LIRAI couldn’t sit still. The weight of the truth was pressing down on me, heavy and suffocating. Every question I had before felt insignificant now.. I had to take matters into my own hands."You don’t have to do this," Caius’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to find him standing in the doorway, his silver eyes filled with concern.I didn’t look at him at first, instead staring out the window at the still, quiet world outside. The calmness of the world around me felt like a lie. Everything inside me was screaming for action. The clock was ticking, and I was running out of time."I have to," I said, finally turning to face him. "I need to find the Valenwood Pack. I need to understand what I am and where I come from."Caius stepped into the room, his gaze softening as he crossed the space between us. "I get it, Lira. But it’s dangerous. You don’t know what you’re walking into."I bit my lip, forcing back the wave of uncertainty that threatened to drown me. "I don’t have
LIRAThe fire crackled softly in the dimly lit chamber, casting long shadows on the stone walls. The warm orange glow of the flames was the only light in the otherwise dark room, flickering and dancing across the ancient stone. The weight of Elder Aldric’s words hung in the air like a dense fog, making it hard to breathe, let alone think.Caius sat beside me, our shoulders brushing lightly, though his presence felt more like a lifeline than mere proximity. His warmth was the only thing that seemed to ground me in that moment. My father stood just a few feet away, his posture rigid as ever, arms crossed tightly across his chest, eyes narrowed in contemplation. The silence between us stretched, thick and suffocating."I remember now," Elder Aldric murmured, his voice distant, as if he were trying to sift through the mists of time to unearth forgotten knowledge. His eyes glazed over, and I could see his mind working, digging deep into ancient memories. "The prophecy does not speak of one
LIRAAldric folded his hands together. "Now that we are all in agreement, there is one last matter to discuss."I turned to him. "You must leave soon," the Elder continued. "The Valenwood Pack has remained hidden for a reason. They might not welcome you easily."But before he could respond, my father stepped in, his expression tense. My father, always the protector, never the one to show vulnerability, now looked like a man whose world had been flipped upside down. I met his gaze, a question in my eyes, but he didn’t wait for it."I’m coming with you," he said, his voice low but resolute. "I’ve kept you from the truth for too long. I’ve kept you safe and I won’t let you face this alone.""Father," I began, but the words felt weak on my tongue. He wasn’t giving me a choice, and I knew it. My father, Tobias, was the Alpha of our pack—he couldn’t sit idly by while I searched for the answers to who I really was."You will need me," he continued, his voice thick with something I couldn’t q
LIRAThe morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as our group rode through the dense forest. Sunlight filtered through the towering trees, casting shifting shadows along the moss-covered path. The rhythm of hooves striking the dirt ground was the only sound that accompanied our travel, yet it felt like the forest itself was holding its breath, watching us, waiting.I stole a glance at my father, who rode beside me, his expression unreadable as always. His stoic demeanor was a constant presence, an unyielding force of control. Alpha Tobias, my father, had insisted on coming along, bringing ten of his own warriors to join our group. Despite his silent disapproval of my bond with Caius, he had made it clear that my safety was his priority—whether I liked it or not. The air between us was tense, yet unspoken. He had not addressed our issues directly, but his actions said everything. His gaze rarely lingered on me, his attention always focused ahead, as if determin
LIRAThe wind howled through the dense forest, swirling snow around our boots as we stood at the edge of the darkened valley. Our breath curled into the cold night air, a plume of white vapor fading into the frosty emptiness. The world seemed alive with the biting chill, but beneath it, a heavy unease pressed down on us like a suffocating blanket. The night was silent, save for the harsh whispers of the wind and the occasional crunch of snow beneath our feet. Yet, I could feel something—something lurking just beyond the reach of the moonlight, watching us, waiting.My father stood at my right, his broad form a silent sentinel in the dark. His warriors formed a protective semicircle around us, their dark silhouettes outlined against the pale snow. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with the foreboding sense that we were on the cusp of something dangerous. My father’s sharp gaze never wavered, his eyes scanning the edges of the valley, taking in every shadow, every flicker of mo
The captured warrior sat bound to a thick wooden post in the center of the camp, his wrists and ankles secured with silver-forged restraints. The dark night air whipped around him, but he didn’t flinch, his sharp amber eyes unwavering as he glared at the wolves surrounding him. The cold night seemed to press down on us, thick with the weight of what was to come. Caius, Tobias, Lira, and the others stood in a half-circle before him, each of us on edge, eyes fixed on the warrior. The fire crackled behind us, casting dancing shadows across the faces of those gathered.Ronan was the first to break the silence. His voice was low, tinged with that unrelenting cynicism he always carried. “You should consider yourself lucky,” he muttered. “We usually don’t keep strangers alive when they attack first.”The warrior scoffed, the sound rough, carrying the weight of experience. “And I usually don’t get captured,” he replied, his voice thick with the remnants of a hardened past.Caius stepped forw
The silence stretched for several moments as Lira processed everything Dain had just revealed. The weight of it settled on her shoulders, pressing down with the heaviness of a thousand unspoken truths. Her mind spun as she grappled with the implications of what she had just learned. She had always known there were gaps in her mother’s story, but she never expected those gaps to be so vast, so tangled in the shadows of betrayal and lost legacies.Caius was the first to break the silence, his voice steady but edged with disbelief. “You’re saying that Valenwood really still exists. That Alpha Theron, Lira’s grandfather, is still leading the survivors.”Dain’s amber eyes met Caius’s, unwavering. “Yes,” he confirmed with a nod, his voice thick with both reverence and sorrow. “And he would want to see his granddaughter.” His gaze flickered toward Lira, his next words meant only for her. “You carry his blood. Even after all these years, you belong to Valenwood.”Lira wasn’t sure what to say.
