"My heart belongs to Emery."

Adrians words pierce through my heart like a sharp knife.

"I choose Emery as my mate."

My world deans shatter all at once. It cracks. Slowly. Quietly. Just like a glass that splits beneath an invisible pressure. My ears still ring from the sound of the words I'm hearing from Adrian.

I can still see his lips moving. But his words don't make sense anymore.

This isn't real... This isn't happening.

Emery smiles slowly. I accept," she says.

"You told me you love me..."

 "Love doesn't make an Alpha." Adrian shrugs.

"What are you talking about?" I ask as tears roll down my eyes.

He tightens his hold on Emery.

"She is the heir of the Crescent pack." He says.

I can't stop shaking.

"You used me."

"You were convenient." He said firmly.

convenient?

The same lips that once whispered "my forever '" now reduced me to something... usable.

I remember the lake. His hands in mine. The promises.  Were those lies too... or was I just foolish enough to believe them?

"You promised..."

'I promised nothing."

Everyone stands in absolute silence.

I stand there with my heart shattered into irreparable pieces. 

I stumble back. My knees shaking, my feet can no longer hold my weight.

Adrian's hand in Emery's. Her smug smile.

I can't breathe. I run, not knowing exactly where to, but anywhere away from Adrian.

I can feel their eyes on me. Pity. Curiosity. Satisfaction. Their whispers follow me like shadows. "she really thought he'd choose her..."

I run faster.

I notice Emery chasing after me. "Lyra..." Emery's voice is so soft. Too soft, it cuts through the haze. It's the kind of softness that doesn't belong in moments like this. I slowly turn to her but I can't decipher if her concern is real or fake.

"Are you okay?" Emery asks.

I laugh bitterly. "No. I'm...far from okay."

Her eyes soften. "I didn't know Adrian would choose me to be his ma..."

"Go and be with Adrian, leave me alone." I continue, yelling at the top of my voice.

"You actually don't care, you never have, and you never will."

She tilts her head, "of course I care. I'd never intentionally hurt you."

Her words were almost enough to make me believe her. 

Almost. 

"Oh, Lyra," Emery cooed, as she steps closer. You need something to calm your nerves.

"Come, let's go back home, so I'll tell Linda to prepare some hot tea for you."

I and Emery arrive home. I walk straight t my bed room, while she goes to look for Linda in the maiden chambers.

I lay on my bed heartbroken, thinking that maybe, just maybe, tonight would've turned out differently if perhaps I was heir to the crescent pack and not Emery.

Linda, Emery's most trusted maid walks in with a cup of tea.

"Here. Emery asked I bring you this cup of tea, she prepared herself." 

I stand up from my bed. She hands me the tea and leaves the room.

The tea was darker than usual. A strange scent is lingering beneath the herbs. Faint, but unfamiliar.

I hesitate. Just for a second. But it seems harmless. I take it and I drink it. The bitter taste clings to my tongue instantly. A strange warmth rolls through my body.

Emery walks in. "I hope the tea is helping, do you feel better?"

I nod, though I don't feel completely at ease. "Better."

All of a sudden, my hands start to shake severely, out of my control.

"Lyra?" Emery leans closer.

The cup drops to the floor. The sound it makes as it hits the floor is deafening. 

I can barely see clearly.

My veins feel like they're burning from inside out. My fingers are curling against the floor. My claws are scraping the wood. I feel the room shaking.

"W-what...?" I stammered, cold sweat breaks out on my skin. My legs give out beneath me and I collapse to the floor.

"Lyra!" Emery's face hovers above mine.

"Stay with me..."

I try to lift my head, to speak, but it seems like the world is melting into chaos. The moon stretches into a glowing smear across the sky.

"You'll be fine..."

I want to scream. I want to claw her. But I'm too weak. I see flashes. 

I see myself as a child. Alone, afraid. My parents running, my uncle, Alpha of crescent watching. Moments of love, of fear, of longing. All of it at once.

Adrian's smirk as he walks past me. Then Emery's hand in his. Emery's fake concern. My mind twists and contorts. It all reshapes into a very painful memory.  I gasp for breath.

Then...nothing.

Silence.

Void.

And then, a warm, bright and pulsing light spreads through me. The light doesn't just touch me, it invades me. It moves deep into my bones, reshaping and reforging.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhrrrr!" I scream. But my scream, it turns into something deeper. Something primal.

The moon.

The moon itself sips into my bones. Into my soul.

I slowly open up my eyes. 

Everything feels new. "Where am I?" 

I stumble across a mirror. My reflection shimmers in the silver light.

"This isn't me..." 

"Not the me I was before."

My hair, once dark and short, is now thick and so long with waves that shimmer in silver-blonde under the moonlight.

My body...perfect. My skin glows vibrantly. So smooth and flawless. My eyes, my eyes burn with silver light.

"Awooooooo...Awooooooo..." I roar as power surge through me, filling every nerve, every sinew. I could feel the forest. The pack. The night itself. 

Several thoughts whisper to me. First faint, then louder. I can hear everything now. The wind, the trees...even the heartbeats pf other wolves from miles away. 

