For several seconds after Alpha Kael spoke, the hall remained completely silent.

No one moved.

No one spoke.

It was as if the entire room had forgotten how to breathe.

Lira still held the tray in her hands, her fingers trembling slightly as Kael's words echoed in her mind.

MATE!

Her heart pounded against her ribs.

That couldn't be right.

There had to be some mistake.

She was just an omega.

Across the hall, whispers began spreading like wildfire.

"Did he just say-"

"An omega?"

"That girl?"

"I thought Alphas always mated with strong wolves."

Clara stood frozen near the head table, her face slowly turning pale before anger quickly replaced the shock.

"This is ridiculous," she snapped.

The murmuring stopped as everyone turned toward her.

Clara stepped forward, her heels striking sharply against the wooden floor.

"Alpha Kael," she said loudly, forcing a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "There must be some misunderstanding."

Kael didn't look at her.

His eyes remained fixed on Lira.

"There is no misunderstanding."

Clara's smile tightened.

"With respect," she continued, "that girl is a sla......an omega."she stuttered.

Lira felt the words like a slap, even though she had heard them countless times before.

But this time, something about the way Clara said it made her stomach twist.

Clara gestured toward her dismissively.

"She has never even shifted. She has no wolf."

The whispers grew louder again.

"She's right..."

"How could an Alpha mate with someone like that?"

Lira's chest tightened.

Part of her wished the floor would simply open and swallow her whole.

But Kael finally turned his head toward Clara.

And the moment he did, the entire room felt the shift in his aura.

Power rolled through the hall like a storm.

His silver eyes darkened.

"Be careful and choose your next words carefully," he said quietly.

The warning in his voice was unmistakable.

Clara faltered for a moment, clearly not used to being spoken to that way.

But her pride pushed her forward.

"I'm only pointing out what everyone else is thinking," she replied.

Kael stepped slightly closer to Lira.

Not aggressively.

But protectively.

The gesture alone sent another wave of whispers through the crowd.

"She's an omega," Clara repeated. "Surely the Moon Goddess wouldn't choose someone so... weak."

Something inside Lira twisted painfully.

She lowered her gaze again, gripping the tray tighter.

The words shouldn't hurt anymore.

But tonight, they did.

Kael's voice cut through the noise like steel.

"The Moon Goddess does not make mistakes or are you saying She does?"he added with a dangerous to

The room went quiet again.

Even Clara seemed momentarily stunned.

Kael looked back at Lira.

For the first time, she noticed something unexpected in his expression.

Not frustration.

Not disappointment.

Something softer.

Curiosity.

Almost wonder.

"You," he said gently.

Lira swallowed.

"Yes... Alpha?"

"Tell me your name."

Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Lira."

The moment he repeated it, something inside her chest fluttered strangely.

"Lira," Kael said.

The way he spoke her name made it sound important.

Like it mattered.

"Do you feel the bond?"

Her heart skipped.

"Yes," she admitted quietly.

She had been trying to ignore it, but the strange warmth spreading through her chest was impossible to deny.

It felt like invisible threads pulling her toward him.

Something ancient.

Something powerful.

Kael nodded once.

Then he turned back to the room.

"You have your answer."

Clara crossed her arms.

"This changes nothing."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"This pack will never accept an omega as a Luna," she said coldly.

Several wolves shifted uncomfortably.

No one openly agreed with her.

But no one defended Lira either.

That silence felt just as loud.

Lira stared at the floor.

She wished this night would end.

Wished she could go back to cleaning floors where no one noticed her.

But Kael's voice spoke again.

And this time, it carried the unmistakable authority of an Alpha.

"My mate will be respected."

The command rolled through the hall like thunder.

Several wolves instinctively bowed their heads slightly.

Even Clara hesitated.

But she wasn't finished.

"You may believe she's your mate," she said carefully, "but Silver Crest is still my father's pack."

Her eyes flicked toward Lira again.

"And she belongs here."

The meaning behind those words was clear.

Lira wasn't free to leave.

She was pack property.

Just an omega servant.

Kael's eyes darkened.

"Does she?"

His voice had grown colder.

Silver Crest's Alpha finally stood from his seat at the head table.

The older man had remained silent throughout the confrontation, watching carefully.

Now his deep voice filled the hall.

"That depends."

