The morning sun poured through the tall windows of the dining hall, casting warm, golden light across the table set for a royal breakfast. Kane and Lyra arrived hand in hand, their bond apparent in the way their fingers intertwined and the soft smiles they shared. The King was already seated at the head of the table, sipping a cup of dark tea and surveying the array of dishes before him.“Good morning,” the King greeted them, his voice steady but carrying an unmistakable warmth. He gestured to the seats beside him. “Join me. It seems the castle hasn’t quite settled after last night’s festivities.”Lyra exchanged a glance with Kane before settling into her seat. Plates of freshly baked bread, fruit, and cured meats were placed before them by attentive servants, along with steaming mugs of spiced tea.“You both seemed to enjoy moment of peace.” the King continued, his sharp eyes flicking between them. “Though, I suspect your minds are already on what comes next.”Kane nodded, his expres
The sun had risen high above the castle, casting warm rays onto the banners fluttering from the spires. Inside the grand council chamber, Lyra and Kane sat side by side at the long table, their expressions calm but focused. Opposite them were representatives from three allied territories and one neutral region - the latter of which was crucial to the kingdom’s strategy.The air was tense with expectation, and the soft rustle of parchment and low murmurs among the gathered envoys did little to ease the pressure. Kane’s hand rested lightly on the table, his fingers drumming a quiet rhythm that Lyra recognized as a sign of his simmering impatience.“We’ve all heard the reports,” Lyra began, her voice steady, cutting through the quiet hum of the room. “The Shadow Order is amassing forces to the south. This is no longer a hypothetical threat - it’s a certainty. If they breach our borders, they won’t stop until everything we hold dear is under their control.”Lord Bertram, the representativ
The following morning dawned with a lingering haze over the castle, the pale sunlight casting an eerie glow over the halls. The council chamber buzzed with quiet conversation as Lyra and Kane entered, their presence silencing the room. This was not a formal council meeting but an impromptu gathering to address urgent matters regarding the looming conflict and the fragile alliances that needed fortification.The King sat at the head of the table, his face grim but composed. His steely gaze swept across the room, pausing momentarily on each representative before settling on Lyra and Kane.“Good morning,” he began, his voice carrying the weight of leadership. “We’ve received word from the southern scouts. The Shadow Order is fortifying their positions, and their movements suggest they’re planning an offensive in the coming weeks.”The room erupted in murmurs, council members exchanging uneasy glances. Kane stood tall, his hands resting on the table as he addressed the gathering.“This wa
The next day dawned crisp and clear, the air humming with anticipation as the castle prepared for the rally in the capital square. The entire kingdom seemed to be stirring with renewed energy, as if the very land itself was preparing for the battle to come.Lyra stood in front of a gilded mirror in her chambers, dressed in a deep sapphire gown that shimmered like the night sky. The fabric clung to her figure in a way that balanced elegance and authority, with silver embroidery tracing delicate patterns along the sleeves and neckline. Around her neck rested the stone, its faint glow a constant reminder of her connection to something far greater than herself.Kane entered, dressed in a sleek black ensemble that made him appear every inch the commanding prince. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, and his sharp features softened as his eyes settled on Lyra.“You’re breathtaking,” he said, his voice low and filled with admiration.Lyra turned to him with a smile. “You look good too, Pr
The castle buzzed with activity the following morning as preparations for the imminent battle against the Shadow Order intensified. Messengers dashed through the halls, delivering orders and rallying troops. Blacksmiths worked tirelessly in the forges, the rhythmic clang of hammers ringing out across the grounds. Soldiers assembled in the courtyard, their expressions a mixture of determination and apprehension.In the royal chambers, Lyra stood before a large map spread out on a table, tracing the path of the enemy’s forces with her finger. Kane stood beside her, his brow furrowed as he studied the intricate network of roads and terrain.“They’re taking the quickest route to the capital,” Kane said, his voice laced with tension. “That means they’re pushing their forces to the limit. If we can intercept them here” - he pointed to a narrow valley flanked by steep cliffs - “we might be able to split their army and cut off their vanguard.”Lyra nodded, her mind racing. “The cliffs could w