I, Lyra, I'm...alive. But not as I had been.

I am...more.

I see her. A new Lyra. More beautiful. Stronger. Immortal, in a way I had never imagined.

A goddess reborn. And yet...lost.

My skin tingles, alive with a sensation I have never felt. Each breath tastes like moon light. Crisp and electrifying. It feels like the night itself is whispering my name.

I can feel the moon inside me. The surge of power, lingers on my fingertips.

The moon speaks to me. And I listen.

For a moment, I feel like I'm lost. My heart pounds heavily against my ribs. Memories flash back at me all at once.

Adrian's voice. His rejection. The entire pack staring. Emery's smile. The bitter taste of the tea. The burning in my throat. My body collapsing.

My fingers wrap around my neck. 

"I died..." I whisper hoarsely.

My words echo faintly, through the quiet room. But my voice sounds different. 

Stronger.

Clearer.

I lift my hand slowly.

The wind follows, carrying with it a small feather lying on the floor, shifting in the direction of my hands.

My eyes widen. Could this be real?

"I didn't touch that."

I close my palms and the feather falls back to the floor.

"What the..."

I open my palms again. The feather spins once in the air and drops gently on my palm.

I stare at it.

I laugh softly.

"No way..."

Is this what it means to be reborn, to be a moon goddess? To wield power that the moon itself lent? 

I can hear voices in my head, thoughts that aren't mine. 

I walk outside and the forest welcomes me immediately. Each step feels scary. The earth whispers secrets beneath my feet. A fox darts across the trees, it pauses as if bowing to me.

The wind wraps around my body like an old friend.

Leaves rustles like they are greeting me.

The moon light follows every step I take.

"This feels..." I take a deep breathe.

"...amazing."

I stretch my fingers again.

A small stone on the floor, rolls across towards my foot.

"Hahahahaha..." I laugh slightly.

"...that's definitely new."

I suddenly feel something.

A familiar heartbeat.

I freeze. Adrian. My eyes widen instantly. The wind shifts my hair across my face. 

He's standing near the edge of the lake, leaning casually against a tree.

Arrogant.

Relaxed. 

Like nothing had happened.

Like he didn't destroy my life.

Should I reveal myself? Test my new found powers? Or let him wonder, let him fear?

For a moment I feel like revealing myself.

But then I pause.

No.

Not yet.

I step forward into the moonlight and Adrian lifts his head instantly.

His eyes lock on mine. We stare at each other far longer than we should.

His eyes slowly travel from my face down my body and back again.

"...Wow."

I fold my arms calmly.

He frowns slightly, clearly confused.

"Do I...know you?" I let him linger in curiosity, savoring the moment. His question seems to probe. Trying to understand the woman standing in front of him. I mirror his gaze.

My lips twitch.

"No." My heart remains guarded. But the thrill of seeing him not settled is addictive.

He probably still thinks he has the power here. Yet I know something he doesn't.

His eyes fill with curiosity.

"Strange," he mutters. "I'd remember someone who looks like you, but she died a week ago."

"A week ago?" I ask.faking a look of surprise. Turns out that Adrian's not the only wolf that knows how to fake a thing or two.

"Yes." He answers.

"What happened to her?" I ask.

"I guess she couldn't handle the fact that I rejected her as my mate..."

"Oh, that's sad to hear. But why did you reject her though, didn't you love her? I ask still longing for some form of clarity, hoping that Adrian isn't as evil as I think he is.

"Love doesn't make an Alpha...forgive my manners, what's your name?"

"My name is Lyra."

"Her name was Lyra too...I knew there was something about you." He says as he smirks.

"Alright, I've got to go now...enjoy your night." I say as I walk past him.

Adrian turns as I pass.

"Wait," he calls.

I don't stop.

I keep walking deep into the Nightfang territory.

Deep in thoughts. Oblivious to what may be happening around me. Trying to make sense of what may be my new life. 

This...this energy... it's feels like the night itself is alive inside of me. Everything feels familiar, yet not. A feather spins in the air...I didn't touch it.

I slow my steps. The forest is suddenly quiet. Not empty, just waiting. My fingers lightly brush against a tree's trunk. Something shifts the moment my skin touches the bark.

The tree. It pulses once. Then again. The tree is alive. Not just alive...but aware.  Suddenly, a small injured bored falls Landon's weakly near my feet. 

I quickly kneel, scooping it into my hands. "Hey...hey, it's okay..." it's tiny body is trembling and it's right wing is broken. My heart breaks at the thought of her pain.

I close my eyes without thinking. The warmth flows deeply from within me through my palms  wrapping around the bird. Soft. Gentle. 

She suddenly stills. Then Flutters. My eyes snap open. It blinks once...twice...then spreads its wings. 

Perfect. Healed. It chirps softly before flying off into the night. I stare after it. "I...I healed it..." My fingers tremble slightly as I look down at my hands.

I take a step forward. I  accidentally stumble on another wolf.

"Oh!" I blink in surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't see you coming." I raise my head slightly. 

Emery.

"Its fine..." she says.

"Are you visiting from another pack?" Emery asks.

