Episode 2: The Alpha’s Awakening
658 Words
Lyra didn’t remember how she made it home.
The glowing mark on her wrist had disappeared before she reached her apartment, but the memory of the wolves bowing before her refused to leave her mind.
She locked the door, leaned against it, and took a shaky breath.
“What is happening to me?” she whispered.
She rolled up her sleeve again.
The crescent-shaped mark was gone.
Only smooth skin remained.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
“I must be losing my mind.”
She tossed her backpack onto the couch and walked into the tiny kitchen. As she poured herself a glass of water, her crescent pendant suddenly grew warm against her chest.
She frowned.
It had never done that before.
The warmth spread through her body, filling her with a strange sense of peace.
Then…
A woman’s voice echoed faintly inside her head.
“The moon always finds its child.”
Lyra spun around.
“Who’s there?”
Silence.
Her apartment was empty.
The lights flickered once before returning to normal.
A chill ran down her spine.
⸻
Miles away, the grand halls of Blackthorne Castle had fallen silent.
The celebration was over.
Every warrior had gathered in the throne room after Elder Rowan’s shocking announcement.
“The Moonblood bloodline has awakened,” the elder repeated, his weathered voice echoing through the chamber.
Murmurs spread among the Alphas and warriors.
“I thought they were wiped out.”
“The prophecy can’t be real.”
“Who is she?”
At the center of the room stood Alpha Kael Blackthorne.
Tall, imposing, and dressed in black, he remained expressionless.
But inside…
His wolf was restless.
“Find her.”
Kael clenched his jaw.
“No.”
“She is our mate.”
“I don’t need a mate.”
“You need your queen.”
Kael turned away from the council, frustration burning in his chest.
Years ago, he had sworn never to let love become his weakness.
His father had sacrificed everything for his mate.
His mother had died protecting the pack.
Love had cost him both parents.
He would never allow himself to make the same mistake.
Yet no matter how hard he resisted…
He could still feel her.
Somewhere.
Alive.
Waiting.
⸻
Outside the castle gates, another pair of golden eyes watched from the shadows.
Lucien Nightshade.
The rogue Alpha smiled as one of his spies knelt before him.
“My lord,” the spy said. “The Moonblood heir has awakened.”
Lucien’s smile widened.
“So… she’s finally alive.”
He looked toward the glowing moon.
“If Kael finds her first, she’ll become the strongest Luna in history.”
His eyes darkened.
“I can’t allow that.”
He drew a silver dagger from beneath his cloak.
“Find the girl.”
“Alive?”
Lucien chuckled.
“Alive… for now.”
⸻
The next morning…
Lyra tried to convince herself the previous night had been nothing more than an elaborate nightmare.
She dressed for work and left her apartment.
But the moment she stepped outside…
Every dog on the street stopped barking.
Birds landed quietly on nearby rooftops.
Even the wind seemed to pause.
People noticed.
An elderly woman smiled kindly at Lyra.
“My dear,” she said softly, “there’s something different about you today.”
Lyra forced a smile.
“I… I don’t know what you mean.”
Before she could continue walking, a sleek black SUV pulled up across the street.
The windows were heavily tinted.
Someone inside was watching her.
Lyra felt it.
A pair of golden eyes met hers through the glass.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Without warning, the SUV drove away.
She stood frozen on the sidewalk, unaware that her life had just become the center of a deadly hunt.
One Alpha was destined to protect her.
Another was determined to claim her.
And neither of them intended to lose.
- Writer
