Chapter 17: Midnight Rendezvous

Lyra's POV

The full moon hangs low in the sky, a silver eye watching the sleeping world. But sleep eludes me, my mind a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The events of the pack meeting replay on an endless loop—the unexpected praise, Elara's threats, and Xander's words that felt too much like hope.

With a frustrated growl, I throw off my covers. I can't stay in this room for another second. Nova, my wolf, paces restlessly within me, yearning for freedom.

'Run,' she urges. 'Let's run until we can't think anymore.'

For once, we're in perfect agreement. I slip out of the house silently, padding across the dew-dampened grass. As soon as I reach the tree line, I let the shift take me. Bones crack and reform, fur sprouts across my skin, and in moments, I'm no longer Lyra the girl but Lyra the wolf.

I take off into the forest, reveling in the feeling of the earth beneath my paws and the wind in my fur. The physical exertion helps quiet the tumult in my mind, if only temporarily. I r