The Hunt Begins
706 Words
The forest had gone silent again.
Too silent.
Lyra stood beside the old woman, staring at the place where the Shadow Pack had disappeared.
Her breathing was still uneven.
She looked down at her wrist.
The silver mark had faded, but she could still feel the power moving beneath her skin.
“What happens now?” she asked.
The old woman gathered the herbs she had dropped during the attack.
“Now they will come for you.”
Lyra frowned.
“Who?”
“Every Alpha who believes your power can be controlled.”
The answer sent a chill through her.
“I don’t want this.”
“I know.”
“I never asked to be a Moon Heir.”
The old woman looked at her sadly.
“Destiny rarely asks permission.”
Before Lyra could answer, a distant howl echoed through the trees.
Then another.
Then several more.
The old woman froze.
“They’ve already sent word.”
Lyra’s heart sank.
“How many?”
“Enough.”
A sudden rustling came from behind them.
Lyra turned.
Nothing.
Only trees.
Then a branch snapped.
The old woman grabbed her arm.
“Run.”
They hurried deeper into the forest.
Lyra’s lungs burned, but she forced herself forward.
Behind them came the sound of footsteps.
Not one person.
Many.
“They’re following us,” Lyra whispered.
“Yes.”
“Where are we going?”
“To a place they cannot enter.”
They reached a narrow passage between two enormous stone walls.
The old woman pressed her palm against one of the stones.
A silver symbol appeared.
The stone door opened.
“Inside.”
Lyra stepped through.
The old woman followed, and the entrance closed behind them.
For several seconds, there was only darkness.
Then silver flames appeared along the walls.
Lyra stared.
“This place…”
“Was built for your bloodline.”
Ancient carvings covered the walls.
Lyra walked toward one of them.
A woman wearing a silver crown stood at the center.
Beside her was a wolf with glowing white eyes.
Below them was a symbol that looked exactly like the mark on Lyra’s wrist.
“That’s me,” Lyra whispered.
“Yes.”
Lyra touched the carving.
A flash of light filled the chamber.
She saw a young woman running through the same forest.
A baby was held tightly against her chest.
Behind her, soldiers were approaching.
The woman turned toward someone unseen.
“Promise me you’ll protect her.”
Then the vision disappeared.
Lyra stumbled backward.
“My mother.”
The old woman nodded.
“She brought you here when you were born.”
“Why did she leave me?”
“To save you.”
Lyra’s eyes filled with tears.
“And my father?”
The old woman hesitated.
“He died protecting the secret.”
Lyra wiped her tears.
“So all these years, everyone lied to me.”
“They were trying to keep you alive.”
A deep howl shook the hidden chamber.
Lyra looked toward the sealed entrance.
The Shadow Pack had found them.
The old woman whispered:
“They’re here.”
At that exact moment, far away in the Black Moon Palace, Kael received another message.
His captain rushed into the throne room.
“My king!”
Kael turned.
“What happened?”
“The northern border has been breached.”
“By whom?”
The captain swallowed.
“The Shadow Pack.”
Kael’s expression hardened.
“Why would they attack my territory?”
The captain hesitated.
“They aren’t attacking the kingdom.”
Kael stared at him.
“Then what are they after?”
The answer came quietly.
“Lyra.”
Kael’s heart tightened.
He immediately reached for his sword.
“Prepare every available warrior.”
His captain looked surprised.
“My king, are you declaring war?”
Kael looked toward the northern mountains.
“No.”
His voice was cold.
“I’m bringing my mate home.”
But deep beneath the forest, Lyra felt the silver mark on her wrist burn again.
And this time, she heard a voice inside her mind.
Do not trust the king.
Lyra’s blood ran cold.
Because she recognized the voice.
It was the Moon Goddess.
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