Chapter Two
864 Words
A single horn echoed across Mooncrest Pack.
Its deep, commanding note rolled over the mountains, startling birds from the towering pines.
Then another horn answered.
And another.
Within seconds, the entire pack burst into motion.
"They're here!"
"The Northern Alphas have arrived!"
"Hurry! Line up!"
Excitement spread like wildfire as warriors rushed to their assigned positions. Servants hurried across the Alpha Manor carrying trays of wine and roasted game, while young wolves climbed rooftops in hopes of catching a glimpse of the legendary leaders.
Today wasn't just another gathering.
It was history in the making.
Lyra stood quietly in the manor's kitchen, fastening the plain apron around her waist.
"You."
The head maid pointed sharply at her.
"Take these refreshments to the eastern courtyard."
Lyra nodded.
"Yes."
"And remember..." the older woman warned, narrowing her eyes. "Keep your head down. The Alpha doesn't want anyone discovering who you are."
Lyra lowered her gaze.
"I understand."
She balanced the silver tray in her hands and slipped through the crowded hallway.
Outside, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.
Banners bearing the Mooncrest emblem fluttered in the wind.
Children waved flowers.
Warriors stood in perfect formation, their polished armor gleaming beneath the morning sun.
Then...
The gates opened.
One by one, luxury black SUVs rolled into the pack grounds.
Power radiated from every vehicle.
The air itself seemed to grow heavier.
Doors opened.
The first Alpha stepped out.
A towering man with silver hair and icy blue eyes.
"Alpha Rowan of Frostclaw."
The announcer's voice boomed across the courtyard.
Applause followed.
Next came Alpha Darius of Ironfang.
Then Alpha Cedric of Black Hollow.
Each leader commanded respect.
Each was accompanied by elite warriors whose piercing gazes constantly scanned their surroundings.
But no one dared speak.
Because everyone was waiting...
For him.
The final vehicle stopped.
Silence fell.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
The chauffeur opened the rear door.
A pair of polished black boots touched the ground.
Then long, powerful legs.
Broad shoulders wrapped in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit.
His face was breathtaking.
Sharp jawline.
Dark hair swept carelessly across his forehead.
Cold silver eyes capable of freezing anyone where they stood.
He looked less like a man...
And more like a king who had accidentally wandered into the world of mortals.
"The Alpha King..."
Someone whispered.
"Kael Nightfang."
Every wolf instinctively lowered their head.
Even the visiting Alphas offered respectful nods.
Not because tradition demanded it.
Because Kael Nightfang had earned it.
He had conquered three rogue kingdoms before turning twenty-five.
No Alpha had ever defeated him in combat.
No enemy had survived challenging his authority.
Some called him ruthless.
Others called him the chosen son of the Moon Goddess herself.
Whatever the truth...
Everyone feared him.
Except Lyra.
Not because she was brave.
Because she had never seen him before.
Balancing the tray carefully, she walked across the courtyard without realizing she was heading directly toward the newly arrived delegation.
"Watch where you're going!"
A guard shouted.
Lyra looked up.
Too late.
Her foot caught the uneven stone.
The silver tray slipped from her fingers.
Crystal glasses shattered across the ground.
Wine splashed over polished marble.
The entire courtyard froze.
The guard lunged forward, his face twisted with fury.
"You useless—"
"Enough."
One word.
Quiet.
Controlled.
Yet powerful enough to silence hundreds of wolves.
Kael had spoken.
The guard immediately stepped back.
"My apologies, Alpha King."
Kael's gaze shifted toward the kneeling girl collecting shattered glass with trembling fingers.
Her hair concealed most of her face.
Her clothes were simple.
Her hands bore tiny scars from years of hard labor.
Nothing about her seemed remarkable.
Yet...
Something felt...
Strange.
An unfamiliar sensation brushed against his instincts.
A faint pull.
Like an invisible thread tightening around his chest.
His wolf stirred.
Not violently.
Just enough to make him frown.
Impossible.
His wolf had never reacted to anyone before.
Lyra reached for another shard.
A sharp edge sliced into her finger.
A crimson drop of blood fell onto the white marble.
The instant it touched the ground—
Kael's pupils contracted.
His wolf slammed against the walls of his mind.
**Mate.**
The word thundered through his soul.
His breathing hitched.
No.
It couldn't be.
Not here.
Not now.
Not...
Her.
Before he could react, Alpha Magnus hurried forward, his face pale.
"Forgive her, Alpha King. She's nothing but a servant."
Magnus shot Lyra a murderous glare.
"Take your filthy self away before you embarrass this pack any further!"
Lyra quickly lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
She gathered the broken tray with shaking hands and hurried away without daring to look back.
Kael watched her disappear into the manor.
His expression remained unreadable.
But inside...
His wolf was roaring.
**Find her.**
**She's ours.**
Kael slowly clenched his fists.
"No..."
He whispered inwardly.
"Not yet."
High above the courtyard, hidden within the branches of an ancient oak, a hooded figure observed everything with an amused smile.
"So..."
The stranger murmured.
"The prophecy has finally begun."
A raven burst from the tree and disappeared into the darkening sky.
Far beyond Mooncrest's borders, something ancient awakened.
And it had been waiting centuries For Lyra Ashwood .
- Writer
