The Alpha's forbidden firstborn

CHAPTER 5: LYRA

A week after Elara's arrival, Kael's sister—who had been staying with their aunt—arrived at the pack.

She was a tall, beautiful lady, with long blonde hair that cascaded down her back like a river of gold. Her eyes were the color of amber, warm and fierce, and they sparkled with intelligence and mischief.

"Kael!" she called out, her voice ringing through the whole courtyard like a bell. "I heard you found your mate! Where is she? I must see her!"

Her voice carried a playful challenge, a teasing lilt that suggested she was used to getting what she wanted. Several pack members turned to look at her, their expressions ranging from surprise to recognition.

Kael emerged from the pack house, and a smile broke across his usually stern face. It was a smile that reached his eyes, softening his features and making him look younger and lighter.

"Lyra," he called, his voice warm with affection. "You came."

Lyra crossed the courtyard in a few quick strides, her arms outstretched. She embraced her brother warmly, her laughter bright and infectious.

"Of course I came," she said, pulling back to look at him. "My big brother found his mate after waiting for so long, and I'm supposed to stay away? Not a chance, Alpha. I wouldn't miss that for the world."

Kael laughed. "I didn't think you would, but I wasn't sure how long it would take you to get here."

Lyra waved a dismissive hand. "I was with Aunt when I heard the news. I had to come immediately. I wasn't about to miss meeting my new sister."

"Speaking of Aunt, how is she doing?" Kael asked.

"She's doing perfectly fine. You know she misses you a lot." Lyra said.

"I've been busy with pack duties," Kael said, making a sheepish face.

Lyra looked around eagerly, her amber eyes scanning the whole courtyard. "So, where is she? I want to meet her. I've been dying to see the woman who finally captured my brother's heart."

Kael's expression softened. "She's inside. She's been through a lot, Lyra. Please be gentle with her."

"You can count on me, big bro." Lyra said playfully before walking inside in search of Elara.

---

Lyra found Elara in the garden, sitting on a stone bench and staring at the flowers with a confused expression. The garden was beautiful—bursting with color and life.

Elara sat perfectly still, hands folded in her lap, her posture stiff and uncomfortable. She looked like she was waiting for someone to tell her she was in trouble.

Lyra watched her for a moment, her heart aching at the sight. This was the woman her brother loved—and she looked like she was expecting to be hit at any moment.

"Hello," Lyra said, approaching slowly. She kept her voice soft, her movements gentle. "You must be Elara. I'm Lyra, Kael's younger sister."

Elara flinched, immediately rising to her feet and bowing her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude—"

"Intrude?" Lyra laughed, making her voice as warm and welcoming as possible. "Sweetheart, you're the Luna. This is your garden."

Elara blinked, clearly not understanding. "But—I'm not—I'm not really the Luna," she said, her voice hesitant.

"You're my brother's mate," Lyra said, her tone matter-of-fact. "And my brother is the Alpha. So that makes you the Luna. And my sister."

She sat down on the bench, patting the space beside her. "Come on, sit. Tell me about yourself."

Elara sat hesitantly, her posture still stiff and uncomfortable. She perched on the edge of the bench like she was ready to flee at any moment.

"There's nothing much about me," she said, her voice hollow. "I was a slave."

"I'm sorry, Elara," Lyra said gently. "That's terrible. What about your parents? Do you remember anything?"

"I don't remember anything about them. The last thing I remember was Alpha Viktor saving me from rogues and taking me to his pack." Elara's voice broke.

"Take your time, Elara. You don't need to rush things." Lyra said softly. "Do you remember what you were doing in the woods?"

Elara shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't remember. I'm human. What could I be doing in the werewolf clan? I ask myself that every day." Her voice cracked. "Who are my parents? Where could they be?"

---

Lyra reached out and took Elara's hand gently, her amber eyes soft with understanding.

"You don't have to have all the answers right now," Lyra said. "And you don't have to carry this alone anymore. You have Kael. You have me. And you have this pack. We're your family now."

Elara looked at her—really looked at her—for the first time. There was no mockery in Lyra's eyes. No cruelty. Only warmth.

"Thank you," Elara whispered. "I don't know what I did to deserve this."

"You didn't have to do anything," Lyra said firmly. "You deserve it because you exist. Because you're my brother's mate. Because you're you."

Elara didn't know what to say. She'd spent so long being told she was worthless that she'd started to believe it. But Lyra—this vibrant, fierce, beautiful wolf—looked at her like she was already family.

For the first time, Elara felt like she might actually belong.

---

Lyra stayed by her side for hours. She talked about the pack, about her childhood with Kael, about all the embarrassing stories she could remember. She made Elara laugh—a real laugh, hesitant but genuine.

By the time the sun began to set, Elara felt something she hadn't felt in twelve years.

Hope.

"You know," Lyra said, leaning back on the bench, "I always imagined my brother's mate would be some fierce, powerful she-wolf. Someone who could match his intensity. But now that I've met you..." She smiled. "I think the Moon Goddess knew exactly what she was doing."

Elara frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You're not fierce in the way wolves are fierce. But you survived twelve years of hell, Elara. You're still kind. Still gentle. Still fighting." Lyra squeezed her hand. "That's a different kind of strength. Maybe the most important kind."

Elara felt tears prick at her eyes. She'd been called many things in her life. Useless. Pathetic. Worthless. But never strong.

"Thank you, Lyra," she whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lyra grinned. "You'll never have to find out."

---

THREE DAYS LATER

---

Elara was starting to feel like she could breathe.

Lyra had been her anchor during the day, distracting her, comforting her, teaching her what it meant to have a sister. And Kael was her anchor at night—holding her through the nightmares, whispering reassurances, never once pushing for more than she was ready to give.

But something was changing.

The strange warmth in her chest was growing. The buzzing under her skin was constant now. And at night, when she closed her eyes, she saw things.

A woman's face. A hollow tree. A necklace glowing with ancient light.

She woke up gasping, her hand flying to her throat.

"Elara?" Kael was instantly awake, his hand on her back. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, breathing heavily. "I don't know. I keep seeing things. A woman. A tree. A necklace—"

"A necklace?" Kael's voice sharpened. "What kind of necklace?"

Elara blinked, confused by his intensity. "I don't know. Silver. Glowing." She touched her bare throat. "I feel like something's supposed to be there. Something important."

Kael was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "I had Darian search Viktor's belongings when we left. He found this."

He reached into the drawer beside the bed and pulled out a small velvet pouch.

Elara's breath caught.

"The necklace," she whispered. "It's Viktor's—"

"Viktor took it from you when you were eight," Kael said softly. "I don't know why. But I know it's yours."

He opened the pouch and gently placed the necklace in her trembling palm.

The moment her fingers touched it, the world exploded.

Light erupted from the pendant—blinding, golden, ancient. Elara screamed as power surged through her body. Her eyes blazed gold. The room shook.