Marked Twice

The Voice Beneath Her Skin

Silence crashed through the healer’s chamber.

The wind died instantly.

Broken glass glittered across the wooden floor while the last traces of silver light faded slowly from the walls.

Lyra collapsed.

Kael caught her before she hit the ground.

“Lyra.”

His voice sounded distant.

Muffled.

Her entire body felt numb, like she had been dropped beneath freezing water. The burning beneath her collarbone remained, but now it pulsed slower… deeper.

Alive.

The healer stood frozen several feet away, horror draining the color from her face.

Ronan looked equally unsettled.

No one spoke for several long seconds.

Then quietly—

“She heard the awakening.”

Lyra blinked weakly against the dizziness. “What…”

The healer stared at her like she no longer knew what she was looking at.

“That voice,” she whispered. “Only the old stories mention it.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “Enough stories.”

“There’s no such thing as stories anymore,” the healer snapped suddenly. “Not after what just happened in this room.”

The sharpness in her tone surprised everyone.

Even Kael.

Lyra swallowed painfully and tried to sit up straighter, but another wave of exhaustion hit her immediately.

Kael’s arm tightened instinctively around her waist to steady her.

The contact sent warmth rushing painfully through the bond.

Both of them froze slightly.

Lyra noticed it this time.

The way Kael’s breathing shifted.

The way his fingers flexed unconsciously against her side.

And the way his expression darkened like he hated reacting to her.

Ronan noticed too.

The golden-eyed Alpha leaned against the wall with his arms crossed tightly, watching them with something unreadable in his face.

Jealousy.

The realization unsettled Lyra immediately.

Not because Ronan felt it.

But because somehow…

Part of her could feel it too.

Like an echo beneath her own emotions.

She quickly pulled away from Kael.

The loss of contact made coldness sweep through her chest instantly.

Kael noticed.

So did Ronan.

Neither looked pleased.

“I need air,” Lyra muttered.

“You’re not leaving this room,” Kael said immediately.

Frustration flashed through her exhaustion. “I wasn’t asking permission.”

The room fell silent.

Ronan’s mouth twitched slightly like he was trying not to smile.

Kael looked unimpressed.

“You nearly collapsed.”

“And I nearly exploded apparently,” Lyra snapped. “Forgive me for wanting one second to breathe.”

The healer quietly stepped forward. “She needs space.”

Kael looked at her sharply.

“She also needs stability,” the healer continued carefully. “If the bond keeps overwhelming her emotions, she’ll lose control again.”

That word again.

Control.

Like she was becoming something dangerous.

Fear twisted painfully in Lyra’s chest.

The healer noticed immediately.

Her expression softened slightly.

“You’re frightened.”

Lyra laughed weakly. “That might be the most normal thing happening right now.”

For a brief moment, the older woman almost smiled.

Almost.

Then her face became serious again.

“The awakening accelerates emotional connection.”

Lyra frowned. “Meaning?”

The healer hesitated before glancing toward both Alphas.

“The stronger they feel…” She lowered her voice carefully. “The stronger the bond becomes.”

Silence followed.

Kael’s expression hardened instantly.

Ronan looked away first.

And suddenly Lyra understood why both men seemed constantly tense around her.

They were fighting the bond.

Fighting themselves.

The realization made something ache unexpectedly inside her chest.

Kael stepped toward the door. “Everyone out.”

Ronan frowned. “You think I’m leaving her alone with you?”

Kael’s silver eyes flashed dangerously. “I think she needs rest.”

Ronan crossed his arms tighter. “And I think you’re already too attached.”

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.

Heavy.

Sharp.

Lyra looked between them tiredly. “Do you both always act like this?”

Neither answered.

Which was answer enough.

The healer sighed deeply. “You’re making the bond worse.”

Both Alphas looked irritated by that statement.

Good.

They should be.

Lyra stood slowly despite the dizziness. “I need to wash the blood off.”

Kael moved instantly. “You shouldn’t be alone.”

“I think I’ve earned one bath without supervision.”

Ronan smirked faintly at that.

Kael ignored him completely.

The healer finally pointed toward a small side door. “There’s warm water prepared inside.”

