The crescent pact

Chapter 3 Beneath the blood moon

Lyria’s POV)

The silence in Crescent Hall was heavier than the storm outside. Every flicker of lightning painted the marble walls in crimson — like the moon itself was bleeding into the stone.

I couldn’t sleep. I hadn’t slept since the night I saw him — the stranger with eyes that glowed like wildfire and a voice that called my name before I even spoke. He shouldn’t exist. No one outside the five packs should know my scent, my lineage... or my curse.

A low growl echoed from the corridor. My heart stopped. I reached for the dagger beneath my pillow, its silver edge gleaming faintly. One step, two steps — the air grew colder, as if the shadows themselves were watching me.

Then came the whisper.

“Run, Lyria.”

I spun, blade raised — but no one stood there. Only the black wolf crest embroidered on the curtains fluttered slightly, though the air was still.

Every instinct screamed danger. I backed toward the balcony, the wind howling through the trees beyond. Below, the courtyard was empty — yet the scent of blood and pine filled my senses.

Something moved near the eastern gate. I saw it — tall, fast, human-shaped but not human. My pulse thundered. He was here again.

Before I could call for the guards, a voice drifted up from the darkness.

“You were never meant to live under their moon.”

The dagger slipped from my fingers. His tone was low, broken — but familiar, like an echo from a memory I shouldn’t have.

“Who are you?” I demanded.

The figure looked up, eyes glowing gold in the red moonlight.

“The one they swore to destroy.”

And then, just like that — he was gone.

Only the sound of wolves howling in unison remained, and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure if they were calling to warn me… or welcome me.