LyraThe next day I woke up to the rays shining on my face, my stomach clenched like a rough sea. Today was supposed to bring my next trial, but uncertainty gnawed at me. What new challenge awaited? Would I be strong enough to face it?Selene, my wolf, stirred inside. “We've come this far,” she reminded me. “We will not back down now.I nodded, drawing strength from her words as I got dressed. The soft fabric of my new dress felt foreign to my skin, a reminder of how much it had changed. A knock on the door made me jump. “Come on,” I called, trying to keep the tremors in my voice.To my surprise, it was Gabriel who entered, his imposing frame filling the doorway. My heart skipped a beat looking at him.“Lyra,” he said, his deep voice sending a chill down my spine. "We need to talk."I swallowed hard. "About the next trial?"He shook his head, his emerald eyes intense. "There will be no more trials. Not for you."My jaw dropped. "What? But… why?"Gabriel stepped closer, his presence o
LyraI left the room with butterflies in my tummy. The effects Gabriel left after our conversation, I feel relaxed, accepted doe ones.But meeting Lila, the main healer of the pack. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves."We got it," Selene, my wolf, reassured me. But even she sounded a little uncertain.I carefully dressed in a simple dress and leggings, not wanting it to look like I was putting on airs. As I was leaving my room, I almost bumped into Zara, one of my new maids."Oh! Good morning, Luna," she said, bowing slightly. "Are you ready for your appointment with healer Lila?"I forced myself to smile. "As ready as I'll ever be. Any advice?"Zara hesitated. "Well… Lila can be a little… intense. Be yourself, Luna."Great. That was really helpful. I made my way across the field, feeling eyes on me with every step. The whispers followed me like shadows."Here is...""The outsider...""How long do you think she can last?"I raised my chin and refused to let them see how
LyraI walked out of the healer's den, my head from all the information Lila dumped on me.The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. But its beauty was lost on me as I replayed the events of the day."Useless Luna!""You can't even make regular tea!""Go back to your fancy castle, princess!"The taunts of the other healers echoed in my mind, each one a dagger to my confidence. I bit my lip and fought back tears. "Don't let them see you cry," Selene growled at me. “We are stronger than this.I nodded and took a deep breath. But before I could compose myself, a sharp voice cut through the air."What on earth is going on here?"I turned to see Kira, Alpha's advisor, walking towards us. Her eyes burned with rage as she took in the scene—me, looking defeated, surrounded by mocking healers."Is this how we treat our Luna?" Kira asked in a voice as cold as ice. "Mocking and belittling her as she tries to learn our ways?"The healers shuffled uncomfortably, avoiding
Lyra The sun roused me up, and while my body ached, my mind was clear. Today was the day of my excursion to get the uncommon plants that Lila required. My tummy squeezed with a mix of fear and anxiety. "We've got it," my inner wolf, Selene, told me. "I hope you're right," I murmured, putting on my heavy boots and thick coat. A faint tap on the door startled me. "Come on," I said, trying not to sound apprehensive. Zara popped her head inside, her eyes wide with concern. "Luna, are you certain about this? "It's dangerous inside." I pushed myself to grin. "I have to do this, Zara. "It's part of my training." She nodded, grudgingly. "At least eat something before you go. I finished the porridge she brought, my thoughts already focused on the trip ahead. As I finished, I heard another knock. "Come in," I murmured while wiping my lips. Gabriel stepped in, his expression filled with concern. "Lyra, I do not like this. Allow me to send some guards with you. I shake my head. “No, Gabr
LyreI stumbled through the forest, my legs shaking with exhaustion. The pack was close now, I could feel it. My pack of herbs grew heavier with each step."Almost there," Selene encouraged. “You did it Lyra.I managed a weak smile. "We did it. We couldn't have done it without you."As I walked out from the trees, my heart skipped a beat at the sight in front of me..There was Gabriel, pacing anxiously at the edge of the clearing. Kim, Zara, and Kira stood at a distance with worried looks on their faces.Gabriel lifted his head and his eyes locked on mine. "Lyra!" he shouted, walking closer.I took a step forward, my knee buckling slightly. As I walked closer out of the forest, my shaky legs were failing me. The familiar pheromones of the Alpha soothing me. “We finally did it,” Selene uttered to me. “We actually did it.I nodded at her. I was too exhausted not to speak. Kim, Zara, and Kira stood at a distance with worried looks on their faces.Gabriel walked towards me, his head an
