Lyra's POV
I couldn't shake Selena's words. "I know what you are. The name she had thrown at me—Nivara—kept echoing in my mind, refusing to be ignored. I needed answers.
I already knew my wolf was different, stronger than most. I had felt it every time I shifted, every time I fought. It was why my old pack had kicked me out—they were terrified of what I might become. Their fear had stung deeply, but I understood it. They saw strength where they expected weakness, power where they thought there would be submission.
But here, things were different. This pack was different. Or at least, I wanted to believe it was. I wasn't going to let the same thing happen again. Not this time.
Selena's accusation had lit a fire in me. What did she mean by calling me a descendant of Nivara? Were Nivaras truly something to be feared? Or was it just another title meant to shackle me with their judgment?
I couldn't rest until I knew the truth. If Selena thought she could scare me into submission with her cryptic words, she was wrong. All she'd done was make me more determined to uncover what my wolf truly was—and to prove that I wasn't the danger they believed me to be.
It was Selena's sister, Violet coming of age ceremony tonight. The courtyard was transformed with glowing lanterns, sparkling fairy lights, and elegantly decorated tables arranged around a central stage. This was Violet's night, and Selena had ensured everyone knew it.
The air buzzed with excitement as pack members filled the space, chatting and laughing, their anticipation evident. I stood with Ava and Kellan at a table near the middle of the crowd. Ava was already chirping away about how unfair it was that she hadn't received such an elaborate ceremony for her first shift.
"Honestly, this is ridiculous," she complained, gesturing to the decorations. "I didn't get a single lantern when I shifted late. Not even one."
Kellan smirked, crossing his arms. "Maybe because no one wanted to celebrate your whining, Ava. You probably scared off the wolves with your complaints."
Ava gasped, narrowing her eyes. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood, Kellan, or I'd—"
"You'd what?" he challenged, leaning closer.
I chuckled, shaking my head at their constant bickering. "You two are exhausting," I said, earning simultaneous huffs from Ava.
At the top table, the Alpha and Luna sat with Violet. Kael's sharp gaze was piercing through the crowd. My breath hitched as our eyes met, and a familiar warmth spread through me. His voice slipped into my mind through the link.
"Don't let Kellan get too close to you, Lyra."
I rolled my eyes, deliberately not responding. His possessiveness was both amusing and infuriating.
As the ceremony began, the crowd quieted. Violet stood on the stage, her expression a mix of excitement and apprehension. She wore a white gown that glowed under the moonlight, and Selena stood beside her, looking every bit the proud older sister.
Kael spoke, his deep voice commanding attention.
"Tonight, we celebrate a milestone in Violet's life as she prepares to shift for the first time. Let us honor her strength and welcome her wolf into our pack."
The crowd cheered, and Violet stepped forward, trembling slightly. The moon hung high in the sky, its silvery glow bathing her. Slowly, the shift began. Her body contorted, the sound of cracking bones echoing through the courtyard. She cried out, her pain evident, but she pressed on.
Gasps filled the air as fur sprouted across her skin, and her form morphed into a brown wolf. Violet's wolf was stunning, her eyes glowing with newfound power. The crowd erupted in applause, and Selena beamed as though she were the one being celebrated.
From across the room, Kiera's voice cut through the applause, dripping with mockery.
"This is what some people haven't achieved even at their age. Such a shame."
The jab was obvious, and I felt Ava stiffen beside me, ready to launch into a fight. I placed a hand on her arm and shook my head. Kiera wasn't worth the energy.
After the ceremony, as people mingled, Selena approached our table. Her expression was cold and calculating, her lips curling into a smirk as her eyes locked on me.
"I know what you are," she said, her voice low but sharp. "You're a danger lurking in plain sight."
Ava immediately bristled. "What the hell are you talking about?" she demanded.
Selena's gaze didn't waver. "Ask your supposedly weak friend," she replied before spinning on her heel and walking away.
Ava turned to me, confusion and concern etched on her face. "Lyra, what did she mean by that?"
I couldn't bring myself to answer, the weight of Selena's words settling heavily on my chest. I forced a smile and shook my head. "It's nothing," I lied, though Hope stirred uneasily within me.