The soft morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows over the pack's grounds as Kane stood at the edge of the training field. The cool breeze ruffled his hair, and for a moment, he simply closed his eyes, letting the peace of the moment calm the storm raging inside him. The past few days had been a whirlwind of recovery, strategic meetings, and endless planning, but now it was time to focus on what lay ahead.Lyra was inside the war room, working through the ancient texts and prophecies they’d recovered from the Rouge King’s territory. His people had been gathering every scrap of information they could find, piecing together what the stone meant, what the prophecies said and how it all tied back to Lyra.He had hoped for more time. Time to better prepare, time to understand the full extent of what was happening. But duty was calling. He could feel the weight of the upcoming journey press on his shoulders.His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, glan
Lyra’s heart raced as she walked beside Kane, the sounds of the bustling capital echoing around them. The streets were alive with people - traders shouting their wares, children running through the market, and soldiers marching in formation. But as her gaze swept over the vibrant city, she couldn’t shake the feeling of weight, of something pressing on her chest. The sight of the capital was overwhelming, a city brimming with history, power, and secrets.It was strange to think of herself here, not as an outsider, but as someone whose very existence was tied to the Kingdom's fate. The stone she carried, still safely hidden in her pocket, seemed to hum against her skin, a constant reminder of the destiny that awaited her. Every step she took, the pull of its power grew stronger. It was as if the stone itself was aware of the place it was in - aware of the Kingdom - and it was eager to reveal its secrets.Kane’s presence beside her was a grounding force, his aura a silent promise of prot
Lyra’s breath hitched as her fingers brushed the smooth, pulsing surface of the stone. The heat radiating from it surged up her arm, and for a moment, she was sure she would collapse under its intensity. Kane’s grip on her other hand tightened, anchoring her in the present. The trust in his touch steadied her trembling body, even as the world seemed to spin around her.The great hall was eerily silent, the only sound the faint hum of the stone vibrating in response to her touch. Lyra could feel its power coursing through her veins, intertwining with her very essence. It wasn’t just a tool or artifact - it was alive, ancient, and bound to her in ways she still didn’t fully understand.Her vision blurred momentarily, then sharpened. The tapestries lining the walls seemed to glow faintly, their intricate designs shifting as if the threads were alive. Lyra blinked, unsure if what she was seeing was real or a trick of the stone’s magic.“Lyra,” Kane’s deep voice broke through the haze, his
Lyra stirred awake, the warmth of Kane’s embrace grounding her against the enormity of everything they faced. The stone, tucked against her side, had grown silent for the night, but its presence lingered like a whispered promise - or a warning. She wasn’t entirely sure which.Kane’s voice, rough with sleep but layered with unwavering conviction, broke the silence. “The Kingdom’s message came sooner than expected. The King wants us in an audience tomorrow morning.”Her breath hitched. “An audience? With the King?”He pulled her closer, his lips brushing her temple. “We’ve made a stir, Lyra. You, the stone, the rescue -it’s drawn attention. This isn’t just about the prophecy anymore. It’s about politics, alliances, and power.”She exhaled sharply, already feeling the weight of expectations bearing down on her. “I’m not ready to be a symbol of anything, Kane. Let alone a princess.”Kane tilted her face to meet his gaze, the golden hue of his Lycan eyes flickering in the dim light. “You’r
The castle gardens had been transformed into an ethereal paradise. Twinkling fairy lights wove through the ancient oaks, their golden glow reflecting off delicate crystal lanterns scattered among the hedges. Silver moonlight spilled over the manicured lawns, bathing the scene in a soft, celestial radiance. The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming night jasmine and roses, mingling with the faint hum of a lycan orchestra playing a hauntingly beautiful melody.Lyra stood in a secluded alcove, her heart pounding in her chest. Her gown, a masterpiece of shimmering white silk and lace, clung to her figure before cascading into a sweeping train. Intricate embroidery of silver thread caught the moonlight, giving her the appearance of a goddess descended from the heavens. Her long hair was woven into an elegant braid adorned with tiny pearls, and a delicate tiara rested atop her head - a symbol of her new status.She caught her reflection in a nearby mirror and hardly recognized the wom
The journey back to their private quarters was a quiet one, filled with shared glances and soft touches. Kane held Lyra’s hand firmly in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a soothing rhythm. Despite the buzz of celebration still echoing faintly from the gardens, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of them.As they approached their room, Kane paused at the door. He turned to Lyra, his golden eyes reflecting the soft glow of the torches lining the corridor. “Are you ready?” His voice was low, laced with both tenderness and a flicker of anticipation.Lyra smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I’ve been ready, Kane. For you, for this - always.”His lips curved into a smile as he pushed the door open, revealing a room transformed into a romantic haven. Candles flickered along every surface, casting a warm, golden light. Petals of crimson roses were scattered across the bed, and the scent of lavender lingered faintly in the air.Lyra stepped inside, her breath catching at
