Nestled among the hills of the most beautiful countryside far from any city stood the New Dawn camp, part of Colon, led by Alpha Victor and Damian — the Alpha who would soon become the territory's sole leader by order of the Elders.

Alpha Victor had two daughters: Lyra, from his first wife, and Kiara, from his second.

Damian was the pack's Alpha. They'd built their own settlement out in those remote hills, but he and Lyra had known each other since childhood. Over time, they fell in love and got engaged.

Damian's mother was thrilled her son had chosen Lyra. She was young and beautiful, though it was strange that she still hadn't awakened her wolf. The Elders accepted the match and organized the marking ceremony for the first full moon of the month.

Mura, Lyra's inseparable best friend, was an elf who'd been taken in by Lyra's mother before she died. She'd rescued Mura from a pack of rogue wolves outside a bar, back when the elf was lost and wandering. The two had been together ever since.

That afternoon, the elf had gone out on an errand — picking up lavender and lilacs from a shop so Lyra could prepare the incense blend for her marking ceremony, while Lyra worked on the ceremonial mantle at home.

But something caught Mura's attention: Alpha Victor, slipping into the Dark Garden — the witch Lubina's domain. Everyone knew people didn't go there just to say hello. And Mura had never had a high opinion of her friend's father.

THE DARK GARDEN

"Only two more, or you'll kill her," the witch warned the Alpha.

"Just give me what I asked for," he snapped.

"But remember — no one can find out. If the Elders discover I've been helping you suppress Lyra's transformation, they'll burn me alive."

A short while later, Mura watched Alpha Victor leave the Dark Garden with something hidden beneath his furs. It was the third time she'd spotted him there.

"What are you up to?" the elf murmured. She'd always noticed how differently he treated his two daughters. His rejection of Lyra was no secret to her — while Kiara was the apple of his eye.

She stayed hidden behind the old oak, its trunk thick enough to conceal her from anyone passing by. Victor didn't notice he was being watched as he walked to his truck. But someone else caught her eye.

"Damian?" She frowned. "What's the Alpha doing with him?"

She watched them, uneasy, until they disappeared from sight.

Mura collected the supplies Lyra had requested. The marking ceremony was fast approaching, and the preparations consumed their entire days. Her friend was deeply in love and radiating excitement, but Mura couldn't shake the feeling that Damian wasn't what Lyra needed. He showed her no affection, as if being with her was an obligation. Everything about him suggested he wanted to push her away. And instead of supporting her, Lyra's father and sister made it their mission to tear her down.

ALPHA VICTOR'S MANSION

"You took longer than usual," Lyra said, glancing at the time. "What happened — did you run into another elf?" She grinned, knowing Mura had no love for her own kind.

Mura ignored the joke.

"I saw your father coming out of Lubina's Dark Garden." She studied Lyra's reaction. It was no secret, not even to Lyra, that her father couldn't care less about her.

Lyra's expression fell.

"Did you see him do anything?"

"No. But guess who was with him?"

Lyra assumed it was her sister — everyone knew those two were inseparable.

"My sister, obviously," she said without hesitation.

"Wrong." Mura held her gaze. "It was your fiance."

Lyra's brow furrowed.

"Did you see what they did?" she asked, her unease growing. Lately she'd noticed them spending more time together, even though Damian always claimed he didn't care for her father.

"I'll ask him about it," Lyra decided, eyeing the parcels Mura had brought back. "Well — I'll ask him, but not directly." She'd already read the elf's thoughts.

"What do you still need? I'm going to the hall in the morning — I have some things to take care of there."

"Want me to come?" Mura asked. She only had to deliver the herbs and fruits to the sanctuary where the ritual would take place.

"If you want to come, I'd love the company," Lyra said with a smile. Mura was like her shadow — always by her side, wherever she went.

But before they could leave, Lyra spotted Damian's truck parked out front. He was here and hadn't said a word to her? She turned back and found him sitting with her father and Kiara. When Damian saw her, he sprang to his feet as if he hadn't expected her — a reaction Mura read as guilt. Nervous, maybe?

Before anyone could speak, Kiara stood up, showing off her wrist.

"Look, sister — see the gift Damian brought me for my birthday." She held up an expensive bracelet. The tightness in Lyra's chest was instant. In all the time she and Damian had been together, he'd never given her anything this valuable. She only ever got trinkets — like the pendant around her neck that she'd never taken off since the day he gave it to her.

"It's beautiful. And expensive," Lyra said, emphasizing the last word as she watched her fiance's face.

Damian had no words. It was Alpha Victor who stood up, visibly annoyed.

"Lyra, you've come to interrupt an important conversation I'm having with Damian," he scolded.

Lyra raised her eyebrows but chose not to fight. Not again. She walked out quickly without looking at anyone, though something hard and sharp lodged itself in her throat.

Damian moved to follow her, but Kiara's hand on his arm stopped him.

"Lyra, I'm not buying that," her friend said. Something was clearly going on.

Lyra smiled bitterly but held her tongue. Her sister was spoiled rotten by their father, and unfortunately he gave in to her every demand. For a moment she wondered if Kiara wanted her fiance too, but she refused to accept that possibility.

