Chapter 4: The Luna's secret

Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the guest room, painting golden patterns across the wooden floor.

Lyra slowly opened her eyes.

For a few moments, she forgot where she was.

The bed beneath her was softer than anything she had ever slept on, and the room smelled faintly of lavender and cedarwood. Elegant curtains swayed gently in the breeze, and a fireplace crackled quietly in the corner.

Then she remembered.

Shadow Moon Pack.

Alpha Kael.

The glowing Moon Mark.

She sat up quickly.

A neatly folded blue dress rested on a chair beside the bed, along with a pair of leather boots that looked as though they had been made especially for her.

A small note lay on top.

Breakfast is waiting. Meet me in the dining hall. — Kael

Lyra smiled without realizing it.

No one had ever left her a note before.

After getting dressed, she stepped into the hallway.

The mansion was enormous. Portraits of former Alphas lined the walls, each wearing a silver crown and carrying the same calm, commanding expression.

As she walked, she noticed something strange.

Every portrait had a Luna standing beside the Alpha.

Every portrait...

Except one.

The newest portrait showed Kael standing alone.

"No Luna..." Lyra whispered.

"You noticed."

Startled, she turned around.

An elderly woman with silver hair stood behind her, carrying a basket filled with herbs.

She smiled kindly.

"I'm Mira."

"The pack healer."

Lyra bowed politely.

"It's nice to meet you."

Mira's eyes rested on Lyra's wrist.

"The Moon Mark suits you."

"You know what it means?"

"I know enough."

"Then please tell me."

The old healer sighed softly.

"Some secrets belong to the Alpha."

Before Lyra could ask another question, Mira gestured toward the end of the hallway.

"He is waiting."

The dining hall was already busy when Lyra entered.

Several pack members sat at long wooden tables, laughing over breakfast.

The room became silent the moment they noticed her.

Kael stood from his seat.

"You slept well?"

She nodded.

"Better than I expected."

"Good."

He motioned for her to sit beside him.

Some wolves looked surprised.

Others looked annoyed.

Especially a young woman with long black hair seated across the table.

She watched Lyra with icy blue eyes.

Kael noticed.

"Lyra."

"This is Selene."

"The captain of our warriors."

Selene offered a polite smile.

But it never reached her eyes.

"So..."

She folded her hands.

"This is the famous girl everyone is whispering about."

Lyra forced a smile.

"I suppose so."

Selene tilted her head.

"I've known Alpha Kael for years."

"I've never seen him bring a stranger into the Alpha House."

Her words sounded friendly.

Her tone did not.

Kael calmly continued eating.

"Lyra is under my protection."

The room fell silent.

Those four words echoed through the hall.

Under my protection.

Selene's smile disappeared.

She lowered her gaze, hiding the disappointment in her eyes.

After breakfast, Kael led Lyra outside to the highest hill overlooking the valley.

From there, the entire Shadow Moon Pack could be seen.

"It really is beautiful," Lyra whispered.

"It wasn't always."

Kael's voice grew quieter.

"There was a war many years ago."

"We lost many wolves."

"My parents among them."

Lyra looked at him in surprise.

"I'm sorry."

He nodded.

"Loss teaches an Alpha responsibility."

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Kael reached into his coat and removed a small silver key.

"I want to show you something."

He unlocked a heavy wooden door beneath the Alpha House.

Cold air rushed out.

They descended a spiral staircase until they reached an underground chamber.

At its center stood a crystal pedestal.

Resting on it was an old silver necklace.

The crescent-shaped pendant shimmered beneath the torchlight.

The moment Lyra stepped closer...

The necklace began to glow.

The Moon Mark on her wrist answered with a brilliant silver light.

Kael stared in disbelief.

"It has never reacted before."

Lyra reached toward the pendant without thinking.

The instant her fingers touched it...

A blinding flash filled the chamber.

A woman's gentle voice echoed through the light.

"If you can hear me... then my daughter has finally come home."

Lyra gasped.

Her mother's voice.

Alive within the magic of the necklace.

As tears filled her eyes, the glowing image of a beautiful woman slowly appeared before them.

She looked directly at Lyra.

"My little moon..."

"I've been waiting for you."

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