The Council’s Judgment
931 Words
The forest exploded with growls.
Kael shifted first.
One second he stood in front of Lyra in human form.
The next, the massive black wolf burst forward with terrifying force.
Ronan transformed beside him instantly, silver-brown fur flashing beneath the moonlight as both Alphas lunged toward the Council wolves together.
The older man stepped back calmly while chaos erupted around him.
Lyra stumbled backward, heart hammering painfully in her chest as wolves collided violently across the clearing.
Snow and dirt flew into the air.
The sound of snapping jaws echoed through the forest.
Kael tore through the first Council wolf brutally, his silver eyes glowing with pure fury. Ronan slammed another wolf into the ground beside him, claws ripping through white fur.
Neither Alpha held back.
Not when it came to her.
The realization hit Lyra hard enough to steal her breath for a second.
The Council wolves weren’t weak.
They moved with discipline and precision, attacking together instead of wildly like rogues.
But Kael and Ronan fought like monsters unleashed.
The older man watched the battle coldly from the edge of the clearing.
Then his pale eyes shifted toward Lyra.
And smiled.
Fear slid sharply down her spine.
Before she could move, he was suddenly in front of her.
Too fast.
His hand wrapped tightly around her throat.
Lyra gasped.
“You shouldn’t exist,” he said softly.
The silver mark beneath her collarbone flared violently.
Pain exploded through her body.
The old man froze.
His pale eyes widened slightly as silver light spread beneath Lyra’s skin.
Then suddenly—
A powerful force blasted outward from her body.
The old man was thrown backward violently.
Every wolf in the clearing stopped instantly.
Silence crashed through the forest.
Lyra stared at her own trembling hands in horror.
Silver light glowed faintly beneath her skin now, pulsing with each terrified heartbeat.
The Council wolves stepped backward uneasily.
Even Kael looked stunned.
Ronan shifted back into human form first.
“Lyra.”
His voice sounded cautious.
Careful.
Like approaching something dangerous.
The old man slowly stood from where he had crashed against a tree.
Blood stained the corner of his mouth now.
But he was smiling.
“The power has awakened.”
Kael shifted beside Lyra instantly, placing himself between her and the Council.
“What did you do to her?”
The older man laughed softly. “I did nothing. The Moonborn blood responds to threat.”
Lyra’s breathing became uneven.
She could still feel energy moving beneath her skin.
Warm.
Wild.
Wrong.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered.
Kael looked back at her briefly.
And for the first time since meeting him—
He looked worried.
Not for himself.
For her.
The old man dusted snow from his robes slowly.
“This changes everything.”
Ronan’s expression darkened. “You’re not taking her.”
The older man looked almost amused.
“You believe this is about what you want?” His pale gaze settled on Lyra again. “She belongs to the Council now.”
A dangerous growl ripped from Kael’s chest instantly.
Ronan stepped forward too.
But the older man remained calm.
“You both know the law,” he said evenly. “Moonborn are not permitted to live freely.”
Lyra’s stomach twisted violently.
Not permitted?
Kael’s silver eyes flashed murderously. “Those laws died centuries ago.”
“No,” the older man replied coldly. “They were buried.”
The meaning behind those words felt heavy.
Dark.
Ronan crossed his arms tightly. “You’re afraid of her.”
The old man smiled thinly.
“We are afraid of what she will turn both of you into.”
Silence followed.
Lyra looked between them anxiously.
“What does that mean?”
The older man’s eyes remained fixed on the two Alphas.
“The mate bond strengthens wolves naturally.” His voice lowered. “But Moonborn bonds are different.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
Ronan looked tense again.
The old man continued calmly.
“She will increase your power until instinct replaces reason.”
Cold dread settled in Lyra’s stomach.
“And if both bonds complete…” His expression darkened. “You will destroy each other trying to claim her.”
The words hung heavily in the air.
Lyra suddenly understood the looks between them.
The possessiveness.
The tension.
The jealousy already growing beneath the surface.
It was getting worse.
Fast.
Kael looked at the Council leader coldly. “Then we leave before it completes.”
The older man’s expression sharpened slightly.
“You think distance will stop fate?”
No one answered.
Because apparently none of them truly believed that.
The old man slowly stepped backward toward the trees.
“This is no longer only your problem, Alphas.”
His pale eyes settled on Lyra one last time.
“The entire north will come for the Moonborn girl now.”
Fear gripped Lyra’s chest tightly.
The Council wolves began retreating silently into the darkness.
But before disappearing completely, the older man spoke again.
“Run while you still can.”
Then they vanished into the forest.
Silence returned heavily.
Snow drifted slowly through the trees.
No one moved.
Then Kael suddenly grabbed Lyra’s arm.
“We leave now.”
Ronan frowned immediately. “You don’t command me.”
Kael’s silver eyes darkened dangerously.
“This stopped being about territory the second they ordered her death.”
Lyra looked between both Alphas anxiously.
“What happens now?”
Kael’s gaze settled on her.
Hard.
Protective.
Dangerously certain.
“Now,” he said quietly, “everyone starts hunting you.”
- Writer
