Chapter 85: Rising Storm

Lyra's POV

The air crackles with tension as I stand atop the watchtower, surveying the vast expanse of Shadowmoon Pack territory. The ethereal glow of the rift Elara left behind still pulses faintly on the horizon, a constant reminder of the cosmic forces at play. But right now, a more immediate threat demands my attention.

Alpha Thorne's pack masses at our borders, their snarls carried on the wind. They've chosen their moment well, striking when we're at our most vulnerable. The loss of Elara, the mysterious appearance of her future son, the growing instability of reality itself – it's all taken its toll on our pack's morale.

I feel Xander's presence before I see him, our mate bond humming with shared anxiety and determination. He joins me at the parapet, his jaw clenched as he takes in the enemy's numbers.

"They outnumber us three to one," he says grimly. "And our best fighters are still recovering from closing the rift."

I nod, a plan alre