The mountain loomed before them like a sleeping giant as the first light of dawn painted the sky pink. Aurora clutched the Fang tightly, its glow casting silver-gold patterns on her skin. The wolf moon would rise tonight.
"This is it," she whispered to Elias. "The entrance to the caves must be on the north side."
Elias nodded, his eyes scanning the rocky terrain. Through their bond, Aurora felt his mind working, calculating. Her brave Alpha, always the strategist.
"I'll take twenty fighters through the main cave," he said to the gathered pack. "Dante will lead ten more through the eastern passage with the tracking stones."
Dante stepped forward, the journal tucked safely in his jacket. The symbol on his chest pulsed faintly. "Remember, we need to reach the central chamber before moonrise. If the Ancients break through—"
"They won't," Aurora cut in, her voice stronger than she felt. "Not if we seal the doorway first."