Everyone turned toward him.

The Alpha studied Lira thoughtfully.

"If the bond is real," he continued slowly, "then she may choose to leave."

Clara's head snapped toward him.

"Father-"

"But," he added, raising a hand, "the decision must be hers."

The entire hall fell silent again.

Every pair of eyes shifted toward Lira.

She suddenly felt very small standing there.

Kael looked down at her.

"Lira."

Her heart pounded.

"Yes?"

"If you come with me," he said quietly, "you will be my Luna."

The words felt unreal.

His Luna.

No one had ever spoken about her like that before.

But Kael continued.

"You will be protected."

Something deep inside her chest warmed at that promise.

"But the choice is yours."

The room waited.

Lira's mind raced.

She looked around the hall.

At the faces she had known all her life.

Most of them avoided her gaze.

Some looked annoyed.

Some looked curious.

But none looked like they would miss her.

Slowly, she looked back at Kael.

The strange warmth inside her chest pulsed again.

Stronger now.

Like a heartbeat waking up.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

Her life didn't have to stay the same forever.

"I..." she began.

But before she could finish-

A sudden pulse of energy rushed through her body.

Lira gasped.

The tray slipped from her hands, glasses shattering against the floor.

For a split second, the lanterns hanging from the ceiling flickered violently.

The entire hall seemed to tremble.

Then everything went still again.

Lira stood frozen.

Her heart racing and she slumped

"What... was that?" someone whispered.

Kael stared at her, his expression suddenly intense.

Because the energy he had just felt...

Was not the power of an omega.

And somewhere deep inside Lira's soul...

The seal placed there years ago had just cracked for the first time

The hall remained silent long after the glasses shattered across the wooden floor.

No one moved.

Every wolf present had felt it.

That sudden pulse of energy that had rippled through the room like a quiet earthquake.

Lira laid in the arms of Karl or was she dreaming? Because it felt like her whole life had changed in 1hr. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw glasses everywhere, she felt the ground should swallow because Clara would definitely flog her mercilessly tonight for the embarrassment and the damage

She hadn't meant for that to happen.

She hadn't done anything.

At least... she didn't think she had.

"What was that?" someone whispered.

The murmurs returned immediately.

"I felt it too."

"That wasn't normal."

"Did she do that?"

Lira's fingers trembled at her sides.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered softly.

But Alpha Kael wasn't listening to the crowd.

He was watching her.

Carefully.

His wolf had surged forward the moment that strange power burst from her.

And his instincts were screaming one thing very clearly.

She is not weak.

Something inside Lira was potent, locked away.

Something powerful.

Kael stepped forward, his presence immediately quieting the whispers again.

"Enough," he said.

The command rolled through the hall with unmistakable authority.

The wolves fell silent instantly.

Kael's gaze softened slightly as he looked down at Lira.

"Are you hurt?"

The question seemed to surprise her.

"N-no."

She shook her head quickly.

"I'm fine."

But her voice carried uncertainty.

Kael could feel it.

The confusion.

The fear.

And something else beneath it.

Something that reminded him of a storm waiting beneath calm waters.

He extended his hand toward her.

"Come."

Lira hesitated.

Dozens of eyes still watched her.

But something about Kael's voice felt... steady.

Safe.

Slowly, she stepped forward.

The moment her hand touched his-

A sharp spark of warmth shot through her entire body.

Lira gasped softly.

Kael felt it too.

The bond reacting.

Stronger than before.

His wolf rumbled with satisfaction.

Mine.

Across the hall, Clara watched the scene unfold with growing anger.

That omega should not have been standing there.

Should not have been touching an Alpha.

And she certainly should not have been causing mysterious power surges in the middle of the gathering.

Something about this felt wrong.

Dangerous.

Clara narrowed her eyes.

"This isn't over," she muttered quietly.

Later that night, after the gathering finally ended, the packhouse grew quiet again.

Most of the visiting wolves had returned to their temporary lodges for the night.

Kael had been offered a guest chamber inside the Silver Crest packhouse.

But sleep didn't come easily.

His wolf remained restless.

She is different.

Kael leaned against the window, staring out at the moonlit forest.

"I noticed."

That strange burst of energy earlier...

He had felt it clearly.

And it hadn't been the energy of an omega.

It had been something far older.

Far stronger.