"Be careful, Lyra. Kiara's a bad person, and once she awakens her wolf, I'm afraid she could hurt you."

Lyra didn't doubt it — not even about her father, the Alpha. But she couldn't understand why he treated her that way. For as long as she could remember, he'd always been cold and distant, as if he hated her.

That day, Damian sent her a message saying he had to leave on pack business. Apparently there was trouble with the rebels and he needed to handle it, so she didn't get to see him.

Mura could tell her friend was struggling, even if she wouldn't say it out loud.

"I'm heading to the waterfall," she announced, clearly hoping Lyra would tag along. "You should come with me. The walk will clear your head."

Lyra smiled, seeing through her friend's intentions.

"You're right," she agreed. "With all this ceremony preparation, I haven't made any time for myself. I need to think about something different."

To make matters worse, as they were leaving, the Alpha's companion arrived looking for him, visibly winded.

"The Elders want to see the Alpha. He was supposed to come to the meeting but never showed. They sent me to find him."

"I haven't seen him today," Lyra replied, a knot tightening in her stomach.

"I saw him leave over an hour ago," another local wolf added. "He was with your sister, in his truck."

Lyra felt the ground open beneath her feet. She steadied herself against the door. Then she looked at Damian's escort as if he were to blame and signaled the wolf to keep quiet. He slipped away without another word.

The Alpha's friend didn't know what to say or do.

"Well, Lyra, I'll go tell the Elders — maybe tomorrow." He left feeling awful about the situation. He'd already warned the Alpha that his closeness with his future Luna's sister could be misread.

Mura's face was tight with anger. Elves had fierce tempers and were quick to rage, and she was itching to use her powers to play a nasty trick on Lyra's sister.

"Don't even think about it." Lyra read her mood perfectly. "Leave this to me. I'll talk to Damian — he won't be able to dodge me this time, I promise."

"I'll go see the Elders," she told her friend. "Help me get in."

"Count on it."

No sanctuary or refuge ever turned Mura away — elves had a pact with the wolves and other species. But her parents had been killed shortly after she was born, and she'd been raised moving from pack to pack until Lyra's mother adopted her. After her death, the Alpha cast Mura out. Lyra fought against it, and out of gratitude, Mura would do anything for her.

ELDERS' SANCTUARY

Three elders in dark robes, each with a long white beard that spoke of their ancient age. The oldest among them bore the weight of all responsibility.

Lyra bowed her head as she stepped before them.

"There's no need for that, Lyra." The eldest took her hand. "You're as beautiful as your mother." The others nodded.

"Your mother was an extraordinary Alpha Luna. And you are her heir."

Lyra stared at him, caught off guard.

"My mother was an Alpha?" she asked, stunned.

"There's a great deal you don't know, child." He held her gaze.

He turned and walked toward a wooden door, then stopped before entering. "Wait here," he told her.

Lyra was bewildered, but she did as she was told and didn't move. The other elders were searching through ancient books, apparently paying no attention.

"Found it," one said while the other held up a hanging lantern to light his way.

The eldest finally returned carrying a small chest in his hands. They all gathered in a circle around her.

He set the chest in front of Lyra. She stared at it, speechless. "It's yours. Your mother wanted me to give it to you. But you'll only be able to open it when you come of age — which is next week."

"Along with her bond to her Alpha," another one said, nodding toward her.

"You haven't awakened your wolf yet. That's unusual." The eldest glanced sidelong at the other two.

"Tell me — have you experienced any symptoms?" the oldest one asked.

Lyra sighed.

"Honestly, yes," she said, sitting down. "But I don't know how — they suddenly disappear, and I wake up in bed feeling dizzy."

"What I suspected," one murmured.

"Yes, I was afraid of that," another agreed.

"We need to put a stop to this," the leader declared.

"Guard this chest with your life," he added, turning to Lyra. "Your position depends on it. You're the heir to a great power — pure lineage."

"Since we're on that subject..." She looked at him with interest, though she suspected she already knew what he meant.

"It's about my father." She sighed. "Why do I feel like he despises me? And I think you know the reason."

"Child, it's best you go. What I've given you will reveal everything one day, but you must be careful around your father and your sister. That's all you'll know for now." He sighed. "We'll see each other at the ceremony."

When she finally got home, she found her phone on the nightstand where she'd left it — nearly ten missed calls and a flood of messages from Damian. She didn't return a single one.

"Are you going to ignore me all day?" Damian appeared in her room.

"Damian, I've been here all morning and half the afternoon, and you disappeared." She wasn't going to confront him about what he'd been doing with her sister — she wanted him to tell her himself.

But instead, he hugged her.

She stiffened.

His clothes reeked of Kiara's perfume — cloyingly sweet, unmistakable, and nauseating.

"I was taking care of some pack business."

Lyra felt a crushing weight on her heart. He was lying to her face without a shred of shame.

Damian kept acting normal, believing he had Lyra fooled, while she hid an ironic smile behind his back. The marking's almost here, he told himself.

MEANWHILE

"You'd better act fast," her father demanded. "Lyra's going to transform soon."

