The night refused to settle after Darius vanished.
The air around the Alpha house felt charged, as if the forest itself held its breath. Even the wind had grown quiet, the usual chorus of insects fading into an uneasy silence.
Lyra stood near the window, staring into the moonlit forest.
Her heart beat steadily, yet something deep inside her stirred restlessly. Since Darius had spoken of the prophecy, the power beneath her skin had grown louder—like a second pulse echoing in her veins.
Behind her, Kael watched.
He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, but the tension in his body betrayed him. His golden eyes never left Lyra, filled with something darker than anger.
Fear.
Not fear of her.
Fear of losing her.
Sienna glanced between them nervously before quietly slipping out of the room. The tension between the Alpha and the Moonborn was thick enough to suffocate anyone caught in the middle.
The door closed softly behind her.
For a moment, silence ruled the room.
Finally, Kael spoke.
"You shouldn't trust him."
Lyra didn't turn around.
"Trust who?" she asked calmly.
"You know exactly who," Kael replied, his voice low. "Darius."
Lyra slowly turned to face him.
Moonlight illuminated her silver eyes, making them glow faintly.
"And why shouldn't I?" she asked.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Because I know his kind."
"And what kind is that?" Lyra asked quietly.
"The kind that hides in shadows and waits for the perfect moment to strike."
Lyra studied him for a moment.
Then she sighed softly.
"You're not angry because you think he's dangerous."
Kael frowned.
"I'm angry because he is dangerous."
"No," Lyra said gently. "You're angry because he understands something about me that you don't."
The words struck harder than any physical blow.
Kael took a step back.
For the first time since becoming Alpha, he looked… uncertain.
"I've protected this pack my entire life," he said. "I know what threats look like."
Lyra walked toward him slowly.
Her movements were graceful but powerful now, like a wolf who had discovered its strength.
"And yet," she said softly, "you didn't see me."
Kael's chest tightened.
"I see you now."
Lyra's expression softened slightly, but the distance between them remained.
"Do you?" she asked.
Before Kael could answer—
A sudden wave of energy rushed through the room.
Lyra gasped slightly, grabbing the edge of the table.
The silver light around her flickered violently.
Kael rushed forward.
"Lyra!"
Her breathing quickened.
Images flooded her mind.
A burning forest.
Hunters with silver weapons.
A wolf howling beneath a blood-red moon.
And standing at the center of it all—
Her.
Lyra's knees nearly buckled.
Strong arms caught her before she fell.
But they didn't belong to Kael.
A familiar deep voice spoke beside her ear.
"You're pushing the power too fast."
Lyra looked up.
Darius.
He had appeared silently behind her, as if stepping out of the shadows themselves.
Kael's eyes flared with anger.
"You again."
Darius ignored him completely.
His attention remained on Lyra.
"You're seeing visions, aren't you?" he asked quietly.
Lyra nodded weakly.
"Yes…"
"What did you see?" he asked.
"Hunters," she whispered. "And… fire."
Darius's expression darkened.
"They're coming sooner than I thought."
Kael stepped forward.
"Enough riddles. Explain."
Darius finally turned toward him.
"The hunters who attacked tonight were only scouts," he said calmly.
Kael's stomach dropped.
"Scouts?"
"Yes."
Darius's red eyes flicked back to Lyra.
"The real hunt hasn't begun yet."
The room went silent.
Lyra slowly straightened herself.
Her silver aura pulsed again, stronger this time.
"Then let them come," she said.
Kael stared at her in shock.
Darius, however, smiled faintly.
"That," he said softly, "is the Moonborn speaking."
Lyra met his gaze.
"Then teach me."
Kael stiffened.
"Teach you what?"
Lyra's voice was steady.
"How to control this power."
Darius studied her for a long moment.
"You understand what you're asking?"
"Yes."
"Training with me will not be easy," he warned.
"I didn't expect it to be."
Kael stepped forward immediately.
"You're not training with him."
Lyra turned to him calmly.
"And why not?"
"Because I said so."
The moment the words left his mouth, Kael realized his mistake.
Lyra's eyes hardened instantly.
"You don't get to decide that anymore, Kael."
Silence fell again.
Darius watched the exchange with quiet amusement.
Kael's fists clenched.
"I'm trying to protect you."
"And I'm trying to become strong enough to protect myself."
Their eyes locked.
Two wolves.
Two wills.
Neither willing to back down.
Finally, Lyra broke the stare.
She turned toward Darius.
"When do we start?"
Darius stepped closer.
The air between them crackled faintly with energy.
"Tonight."
Kael's voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
"She's not leaving this pack with you."
Darius smirked.
"I'm not taking her anywhere, Alpha."
He gestured toward the forest outside.
"The training begins right here."
Lyra walked toward the door.
Her silver aura shimmered softly around her body.
For the first time, she didn't feel like the rejected mate.
She felt like something more.
Something powerful.
Something inevitable.
As she stepped outside beneath the glowing moon, Darius followed beside her.
Kael remained in the doorway, watching them disappear into the forest.
A storm brewed inside his chest.
Regret.
Jealousy.
Fear.
And a growing realization that the girl he once rejected was becoming something far greater than he had ever imagined.
Above them, the moon shone brighter than ever.
But far beyond the pack lands…
Hidden in the mountains…
The hunters were already moving.
And this time—
They were bringing something powerful enough to kill the moon born