GabrielI walked up and down in my office, my thoughts were a mess because she left to the trail again. I was worried and frustrated. It has been an hour since Lyra was gone gathering the trail herbs."She'll be fine Gab," Fury reassured, but my protective Sense won't rest . “She's stronger than you give her credit for." He added.I ran a hand through my disheveled hair and sighing heavily. "I know, I know but-"My internal debate was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in," I barked.Talon, my beta and oldest friend, walked in. His eyes widened slightly at my disheveled appearance. "Still no word from Luna Lyra?"I shook my head and collapsed into my chair. "Nothing. I should have insisted on sending guards with her."Talon leaned against the table with a thoughtful expression. "You know she wouldn't let that happen. She's determined to prove it.""But why?" I exploded and slammed my fist into the table. "She's already my Luna, she's already carrying my puppies. What else does
LyraThe sun woke me up, my body ached, but my spirit renewed. Today was the day - I finally learned how to make medicine from the herbs I collected."Ready for this?" Selene asked as I got dressed."As I ever will," I replied, trying to suppress the butterflies in my stomach.I went to Lila's quarters, the herbs clutched to my chest. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door."Come in," came Lila's gruff voice.I walked inside, blinking my eyes. Lila was over her desk."Um, Elder Lila?" I said hesitantly. “I brought the herbs.She turned and her eyes widened when she saw what I was carrying. "By the Moon Goddess," she breathed. “Actually you did.I nodded and carefully placed the herbs on her table. “Moonflower from Whispering Falls, Ghostly Orchid from Misty Hollow, and blood rose from Crimson Meadow.Lily's twisted fingers hovered over each herb, her expression a mixture of fear and suspicion. "How?" she demanded. "How did you manage?"I recounted my journey, trying to keep my v
I crawled back to my room, muscles aching from hours of crushing herbs and mixing potions. When I opened the door I was greeted with the warm smiles of Zara and Kim."Womb!" Kim shouted, lunging forward. "How was your lesson with Elder Lila?"I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Exhausting,” I admitted. “But… good, I guess.Zara tsk sympathetically. "You look dead on your feet. Come sit down and we'll take care of you."I was too tired to argue and let them lead me to the plush chair. Zara immediately began massaging my shoulders, her skilled hands working out the knots.“Oh,” I moaned. “That's an amazing feeling.Kim knelt at my feet and gently removed my shoes. "Tell us everything," she urged. "Did you make any remedies?"While Zara and Kim looked after me, I talked about my day with Lila. They gasped at my mistakes and cheered at my successes."Healing salve for the first try?" Zara wondered. "That's impressive, Luna!"I blushed at the praise. "It wasn't perfect," I mumbled
LyraThe clearing buzzed with excitement as the pack celebrated my victory. Wolves were howling, people were cheering, and the atmosphere was filled with a euphoria that was new to me. In the midst of everything, I was amazed to stand next to the majestic White Stag, still in awe of the recent events.Zara came closer, her typically serious expression now showing a hint of admiration. She halted a short distance from me, alternating her gaze between myself and the White Stag."Luna Lyra," she exclaimed, her voice traveling through the clearing and quieting the audience. I have to confess, I had some skepticism about you. Numerous uncertainties.I aligned my back, looking directly into her eyes without wavering. I am aware that you did it, Elder Zara. And I don't hold you accountable for that.Zara's lips were tugged by a slight smile. "No, I guess you wouldn't." You
LyraI slowly woke up, feeling like I had been run over by a truck, my body in pain. Sunlight flowed in through a window close by, heating up my face. I lay there for a moment, attempting to figure out what had occurred.The cavern. Kieran's name was uttered. The anger that had taken over me...I jolted awake, my heart pounding."Take it easy," a voice that was recognizable whispered gently. "You are out of danger."I looked over and noticed Gabriel by the bed, with dark circles under his eyes indicating that he hadn't slept. I felt relieved when I saw him, but then uncertainty crept in."Is that Gabriel?" I spoke softly, my voice rough. "Is it truly you now?"Understanding and pain softened his facial expression. "It's I, my darling. "My true self."I extended my hand cautiously, anticipating it might g
Lyra'sI suddenly woke up, my heart racing. I felt sweat forming on my forehead while I attempted to understand the environment around me. The familiar smell of pine and dirt entered my nose, connecting me to the earth."I murmured, just a dream, but the words lacked substance."The recent happenings kept playing over in my head like a distorted film. Gabriel's act of betrayal, the ensuing battle, and my eventual triumph all felt incredibly unreal.I lifted myself up, grimacing at the imaginary pain in my side caused by Gabriel's claws. However, upon checking, there was no visible injury. No mark. No changes."What on earth?"I spun around, ready for a confrontation, as a twig broke close by. Kieran appeared from the darkness, his emerald eyes shining in the moon's glow."Take it easy, Luna," he said, with his hands up. "I a
