouded, trying to adjust to the soft light of the room. "Where am I?"

Cael smiled with a rare softness. He knew the worst had passed, but he also knew their journey was just beginning.

"You are safe, my Luna. At home. I will take care of you." His voice was calm, but there was an unshakable certainty in it.

Aurora tried to sit up, but her weakness made her collapse back onto the pillow. Cael immediately helped her, adjusting the pillows and making her comfortable. He remained by her side, now more attentive than ever.

"Don't try to get up yet. You need to rest." He squeezed her hand more firmly, wishing to convey all the safety he felt. "I will be here all the time. I won't leave you alone."

She looked at him, her eyes softening, as if the bond between them was beginning to make sense. The expression of fear that once dominated her face was now beginning to yield, giving way to something softer: trust.

"You are mine, but I don't know your name..." she whispered, her voice so low he could barely hear it. "I... feel I can trust you."

He squeezed her hand, the bond between them stronger than any words could describe.

"Yes, I am your Cael. You always can, my Luna. I promise."

She nodded.

"My name is Aurora, Cael, I don't know…"

"Yes, my little one, our bond told me." Cael interrupted her, stroking his mate's small face with delicacy.

The night passed quietly after that. Cael, the undefeated Alpha of Ironfang, the beast feared among all packs, had found something he never knew he was looking for: someone he wanted to protect with all his strength. Aurora had been marked as his, and he would do the impossible to keep her safe.

As the night fell, their bond grew, silent but strong, like the full moon illuminating the sky outside. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with her by his side, he was ready to face anything.

---

Aurora was sleeping more peacefully now, her face relaxed against the pillow, as if she had finally found a respite from the nightmares. Cael remained by her side, lying partially on the mattress, one hand holding hers and the other resting on his head, watching her with silent intensity. He hadn't slept. He couldn't. His wolf remained on high alert, every fiber of his being focused on her. The feeling of having her so close was both comforting and overwhelming.

But the moment of peace was interrupted by firm knocks on the door.

Cael growled low, instinctively, without moving from his spot. Aurora stirred slightly, murmuring something he didn't understand, but she didn't wake up. Carefully, he released her hand and stood up, moving to the door with the silent grace of a predator.

"What is it?" he asked in a low voice, so as not to wake her.

From the other side, Jared's voice came in an urgent tone:

"We need you, Alpha. The pack council is already assembled. We have information about the attack on our patrol."

Cael gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening. He knew he couldn't postpone this. The attack Jared was talking about had happened while he was caring for Aurora, a sudden clash with scouts from the rival pack, without warning. The wounded were still being treated. The smell of blood still permeated the air in the medical wing corridors.

"Wait, I'm coming," Cael replied firmly.

Closing the door carefully, he returned to the bed. Aurora was still asleep, but the bond, which had not yet been consummated, told him she would begin to wake soon. He knelt beside her, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek, murmuring:

"I'll be back soon, my Luna. Jared will be nearby. You are safe here."

She didn't answer, but her breathing changed for a moment, as if she felt his absence even before opening her eyes. That tightened Cael's chest in a way he wasn't prepared to deal with. But he had to go. His pack needed him.

With one last look, he left the room.

The council hall was heated. The Betas and leaders of the main houses of the Ironfang pack occupied their places around the circular table, awaiting the arrival of their Alpha.

As soon as Cael entered, everyone stood up in respect. His presence filled the room with a silent, powerful, relentless imposingness.

"Sit," he said in a low but firm voice, and everyone obeyed immediately.

One of the leaders was the first to speak, projecting a hologram over the table with images of the destroyed patrol. There was blood, claw marks, debris. Two of the youngest warriors had died. Three were injured.

"They used traps. Spikes with silver venom. Someone led them directly to our patrol, as if they knew exactly where they would be. It was no coincidence." He looked into the Alpha's eyes. "This has Lucian's scent all over it."

A low growl echoed from Cael's chest. The name was enough to make his beast stir. Lucian, Alpha of the Blackclaw pack, was more than a rival: he was responsible for Aurora's condition. She was running from him. And now, he dared to cross his borders.

"They are testing our defenses. This wasn't just an attack. It was a warning," said Thorne, one of the pack's veteran generals. "They are probing, provoking."

Cael nodded. It all made sense. Lucian wanted Aurora back and was willing to provoke a war for it.