For several seconds after Lira shifted, the forest remained completely still.

Even the wind seemed to pause.

Kael stood a few steps away from her, unable to look away.

His wolf had grown unusually quiet inside him, which almost never happened. Normally his wolf was restless, always pushing forward, always demanding control.

But now...

His wolf was simply watching.

Watching the silver wolf standing before them.

She's beautiful, his wolf murmured.

Kael didn't disagree.

Moonlight patterns rippled across Lira's fur like living light, glowing softly even though the sun still hung in the sky. Her bright green eyes shimmered with wonder as she looked down at her paws.

I... did it, she said through the mind link.

Her voice sounded amazed.

Kael felt the bond between them hum warmly.

"Yes," he said gently.

"You did."

Lira lifted her head slowly, looking around the clearing as if she were seeing the world for the first time.

Every sound seemed sharper.

Every scent stronger.

She could smell the pine trees, the earth beneath her paws, and Kael's scent beside her-strong, steady, comforting.

Then something else caught her attention.

A strange scent carried on the wind.

Her ears twitched.

Kael noticed instantly.

"What is it?"

Lira turned toward the deeper part of the forest.

Someone is watching us.

Kael's entire body went still.

His wolf surged forward immediately.

Where?

Lira focused on the scent again.

It was faint.

But definitely there.

Over there, she said.

She nodded toward the darker part of the forest.

Kael's gaze sharpened.

"Stay behind me."

Lira instinctively stepped closer to him.

The bond between them pulsed again, stronger than before.

Kael took a slow step forward.

"Come out."

His voice carried the unmistakable command of an Alpha.

The forest remained silent.

But Kael knew better.

Someone was there.

Watching.

Waiting.

After a few tense seconds, a low chuckle drifted through the trees.

"Well," a voice said.

"This is more interesting than I expected."

A tall man stepped out from the shadows.

He moved with calm confidence, his dark hair falling loosely across his forehead. His eyes gleamed with amusement as they landed on Lira.

Kael's wolf growled instantly.

Enemy.

Kael stepped forward protectively.

"You're far from your territory, Alpha."

The stranger smiled.

"Not that far."

Lira felt a cold shiver run through her fur.

Something about him felt dangerous.

Predatory.

The stranger tilted his head slightly, studying her.

"So it's true," he murmured.

Kael's voice hardened.

"What are you doing here, Alpha Darius?"

The man grinned.

"Just passing through."

But his eyes never left Lira.

"Though I must admit... I wasn't expecting to find something quite so ..... rare."

Kael's aura darkened.

"She is not yours to observe."

Darius raised his hands lightly.

"Relax, Kael."

He stepped a little closer.

"I'm simply curious."

His gaze swept over Lira again.

"Silver fur."

"Moonlight markings."

"Green eyes."

He chuckled quietly.

"The rumors didn't exaggerate."

Lira frowned slightly.

What rumors?

Kael's jaw tightened.

"You should leave."

Darius smirked.

"Oh, I will."

His eyes flicked toward Lira again.

"But first I want to congratulate you."

Kael didn't respond.

Darius smiled wider.

"You've found something very valuable."

The words made Lira uneasy.

Valuable?

She wasn't a treasure.

Darius turned toward the forest again.

"Enjoy your new pet, Kael."

Then he paused.

"One piece of advice."

He looked over his shoulder.

"Keep her hidden."

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

Darius's smile sharpened.

"Because once the other packs realize what she is..."

His gaze returned to Lira.

"...they'll come for her."

Then he disappeared back into the trees.

The forest fell silent again.

Lira slowly shifted back into human form.

Her legs wobbled slightly as the transformation finished.

Kael caught her arm instantly.

"Careful."

She steadied herself.

"Who was that?"

"Alpha Darius."

Lira frowned.

"He didn't seem friendly."

"He isn't."

Kael looked toward the forest where Darius had vanished.

"He's dangerous."

Lira wrapped her arms around herself.

"He said other packs would come for me."

Kael turned toward her.

"They won't touch you."

His voice was firm.

Certain.

Lira wanted to believe him.

But something deep inside her chest stirred again.

The warmth.

The power.

And a faint whisper from her wolf.

They're afraid of you.

Lira blinked.

Why?

Her wolf answered softly.

Because they know what you are.

Lira looked at Kael.

"What am I?"

Kael hesitated for the first time.

Then he said quietly,

"Something the world hasn't seen in centuries."

Lira's heart pounded again.

"Which is?"

Kael met her eyes.

"The Luna chosen directly by the moon."

Far above them, the moon appeared faintly in the pale blue sky.

And somewhere deep within Lira's soul...

The sleeping power of the Goddess stirred again.