"Dad, you told me you were doing something to stop her transformation?"

"The witch warned me her body will only accept three doses — after that, they won't work." He slammed his fist on the table. "And you've already seen for yourself she's on the verge. The next full moon, she might pull it off."

"I won't let that happen." Kiara smiled smugly. "Damian's about to fall."

"He'd better." Victor slammed the door on his way out. "I'm running out of options, and we can't afford to let her find out who she really is."

Kiara sighed with determination. She had to get the Alpha into her bed — Lyra would never forgive that. Besides, who wouldn't want a specimen like him?

Lyra left the bedroom after listening to Damian's hollow excuses and invented stories. Her heart was shattered. If he'd at least come up with something more believable, maybe she wouldn't be questioning whether going through with the marking ceremony was wise. They had the bond, but it was on the verge of breaking — she could feel it.

Mura approached her in silence, not wanting to disturb her but needing her to know she wasn't alone. Lyra felt alone.

"He lied to me so easily, Mura." She slid down the wall and sat on the ground. Her friend did the same. Lyra didn't cry.

She wouldn't allow it.

Because after the tears came weakness, and she refused to give them that satisfaction.

"I'm going to break the bond between us," she declared.

"And with what proof?" Mura pressed. "You don't have anything concrete yet, and you know they'll demand an explanation before they let you break it."

Lyra looked at her and smiled sadly, shaking her head.

It wouldn't be enough to say they'd been in his truck together, or somewhere else. They didn't actually know anything — only that the two had left together and that the Alpha reeked of Kiara's perfume. But the Elders would say they could have been doing anything... blah blah blah. She knew how it worked.

Mura was right, and Lyra was no longer sure she wanted to go through with the bond. Something was off.

DAMIAN'S MANSION

Damian walked into his house after spending a few minutes with his fiancee. His mansion sat on the outskirts of the territory where the pack families lived — more remote than any other.

But when he stepped inside, his mother was already waiting. Judging by the look on her face, he was in for a lecture.

"Hello, Mother. To what do I owe the warm welcome for your only son?" He tried to make a joke of it.

"What are you doing parading around with your fiancee's sister?" She crossed her arms. "The packs are talking."

"How did you find out I was with Kiara?" He felt a stab of worry — what if Lyra had heard the same thing while he'd fed her a different excuse?

"The wolves are talking. If I found out, what makes you think Lyra won't?" She glared at him. "Lyra's sister is a volatile girl who loves the spotlight. And people are saying things. You and I both know the difference between her and Lyra."

"What they're saying about Kiara is a lie." He came to her defense. "She's an enchanting little she-wolf."

"Idiot!" His mother was livid. "You've fallen under her spell. A she-wolf who doesn't respect her own blood isn't noble. Lyra is her sister."

"She's only her half-sister," he shot back. "Besides, Lyra still hasn't awakened her wolf."

His mother's hands balled into fists. It seemed her son had already made up his mind to leave Lyra.

"Then talk to her," she demanded, her grey wolf flashing in her eyes. "Tell her the truth."

Damian wasn't going to fight his mother. He stormed out toward the green hillsides and released his wolf, running full speed to clear his head.

Exhausted, he threw himself into the pool at the base of the waterfall to cool off. He emerged in human form — broad chest, chiseled muscles, sharp features on full display. Two young she-wolves sighed as they watched him climb out of the water.

"I'm so jealous," one of them said with a grin.

"Of which sister?" They both burst out laughing.

"Watch your tongues," Beta Raul growled, overhearing them. He was Damian's second. "Remember, he's your Alpha. If he finds out what you're saying, he'll rip out your guts."

The she-wolves hurried away, frightened. They feared the Beta — but they feared the Alpha more.

The next day, Lyra woke and sipped the herbal tea Mura had brought her.

"Three more days," Lyra said. But her voice didn't carry the excitement it once had — that infectious thrill of knowing she'd become her Alpha's Luna. Now she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Sarai's arrival with a diadem woven from fine strands of pure gold broke the quiet. They both stood quickly.

"Lyra, sweetheart, it's almost time for you to officially become my son's Luna." She smiled warmly, but the sadness behind Lyra's tight, ironic smile told her the girl had already heard something.

"Maybe he should find a real she-wolf. I still haven't been able to shift." The words came out strained, the pain in her chest barely held in check.

Sarai sat beside her and pulled her into an embrace.

"Lyra, talk to my son," she urged. "Demand the truth from him. He owes you that, and once you have it, you'll know what to do."

Lyra looked at her, sensing Sarai wanted to say more — but it wasn't her place. This was something Lyra had to face herself.

Lyra nodded.

It was already getting dark when she arrived at Damian's mansion. Several cars were parked outside, but that was normal.

She went in, asking Mura to wait in the truck — she said she wouldn't be more than fifteen minutes. She slipped inside without making a sound and headed straight for the Alpha's bedroom. She knocked softly, but no one answered. Instead she heard... moans? And laughter. She opened the door without waiting.

And there they were.

For a split second, Lyra thought the world had stopped.

But it hadn't.

Her blood ran cold — because the woman in the Alpha's bed wasn't a stranger.