The castle courtyard buzzed with frenetic energy as the army prepared for the march to the valley. Rows of soldiers stood at attention, awaiting their turn to receive weapons and armor tailored for the upcoming battle. The clang of hammers from the blacksmith’s forge echoed through the air, accompanied by the rhythmic hum of mages weaving enchantments into metal and leather.Lyra walked through the crowd, her eyes scanning the preparations. She marveled at the organized chaos, each soldier and craftsman focused on their role in the larger effort. The weight of responsibility pressed on her shoulders, but it was accompanied by a fierce resolve. This wasn’t just a battle for the kingdom - it was a battle for the future.At her side, Kane carried a quiet intensity, his sharp eyes surveying every detail. His presence was a constant source of steadiness, a reminder that they faced this challenge together.In the corner of the courtyard, a team of blacksmiths worked tirelessly at a line of
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
Lyra POV The silence lingered after Thalia’s growl had faded. A silence that felt fuller now. Less like an absence and more like a promise.Lyra sat in the dust until the ache in her body returned, dull and real. Her palms were scraped, her muscles trembling from the strain of holding herself together for too long.Behind her, she felt Nyxar shift. She turned slowly.He stood near the edge of the temple, framed by broken columns and shafts of sunlight cutting through the crumbled roof. The wind stirred his dark cloak, and in the light, the silver of his eyes caught fire.“You saw her,” he said, not a question.Lyra nodded. “She didn’t speak. But she didn’t leave.”“That’s more than most get.”He walked toward her, steps almost soundless. For once, the air around him didn’t feel cold. Just heavy. Old. Like the ruins themselves.“What happens now?” she asked. “With the Harbinger? With… Kane?”Nyxar’s jaw tensed at the name.“He’s not gone,” Lyra said softly. “Not completely.”“No,” Nyx
Lyra sat on a worn, half-buried stone, the remnants of what might’ve once been an altar. Light streamed through the broken ceiling above - slanted, gold-tinged sunlight that pierced through the dust and fractured glass. The air here still thrummed with old power, magic older than any living soul could remember. And somewhere behind her, Nyxar lingered in the shadows, silent.She hadn’t spoken since the dream.Her hands rested limply on her knees, stained with dust and blood. Her eyes were fixed on the far wall where vines crawled over carved glyphs, half-erased by time and ash.“Do you remember what this place was?” she asked softly, unsure why she spoke aloud.Nyxar’s voice came like the stir of wind. “It was where we made promises. The first pacts. The first betrayals.”Lyra turned her head toward him slowly. “And you brought me here because…?”His gaze didn’t meet hers. “Because the temple still remembers. Even when the gods forget.”She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her body s
Lyra POV As Lyra stood beside Nyxar, the haze lifted, revealing more of the ruins that stretched beyond the immediate carnage. Crumbled walls half-swallowed by ash and time. Statues toppled. Towers broken. It was like walking through a graveyard built for gods.He moved ahead of her in silence, his long cloak trailing like smoke. Lyra followed, drawn forward despite the ache in her chest. She could feel the echo of magic here - raw, broken magic, older than any she had ever touched.“This was your home?” she asked quietly, though the answer pulsed in her bones.“It was,” Nyxar replied, his voice distant. “A long time ago. Before I became what I am now.”He stopped before a shattered archway. Vines had overtaken the stone, and in its center lay a deep scar carved into the earth, as if something had been ripped from it violently.“What happened here?” Lyra asked, stepping beside him.He didn’t look at her. “I had a mate once.”The words hit her like a thunderclap. Her breath stilled.“
The tent around Lyra was dim, the pale blue light of dawn barely seeping through the canvas. For a moment, she didn’t breathe. Her body ached, her skin prickled, and her heart thudded like a war drum beneath her ribs.Nyxar’s voice still echoed faintly in her mind. "Go to the temple ruins. Alone."She sat up slowly, wincing as every joint protested. The shirt clung to her skin with a mix of sweat and dried blood. The bowl of now-cold water on the table beside her remained untouched since last night, just as the plate of food had gone uneaten. Her stomach curled at the thought of it.Her gaze drifted to the opening of the tent. The barrier was up again - she could feel the thrum of its magic, steady but strained. The witches had worked through the night. So had the warriors. She wasn’t sure who had dragged her back from the battlefield after Ekreth vanished with Kane and the Harbinger. She only remembered the rage. The pain. The silence Thalia had retreated into deepest parts of her, l
