Chapter one
976 Words
The Night of the Blood Moon
The Blood Moon hung high above Blackthorn Pack Territory, painting the forest in crimson light. Ancient wolves believed it was a sign that fate itself had awakened. Every werewolf in the kingdom knew tonight was no ordinary night—it was the Moon Choosing Ceremony, when those turning eighteen would discover their fated mates.
Lyra Ashwood stood at the edge of the gathering, nervously twisting the sleeve of her black dress. Her long chestnut hair flowed over her shoulders, and her silver-blue eyes searched the crowd. Around her, young wolves laughed and whispered, excited about finding their destined partners.
She wasn't.
Ever since she was a child, Lyra had lived as an outsider. Her parents had died under mysterious circumstances when she was only six years old, leaving her to be raised by her cold-hearted uncle, Beta Rowan. Although he gave her a roof over her head, he never treated her like family. To him, she was simply another mouth to feed.
"You'd better not embarrass this family tonight," Rowan muttered as he walked past her.
Lyra lowered her gaze.
"I won't."
"You'd better not," his wife added with a sneer.
Before Lyra could respond, a loud horn echoed through the valley.
The ceremony had begun.
Thousands of pack members gathered around the enormous stone platform in the center of the village. Warriors stood guard with polished swords while elders dressed in silver robes surrounded an ancient altar carved with symbols older than the packs themselves.
Then everyone bowed.
Alpha Kael Blackthorn had arrived.
He was everything legends claimed he was.
Tall.
Powerfully built.
Jet-black hair.
Golden eyes that glowed like burning fire.
A scar crossed one side of his face, making him look even more intimidating.
At only twenty-six years old, Kael had become the youngest Alpha King in history after defeating three rival Alphas in battle. His strength was unmatched, and his wolf was feared throughout the kingdom.
Women admired him.
Enemies feared him.
No one dared challenge him.
Lyra's heart raced the moment she looked into his eyes.
She quickly looked away.
There was no reason for the Alpha King to notice someone as ordinary as her.
The High Elder raised both hands.
"Tonight, under the blessing of the Blood Moon, the Moon Goddess shall reveal the sacred bonds of fate."
One by one, the newly turned wolves stepped forward.
Some smiled with happiness after finding their mates.
Others cried because their mates belonged to rival packs.
Cheers and laughter filled the air.
Then...
"Lyra Ashwood."
Her name echoed across the valley.
Her breathing stopped.
She slowly climbed the stone steps toward the altar.
The High Elder handed her an ancient silver crystal.
"Close your eyes."
She obeyed.
The crystal became warm.
A strange energy rushed through her body.
Suddenly—
A deep masculine voice thundered inside her mind.
"Mate."
Her eyes flew open.
Across the crowd, Alpha Kael suddenly froze.
His glowing golden eyes locked onto hers.
The world seemed to disappear.
The wind stopped.
Even the wolves fell silent.
Everyone watched in disbelief.
The Alpha King's expression changed from surprise...
...to horror.
"No," Kael whispered.
The High Elder frowned.
"My Alpha?"
Kael took several slow steps toward Lyra.
She could feel the invisible mate bond pulling them together.
Tears formed in her eyes.
Could it really be?
The strongest Alpha in the kingdom...
...was her mate?
Hope filled her heart for the first time in years.
Kael stood only a few feet away.
Every pack member held their breath.
Then he spoke.
"I reject this bond."
Silence.
The words struck Lyra like a knife.
Her knees nearly gave way.
Gasps erupted throughout the crowd.
"What?"
"The Alpha rejected his mate?"
"Impossible..."
Kael's face remained cold.
"I will never accept her as my Luna."
The High Elder stepped forward in shock.
"My Alpha, rejecting a fated mate is forbidden. The Moon Goddess—"
"I said no."
His powerful Alpha voice shook the entire valley.
No one dared speak again.
Lyra's heart shattered.
"Why?" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.
Kael looked at her with an unreadable expression.
"You carry darkness."
Confused murmurs spread through the crowd.
"What darkness?"
"What does he mean?"
Before anyone could ask another question, Elder Magnus suddenly rushed forward, staring at Lyra's left shoulder.
His face turned pale.
"The mark..."
Everyone turned to look.
As Lyra's dress slipped slightly from her shoulder, a strange black crescent-shaped mark appeared on her skin. It hadn't been there before.
Magnus staggered backward in terror.
"The Shadow Mark..."
The crowd instantly erupted into panic.
"It can't be!"
"The cursed bloodline!"
"The prophecy!"
Lyra stared at the mark in confusion.
"What prophecy?"
But no one answered.
Kael clenched his fists.
Years ago, he had read an ancient prophecy hidden beneath the royal castle.
When the child bearing the Shadow Mark finds her mate, kingdoms shall burn, packs shall fall, and darkness shall rise once more.
He had prayed the prophecy was only a myth.
Yet tonight...
It stood before him.
His mate.
The woman fate had chosen for him.
Kael turned away without another word.
"Escort her out."
Two warriors hesitated.
"My Alpha..."
"Now."
They obeyed.
As Lyra was led away through the silent crowd, she heard whispers following her.
"Cursed."
"Monster."
"She'll destroy us all."
Her tears blurred her vision, but deep inside, something stirred.
A strange voice echoed within her soul.
Ancient.
Cold.
Powerful.
"They fear what they cannot control."
Lyra stopped walking.
The warriors looked at her.
"What was that?"
She slowly turned toward the Blood Moon.
For a brief moment...
Her silver-blue eyes flashed crimson.
Far away, hidden in the shadows of the forest, a pair of glowing red eyes watched everything.
A mysterious man smiled.
"So... the Shadow Heir has finally awakened."
The hunt had begun.
End of Chapter One
- Writer
