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.
