Lyra's POVThe aftermath of Kieran's revelation hangs heavy in the air of Moonhaven. Wolves from both packs huddle in small groups, whispers and wary glances following me wherever I go. I feel like a creature under glass, observed and dissected by those I once called family.I find myself pacing like a caged animal in Selene's private chambers. My mother – the word still feels foreign on my tongue – watches me with ancient, sorrowful eyes."Why?" I finally ask, my voice cracking with years of secrets and lies. "Why keep this from me for so long? Why let me believe I was someone, something else entirely?"Selene sighs, the sound heavy with centuries of regret. "To protect you, Lyra. To give you a chance at a normal life, at least for a little while.""Normal?" I scoff. "I've never felt normal a day in my life. Always different, always out of place. Do you have any idea what that's like?""More than you know," she replies softly. "I've walked between worlds for millennia, Lyra. Never fu
Xander's POVThe first tremor catches me off guard. I'm in my father's study, poring over ancient pack treaties when the ground beneath my feet rumbles. At first, I dismiss it as nothing more than a passing truck or a distant storm. But then the walls start to shake, books tumbling from their shelves in a cascading avalanche of leather and paper."Earthquake!" I shout, my voice carrying the authority of the Alpha heir. "Everyone out, now!"I rush from the study, my mind racing. We've had minor quakes before, but this is the first time we've had minor quakes. The very foundations of the pack house groan in protest as I make my way through the corridors, helping elders and pups alike to safety.As I emerge into the courtyard, the full scale of the disaster becomes apparent. Cracks spiderweb across the ground, swallowing up gardens and pathways. The air is filled with a cacophony of howls, both human and wolf, as pack members scramble for safety."Form teams!" I command, my voice cutting
Xander's POVThe weight of my father's body in my arms feels impossibly heavy, a crushing reminder of the responsibility that now falls to me. As I lay him gently on the ground, my eyes scan his broken form, searching for answers. Something doesn't feel right."Xander," a soft voice breaks through my grief-stricken haze. Lyra stands at the rubble's edge, her face a mixture of sorrow and... suspicion?I straighten, forcing myself to think like an Alpha, not a grieving son. "What is it, Lyra?"She approaches cautiously, her eyes never leaving my father's body. "The way he's positioned... it's odd. And these marks..." She gestures to a series of scratches on his neck, partially hidden by his fur.I lean in for a closer look, my heart racing. The scratches are too uniform and deliberate to be from falling debris—Unbidden, a memory flashes—my father's signet ring, with its distinctive claw-like design."It can't be," I mutter, more to myself than Lyra.Her hand on my arm sends a jolt throug
Lyra's POVThe air in Shadowmoon Pack territory is thick with grief and suspicion. As I help clear debris from what was once the grand pack house, I can't shake the feeling that we're all walking on eggshells. Xander's declaration of foul play has everyone on edge, with furtive glances and hushed whispers following me wherever I go.I'm lifting a hefty beam when a flash of movement catches my eye. My heart stops. At the edge of the tree line stands the mysterious man who's been haunting my dreams and waking hours. Our eyes lock briefly, terrifyingly before he melts back into the shadows."Did you see that?" I ask the wolf working beside me, my voice trembling.He looks up, confused. "See what?"I shake my head, doubt creeping in. Am I going crazy? Or is there truly something sinister at play here?As twilight descends, I approach Xander's temporary command center. The mate bond between us thrums with tension, a constant reminder of what we could be and can never have. I'm about to ent
Xander's POVThe packed house, once a symbol of our strength and unity, now stands as a crumbling testament to the chaos that has engulfed us. I stand at the makeshift podium, facing a sea of anxious and angry faces. The air crackles with tension, whispers, and accusatory glances flying like arrows."Alpha Xander," Elder Thorne's gravelly voice cuts through the murmurs. We must address the Luna situation. Elara's performance during the crisis has raised concerns."Elara stiffens beside me, her perfectly manicured nails digging into my arm. "Performance?" she hisses, low enough for only me to hear. "I was attacked!"I struggle to keep my expression neutral, the memory of her torn clothes and bloodied cheek warring with the nagging suspicion in my gut. Something about that attack didn't sit right, but I can't understand why."Elara has been through a traumatic experience," I begin, choosing my words carefully. "We shouldn't rush to""With all due respect, Alpha," another voice interrupt
Lyra's POVThe air in Shadowmoon Pack territory is thick with tension and unspoken accusations. As I make my way through the rebuilding efforts, I can't help but notice the way conversations halt abruptly when I approach, only to resume in fervent whispers once I've passed."Did you see what she did during the quake?""Unnatural, if you ask me.""But she saved so many...""Power like that... it's dangerous."I try to ignore the stares and muttered comments, focusing instead on the task at hand - helping to clear debris from what was once the pack's community center. But even as I work, I can feel the weight of their scrutiny pressing down on me."Lyra," a voice calls out, and I turn to see Zara approaching. The pack healer's face is etched with concern. "We need to talk. Privately."Curiosity piqued, I follow her to a secluded corner of the grounds. Zara glances around nervously before speaking in a hushed tone. "I've been hearing things... rumors about your powers. Some are calling y
Lyra's POVThe air in Shadowmoon territory is thick with grief and unspoken tension as I put the finishing touches on the memorial for Alpha Blackthorn. Lanterns flicker softly in the gathering dusk, casting long shadows across the faces of pack members as they begin to assemble.I catch snippets of hushed conversations as I move among the crowd:"She's done so much for us...""Maybe we were too quick to judge...""But can we really trust her?"Their words are a mixture of gratitude and lingering suspicion that makes my heart ache. As I light the final candle, I feel a familiar presence behind me."This is... beautiful, Lyra," Xander's voice is low, tinged with emotion. "My father would have appreciated it."I turn to face him, my breath catching at his proximity. The mate bond hums between us, a bittersweet reminder of what can never be. "I just wanted to honor him properly," I manage to say. "To give the pack a chance to say goodbye."Something flickers in Xander's eyes – gratitude,
Xander's POVThe morning sun filters through the curtains, its warmth doing little to dispel the fog clouding my mind. I blink, trying to piece together the events of last night. Fragments of memory flash through my consciousness – Elara's seductive smile, the sweet taste of wine, and then... nothing. A blank void where coherent thought should be.A soft stirring beside me snaps me back to the present. Elara stretches languidly, her naked form barely covered by the silk sheets. She turns to me, her eyes glittering with an emotion I can't quite place."Good morning, my love," she purrs, trailing a finger down my chest. "Last night was... magical."I force a smile, fighting the unease churning in my stomach. "Elara, I—"But before I can voice my confusion, she sits up abruptly, her face suddenly pale. "Oh!" she gasps, clutching her abdomen. "I don't feel well..."Concern overrides my discomfort. "What's wrong? Should I call for the healer?"Elara shakes her head, a small, secretive smil