A year. It had been a whole year since that day in the forest, since everything changed. And in all that time, Lucian hadn't once set foot in Crescent Moon Pack territory.
I stood at the window of my chambers, watching the pack go about their daily routines in the courtyard below. My fingers absently traced the smooth wood of the windowsill, worn down by countless moments like this one, where I'd stood and remembered. Longed.
"Luna Lyra?" A soft knock at the door pulled me from my reverie. "Alpha Asher requests your presence for training."
I took a deep breath, schooling my features into the mask of serenity I'd perfected over the past year. "Thank you, Sarah. I'll be right there."
As I made my way to the training grounds, I felt the weight of eyes on me. It was always like this now – a mixture of respect, curiosity, and for some, lingering suspicion. The rumors had died down, thanks to Asher's intervention, but their echoes still remained.