The air was crisp as they set out before dawn, the distant mountains silhouetted against the dim glow of the fading moon. The night’s lingering chill clung to Lira’s skin, but she barely noticed. Her mind was too preoccupied with the weight of the journey ahead.They were heading into the unknown—into Valenwood, a place shrouded in secrecy for over half a century.Tobias rode beside her, his presence grounding yet heavy with unspoken thoughts. To his left, Dain remained stoic, his expression unreadable as his sharp eyes scanned their surroundings. Caius, ever the silent guardian, positioned himself protectively near Lira, while Ronan and the other warriors flanked them at a distance.As they rode, Lira found her gaze drifting to Dain. His story had lingered in her mind ever since his reveal. A man who had spent his life protecting a land few believed existed. A man who had lost everything to Malakar’s forces.She broke the silence. Lira took a deep breath, her hands tightening around
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of snow as the sun shone over the training grounds. Despite the lingering winter chill, heat radiated from the gathered group as they stretched and prepared for another rigorous session.Lira adjusted her stance, rolling her shoulders as she faced Caius, Ronan, Elias, and—unexpectedly—Kora, who had decided to join the sparring.“I figured it was about time I learned how to properly fight,” Kora said, smirking as she tied her hair back. “I can’t let my best friend be the only badass around here.”Ronan, standing beside her with his arms crossed, scowled. “You don’t need to train, Kora.”Kora shot him a glare. “Oh, so I should just sit back and let you protect me while I do nothing? Yeah, not happening.”Elias chuckled. “You walked right into that one, Ronan.”Caius smirked. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”The session was intense. Lira sparred with Caius first, testing her speed and strength against his sheer power. The bond betw
The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and freshly fallen snow. Lira stirred in the warm embrace of Caius, her body still humming with the aftermath of their night together. She had never felt so… whole. It was as if something deep within her had finally aligned, like a missing piece had clicked into place.As she stretched, she noticed how heightened her senses felt—every sound crisper, every scent sharper. Even the energy within her felt stronger, no longer something she had to strain to reach but something that now pulsed effortlessly beneath her skin.Caius stirred beside her, golden eyes meeting hers with a lazy smirk. “You feel it, don’t you?” he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.Lira nodded, pressing a hand to her chest. “It’s like my body has fully awakened. I feel… powerful.”Caius hummed, reaching out to brush his fingers along her arm. “I feel it too. My strength, my reflexes… everything is enhanced. Even Fenrir feels it.” He turned his gaze to the window
Lira couldn’t sleep.The moonlight spilled softly through the curtains, silver beams washing across the room in gentle strokes, but nothing about the night felt peaceful. Her skin still tingled from the shift. Her wolf stirred restlessly beneath the surface, alert, alive.But that wasn’t the reason she was still awake.It was him.Caius lay beside her, too still, too silent. His breathing was even, but not the steady rhythm of sleep—no, this was control. Restraint.She turned toward him, and sure enough, his eyes opened to meet hers—golden and glowing faintly in the dark.“You’re thinking too much,” he murmured.“So are you.”A faint smirk curved his lips, but his gaze stayed serious. “What’s on your mind?”Lira hesitated, then whispered, “The bond feels… different now.”Caius nodded. “Because it is. Your wolf is awake now. She recognizes what’s hers.”A shiver danced down her spine.“What about you?” she asked.His smirk faded, the heat in his gaze deepening. “I’ve always recognized
Lira had never felt this alive.She raced through the forest, the cool night air rushing past her, her paws barely making asound against the frozen ground. Each step was effortless, her body moving with a fluid gracethat felt almost otherworldly. Her senses were heightened beyond anything she could haveimagined—every smell, every sound, every shift in the wind was as clear to her as though itwere happening inside her own body.Beside her, Fenrir ran with equal speed and precision, his powerful form flowing through thetrees like a shadow. His dark fur contrasted beautifully with her radiant white coat, and hisgolden eyes glinted in the moonlight, watching her with an intensity that made her heart race."You’re incredible," his deep voice rumbled through the bond between them, the words vibratingthrough her as if they were spoken directly into her chest.She shot him a playful glance. "You’re just saying that because I’m your mate," she teased, hertail swishing behind her as she