Lyra's POVThe first rays of sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains of their room, casting a golden glow on the intricate patterns woven into the fabric. Lyra stirred awake, her body still humming with the warmth of the previous night. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she simply lay there, savoring the steady rhythm of Kane’s breathing beside her, his arm draped protectively over her waist.But something was different.She felt... alive in a way she couldn’t describe. Power thrummed through her veins, like her entire being had been awakened to a new depth. Her senses were sharper - the faint rustle of leaves outside the castle walls, the birds chirping, even the gentle shift of Kane’s breathing - all of it was more vivid than ever before.Lyra slowly slid out of bed, careful not to disturb Kane, and made her way to the mirror. As her reflection came into focus, she noticed subtle differences. Her eyes shimmered faintly with an otherworldly glow, and her skin seemed to
The golden morning light spilled through the tall, arched windows of the castle study, casting long beams across the polished floors and the mahogany table. Kane and Lyra entered together, their footsteps echoing faintly in the vast chamber. King Alaric stood at the head of the room, every inch the imposing ruler. His presence was commanding, his shoulders squared beneath a finely tailored navy tunic adorned with the royal crest.Lyra swallowed her nerves as her gaze flicked to the table, strewn with maps, sealed letters, and official documents that carried the weight of the Kingdom’s affairs. Kane’s steadying hand at her back gave her a small push forward, and she drew a deep breath, holding her head high.“Sit,” Alaric said, his deep baritone filling the space. He gestured to the chairs opposite him.As they settled into their seats, Lyra felt the King’s sharp eyes appraising her. Though his expression wasn’t unfriendly, there was a gravity in his gaze that made her sit straighter,
Lyra’s POVThe morning broke silver and quiet, shrouded in a mist that clung to the castle’s stone like breath on glass. Pale light filtered through the stained-glass windows of their chamber, casting fractured colors across the floor. It should have been beautiful - ethereal, even - but to Lyra, it felt heavy. Still.She sat at the edge of the bed, bare feet pressed to the cold floor, her elbows resting on her thighs, and her fingers laced together tightly enough to turn her knuckles white. Her hair clung in damp strands to the back of her neck, still tangled from sleep, though the dream had done anything but offer rest.Kane stirred behind her. She didn’t turn. She felt him before he touched her - his warmth, his scent, the tension coiled in his chest like a storm waiting for its cue to break."You're still trembling," he said softly.Was she? "Tell me exactly what did you saw." Kane requested softly. Lyra blinked and looked down at her hands. Thalia was quiet inside her, but not
Nyxar’s Point of ViewThe memory left a taste of blood in his mouth.Nyxar sat in the shadows of the council chamber’s ruined antechamber, long after the last of the murmuring nobles had gone, after Kane had led Lyra away with that overprotective fire in his eyes. After silence had crept back into the halls like a loyal hound returning to its master.His fingers curled on the armrest of the abandoned stone throne he now claimed for himself - not as ruler, not as ally, but as something older. Stranger. Stronger. Something none of them yet understood. Not even Lyra.Especially not Lyra.He tilted his head back and let his eyes drift shut, but the memory still clung to the inside of his eyelids like soot. Her scream - no, not Lyra’s. Her scream. The First Queen.He had not meant to remember. He never did. And yet, her blood was still on his hands.The Harbinger hadn’t screamed. Not when she struck him. Not when the blade pierced bone and eternity alike.Only she had.She had wept, not fo
Nyxar’s POVHe stood alone on one of the castle’s silent terraces, the crescent moon casting a silver sheen over the empty garden below. The night air hung heavy - so still, it could’ve been trapped in time. Stars above blinked faintly, as though watching. Waiting.But Nyxar wasn’t truly here.His body stood in the present, a shell cloaked in shadows and scars. His mind, however, had already slipped sideways - dragged by something unseen, something ancient and unforgiving. He didn’t fight it.Because the moment always came. And every time, it bled him raw.The first thing he remembered was the wind - wild, feral, roaring with the anguish of a dying world. It howled through the high halls of the old palace, sweeping ash and embers in spirals around crumbling columns. The sky had turned crimson, split with veins of black. The earth had trembled under the weight of fate.And in the center of it all, she stood.The First Queen.Tall. Unyielding. Drenched in war and starlight.Her silver h
