The Alpha King’s Hidden Luna

Lyra’s POV The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the tiny cottage before I even opened my eyes, mixing with the scent of lavender that always lingered around the old wooden house, wrapping around me like a familiar blanket. For a few quiet seconds, I let myself believe today would be perfect. It had to be. Today was the day Caleb and I were supposed to celebrate our engagement. “Lyra!” Aunt Maeve’s voice echoed from downstairs. “If you don’t wake up now, your breakfast will get cold.” A smile tugged at my lips. “I’m coming, Aunt Maeve.” I stretched lazily before climbing out of bed, my bare feet touching the cool wooden floor. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting golden patterns across the room. For the first time in weeks, my heart felt light. After years of struggling, after years of wondering if happiness would ever find me; maybe this was finally it. I padded to the small window overlooking the garden, watching the morning mist curl low over Aunt Maeve’s herb beds. She’d planted most of them the year she took me in, back when I was too young to remember anything before this cottage, before her. Rosemary. Thyme. The lavender that scented everything, even the pages of my books. This was the only home I’d ever known, and somehow, after everything, it still felt like enough. Aunt Maeve was already arranging food on the small dining table when I entered the kitchen, wearing the same gentle smile she’d worn ever since I could remember. “There she is.” She reached over and brushed an invisible strand of hair from my face. “You hardly slept.” “I was excited.” “You were nervous.” I laughed. “Maybe a little.” She shook her head with a quiet chuckle, pouring tea into my cup. “You’ve always worn your heart on your sleeve.” “And you’ve always worried too much.” She swatted my hand away, laughing despite herself. “Someone has to. You’d forget to eat if I let you.” “I would not.” “You absolutely would.” She slid a plate toward me, eggs and warm bread, the same breakfast she’d made every important morning of my life for as long as I could remember. “Eat. You’ll need your strength for tonight.” I picked at the food, my stomach too full of butterflies and excitement to taste it properly. Caleb had promised nothing extravagant, just a quiet dinner with a few close friends, but I’d been imagining it for weeks anyway. The way he’d look at me. The toast he’d probably fumble through and pretend not to be nervous about. I turned to Aunty Maeve. Her smile faltered, only for a second. Most people wouldn’t have noticed. I did. “What is it?” “Nothing.” “Aunt Maeve.” “It’s just—” she hesitated, her fingers tightening around the teapot. “Promise me something. If life ever changes suddenly, do not travel north.” I blinked. “North? Why?” “I just have a bad feeling.” I smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “You’ve had that same bad feeling since I was ten.” “And I’ve never stopped having it.” I rolled my eyes affectionately. “There are no monsters waiting for me in the north.” Her expression turned unreadable. “You’d be surprised what waits for people where they least expect it.” A strange silence settled between us before I broke it with a grin. “You’re doing it again. Trying to scare me before one of the happiest days of my life.” Her smile returned, softer this time. “Perhaps.” She reached into her apron pocket and placed a small silver pendant into my palm, nothing expensive, just an old crescent moon hanging from a worn chain. “I’ve kept this for years.” “It’s beautiful.” “Wear it.” “You’ve never shown me this before.” “I think,” she whispered, “it’s finally time.” Without thinking much of it, I fastened the necklace around my neck, letting it rest just above my heart. For some reason, Aunt Maeve looked like she was trying not to cry. I stood and wrapped my arms around her. “I’ll be back before dinner.” She hugged me tighter than usual. “So you will.” “I’ll only be gone a few hours.” “I know.” When she finally let go, she forced another smile. “Go. I don't want you to be late.” I paused at the kitchen doorway, glancing back at her. She’d already turned toward the sink, her shoulders held a little too stiffly for someone simply washing up after breakfast. “Aunt Maeve.” “Hm?” “Are you sure you’re alright?” She didn’t turn around right away. When she finally did, her smile was back in place, easy and familiar. “I’m just an old woman who loves you too much… That’s all.” “You’re not old.” “Flatterer.” She waved me off, pushing me toward the door with mock exasperation. “Go. Before I change my mind and lock you in here with me forever.” I laughed, the sound easy and light, and for a moment, the strange heaviness in the room lifted completely. I grabbed my bag and hurried toward the door. Just before stepping outside, I glanced back. Aunt Maeve was still standing exactly where I’d left her, watching me, no longer smiling. For reasons I couldn’t explain, a chill crawled down my spine. I shook it off. Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of my life. I had no idea it would be the last day my old life would ever exist.