Lyra nodded gratefully and walked toward it before anyone could stop her.

The moment the door closed behind her, silence filled the chamber outside.

Then Ronan spoke first.

“You’re losing control.”

Kael’s voice turned deadly calm. “Careful.”

“You think I don’t feel it too?” Ronan snapped quietly. “Every time she looks at you, the bond reacts.”

Kael remained silent.

Because denying it would be pointless.

Ronan dragged a hand through his hair in frustration. “This should not be happening.”

“No,” Kael agreed coldly. “It shouldn’t.”

The healer watched both Alphas carefully.

“You’re afraid of the bond completing.”

Kael’s silver eyes darkened. “You know what happens if it does.”

Ronan looked tense again.

The healer’s expression softened with something close to pity.

“The Moonborn bonds were never gentle.”

Kael laughed humorlessly. “That’s one word for it.”

Meanwhile, Lyra leaned heavily against the wooden basin inside the bathing room, breathing slowly as steam curled around her.

Everything hurt.

Not physically.

Emotionally.

Her mother had lied to her.

Werewolves existed.

And somehow she was connected to two dangerous men she barely knew.

She stared at her reflection in the water.

Even her eyes looked different now.

Brighter somehow.

The silver mark beneath her collarbone glowed faintly beneath the candlelight.

It was beautiful.

And terrifying.

Slowly, Lyra touched it.

Warmth pulsed instantly beneath her fingertips.

Then suddenly—

A memory flashed through her mind.

A woman laughing softly.

Dark hair.

Gentle hands brushing against Lyra’s face when she was little.

Her mother.

But younger.

Afraid.

“If they find you, they’ll take you from me.”

Lyra gasped sharply.

The vision disappeared immediately.

Her heart hammered painfully.

What was that?

Another image flashed suddenly.

Blood on snow.

A man screaming.

Silver eyes glowing in darkness.

Lyra stumbled backward from the basin with a frightened breath.

The bond.

The mark was showing her something.

No.

Not something.

Memories.

A knock sounded suddenly outside the door.

Lyra jumped.

“It’s me.”

Kael.

Something about hearing his voice steadied her slightly.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly.

Silence.

Then quietly—

“You’re lying.”

The simple honesty in his voice caught her off guard.

Lyra closed her eyes briefly.

“I saw something.”

The silence outside the door sharpened instantly.

“What?”

“My mother.”

The door opened immediately.

Kael stepped inside before she could protest.

Steam curled around him as silver eyes searched her face carefully.

“What did you see?”

Lyra swallowed hard.

“She was running.” Her voice shook slightly. “She said someone would take me.”

Kael’s expression darkened instantly.

Fear.

Real fear.

“Kael…”

He looked away briefly like he was thinking through something dangerous.

Then finally—

“The bond is unlocking inherited memory.”

Lyra stared at him. “Inherited what?”

“Moonborn blood carries memory through generations.”

Her stomach twisted.

“So I’m seeing my mother’s memories?”

“Possibly.”

The room suddenly felt smaller.

Too small.

Kael looked at her carefully for several long seconds before speaking again.

“You need to understand something.”

The seriousness in his voice made her chest tighten.

“What?”

Kael stepped closer slowly.

“The Council will never stop hunting you now.”

Lyra tried laughing weakly, but fear made the sound brittle.

“Wonderful.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

Kael’s silver eyes held hers intensely.

“No, Lyra. You don’t.” His voice lowered. “If they believe the Moonborn bloodline returned…” He paused slightly. “They will burn entire territories looking for you.”

Cold fear spread through her chest.

“And what if they find me?”

Kael went silent.

That silence terrified her more than any answer.

Then unexpectedly—

Lyra reached for his hand.

Maybe because she was scared.

Maybe because she was exhausted.

Maybe because part of the bond pulled her toward him before she could stop herself.

The second their skin touched—

Warmth exploded between them.

Kael inhaled sharply.

Silver light flickered faintly beneath the mark on her chest.

And for one terrifying second…

Lyra felt his emotions completely.

Protectiveness.

Rage.

Fear.

And underneath all of it—

A dangerous growing attachment that frightened him almost as much as it frightened her.