The walk back to the Silver Crest packhouse felt very different from the one earlier that day.

Lira stayed close beside Kael as they moved through the forest path. Her mind was still spinning from everything that had happened.

Her wolf.

The shift.

Alpha Darius.

And the strange way he had looked at her.

Like she was something valuable.

Or dangerous.

Neither thought made her comfortable.

"You're quiet," Kael said as they walked.

Lira glanced up at him.

"I'm thinking."

"That can be dangerous."

Despite everything, she gave a small smile.

"I'm serious."

"So am I," he replied calmly.

She sighed.

"That man... Alpha Darius."

"Yes."

"He said the other packs would come for me."

Kael didn't answer immediately.

That silence made her nervous.

"You think he's right, don't you?" she asked.

Kael finally looked at her.

"Yes."

The honesty surprised her.

"But they won't succeed," he added quickly.

"You're very confident."

"I'm an Alpha," he said simply.

"Confidence is part of the job."

Lira tried to laugh, but the uneasy feeling inside her chest remained.

Because deep down...

Her wolf was still restless.

Back at the packhouse, the atmosphere had shifted again.

Word had already spread about Lira's shift.

And not just any shift.

A silver wolf.

Several wolves whispered when they saw her walking beside Kael.

"Did you see her earlier?"

"They said her fur glowed."

"That's impossible."

Lira lowered her head slightly.

She hated being the center of attention.

Kael noticed.

"Ignore them."

"I'm trying."

They stepped into the main hall where several pack members had gathered.

Silver Crest's Alpha stood near the center of the room.

His sharp eyes immediately landed on Lira.

"I heard something interesting happened in the forest."

Kael nodded.

"She shifted."

The room fell silent again.

The Alpha looked at Lira.

"Is that true?"

Lira nodded slowly.

"Yes Alpha"

His gaze studied her carefully.

"And?"

Lira hesitated.

Then she said quietly,

"My wolf is... different."

Murmurs spread across the room.

Clara stood near the back wall, watching everything with burning eyes.

Different.

Of course she was different.

Everything about this situation was wrong.

An omega Luna.

A glowing wolf.

Now whispers of prophecy were starting to spread among the warriors.

Clara's fists clenched.

She refused to let that girl take everything.

Later that night, when the packhouse finally quieted again, Clara slipped out through the back entrance.

The moon hung high in the sky.

The forest was dark.

But she walked confidently through the trees as if she knew exactly where she was going.

And she did.

A shadow moved ahead.

Alpha Darius stepped out from behind a tree.

"Right on time," he said with a grin.

Clara folded her arms.

"I shouldn't even be here."

"Yet you came."

She glared at him.

"I want her gone."

Darius chuckled.

"That was obvious."

Clara stepped closer.

"You said other packs would come for her."

"They will."

"But I want her gone before that happens."

Darius studied her carefully.

"And what exactly are you offering me in return?"

Clara's voice dropped.

"Information."

Darius raised an eyebrow.

"Go on."

"She's leaving soon."

"With Kael."

"Yes."

Darius smiled slowly.

"That's very helpful."

Clara leaned closer.

"Nightfall territory is large. Dangerous."

Her voice lowered to a whisper.

"Accidents happen in the forest."

Darius's smile widened.

"Oh, Clara..."

"You're far more interesting than I thought."

She stepped back.

"Just make sure she never becomes Luna."

Darius nodded once.

"I'll take care of it."

Clara turned and disappeared back into the forest.

Darius watched her go, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Humans," he muttered.

Then he looked toward the distant packhouse.

His gaze darkened.

"The Omega Luna."

He had been searching for power like hers for years.

And now fate had practically delivered it to him.

He smiled.

Kael thought he had won.

But the real game had only just begun.

Back inside the packhouse, Lira sat near the window of her small room.

The moonlight spilled across the floor.

Her wolf stirred inside her again.

Something feels wrong.

Lira frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Danger is coming.

Lira stood slowly.

A strange unease filled her chest.

As if something important had just shifted in the world around her.

And somewhere deep in the forest...

Two red eyes opened in the darkness.

Watching.

Waiting.

Because the hunt for the Hidden Luna...

Had officially begun.

The night felt unusually restless.

Lira barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, the same uneasy feeling returned - the sense that something had changed in the forest around them. Her wolf had been quiet for most of the night, but that quiet felt more like listening than resting.

As if it was waiting.

By the time the first light of dawn appeared through her window, Lira had already given up on sleep.

She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the soft silver glow of the fading moon.

"You're awake," the voice inside her mind said softly.

Lira blinked.

"You're still there."

Of course I am, her wolf replied.

Lira smiled faintly.