A knock sounded at his door.

"Enter."

Roran stepped inside.

"You're thinking about it too," his Beta said immediately.

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"You mean the mysterious wave of power that knocked every wolf in the hall silent?"

Roran nodded.

"Exactly that."

Kael turned back to the window.

"She doesn't know."

Roran frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"She was just as surprised as everyone else."

Roran crossed his arms.

"You think she's hiding something?"

Kael shook his head.

"No."

His voice grew quieter.

"I think she's been sealed."

Roran's eyebrows rose.

"That sounds like prophecy talk."

Kael didn't respond.

But deep down...

That was exactly what it felt like.

In another part of the packhouse, Lira lay awake in the small room she shared with two other omegas.

But tonight she couldn't sleep.

Her mind replayed the events of the evening over and over again.

The moment Kael looked at her.

The way her chest had warmed when he called her his mate.

And that strange pulse of energy that had escaped her body.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered into the darkness.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.

But the moment her eyes closed...

The dream began.

Lira stood in the forest.

The same place she often visited at night.

But something was different.

The moon above her shone brighter than she had ever seen before.

Silver light bathed the trees, making the entire forest glow.

"Hello, child."

The voice was soft.

Gentle.

But powerful enough to make the air vibrate.

Lira turned slowly.

A woman stood behind her.

Her hair shimmered like moonlight, and her eyes held a quiet wisdom that felt ancient.

"Who... are you?" Lira asked.

The woman smiled softly.

"You have called to me many times without realizing it."

Lira frowned.

"I have?"

"Yes."

The woman stepped closer.

"I am the one who has always watched over you."

Something inside Lira stirred again.

That same warmth.

"You mean..."

"Selene....," the woman finished gently.

Lira's breath caught.

The Moon Goddess smiled.

"You have grown well, little one."

"I don't understand," Lira said quietly.

The goddess reached out and placed a glowing hand over Lira's chest.

Immediately, warmth flooded through her body.

"For many years, your power has slept."

"Power?"

"Yes."

"To protect you."

Lira's heart pounded.

"From what?"

"From those who would seek to control it."

The goddess looked toward the sky.

"But the time for sleeping is ending."

Lira shook her head slowly.

"I'm just an omega."

The Moon Goddess chuckled softly.

"No."

Her eyes sparkled.

"You are something far rarer."

The goddess leaned closer.

"You are the Luna the moon chose."

Lira's chest tightened.

"But... I don't even have a wolf."

"Not yet," the goddess said.

"But she is there."

Sleeping.

Waiting.

"And when she awakens..."

The forest trembled slightly as silver light pulsed across the ground.

"...the world of wolves will change forever."

Lira's eyes widened.

"What do I do?"

The goddess smiled gently.

"For now?"

She glanced toward the distant mountains.

"Trust the Alpha fate has chosen for you."

The dream began fading.

The silver light slowly dissolving into darkness.

And just before Lira woke-

The Moon Goddess whispered one final sentence.

"Your power is beginning to remember who you are."

Lira jolted awake in her bed.

Her heart raced as she looked around the dark room.

The dream felt too real to ignore.

She placed a hand over her chest.

The warmth was still there.

Faint.

But alive.

And miles away in his chamber...

Alpha Kael suddenly woke as well.

His wolf stirred again.

Stronger this time.

Because somewhere inside his mate...

Something powerful had begun to awaken.

Morning came quietly over Silver Crest Pack, but the tension from the previous night had not disappeared.

If anything, it had grown.

Whispers spread quickly in a werewolf pack, and by sunrise almost everyone had heard the same shocking news.

The powerful Alpha of Nightfall Pack had found his mate.

And his mate...

Was the omega servant.

Lira.

Outside the packhouse, warriors trained as usual, but their focus was scattered. Every so often, someone would glance toward the packhouse windows, clearly distracted by the same question echoing through the pack.

How could an omega become a Luna?

Inside the kitchen, Lira tried to keep her hands steady as she chopped vegetables for the morning meal.

The dream from the night before still clung to her thoughts.

The Moon Goddess.

The strange warmth in her chest.

The words she could not forget.

You are the Luna the moon chose.

Lira shook her head slightly.

"No," she murmured quietly to herself. "That was just a dream."

It had to be.

