The first rays of dawn painted the castle courtyard in shades of gold and pink, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. The army stood assembled, rows of soldiers in polished armor gleaming in the early morning light. Horses snorted and pawed at the ground, their riders ready for the long journey south. The air was thick with a mixture of anticipation and solemnity, the weight of the task ahead pressing on every soul present.Lyra emerged from the castle, her armor catching the sunlight and her stone glowing faintly against the steel. Her movements were steady, her gaze sharp as she scanned the assembly. This was it - the moment they would begin their march to face the Shadow Order. She spotted Kane speaking with their captains, his commanding presence a steady anchor in the sea of preparation.As Lyra approached, her steps slowed when her eyes landed on her father. Alpha Killian stood tall and resolute, wearing an armor that fit him as though it were an extension of himself. Th
Thank you for reading this book . If you want to know what Lyra will face in the future I invite you to read next book " Lyra, Lycan Queen " "Lyra, Lycan Queen"The Kingdom stands on the precipice of war, its fate teetering under the shadow of an ancient enemy. As Lyra and Kane lead their forces against the relentless army of the Shadow Order in the south, chaos strikes at the heart of the realm. The capital falls under siege and a devastating betrayal claims the life of the beloved King, leaving the throne without its protector.In the wake of unimaginable loss, Lyra must rise to embrace her destiny - not just as a warrior or a leader, but as the rightful Queen of the Lycans. With the weight of the crown upon her head, she and Kane will face their greatest trials yet, navigating the treacherous path of ruling a fractured kingdom while confronting a ruthless enemy bent on destruction.Amidst the raging war, Lyra’s bond with the mysterious stone grows stronger, revealing secrets about
The campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the gathered soldiers. Lyra sat on a weathered log, her gaze fixed on the glowing embers as her thoughts churned. The day's march had been grueling, and though the air was filled with the murmur of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter, there was an undercurrent of unease that no amount of camaraderie could dispel.Kane approached silently, his movements purposeful but unhurried. He settled beside her, his presence as steadying as the earth beneath her feet. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, his voice low and comforting.Lyra shook her head, her fingers absently brushing the stone hanging from her neck. “Too much on my mind. The vision… the weight of what’s coming… it feels like everything hinges on what we do next.”Kane studied her, his golden eyes glinting in the firelight. “It does,” he said simply. “But we’re not alone in this. You’ve built something powerful here - these soldiers, your father, me. We’ll see th
The acrid scent of charred wood mingled with the metallic tang of blood as Lyra surveyed the battlefield. The Lycans had claimed victory in the skirmish, but the cost had been sobering. Bodies of fallen comrades were carefully laid out by the medics, their faces pale in the flickering torchlight. Lyra turned her gaze to Kane, who stood at the edge of the clearing, his tall frame silhouetted against the crimson horizon. He was barking orders to the soldiers, his voice steady and commanding despite the exhaustion that weighed on them all.For Lyra, the aftermath of battle was the hardest part. The rush of adrenaline had faded, leaving her with the heavy realization that the war was just beginning.The camp was finally quiet by the time the moon reached its zenith. Small fires dotted the makeshift encampment, their warm glow offering brief respite from the cold night. Lyra sat cross-legged near the largest fire, her shoulders draped in a fur-lined cloak that did little to ward off the ch
The howls echoed through the trees, each one sharper, closer than the last. Lyra’s amber eyes darted across the shadowed treeline beyond the flickering glow of their campfires. A deadly silence followed the howls, the kind of quiet that made every warrior tense, every heartbeat deafening.Kane stepped in front of her, his sword already drawn, its silver blade gleaming ominously. His piercing blue eyes scanned the darkness with predatory focus. “Shadow Order scouts don’t howl for sport,” he said grimly. “They’re signaling something - or someone.”Beside him, General Harken gripped his halberd, his knuckles white with tension. “Then we can assume we’re surrounded. It’s a classic ambush strategy.”Alpha Killian, standing on the opposite side of the clearing, raised a hand. His voice was calm but commanding. “Stay sharp. Defend the perimeter and hold position. No one breaks rank unless absolutely necessary.”The Lycans in the camp sprang into action, forming defensive lines around the cen
The army marched at dawn, their silhouettes cutting sharp against the pale light of the rising sun. The air was heavy with the scent of dew and earth, mingled with the lingering acrid tang of burnt wraith mist from the previous night’s battle. Every step forward was a reminder of the trials that lay ahead, and every weary breath carried the weight of the fight to come.Lyra rode at the front of the column, her eyes scanning the horizon. The southern plains stretched before them, dotted with patches of dense forest and rocky outcroppings that could easily conceal enemies. Though her body ached from the relentless pace of their journey and the battles they’d fought, her mind remained sharp, her instincts heightened by the strange energy that now pulsed steadily within her.Kane rode beside her, his presence a constant source of both reassurance and tension. The memory of him being thrown by the summoner’s magic the night before lingered in her mind, a gnawing worry she couldn’t shake. H
