The forest was eerily quiet as we made our way back to the pack house. The scent of blood and fear still lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the battle we'd just survived. But there was another scent that kept drawing my attention, one that I couldn't seem to ignore no matter how hard I tried.
Lyra.
I found my eyes drawn to her again and again as she walked ahead of me. She moved with a grace I'd never noticed before, her hair catching the moonlight filtering through the trees. How had I never seen her, truly seen her, until now?
"You're staring, brother," Lucian's voice, low and amused, broke through my thoughts.
I bristled, turning to face him. "I'm watching my Luna," I growled. "Something you'd do well to remember."
Lucian's eyes flashed, a mixture of challenge and something else I couldn't quite read. "Oh, I remember," he said softly. "I remember everything about her."
The way he looked at Lyra, with such tenderness and familiarity, made my blood boil. This was my Luna, chosen by me, bound to me. And yet...
"What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded.
Lucian opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, a cry from up ahead cut through our conversation. My head snapped around just in time to see Lyra collapse to the forest floor.
"Lyra!" The name tore from my throat as I lunged forward, but Lucian was faster.
He scooped her up in his arms, cradling her against his chest with a gentleness that made my chest ache. "She's burning up," he said, worry etching lines across his forehead.
I reached out, my hand hovering over Lyra's pale face. Heat radiated off her in waves. "Give her to me," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.
Lucian hesitated for a moment, his arms tightening around Lyra. Our eyes locked, a silent battle of wills. Finally, with obvious reluctance, he transferred her into my arms.
The moment I held her, something shifted inside me. It was like a puzzle piece clicking into place, a sense of rightness I'd never experienced before. Her scent enveloped me, a intoxicating mix of moonflowers and something uniquely Lyra. My wolf stirred, pushing against my skin, wanting to be closer to her.
"We need to get her to the pack doctor," I said, forcing myself to focus. "Now."
The journey back to the pack house seemed to take an eternity. Every labored breath Lyra took, every small whimper of pain, felt like a physical blow. By the time we burst through the doors, my arms aching from carrying her, I was nearly frantic with worry.
"Doctor Elena!" I roared, my Alpha voice echoing through the halls. "We need you now!"
Packmates scattered before us as we rushed to the medical wing, whispers and shocked gasps following in our wake. I could hear the questions, the confusion.
Doctor Elena met us at the door of the examination room, her usually calm demeanor slipping as she took in the scene before her. "Put her on the bed," she instructed, already moving to gather supplies.
I laid Lyra down gently, reluctant to break contact with her. As Elena began her examination, I found myself hovering, unable to step away.
"Alpha," Elena said firmly, "I need space to work. Please, wait outside."
"I'm not leaving her," I growled, my wolf pushing forward, hackles raised at the mere suggestion.
Elena's eyes widened slightly, but she stood her ground. "Then at least step back. And try to calm yourself. Your agitation isn't helping her."
Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I nodded and moved to the corner of the room. Lucian took up position on the other side, his eyes never leaving Lyra's face.
The minutes crawled by as Elena worked, drawing blood samples and checking Lyra's vital signs. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the beep of medical equipment and Lyra's labored breathing.
Finally, Elena straightened, a frown creasing her brow. "I've never seen anything like this," she said, her voice a mixture of awe and concern.
"What is it?" I demanded, moving closer. "What's wrong with her?"
Elena shook her head slowly. "Nothing's wrong, exactly. But her blood... Alpha, there's power in her blood unlike anything I've ever encountered. It's as if... as if she's going through some kind of awakening."
"Awakening?" Lucian echoed, speaking for the first time since we'd entered the room. "What do you mean?"
"I can't be certain," Elena said, "but from what I can tell, there's a dormant power in her that's suddenly become active. It's overwhelming her system."
I stared down at Lyra, taking in her flushed cheeks and the sheen of sweat on her brow. "Will she be alright?"
Elena hesitated. "I... I don't know, Alpha. This is beyond my experience. All we can do is make her comfortable and hope her body adapts to the changes."
A low growl rumbled in my chest. "That's not good enough. There must be something we can do."
"Actually," Lucian said slowly, "there might be."
I turned to face him, suspicion and hope warring within me. "What are you talking about?"
Lucian met my gaze steadily. "There are old stories, legends really, about Lunas with extraordinary powers. True Lunas, they were called. If Lyra is one of them..."
"That's just a myth," I scoffed, but even as I said it, doubt crept in. After all, hadn't I felt something extraordinary when I chose Lyra? Hadn't I sensed a power in her that defied explanation?
"Is it?" Lucian challenged. "Think about it, Asher. The way she united the packs during the battle, the energy we both felt from her. It fits the legends."
I wanted to argue, to dismiss his words as fanciful thinking. But as I looked down at Lyra, remembering the way she had glowed with power during the fight, I couldn't deny the possibility.
"Even if that's true," I said slowly, "how does it help us now?"
Lucian stepped closer, his eyes intense. "The legends say that a True Luna draws strength from her bonded Alpha. Or in this case... Alphas."
The implication hung heavy in the air between us. I bristled at the suggestion, my wolf snarling at the idea of sharing our Luna. And yet... if it could save her...
"What exactly are you suggesting?" I asked, my voice tight with suppressed emotion.
Lucian held out his hand, palm up. "We combine our energy. Channel it into her. Give her the strength she needs to complete this awakening."
I stared at his outstretched hand, conflicting emotions warring within me. This was my brother, the wolf I had once trusted above all others. The wolf I had believed betrayed our father. Could I trust him now, with something so precious?
But then Lyra whimpered, a small, pained sound that cut straight to my heart. In that moment, I knew I had no choice.
Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in Lucian's. "For Lyra," I said quietly.
Lucian nodded, a look of understanding passing between us. "For Lyra."
Together, we moved to stand on either side of Lyra's bed. I took her left hand, Lucian her right. As our skin made contact with hers, I felt a jolt of energy, like a current passing between us.
"Focus on your bond with her," Lucian instructed softly. "Let your energy flow into her."
Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the tenuous bond I shared with Lyra. I thought of her strength, her resilience in the face of years of mistreatment. I thought of the way she had stood tall and proud when I named her Luna, despite the shock and disapproval of the pack. I thought of the fierce protectiveness I felt for her, the way my wolf yearned to be near her.
As I focused on these feelings, I felt warmth spreading from my chest, down my arm, and into Lyra. It was as if a dam had broken, energy pouring from me into her. Distantly, I was aware of Lucian doing the same on her other side.
The room filled with a soft, silvery light. I opened my eyes to see Lyra's body glowing, pulsing with power. Her back arched off the bed, a gasp escaping her lips.
And then, suddenly, her eyes flew open. But they weren't the warm brown I remembered. Instead, they shone with an otherworldly silver light.
"Asher," she breathed, her voice echoing with power. "Lucian."
As she spoke our names, I felt the bond between us solidify, becoming something unbreakable. In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that my life had changed irrevocably. That I was bound to this extraordinary woman in ways I was only beginning to understand.
The light faded, and Lyra's eyes drifted closed once more. But this time, her breathing was steady and even, her face peaceful in sleep.
I looked up to find Lucian watching me, a mix of emotions playing across his face. Understanding, rivalry, and something that looked almost like hope.
"What happens now?" I asked, my voice hoarse with exhaustion and emotion.
Lucian's gaze drifted back to Lyra. "Now," he said softly, "everything changes."