Things like that didn't happen to girls like her, maybe she was just overwhelmed at the events of yesterday.

She was still trying to convince herself when the kitchen door suddenly opened.

Several omegas turned their heads.

Alpha Kael stepped inside.

The entire room froze.

Omegas rarely stood this close to an Alpha. The power in his aura filled the space instantly, making the air feel heavier.

Lira looked up slowly.

Her heart jumped the moment their eyes met.

The bond reacted immediately, warmth spreading through her chest again.

Kael walked toward her calmly.

"Good morning," he said.

Lira blinked.

No Alpha had ever greeted her like that before.

"Good... morning Al..pha," she replied quietly.

The other omegas stared openly now.

Kael glanced briefly around the room.

"I need to speak with her."

No one argued.

They quickly found excuses to leave the kitchen, some clearly eager to escape the overwhelming presence of the Nightfall Alpha.

Within seconds, Lira and Kael were alone.

She wiped her hands nervously on her apron.

"You shouldn't be here," she said softly.

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Why not?"

"The omegas' quarters are not meant for Alphas."

Kael shrugged slightly.

"That seems like an unnecessary rule."

Lira couldn't help the small smile that slipped across her face.

But it faded quickly.

"Everyone is talking," she admitted.

"I know."

"They don't believe it."

Kael leaned casually against the wooden counter.

"It doesn't matter what they believe."

Lira looked down.

"It matters to me."

Kael studied her carefully.

"You're afraid."

Lira hesitated.

"Yes."

That answer surprised him.

Most wolves would have hidden their fear, especially in front of an Alpha.

But she had simply told the truth.

Kael respected that.

"You don't have to be," he said quietly.

Lira looked up again.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain."

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter.

"I've lived here my entire life," she said.

"I know what I am to them."

"An omega."

The word left her lips like something heavy.

"They won't accept me as your Luna."

Kael was silent for a moment.

Then he said something that made her heart skip.

"That is why you won't stay here."

Lira frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm taking you to Nightfall Pack."

The words hung in the air.

Lira's eyes widened.

"You can't just decide that."

"I can."

Her heart pounded.

"But this is my pack."

Kael shook his head.

"No."

His voice was firm.

"This is the place you were forced to survive."

The truth of those words hit harder than she expected.

Before she could respond-

The kitchen door burst open.

Clara stormed inside.

"I knew you'd come here!"

Her angry voice echoed across the room.

Kael turned slowly.

Clara glared at Lira.

"You're already trying to steal him away in private?"

Lira stepped back instinctively.

"That's not-"

Clara cut her off.

"You think one night changes your place here?"

Her eyes burned with anger.

"You're still an omega."

Kael straightened slightly.

The shift in his posture was subtle.

But the power in the room increased instantly.

"You're speaking to my mate," he said coldly.

Clara hesitated.

But her pride pushed her forward again.

"She is not leaving this pack."

Kael's silver eyes darkened.

"She already has."

Clara laughed bitterly.

"You think you can just take her?"

"I don't think."

His voice lowered.

"I know."

The tension between them filled the room.

But before Clara could say another word-

Lira suddenly gasped.

Both of them turned toward her.

She pressed a hand against her chest.

Something inside her had moved.

For the first time.

Not the warm pulse she had felt before.

Something deeper.

Stronger.

A faint voice whispered inside her mind.

Hello.

Lira froze.

Her eyes widened.

"What...?"

Kael stepped closer instantly.

"What is it?"

She looked up at him, her voice trembling.

"I... I heard something."

Clara rolled her eyes.

"Oh please."

But Lira wasn't listening to her anymore.

The voice spoke again.

Soft.

Gentle.

But clearly inside her mind.

You can hear me now.

Lira's breath caught.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

Kael's expression sharpened.

"Lira?"

The voice answered.

I am you, I am Arla.

A sudden warmth spread through her entire body.

Stronger than anything she had felt before.

Lira realized something impossible.

Her wolf.

After nineteen years of silence...

Her wolf had finally spoken.

And somewhere deep within the forests beyond Silver Crest territory...

Another Alpha lifted his head toward the wind.

His dark eyes narrowed as he sensed a strange surge of power awakening in the distance.

"Interesting," he murmured.

Because he had been searching for something very rare.

Something powerful.

And now...

It seemed it had finally begun to awaken.