The massive creature bore down on Lyra, its jagged claws slashing through the air with terrifying precision. She barely managed to twist out of the way, her blades flashing in an arc that scraped against its dark armor, producing a sound like nails on steel. The force of its counterstrike sent a tremor up her arms as she parried, her grip faltering for a moment before she regained control.The stone around her neck pulsed with energy, a warmth spreading through her chest and steadying her faltering strength. Every surge of light from the pendant seemed to slow the creature’s movements just enough for her to react, but it wasn’t enough to push her advantage. This wasn’t like fighting wraiths or human soldiers. This enemy was stronger, faster, and unnervingly intelligent.Its burning eyes locked onto hers, and a guttural snarl echoed from its throat. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, it lunged again, its claws aimed directly for her heart.Lyra raised her twin blades in an instinctive
The camp was subdued that night, a stark contrast to the chaos that had consumed the battlefield just hours earlier. Fires flickered in the cold darkness, their light barely touching the tense faces of soldiers gathered around them. Conversations were hushed, fear and exhaustion hanging over the camp like a heavy mist. Despite their victory, the ominous appearance of Drevon had left the Lycans and their allies uneasy.Lyra sat apart from the others, her fingers tracing the now-cool surface of the stone around her neck. It felt lighter than before, as though the energy it had lent her during the battle had dissipated, leaving only a faint hum of power beneath the surface. She stared at the pendant, willing it to reveal its secrets, but the stone remained stubbornly silent.Kane approached quietly, a pair of mugs in his hands. He settled beside her, his presence a comforting weight against the night’s chill.“Drink,” he said, handing her one of the mugs.Lyra took it with a faint smile,
Lyra POVA Day Before The camp was quiet, the soft crackle of the fire the only sound in the still night. Lyra sat cross-legged outside her tent, her amber eyes fixed on the glowing embers. The night had a heavy stillness that clung to the air, making her fur prickle even in her human form. She had barely slept since the battle, haunted by the faces of those she had lost and the searing memory of her clash with Drevon.Inside her chest, the stone thrummed faintly, its power ever-present but quieter than before. It had grown stronger since the last encounter, almost as if it had absorbed some essence of the battle. But with its growing strength came a growing weight, pressing against her spirit like an unrelenting tide.Her wolf, Thalia, stirred within her mind."You can’t keep ignoring it, Lyra.""I’m not ignoring it," Lyra murmured aloud, her voice soft but edged with frustration. She glanced around, but no one was near enough to hear. Kane was patrolling the outskirts of the camp w
Drevon POV Drevon struggled to his feet, his body aching from the relentless chase and the punishing collapse of his own magic. The figure stood before him, shrouded in shadow and authority, their presence suffocating the air around them. Every instinct in Drevon screamed to fight back, to seize control, but the strange power emanating from this being was unlike anything he had encountered."You’ll help me fix what you’ve broken," the figure repeated, their voice calm yet unwavering.Drevon straightened, masking his exhaustion behind a sneer. "You presume much. Who are you to command me?"The figure chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "You’ve forgotten your place, Drevon. Or perhaps the loss of the stone has dulled your memory." They took a step closer, and the darkness around them seemed to pulse in tandem, closing the space between them in an unnerving rhythm.With a flourish of their hand, the figure cast aside their hood, revealing a face both human and otherworldly. Their ski
Drevon POVDrevon staggered to his feet, his dark robes torn and singed by the clash of energy. The ground beneath him trembled as the golem reared back, preparing for another devastating strike. Its molten eyes blazed with fury, the raw power of the earth coursing through its massive form. Drevon’s mind raced, each passing moment reminding him of how far he had fallen since losing the stone.The creature charged again, its movements unnervingly fast for something so massive. Drevon raised both hands, chanting an incantation under his breath. The words burned his throat, the magic straining his already weakened body. Shadows coiled around him, forming a swirling barrier just as the golem’s fist came crashing down.The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ruins, shattering stone and toppling soldiers who had dared to remain close. Drevon’s barrier held, but only barely. The dark energy flickered and cracked under the assault, and he knew it wouldn’t withstand another strike."Fa