The night air was crisp, the sky stretching vast and endless, illuminated by countless stars. Agentle breeze whispered through the towering pines surrounding Grimhowl’s training grounds,carrying with it the electric anticipation of the wolves gathered. Tonight was the night.Lira stood at the center of the clearing, barefoot on the frozen earth, feeling the energy pulsingaround her. The pack was silent, their collective presence a quiet yet steady supportsurrounding her like an invisible shield. Each breath she took seemed to magnify the moment,the weight of everything leading up to this night pressing down on her shoulders. But there wassomething else that grounded her, something more solid and real than anything else—Caius,standing beside her, his presence like an anchor. His steady gaze never wavered from her, andthe strength in his eyes made her heart hammer in her chest.“You’re ready,” he murmured softly, his golden eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that madeher p
Lira woke up to the softest kiss on her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered open, and sheimmediately felt the warmth of Caius beside her."Caius?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep, her mind still tangled in the hazy remnantsof dreams."Wake up, love," he whispered, his voice low and warm. "I have something planned for youtoday."Lira blinked, the sleepiness clinging to her like a blanket. "What...?" Her voice was slow,reluctant to shake off the drowsiness."You’ll see," Caius replied with a teasing smile that she could feel even though her eyes werestill half-closed.Later That Evening…Lira walked into the main hall, her steps slow as she took in the space around her. There wassomething off about the atmosphere. It was too quiet. Too still.Then, suddenly—"SURPRISE!"The doors swung open with a dramatic flourish, revealing a breathtaking sight. The entireballroom sparkled, glittering with gold and silver decorations that shimmered under the soft glowof fairy lights strun
Lira barely had a moment of peace before Kora barged into her room, her usual energetic self,arms crossed and dark curls bouncing with every step."LIRA!" Kora practically shouted, making Lira jolt in surprise. She blinked at the suddenintrusion, her heart racing for a moment before she realized it was just Kora being Kora."You are officially few days away from your birthday!" Kora’s voice was loud enough to shakethe walls, her eyes sparkling with mischief.Lira stared at her, still processing the words, a frown forming on her face. “Uh… yes?”Kora’s grin grew wider, and she threw herself onto Lira's bed dramatically, landing with a bouncethat made the entire mattress shift. "Do you realize what that means?"Lira gave her a blank look. "That I’ll shift for the first time?" she asked cautiously, unsure if thiswas leading to something she wasn’t ready for.Kora rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t pop out. "That too, but also…" Shesat up with exaggerated excitemen
Lira stood at the edge of the training grounds, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, as shewatched the warriors spar. The icy wind of winter nipped at her skin, but it was nothingcompared to the tension that was coiling tighter and tighter inside her chest. She could feel thepressure, the expectation, and it had been growing stronger every day. Only a week remainedbefore her birthday, and with it, the moment she had both dreaded and anticipated her entirelife.Her first shift.And four days after that—the full moon.Lira’s fingers clenched into fists at her sides as she thought about it. It had been a constantworry in the back of her mind for as long as she could remember. There was so much she hadto prepare for. The full moon would be the moment when everything changed. She would stepinto the world as a fully realized wolf, something she’d been dreaming about for years, but alsosomething she was terrified of. What if she wasn’t ready? What if she failed? There was no way
Lira sat on the log, staring blankly into the crackling fire before her. The flames danced in frontof her eyes, but she saw nothing. Her mind was a void, her thoughts nothing more than atangled mess of confusion, exhaustion, and pure embarrassment.She was numb. Emotionally, spiritually, mentally scarred.Her eyes were glazed, as though nothing in the world could pierce through the haze that hadsettled over her like a heavy fog. Last night’s events replayed in her mind over and over like anightmare she couldn’t escape.Caius sat beside her, an amused glint in his eyes. He wasn’t one to shy away from trouble—hewas the source of much of it, after all. His deep chuckle vibrated through his chest as hewatched her, obviously trying to suppress the amusement bubbling inside him. “You alright,love?”Lira slowly turned her head toward him. Her face was blank—empty, devoid of the usual spark.“I need therapy,” she muttered, her voice flat and devoid of any life.Caius raised an eyebrow,