The moon had crept high over the mountains by the time Lyra and Kane finally found rest.Their chamber was bathed in silvery light, soft shadows stretching across stone walls and silk sheets. The distant hum of the castle had long since quieted, but Lyra’s mind would not still. Too many voices echoed in her memory - the council’s doubts, Nyxar’s unsettling smile, and above them all, the whisper of something older. Something ancient clawing at the edges of her soul.She lay beside Kane, his hand resting on her waist, thumb tracing idle circles on her bare skin. He hadn't spoken in several minutes, but he didn’t need to. His presence alone was a weight anchoring her in place. Steadying her.“You’re still awake,” he said softly, lips brushing the shell of her ear.Lyra sighed, not denying it. “I can’t shut it off. My mind. Thalia. The Queen…”Kane shifted closer, draping an arm across her, letting her tuck into his chest.“She’s louder now,” Lyra murmured. “Ever since the summoning… it’
Lyra’s POVThe castle’s rooftop garden was drenched in silver moonlight, the air sharp with the scent of frost-dusted herbs and dying roses. It was quiet here, far above the murmuring halls, away from the war room’s tension and Nyxar’s unsettling grin.Lyra stood near the stone ledge, her arms wrapped around herself as the cold wind played with her hair. Kane was close, silent, watchful. Neither of them had said much since the meeting ended, but the weight of it lingered - coiling in the spaces between breaths.“He unsettles them,” she said finally, voice low.Kane, leaning against the wall beside her, didn’t look at her when he answered. “He unsettles me.”She glanced at him, the hard line of his jaw shadowed by moonlight. “Because he knows things we don’t? Or because he doesn’t fear us?”Kane’s golden gaze met hers then. “Because he reminds me of what’s out there. What we haven’t faced yet.”Lyra nodded. “The Harbinger.”A beat of silence.“Do you remember what Nyxar said?” she aske
Lyra's POV The war room buzzed with quiet murmurs and cautious glances. The circular table at the heart of the chamber, carved from obsidian and etched with the runes of past rulers, hadn’t seen this level of tension in weeks. The High Council was assembling - lords, advisors, and surviving generals of the fractured realm. Every seat was filled.Kane stood at the head of the table, his posture straight, his golden eyes sharp. Beside him, Lyra exuded icy composure, though a low flicker of energy coiled beneath her skin - Thalia was restless, watching.Only one seat remained empty, deliberately left open.The one meant for a god… or a monster."Where is he?" Lord Rhogan asked, one brow arched in suspicion. "This entity you brought into our castle. The being who answered your summons...""He will be here," Lyra interrupted coolly, her voice slicing through the chatter. "And he’s not just our concern anymore. He heard the Harbinger’s call. That makes him everyone’s problem."A wave of di
The morning air was still. But Nyxar was not.He stood on the highest tower of the castle, unmoving, save for the subtle twitch of his fingers against the stone. The dawn had begun its slow creep across the sky, spilling soft hues of rose and gold over the jagged peaks below. Cold wind sliced around him, howling like some ancient beast - but he didn’t flinch.He breathed it in. Or at least, he mimicked the motion. It had been a long time since he’d drawn air into lungs.Longer still since he’d needed to. But now… something in him wanted to.He turned his gaze toward the east, toward the distant forest where the ruins of his last prison lay buried beneath centuries of silence and death. It had taken the Queen's blood and the witches howl to wake him. To break the veil that kept his soul adrift in shadow.And now, he watched the world through new eyes.Human eyes.That thought curled in his mind like smoke.Nyxar flexed his hand and watched his fingers stretch and move. Not claws. Not
The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the embers in the fireplace. Shadows flickered across the stone walls, wrapping around them like silent witnesses.Kane moved with purpose, his golden eyes dark with something primal. His grip on Lyra’s waist tightened as he pulled her against him, their bodies flush, heat radiating between them.The kiss was not gentle. It was fierce, consuming - lips and tongues clashing as if they were fighting for control, yet neither willing to surrender.His hands roamed, rough and possessive, claiming every inch of her he touched. Lyra arched into him, a soft gasp escaping as his teeth scraped against the delicate skin of her throat, sending a shiver of pleasure through her."Mine," Kane growled against her neck, his voice raw with emotion, with need.Lyra's fingers tangled in his hair, gripping hard enough to make him groan. "Yours," she whispered, breathless. But the fire in her eyes challenged him - daring him to prove it.Kane’s jaw tensed. His
Kane's POV The chamber doors shut with a muted thud, sealing them in silence. The lingering tension from their encounter with Nyxar clung to the air like a ghost that refused to fade. The room was warm from the crackling hearth, but the cold weight of uncertainty pressed against Kane’s chest.Lyra moved first, stripping off her heavy cloak and placing it over the chair by the fireplace. Kane remained near the door, his fingers flexing at his sides. His wolf was restless, pacing beneath his skin.She knew. She always knew.“You don’t trust him,” Lyra said, pulling the pins from her hair. The strands tumbled over her shoulders in a dark cascade, her reflection sharp in the polished mirror. Her voice was steady, but he didn’t miss the slight tension in her shoulders.Kane unfastened the high collar of his jacket, stepping toward her. “Should I?”Lyra met his gaze in the mirror, her eyes unreadable. “He knelt.”“So did the most dangerous creatures before they struck,” Kane countered, his