The Moon hung like a silent witness above the pack grounds. Its silver light spilled across the training field, where the Alphas-in-training once stood proud—but tonight, the arena was empty. Empty, except for Lyra Hale.
Her hands were clenched into fists, the cool air biting her skin as she stared at the stage where, only days ago, her world had ended before the entire kingdom.
The whispers hadn’t stopped since the broadcast. The faithful Luna. The one he betrayed. Poor Lyra.
She hated those words more than she hated the betrayal itself. They made her sound like a victim, and she refused to be one.
A twig cracked behind her.
“I knew I’d find you here.” Caelum’s voice. Deep, rough, and painfully familiar.
Lyra didn’t turn. “You shouldn’t be here. The council ordered you to stay off t
