Claimed by the Moon
873 Words
The howls were getting closer.
Lyra could hear them clearly now — dozens of wolves moving through the forest at terrifying speed. The ground beneath her boots vibrated faintly with each passing second.
Kael’s expression darkened.
Ronan looked equally tense.
Whatever the Council was, both Alphas clearly took them seriously.
The creature pushed itself away from the tree slowly, rubbing at its throat where Kael had nearly crushed it.
“You’re running out of time,” it said calmly.
Kael ignored it.
His attention remained fully on the forest around them.
Then suddenly—
He grabbed Lyra’s wrist.
“Move.”
The command startled her.
Before she could react, Kael pulled her toward the trees behind them.
Ronan caught up instantly.
“You’re not taking her alone.”
Kael didn’t slow down. “Then keep up.”
The wolves around them shifted immediately, forming around Lyra protectively as they moved deeper into the forest.
Cold wind whipped through the trees.
Lyra stumbled slightly over exposed roots, exhaustion finally catching up to her.
The mark on her chest burned constantly now.
Not painfully.
Differently.
Warmer.
Alive.
And strangely enough…
She could feel both Alphas nearby without even looking at them.
Kael felt sharp and heavy, like a storm waiting to break.
Ronan felt hotter. Wilder. Restless fire beneath calm control.
The realization unsettled her deeply.
“What is happening to me?” she whispered.
Kael glanced at her briefly but kept moving.
“The bond is settling.”
“I thought you said it wouldn’t.”
His jaw tightened.
“I was wrong.”
Ronan appeared beside them suddenly, moving silently through the trees.
“You’re still fighting it,” he said to Kael.
Kael’s silver eyes flashed dangerously. “You should be too.”
Ronan’s gaze slid toward Lyra.
Too intense.
Too aware.
“I tried.”
Heat crawled unexpectedly beneath Lyra’s skin.
She hated how her body reacted whenever either Alpha looked at her too long.
It felt unnatural.
Like the bond was influencing her emotions.
Kael noticed immediately.
His expression darkened.
“Control yourself.”
Ronan smirked slightly. “That accusation goes both ways.”
Lyra stopped walking suddenly.
Both Alphas halted instantly.
“I’m standing right here.”
The irritation in her voice surprised even herself.
Breathing hard, she looked between them angrily.
“You keep talking like I’m some object you both accidentally bought.”
Neither Alpha spoke.
That alone irritated her more.
“I don’t care what this bond says,” she continued, voice shaking slightly. “I am not property.”
Ronan’s expression softened unexpectedly.
“You think I’d want a mate who obeys quietly?”
The question caught her off guard.
Kael crossed his arms tightly. “Now is not the time.”
“No,” Lyra snapped, glaring at both of them. “Actually, it is.”
Months of exhaustion, loneliness, and frustration suddenly spilled out at once.
“My whole life people have made decisions for me. Told me what’s best for me. Lied to me.” Her voice cracked slightly. “And now apparently I’m not even fully human?”
Silence followed.
The vulnerability in her words lingered heavily between them.
Ronan’s face lost some of its teasing edge.
Kael looked at her differently now.
Not cold.
Not detached.
Almost understanding.
Lyra hated that more than anything.
Because for the first time tonight…
She didn’t feel completely alone.
A branch snapped nearby.
Every wolf instantly became alert again.
Kael stepped in front of Lyra automatically.
Ronan moved beside him.
The possessive instinct behind the movement made heat pulse strangely through her chest again.
Then shadows appeared between the trees.
Three wolves emerged slowly into the clearing ahead.
White fur.
Silver eyes.
Unlike the other packs, these wolves moved with eerie calmness.
Authority radiated from them.
Kael cursed softly. “Too late.”
The largest wolf shifted first.
An older man stepped forward, dressed entirely in dark silver robes. Long gray hair framed a sharp face lined with age and power.
His pale eyes landed immediately on Lyra.
Then the glowing mark beneath her collarbone.
Silence stretched dangerously.
Finally, the man spoke.
“Alpha Kael.” His voice remained calm. “You’ve caused quite a problem.”
Kael’s expression remained unreadable. “Leave.”
The older man ignored him.
His gaze stayed fixed on Lyra with unsettling intensity.
“So,” he murmured softly, “the Moonborn bloodline truly survived.”
Fear crawled down Lyra’s spine.
The man smiled faintly.
Not warmly.
Curiously.
Like someone discovering a weapon they thought had been destroyed long ago.
Ronan stepped slightly closer to Lyra.
The older man noticed instantly.
Then his eyes slowly moved between both Alphas.
Understanding dawned across his face.
And for the first time—
The calmness disappeared.
“That…” His voice lowered carefully. “Should not be possible.”
Kael’s silver eyes darkened. “Yet here we are.”
The older man stared at Lyra for several long seconds.
Then finally—
“Kill the girl.”
Everything stopped.
Lyra’s stomach dropped.
The wolves behind him moved immediately.
Kael growled violently.
Ronan’s golden eyes flashed bright with fury.
And suddenly both Alphas stepped in front of her at the exact same time.
- Writer
