Lyra could hardly believe her reflection. Gone was the hollow-eyed, exhausted girl she had grown accustomed to seeing; in her place was someone new, someone who might even be called… hopeful. Her hand lingered at the collar of the gown Evelyn had brought for her, fingers brushing the soft fabric. It was finer than anything she’d worn in years, and the weight of it felt almost like an anchor, something to keep her steady in the storm ahead.Evelyn’s words echoed in her mind. “He sees strength in you.” Lyra wanted desperately to believe it, but doubt gnawed at her heart.“Lyra, they’re waiting,” Evelyn said softly, touching her shoulder.Lyra nodded, steeling herself as she stepped into the corridor, each step carrying her closer to the chamber where Kane, his father, and the Council members awaited. Her mind raced with doubts and worries. Would they see her as nothing more than the broken slave she’d been all her life? Could she truly stand before them and face their judgment?As she e
The dawn was just breaking over the Blackstone Pack’s grounds, casting long shadows across the assembled crowd in the courtyard. The elders of the Lycan Council, each draped in ceremonial robes that bore the insignia of their rank, stood alongside King Alaric. The Lycan King’s presence alone cast an aura of solemn authority, his silver gaze steely and unyielding. Kane stood by his father’s side, his own expression unreadable yet tense, his protective stance making it clear that his support lay with Lyra.Lyra, standing beside Kane, felt the eyes of every pack member trained upon her. She glanced at Kane, who gave her a reassuring nod, his gaze steady and unwavering. But her heart raced; she was no longer hiding in the shadows. Her time had come to tell her story.As murmurs rose through the crowd, King Alaric raised his hand, silencing them with a single, commanding motion. “Today, we are here to investigate the actions of Alpha Caden and Luna Regina, who stand accused of cruelty, abu
The room was silent, tense as King Alaric rose. The shadows seemed to deepen around him, his powerful presence casting a weight over the entire gathering. He fixed his gaze on Regina, his eyes piercing. "Regina, it’s time you reveal the truth."Regina’s eyes darted around, panic flashing in their depths as she tried to hold onto her composure. She straightened, sneering as she opened her mouth to speak, but her bravado was faltering under the King’s intense scrutiny.King Alaric leaned forward. “You can resist, but only for so long. I, King Alaric of the Lycans, command you to speak only the truth.” His voice, low and powerful, resonated through the hall, binding her.Regina’s face contorted, and she seemed to fight the words rising to her lips. But the Alpha command left her no choice. Her voice was strained, trembling as she began.“I… I did what I had to do,” Regina spat, each word forced from her. “The old Luna - she was beloved, too beloved. Everyone adored her, respected her. Sh
Seraphine POV Seraphine stormed out of the hall, her heart pounding furiously. The truth that had come to light was incomprehensible, tearing her world apart. She couldn’t bear the whispers, the astonished looks, and worst of all - the humiliating truth about her own bloodline.Caden wasn’t her father.She ducked into the shadows, finding refuge in a hidden alcove at the side of the pack house. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. A moment later, Aiden joined her, his own face as pale and stunned as hers.“They lied to us,” she spat, her voice barely a whisper but full of venom. “All this time...”Aiden’s jaw clenched as he absorbed the truth. “Our entire lives, we’ve been living a lie. They claimed we were the rightful heirs, born of a powerful line. And now, this... we’re not even Alpha Caden’s children. We’re... nothing.”Seraphine’s eyes flared, a dangerous light kindling within them. “No, Aiden. We are not nothing. We have
The trial hall fell silent once more as King Alaric turned his steely gaze toward Regina and Caden, who stood side-by-side, their faces pale and drawn. Bound by enchanted silver cuffs that dulled their powers, they looked more like prisoners than leaders, weighed down by the gravity of their crimes. The pack members watched intently, waiting to witness the final chapter of the cruel rule that had terrorized their lives for years.Regina's eyes darted nervously around the room, searching for some trace of sympathy, but all she saw were cold, accusing stares. Caden, meanwhile, looked down, shoulders slumped, as though he had already resigned himself to his fate. For once, there was no arrogance or pride in his posture, only the haunted realization of what lay ahead.King Alaric began, his voice echoing with authority. "Regina and Caden, you have been found guilty of heinous crimes: betrayal of the pack, abuse of authority, treason, and murder. You have used your power to oppress, to tor
Lyra POVThe moon hung heavy in the sky, casting a silver glow over the landscape as Kane guided Lyra through the quiet forest just beyond the pack grounds. The soft crunch of leaves underfoot and the fresh scent of pine seemed to soothe the air around them, creating a rare, delicate sense of peace. For Lyra, this tranquility felt new, almost unsettling in its gentleness. She glanced sideways at Kane, his presence beside her solid and steady, an anchor in the dark wilderness.Kane stopped at a small clearing illuminated by moonlight, a place hidden from the world but alive with the sounds of the forest. He gestured for her to sit, and they settled together on a fallen log, facing the soft rippling of a nearby stream. For a moment, neither of them spoke, letting the night air settle around them like a comforting blanket.“This forest…” Lyra whispered, her voice barely carrying above the sound of the stream. “I used to dream of running here as a child. But after everything that happened