Drevon POVThe cave reeked of decay. Stale air clung to the jagged walls, and the dim glow of sputtering torches cast unsettling shadows that danced like restless specters. Drevon sat hunched over a stone altar, his gaunt figure outlined in flickering orange light. His once-imposing presence was diminished - his robes tattered, his face pale and drawn, and his dark eyes shadowed with exhaustion and fury.The stone was gone.The reality gnawed at him like a starving wolf. That wretched Lycan woman had ripped it from his grasp, severing his connection to its boundless power. The loss had left him weaker, his magic fractured and unreliable. Every incantation now demanded more from him, draining his strength faster than ever before.But weakness did not mean defeat.“Master...”The voice broke his thoughts, low and hesitant. One of his lieutenants - a wiry man with a scar bisecting his cheek - stood at the entrance, his posture half-bowed.“What?” Drevon snapped, his tone like the crack o
The camp was eerily quiet after the encounter with the creature. Soldiers who had once stood firm in the face of Shadow Beasts now exchanged nervous glances, their hands never straying far from their weapons. Lyra remained at the edge of the clearing, her amber eyes locked on the kneeling figure of the earthen golem. Its massive frame shimmered faintly in the moonlight, the glowing embers of its eyes like a flickering fire threatening to go out - or blaze anew.Kane stood a few steps behind her, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “You can’t let your guard down,” he murmured. “Whatever this thing is, it’s still dangerous.”Lyra nodded, though her gaze didn’t falter. “I know,” she said, her voice steady. “But it responded to me. That means there’s a connection - a way to control it.”Thalia growled in her mind, a low rumble of unease. “Control it? Or let it control you? This thing is bound to the stone, Lyra, just like you are. You’re walking a fine line.”“I don’t have a choice
The southern forest was quieter than it should have been. The scouts who had returned with their grim report moved uneasily through the camp, their eyes darting to every shadow as if expecting the trees themselves to spring to life.Lyra stood near the edge of the camp, staring into the distance where the tracks vanished into the darkness. Kane approached, his heavy footfalls muffled by the damp earth.“They’re not just regrouping,” he said, his tone heavy. “There’s something more to this.”Lyra turned to him, her sharp amber eyes narrowing. “What did the scouts say?”“They found blood on the trail,” Kane replied, his voice low. “Fresh, and not just from their wounded soldiers. It’s something... bigger. And the tracks - they’re not all human.”Lyra felt a cold knot form in her stomach. “Not human? Like Shadow Beasts?”Kane shook his head. “No. They said it was as if the earth itself had risen to walk.”Lyra’s heart skipped a beat. Memories of the last battle with Drevon flashed throug
Lyra stood alone in the camp’s outer perimeter, the moonlight casting long shadows across the barren ground. The chill in the air bit through her cloak, but she barely noticed. Her hands trembled as she stared at them, her claws still faintly stained with the dark, viscous blood of the Shadow Beasts.The whispers of the stone echoed in her mind, an incessant hum that gnawed at her thoughts. It was like a living thing, pressing against the edges of her consciousness, demanding more of her, urging her to let go and embrace its full power.“You’re stronger with me,” the voice cooed. “You can protect them all. You can end this war.”But Lyra knew the truth. The power came at a cost. Each time she tapped into it, she felt a piece of herself slip further away - a fragment of her humanity, a shred of her will.She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she tried to silence the voice.“It’s not real,” Thalia growled from deep within her. “It’s feeding on your doubt. You’re th
The sun hung low on the horizon as Lyra led the army deeper into the rugged terrain. The rocky hills cast long shadows across the winding paths, their jagged peaks like the teeth of some ancient beast. The air was tense, every soldier on edge as they marched toward an uncertain fate.The scout’s report lingered in Lyra’s mind. The disarray in Drevon’s forces suggested vulnerability, but it also raised a troubling question: what could sow such chaos in an army so formidable?Kane rode beside her, his sharp blue eyes scanning the path ahead. “The terrain works against us here,” he said. “If Drevon’s forces are lying in wait, this is exactly where they’d strike.”Lyra nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “Then we need to stay sharp. Send word down the line to keep formations tight and watch for any signs of movement.”Kane gave a curt nod and motioned to one of the nearby captains, who relayed the order down the ranks.They hadn’t gone far when the first signs of trouble ap
The camp was eerily quiet under the canopy of night, the tension from the ambush still clinging to the air. Soldiers moved in subdued silence, repairing armor, sharpening weapons, or standing watch at the edges of the protective wards the witches had erected. The campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the gathered ranks, and Lyra sat apart from the others, her body aching from the transformation and her heart heavy with unease.Thalia’s voice stirred within her, a low growl of concern that seemed to echo in Lyra’s chest.“You’re stronger than you’ve ever been, Lyra,” Thalia said, her tone both proud and cautioning. “But that strength comes with a price.”Lyra shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “I lost control today,” she murmured aloud, though her words were meant for her wolf.“You did what you had to do to protect the pack. To protect Kane. But I feel it too - the pull of something greater. Something darker.”The stone, nestled in her pock