It still felt strange hearing another voice in her mind. For nineteen years there had been nothing. Just silence where every other wolf had a companion.

Now she felt less alone.

"Why couldn't I hear you before?" she asked quietly.

Because something was holding me back.

Lira frowned slightly.

"What kind of something?"

Her wolf was quiet for a moment.

Magic.

Before Lira could ask more questions, a knock sounded at her door.

"Lira?" Mara's voice called gently.

Lira stood quickly and opened the door.

The older omega looked slightly breathless.

"The Alpha wants everyone in the main hall."

Lira's stomach tightened.

"Why?"

Mara lowered her voice.

"Because the Nightfall Alpha is making an announcement."

The main hall was already crowded when Lira arrived.

Pack members filled the room, murmuring quietly among themselves. The tension from the previous night had clearly not faded.

At the front of the room stood Kael.

Beside him stood Silver Crest's Alpha.

The moment Lira entered, Kael's eyes immediately found her.

The bond between them stirred again, warm and steady.

He gestured gently.

"Come here."

Every wolf in the room turned to watch her walk forward.

Lira tried not to notice the stares.

But she could feel them.

Judging.

Questioning.

Whispering.

When she reached Kael's side, he spoke to the room.

"You all know why we are here."

His voice carried easily through the hall.

"Last night the Moon Goddess revealed my mate."

Several wolves shifted uncomfortably.

Clara stood near the back of the room, arms crossed.

Her expression was unreadable.

Kael continued.

"The bond between mates is sacred."

His silver gaze swept across the crowd.

"And no wolf has the authority to challenge the will of the Moon Goddess."

The hall fell silent.

Kael turned toward Lira.

For a moment, his voice softened slightly.

"Lira."

Her heart jumped.

"Yes?"

"Do you accept me as your mate?"

The question made her breath catch.

No one had ever asked her something so important before.

She looked around the room.

Some wolves looked curious.

Some looked disapproving.

But Kael only looked calm.

Patient.

Waiting.

Lira took a breath.

"Yes."

The moment the word left her lips, the bond between them flared brightly.

Several wolves gasped softly.

Kael nodded once.

"Then hear me clearly."

His voice rose again, carrying the unmistakable authority of an Alpha.

"From this moment forward, I Alpha Kael Knight accept you Lira Henderson as my mate and Luna."

The words echoed through the hall.

Some wolves bowed their heads respectfully.

Others remained stiff with disbelief.

But no one dared argue.

Kael took Lira's hand.

"She will return with me to Nightfall Pack."

A ripple of whispers spread again.

Leaving the pack.

That part suddenly felt very real.

Silver Crest's Alpha nodded slowly.

"The bond is undeniable."

His gaze moved toward Lira.

"You are free to choose your future."

Lira swallowed.

Freedom was something she had never truly had before.

But before she could respond-

A sudden crash echoed from outside the packhouse.

Everyone froze.

Another crash followed.

Then a warrior burst through the door.

"Alpha!"

All eyes turned toward him.

"What is it?" Silver Crest's Alpha demanded.

The warrior's face was pale.

"We're under attack."

The room exploded into motion.

Warriors rushed toward the doors.

Kael's wolf surged forward instantly.

"Who?" he asked sharply.

The warrior hesitated.

"Shadow Fang Pack."

Kael's eyes darkened.

Darius.

Lira felt the bond tighten as Kael stepped protectively in front of her.

"I knew it," he muttered.

Outside, the sound of fighting had already begun.

Howls echoed through the forest.

The smell of blood drifted into the packhouse.

Lira's wolf growled softly inside her mind.

They came for you.

Fear tightened in Lira's chest.

"Alpha.....Kael..."

He looked down at her.

"Stay behind me."

But before he could move-

A massive wolf burst through the main doors.

Black fur.

Glowing red eyes.

Darius.

His wolf form towered over most wolves in the room.

His voice echoed through the mind link of every wolf present.

Where is she?

The hall filled with snarls as Silver Crest warriors shifted.

Kael stepped forward.

"You're trespassing."

Darius laughed darkly.

I came for Her.

The words sent shock through the room.

Several wolves turned toward Lira.

Kael's aura exploded with power.

"You'll leave with nothing."

Darius's red eyes locked onto Lira.

We'll see.

The room erupted into chaos as wolves lunged at each other.

Lira's heart raced.

She had never been in a real battle before.

But suddenly-

That strange warmth surged through her again.

Stronger than ever.

Her wolf whispered urgently.

The moon is with you.

Lira didn't understand what that meant.

But when she stepped forward-

Silver light burst across the hall.

Every wolf froze.

Because the power radiating from Lira...

Was not the power of an ordinary Luna.

Even Darius stared.

For the first time...

With fear.