As they step into the dimly lit kitchen, Lyra hesitates, instinctively pausing at the threshold. The scent of fresh bread and roasted meat fills the air, but her memories in the kitchen are ones of silence and subservience, where she was only allowed to eat what was left over and avoid anyone’s gaze.Kane notices her pause and reaches out, touching her arm gently. “Lyra, come in. You’re not a servant here anymore. You’re my mate,” he says, his voice firm yet tender. “You have every right to be here. And,” he adds, smiling slightly, “to help yourself to anything you want.”She looks up at him, her expression a mixture of gratitude and hesitation. “I… It just feels strange. I’m so used to keeping my head down, staying out of sight.” Her voice is barely a whisper as she glances at the fully stocked pantry.Kane gives her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know this will take time, Lyra. But every day, you’ll grow more into the strength I see in you.” He reaches for a plate and hands it to her
Lyra's POVAs the first light of morning filtered through her window, Lyra blinked awake, stretching beneath the soft sheets and savoring the warmth of the bed. For a brief moment, she felt that gentle peace she was starting to know, a calmness that filled her with an unfamiliar sense of hope. Just as she was gathering herself to start the day, she heard a soft knock at her door.“It’s open,” she called softly, still somewhat cautious but knowing who to expect.Kane stepped inside, his face bright with an energy that surprised her. “Good morning, Lyra.” He smiled. “Did you sleep well?”She nodded, her fingers fidgeting slightly under the weight of his gaze. “I... Yes, better than I have in a long time.”“Good.” His smile grew warmer. “I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said, leaning against the door frame. “Starting today, I thought it might be time to teach you a few things. Self-defense, combat basics. I know it might feel like a lot, but I promise, I’ll go easy at first.”
Lyra POV The air in the corridor felt thick, pressing against Lyra as she ran. Her feet barely made a sound on the stone floors, but her mind was roaring, the heavy weight of what she had just witnessed haunting every step. The shadows above the city - something had shifted. The magic in the air had twisted, turned darker, and for the first time, she had felt the very essence of fear curling around her bones.Lyra didn’t stop to question the urgency in her movements. She only had one thought - Kane. She needed to find him, needed to feel his strength, his calm presence to steady the growing panic inside her.As she reached the door to their quarters, her breath hitched. Her hand was shaking as she pressed it to the handle, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside. The familiar warmth of their shared space embraced her, but the air in here felt different now - tense, like a storm was gathering just beneath the surface.“Kane?” she called softly, stepping further in, her voice
Lyra’s POVThe air in the chamber was thick with something unseen, something pressing. Lyra exhaled slowly, trying to shake the restless energy curling through her veins. Across from her, Nyxar stilled, his dark eyes narrowing as if he, too, had felt it.It wasn’t just unease. It was something else - something shifting beneath the surface of reality.A slow, pulsing force.Ancient. Wrong.Lyra’s fingers twitched at her sides. She turned to Nyxar, meeting his gaze. “You feel it too.”Nyxar didn’t answer immediately. He tilted his head slightly, as if listening to something just beyond the reach of mortal hearing. Then, quietly, “Yes.”Her pulse quickened. “What is it?”For a moment, he didn’t respond. Then, with measured slowness, he turned toward the archway leading to the terrace. “Come.”Lyra followed, her steps brisk but silent as they moved through the halls. The further they walked, the heavier the air became, charged with something unnatural. It wasn’t just her imagination - eve
Nyxar’s POVThe council chamber emptied in slow, uncertain waves.Some left in silence, their faces unreadable. Others lingered in hushed groups, murmuring behind hands and cloaks, their whispered fears curling through the air like smoke. Nyxar didn’t need to hear them to know what they were saying.She’s changed.She’s unnatural.She cannot be trusted.His lips curled in the barest sneer as he leaned against a shadowed pillar, arms crossed. Fools. Cowards.They sat in their high seats and clung to their old ways, blind to the tides shifting beneath their feet. Did they truly believe the Harbinger would spare them if they turned against Lyra now? Did they think they had another choice?He watched them scatter like frightened birds, saw the doubt etched into the lines of their faces, the hesitance in their step.Weakness.This was the rot that always seeped into kingdoms before they fell - the hesitation to do what was necessary, the fear of the unknown outweighing the threat already a