LyraThe forest was eerily silent as I stood before the assembled pack. A combination of confusion, concern, and curiosity was evident on the faces that looked up at me. I inhaled deeply, preparing myself for the words I was about to speak."Dear fellow wolves," I started, my voice projecting more confidence than I truly possessed, "today I have somber news to share. "We have been deceived."A quiet sound spread through the audience. I witnessed Zara's eyes narrowing and her body becoming tense.I kept talking, the words tasting like ash in my mouth, about how Gabriel, our Alpha, had betrayed us. "Opposed to me."The quiet murmuring transformed into a loud roar. Disbelief, rage, and dread combined in the atmosphere like a poisonous mist."Someone exclaimed that it couldn't be done!" Gabriel would never..."I witnessed it mys
LyraThis morning, the forest was more silent than typical. The birds appeared reluctant to disturb the unsettling stillness. I moved stealthily through the thick vegetation, ready for anything. I sensed something was wrong, but I couldn't quite pinpoint it."I said to myself that you're being paranoid, attempting to rid myself of the sense of unease."There was a snapping sound of a twig from behind me. I spun around, my heart racing, and caught sight of Gabriel coming out from the darkness."Gabe!" I took a breath, feeling relieved. "You frightened me so much I thought I was going to die."Although he smiled, his eyes did not reflect the same happiness. I apologize, my dear. I didn't intend to scare you.I observed his facial expressions, noticing the tightness in his jaw and the faint crease in his forehead. "Are all things right?"&nb
LyraTension filled the forest as I stealthily made my way through the underbrush. Each time a twig snapped, I jumped, every rustle of leaves made me search the shadows. The search had been happening for hours, but I was still no closer to locating my target than I was at the beginning."I whispered in defeat, leaning against a tree trunk." I will never succeed at this."You won't succeed with that mindset," a voice said from above me.I suddenly sat up, my heart racing. Sitting on a branch like a large bird was a stranger I didn't recognize. His teeth stood out in stark contrast against his tanned skin as he smiled down at me."What is your identity?" I asked firmly, attempting to control the shake in my voice. "You are not a member of our group."The unknown individual descended from the tree, landing with the agility of a cat. "
LyraUpon reaching a curve in the stream, I spotted the origin of the sound. A youthful wolf was trapped under a fallen tree, with its leg stuck in an awkward position. Filled with a blend of fear and desperation, my eyes locked with its golden ones.I cautiously moved closer, extending my hands in a peaceful manner. "I whispered softly, 'Take it easy.'" "I will not cause you any harm."The wolf whimpered once more, weakly resisting its wooden confinement. I realized then that it was not only its leg that was hurt - there was also a deep cut on its side covered in blood.I felt pain in my heart as I saw it. This wasn't the target I was supposed to go after, but I couldn't abandon it to endure suffering. "I said softly, more for my own benefit than for the wolf," I murmured. "Let's try to see if we can assist in getting you out of that place."I inspected the downed
LyraTension filled the forest as we assembled on the outskirts of the clearing. My heart throbbed loudly, each pulse symbolizing the importance of what was to come. The rest of the hunters were prepared, their expressions showing firm resolve. I attempted to emulate their self-assurance, but internally, uncertainty consumed me like a ravenous wolf.Zara's voice sliced through the morning breeze, sharp like a sword. "Hunters, get ready at your designated spots!"I went to my assigned location, my legs shaking a bit. The trees stood in front of me, casting long and eerie shadows in the morning sun.Zara called out, "When I give the signal," "Counting down from three to one..." "Begin!"Similar to arrows flying from taut bows, we charge into the woods. Each hunter hurried to claim their prey, the air filled with the sound of cracking twigs and rustling l
LyraThe cold morning air bit at my skin while I walked to the rendezvous spot. A blend of excitement and fear raced through my veins as my heart pounded in my chest. The forest stood in front of me, a huge area of green that appeared to go on indefinitely. Today, it will serve as our battlefield.As I neared the open space, I noticed the hunters had already assembled. Their expressions showed strong resolve, with sparkling eyes anticipating the excitement of the forthcoming test. Zara stood in the middle, her commanding presence capturing everyone's attention."Luna Lyra," she shouted, her voice spreading through the clearing. "Thank you for joining us, it's great to have you here."I stood up tall, determined not to be intimidated. "I wouldn't skip it," I responded, my voice sounding more confident than I actually felt.Zara's mouth formed a sly smil