Lyra POV The city felt like a graveyard.Not because it was empty, but because it wasn’t. The people had returned - cautiously, with bowed heads and silent eyes - but the air held the weight of something sacred lost. The Hollow Grounds beyond the barrier still burned faintly with the remnants of their battle. The smell of ash clung to everything.They entered through the eastern gate in silence. No one spoke. The warriors moved with grim determination, their weapons still bloodstained. The witches were pale and exhausted, many of them barely on their feet. But they made it.The barrier, though cracked and faltering, had been reforged. A tether of silver light shimmered faintly over the walls, patched and held together by runes and raw willpower. It wasn’t perfect. But it was enough - for now.Lyra said nothing as she passed beneath it. She felt the familiar hum of protection brush against her skin like a sigh, but there was no comfort in it. Not anymore.They returned to the same mak
Lyra POV The world had narrowed into silence. The kind that came after heartbreak. After devastation.The bond was gone. And the Harbinger stood above it all, smiling.A smug, inhuman smile that split his face like a wound. He turned slowly, savoring the moment, as if feeding off the ruin he had wrought.“I expected more from you, little wolf,” he said, voice velvet and rot. “But I suppose it was too easy, wasn’t it? A whisper here, a memory there... and your king tore himself apart for me.”Lyra couldn’t move. Could barely breathe.Every part of her felt hollow, carved out by the echo of Kane’s rejection. Even Thalia had gone silent, her presence curled up in some hidden corner of Lyra’s soul, wounded and refusing to rise.But there was something else now. Buried under the grief. Under the pain. It started as a flicker. A tremor in her fingertips. A breath drawn too sharply.Rage.The Harbinger kept talking, but she didn’t hear the words anymore. She only heard the blood pounding in
Lyra’s POVThe darkness was suffocating. Cold, biting, like something had clawed its way inside her, twisting every corner of her mind into a void. She had been lost in that space - unable to move, unable to breathe, stuck in a place between life and death.But then, there was light.A soft, gentle pull at the edges of her consciousness, like the first breath of fresh air after a suffocating storm. Her senses, one by one, came back to her.She could hear again.The faint hum of the wind, the crackle of the fire in the distance. The sounds of a world that hadn’t stopped turning, even though hers had.She could feel.The weight of her body against the cold ground, the pressure in her chest slowly lifting, replaced by a dull, aching emptiness. It was a hollow feeling, like something was missing… something important.She could see.The world came into focus, blurry at first, then sharp and clear. Her vision adjusted, and she saw… him.Kane.His tall form was standing before her, his back
Kane's POV Kane’s heart thundered in his chest, the storm in the sky only a reflection of the chaos inside him. His grip on his sword tightened, knuckles white. He barely felt the sting of the Harbinger’s dark presence pressing against him - more like an itch at the back of his mind than a physical threat.The Harbinger’s voice slithered like venom, a dark lullaby meant to seduce, to tear apart the last fragments of his will."You protect them, Kane," the Harbinger whispered, his eyes glinting with ancient knowledge. "You think you do it for love, for honor. But what is honor when it shatters? What is love when it weakens you? You are the protector. You need power. Control."The words dug into his skin like knives, twisting in a place that had never known peace. There was truth in them, wasn’t there? The responsibility, the weight of it all - the lives of the people he swore to protect. He had always been the shield. The protector.But the truth, the painful truth the Harbinger spoke
Lyra POV The Hollow Grounds pulsed beneath her boots like a thing alive.Darkness churned on the horizon. A storm not born of clouds or rain, but shadow and raw, ancient hunger. The sky bled crimson at the edges, unnatural and seething. Around her, the witches formed their line, magic crackling like flares beneath their skin. Soldiers stood behind them, tense, blades drawn. Kane to her right. Nyxar to her left.And ahead - him. The Harbinger.He stood as if carved from the bones of gods, the corrupted echo of something once noble. His lips parted in a smile. “Ah. There you are.”And his voice - silken, knowing - brushed across the battlefield like a caress laced with venom. “Kane.”He didn’t shout. He didn’t need to. The name echoed with power.Kane tensed. Lyra saw it in the line of his shoulders, the shift in his weight. Her heart clenched.“You’ve always belonged to me,” the Harbinger said. “Before time gave you another name. Before loyalty chained you to the lesser.”Lyra stepped