Lyra’s POVThe corridor was long behind them now, swallowed by the cold stone walls of the ancient passageway. After Nyxar's warnings and the unsettling energy that still buzzed beneath her skin, Lyra had returned to their quarters with Kane, her thoughts a storm of questions and instincts she could barely contain.Now, wrapped in the soft embrace of their bed, the room dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through gauzy curtains, she lay beside him, tangled in a quiet stillness.Kane’s arm draped around her waist, his thumb brushing lazy circles along her hipbone as if grounding her to the present. But Lyra’s mind wandered - back to the runes, the sealed door, and the low thrumming that echoed beneath the castle floors like a warning or a heartbeat."You're quiet," Kane murmured beside her. His voice was low, still slightly rough from sleep, but it held a softness only she ever heard. "Too quiet. That usually means you're thinking something dangerous."Lyra let out a breath. Not quite
Lyra POVThe passage seemed longer on the way back.The air, though just as cold, now carried a weight that pressed against Lyra’s shoulders. She walked in silence between Nyxar and Kane, the image of that monstrous black door - rune-carved, chained, humming with barely restrained power - etched into her mind like a brand.Ekrath.Even the name haunted her, echoing like a drumbeat in her chest. She felt it watching her still, despite the layers of stone and magic that now separated them. Waiting. Listening. Remembering the scent of the First Queen within her.The corridors felt narrower than before. The shadows longer. Even Kane’s warmth beside her didn’t chase off the chill clinging to her skin. He reached for her hand, entwining their fingers without a word. His grip was firm - comforting - but beneath the calm exterior, she could feel his pulse racing. He was as rattled as she was.Only Nyxar moved like nothing had changed.Silent. Composed. But every now and then, Lyra caught the
The passage was colder than she expected.It breathed beneath the castle like a living thing - its walls carved not by human or lycan hands, but by something older. More deliberate. The torch Nyxar had summoned cast a flickering, golden light, licking over ancient stone and faded carvings that had long since lost their names. Runes etched into the walls pulsed faintly with residual magic, their glow responding to her presence.Lyra walked carefully beside Kane, her fingers brushing the damp, uneven walls now and then for balance. She could feel it - something changing beneath her skin. Her silver hair clung to her temples, damp from the cold air, and her silvery eyes adjusted to the dark better than they ever had before. But it wasn’t just her sight that had sharpened. It was her soul.The First Queen was gone now, merged with her - completely. She was no longer two. No longer guided by visions or memories or whispered dreams. It was both grounding and terrifying. She had become some
Lyra POV The wind had quieted in the rooftop garden, leaving only the rustling of silverleaf trees and the low hum of distant torches burning below. The moon hung high - full and pale, casting Lyra in a glow that shimmered across the threads of her hair. Silver now. As if moonlight had made her its own.She stood near the edge, hands resting on the stone ledge, watching the stars with a distant look in her eyes. Kane was behind her, silent, watching the curve of her shoulders tense ever so slightly.“You’re not really here,” he said quietly.Lyra blinked. “What?”“Not fully. I can feel when your mind drifts somewhere else.” He stepped closer. “You’ve been quiet since the council meeting.”She didn’t turn right away. “They’re afraid of me.”“They’re fools.”“They’re not wrong,” she whispered. “I’m not who I was. Not entirely.”“You’re still you. Stronger, wiser… maybe a little scarier,” he added with a crooked smirk, trying to ease the weight on her spine.She smiled faintly. “Scary i
Nyxar’s POV He didn’t need to be invited.Nyxar slipped through the castle’s underbelly like a whisper in a crypt, unseen and unbothered by the wards woven into the stone. Magic of this realm obeyed its makers. But Nyxar… he was from before such rules were written.The council chamber stood beyond the long corridor of mirrored columns and wolf-carved sconces, its entrance barred not by guards, but by layered enchantments meant to deter spying. Still, he found the gap in their defenses - there was always a seam. Always a weakness. He breathed into it, stepped into the walls themselves, and became shadow.He didn’t emerge into the room. Not yet.Instead, he listened.The voices inside were lower than the fire’s crackle, heavy with unease.“She’s changed,” came Lord Marius’s voice, sharp as brittle glass. “Did you see her eyes? Silver. That’s not our Queen - it’s something else.”“She walks like herself, speaks like herself… but she’s not the same,” said another. A younger councilman, L
Nyxar POVNyxar stepped into the council chamber - and stopped.It wasn’t the scent that gave it away, though it lingered - power, sharp and clean, like silver carved into the air. Nor was it the hush, though silence had a weight here, as if the stone walls themselves were holding their breath.No. It was the way they looked at her.All of them - warriors and witches, elders and envoys - every gaze fixed on one figure standing at the center of the chamber. No one spoke. No one even dared to shift.Lyra.But not as she had been.She stood calm amidst the rising storm of whispers, her presence reshaping the very nature of the room. She wore twilight on her skin - an indigo robe threaded with silver light that pulsed like breath. Her hair, once the deep shade of shadows, now shimmered like moonlight, cascading around her shoulders in luminous waves. Her eyes... stars drowned in mercury.She wasn’t just Lyra.She was Queen.Nyxar felt the change like a tremor in the marrow of his bones.A