Rejected, Then Crowned Queen

Chapter four

The ground trembled under Lyra's feet

Massive slabs of stone erupted from the forest floor, revealing ancient columns wrapped with silver vines. The vines appeared fresh, as if they had not been buried for centuries.

No one moved.

The soldiers, wolves, and even Emma remained frozen in place.

Two enormous gates stood before them.

Cracked stone pillars bore the markings of a crescent moon held above a crown, while delicate silver runes glowed on the surface of the gate.

"The place is haunted!" One of the younger soldiers muttered.

"This can't be real!" Another added.

Fenrir stepped forward, shifting his massive body to block Lyra's view of the soldiers.

"It is very real," the alpha said in a deep voice.

"It has simply been waiting for its queen to return."

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.

"A talking wolf," one muttered.

"I'm talking to you, Fenrir." Captain Gareth drew his sword, pointing it at Lyra's back. "Our orders are still clear!"

"Capture the girl!" Gareth barked.

The soldiers surged forward, surrounding Lyra and Emma. She grabbed Lyra's wrist, shaking her.

"Run!" Emma shouted.

A flash of silver light burst from the runes on the ground, sending the soldiers flying backwards like dolls. Swords clattered to the ground, and several soldiers stumbled over broken shields. Gareth landed on his backside, skidding towards the edge of the clearing.

"What kind of magic is this?" He growled.

Fenrir paid him no attention. His golden eyes locked onto Lyra's face.

"The kingdom recognizes its queen."

Lyra blinked, then shook her head.

"No," she said firmly.

"I'm nobody's queen!"

A smile played across Fenrir's lips.

"You may refuse the title," he said softly.

"But you cannot deny your blood."

Before she could respond, the great gates began to creak open.

An eerie whisper filled the forest with the sound of distant music. Cool air spilled from the opening, sending fragrant notes of wildflowers, freshly turned earth, and moon lilies cascading into the clearing. It smelled familiar somehow—like a home she had never seen.

"You don't understand," Lyra murmured.

She closed her eyes for a moment, willing the feeling away. This place was foreign, yet it called to her like an old friend. A warm voice slid into her mind.

"Welcome home, sweet daughter of the moon..."

Lyra's eyes snapped open. The voice wasn't coming from the forest.

It wasn't Fenrir or Emma.

It was gentle and melodic, like a mother's song.

She took an unsteady step toward the open gates.

"Lyra?" Emma grabbed her shoulder.

"Did you hear that?" Lyra asked.

"Hear what?" Emma frowned.

"The voice!" Lyra exclaimed.

"I heard it!" She turned to look at Emma but found her staring right back.

"I heard a voice in my head," Lyra said slowly.

A second later, the familiar whisper curled around her thoughts once more.

"My child..."

Pain lanced through her skull, making her gasp. Strange visions overtook her mind. A woman with silver hair is kneeling before a little girl, fastening some sort of pendant around her neck. A man in black armor stands behind her, smiling. Then flames devour the palace, and screaming soldiers pour from the burning windows.

"Protect the princess!" Someone shouts.

Lyra stumbled back, clutching her head. Emma caught her before she hit the ground.

"Lyra!" Emma cried.

"I saw that palace!" Lyra choked out as fresh tears slicked her cheeks. "I saw it burn down!"

Fenrir was watching her closely.

"The kingdom is restoring your memories."

Captain Gareth was already drawing his men back. "Archers!" A dozen soldiers took aim, pressing silver-tipped arrows to Lyra's throat.

"Fire!" He growled.

Fenrir appeared in front of her in a blur of motion. A barrier of flashing light encased him in silver energy. The arrows struck the barrier but simply clattered to the ground. Not one had pierced his chest.

The clearing fell silent. Gareth stared at the spent arrows on the ground, his heart pounding in his ears.

"What are you?" He demanded.

"I am the Last Guardian," Fenrir said, his voice like rolling thunder.

"And you are on sacred ground, Captain."

The earth began to quake. This time, slabs of stone burst from the dirt, revealing figures frozen in time. One by one, ancient warriors emerged from the ground, made of pale marble. They wore armor of old and carried weathered blades. Their eyes remained black.

Then silver light flared across their chests.

One by one, the stone warriors raised their weapons and turned toward the royal soldiers.

Captain Gareth staggered back.

"No..." He whispered.

"This isn't happening."

Fenrir turned his golden gaze on the silent army.

"They have watched over this land for a thousand years," the alpha said.

"They have waited for you, my queen." He lowered himself onto his knees before Lyra. The other wolves followed suit. The stone sentinels did the same, lowering their heavy weapons until the tips touched the ground. All around the clearing, hundreds of voices rose at once.

"Long live the Lunar Queen..."

The proclamation rolled over the mountains, shaking the very timbers of the forest.

Deep within the trees, a lone figure stood watching the display through a crack in the rocks. His long coat hid his face, but his crimson eyes gleamed with interest. He smiled.

"So..." the mysterious man murmured. "The lost princess has returned."

In the Silver Moon palace, Kael suddenly stiffened in the middle of a conversation. His mate bond went cold and silent a moment later. He knew what that meant, but something else twisted in his gut.

A dark, foreboding dread coiled around his heart.

"Your highness!" A royal messenger burst into the throne room, gasping for breath. "The Forgotten Kingdom... has awakened..."