"No." I simply answer.

She looks over my hair, my face, my body.

And suddenly she sighs. "You're really beautiful."

I almost laugh.

"Goodnight," I say as I walk away.

And that is when I feel it.

It presses on my skin so hard before I can even understand what it is. I feel a strong presence impossible to ignore. It's not just a presence...it's more.

The air feels very different here. It recognizes me. Strange. I should be cautious. This isn't somewhere I'm used to. But instead...I feel drawn. Something inside me pulls me forward.

Then I realize I'm standing right behind the Nightfang back gates.

The moonlight shifts across the gates. Its silver lights spill on the ground like it's guiding. 

My feet begin to move eve before I realize it. The forest opens slowly.

And there he stands.

Alpha Triston.

Tall.  Still. Facing a very tall tree. The moment I see him, everything...stillness, silence, even the wind seems to pause.

He doesn't move, yet the space around him feels occupied. Power rolls off him in quiet waves. Not loud. Not aggressive. But undeniable. His aura alone explains why he is Alpha.

His eyes are open... But unfocused. He can't see me. I step closer.

His head turns immediately following the sound of my footsteps.

The air tightens around us.

His voice softly cuts through the silence.

"...Who is that?"

I don't answer. I simply stand there.

"How do you know I'm here?" I ask

He puts on a faint smile.

"You breathe differently when you're nervous."

I blink. "That's not true."

"And yet." He says calmly, "you're here."

He looks at me like he can actually see me.

His eyes look directly into mine. Not past me. Not around me. There's no hesitation in his gaze. No searching. He's certain about where exactly I stand.

 It sends a strange chill down my spine. I take a slow breath but it doesn't steady me at all. I step closer before I can stop myself. 

"You can't see." I say slowly. "So how so you know where I stand?"

"My wolf knows." His answer was immediate.

Simple.  Certain.

I fold my arms. I try to study him carefully.

"You trust your wolf that much?" silly of me to even ask, of course he does...

"I trust him more than I trust most people."

"That sounds lonely for an Alpha."

He chuckles softly. "Come closer."

I slowly step forward. One step. Then another.

Until only a breath separates us. The moment I stop, his hands gradually wrap around my waist.

I gasp. His grip wasn't rough, but it was firm.

Unyielding.

My heart begins to race. The moon inside me surges. Like it recognizes him. Like it's been waiting. 

His thumb brushes slightly over my cheek. My fingers twitch beside me, unsure of whether to push him away...or pull him closer. Then he whispers... "Mate."

I'm completely numb and unable to move, in shock of the words I just heard.

"...What?"

His grip tightens slightly.

From the moment you stepped into my territory, my wolf recognized you.

"That's impossible,"  That word feels weak the moment I say it. Because something inside me already clings to Triston. Adrian's voice echoes in my mind. "You were convenient."

No. I won't fall again. Not like before. Not for anyone. "You don't even know me." I say to him.

His head tilts again. 'You're right. I don't." he continues "But I know what you are to me."

My throat goes dry.

"You're wrong.'

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"Then why does our heart beat in the same rhythm?"

"You're imagining things."

"Your scent is different as well."

I pull my wrist free.

"You're unbelievable."

"And you're avoiding the question."

I stare at him.

"How can you call me your mate, when you don't even know my name?"

His expression doesn't change.

"Names don't matter to wolves."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"And yet," I say sharply, "you're the Alpha of Nightfang. Don't you think they expect you to know who you're claiming?"

He sighs. "Are you worried about my pack...or about yourself?"

I open my mouth... but then I close it right after because I don't have an answer.

Triston steps closer.

Once again, the distance between us vanishes.

"You're afraid.'

"I'm cautious."

"You're running."

"I'm thinking." I fold my arms.

"Let's say for a moment you're right."

"I am."

"Hypothetically." I snap.

"Go on."

"Why don't you have a luna already?"

Finally, he pauses. The faint smile disappears off his face.

"Because none of them were you." My heart skips. His words land softly. But they hit harder than anything he's said so far. There's no arrogance in his tone.  No manipulation. Just...truth..  That's what wins my heart over the most. 

I look into his eyes. I exhale slowly. "You're the Alpha of one of the strongest packs in the territory."

"Yes."

"You're powerful."

"I've been told."

"You're wealthy."

"Money is useful." He shrugs.

"So, every she-wolf in your pack most definitely wants to be your Luna."

"They do."

"Then why haven't you chosen one?"

He looks more serious. "Because choosing isn't the same as finding."

He sounds so honest and subtle.

"You waited all this time for someone you can't even, see?"

He responds almost immediately. "I don't need eyes to recognize my mate."

"What if you're wrong?"

He steps closer. "So far... I haven't been."

For few seconds, we're both silent.

Suddenly, the wind sweeps across the trees so aggressively. The water in the lakes ripple. Wolves begin to howl throughout Nightfang.

Dozens of wolves.

All at once.

Triston looks at me dead serious.

"...Lyra."

I never told him my name. "...How did you know that?"

He tightens his jaw.

"Because I heard it."

"Heard what?"

"I heard the moon say...the moon goddess has returned."