It is a beautiful night. The forest surrounding the meeting point between Kael and Lyra was thick with shadows shifting like living things under the silver glow of the moon.
Lyra shivered as she emerged from the water, her skin still tingling from the thrill of sneaking away from the palace. It had become a habit now—these stolen moments with Kael, each one more dangerous than the last.
But tonight, something felt different.
The air seemed thick with an unnatural stillness, the kind that made her instincts scream.
Kael was already waiting, leaning against a tree with a broad smile that faded the moment he saw her expression. "Lyra?" He stepped forward, brows furrowed. "What's wrong?"
Lyra hesitated before shaking her head. "I don't know. Something feels… off."
Kael's posture tensed instantly. His sharp eyes flickered to the tree line, his hand already resting near the hilt of his dagger. "This is not just you imagining it. The forest is too quiet."
This sent a shiver down her spine.
That was when they heard it.
A low, guttural growl.
Lyra's breath hitched. She turned slowly, her eyes scanning the darkness between the trees.
Kael stepped in front of her instinctively with his senses on high alert. "Stay close," he murmured.
The growl deepened.
Then, there was what seemed like a blur of movement.
A great mass of writhing darkness and glowing red eyes leaped from the shadows.
Kael reacted instantly.
He tackled Lyra out of the way just as claws slashed through the air where she had been standing. They hit the ground hard. Lyra gasped as Kael rolled them both to their feet in a single motion.
The creature—no, creatures—emerged from the trees.
Shadow wolves.
They were unlike any normal wolves. Their bodies twisted and flickered like living nightmares and their eyes burned with an unnatural red glow. Morgath's magic pulsed through them.
There were five of them.
Lyra's pulse pounded in her ears. "Kael—"
"I can see them." Kael's voice was low, dangerous.
The wolves circled them with unnervingly slow movements savoring the fear in the air.
Then, without warning—they attacked.
Kael shoved Lyra behind him as the first wolf lunged. He met it mid-air, shifting in an instant. His clothes shredded as his massive black wolf form collided with the shadow beast, claws ripping through its smoky flesh.
Lyra barely had time to react before another wolf came for her. She dove sideways, her tail forming for just a second as she used the water's pull to twist out of reach. Her magic flared which sent a pulse of bioluminescent energy straight at the creature.
The blast hit its mark, but the wolf only snarled, shaking it off like it was nothing.
Lyra's heart sank. These things don't die easily. Do they even die at all?
Kael tore through one of the wolves, snapping its neck, only for the creature's body to reform from the shadows. His ears flattened in frustration. "Damn it!"
"We have to go!" Lyra shouted, blasting another one back.
Kael barely had time to respond before a shadow wolf slammed into his side, pinning him to the ground. Its jaws snapped inches from his throat. He snarled, muscles straining as he tried to throw it off.
Lyra didn't think. She reacted.
With a burst of power, she sent a sharp wave of water slicing through the wolf's form, cutting it in half.
The creature howled as it disintegrated—but even as it vanished, its remains crawled back together.
Lyra's stomach dropped. We cannot win this.
Another wolf lunged at her but she dodged too slowly—pain tore through her side.
A scream left her lips as she fell, clutching the deep wound across her ribs.
"LYRA!"
Kael lost it.
His wolf form exploded with energy, his amber eyes burning brighter than ever. He ripped the attacking wolf away from her with a snarl and snapped its spine in one brutal motion. Then, without warning—he threw back his head and howled.
The sound shook the ground.
The shadow wolves hesitated.
Then—from deep in the forest—another howl answered.
Lyra's eyes widened.
Moments later, figures emerged from the trees.
Werewolves.
Kael's pack.
Darius was at the front with a furious expression as he took in the scene. "I knew it," he growled. "Things will always go wrong since you keep seeing her. Can't you see?"
"Not the time, Darius!" Kael barked.
Darius rolled his eyes before lunging at the shadow wolves.
With the pack's arrival, the tide shifted. The shadow wolves—though powerful—were outnumbered. One by one, they fell beneath the combined force of Kael's warriors.
Lyra's vision swam, the pain in her side growing worse. She felt herself slipping.
Kael shifted back into his human form, rushing to her side. "Lyra, stay with me." His voice was rough, panicked.
Lyra tried to smile. "I'm fine…"
Her body convulsed.
Something dark moved through her veins from the wound.
Kael's eyes darkened. "She's been cursed."
Darius kneeled beside them, eyeing the wound grimly. "This is obviously Morgath's doing. We need to get her out of here. Now."
Kael lifted Lyra into his arms with a desperate grip.
Her vision blurred. The last thing she saw before the darkness took her was Kael's face—stricken with worry and fear.
Then—everything went black.
Lyra's world was darkness.
A thick, suffocating blackness coiled around her consciousness, dragging her into a void where whispers seemed like moving serpents. She was floating, bound by an unseen force. The pain traveled deeper into her body like something alive burrowing under her skin.
A voice called her name somewhere in the darkness, Lyra…
The sound was distant, desperate, familiar.
Kael.
She tried to reach for him, but her limbs were heavy and she had no strength. The shadows held her tight, whispering Morgath's curse through her veins.
Then—light.
Faint at first, but growing stronger.
The voices faded.
Lyra gasped awake.
A very sharp pain shot through her body. She was lying on something cold, her skin damp with sweat. The scent of burning incense and damp stone filled the air. Her surroundings were dimly lit by flickering candles with their flames casting elongated shadows on the walls.
She wasn't alone.
Kael's voice broke through the haze. "Lyra!"
He was kneeling beside her. He gripped her hands tightly, his golden eyes wild with worry. Darius stood a few feet away with a tense posture resting his hand on the hilt of his dagger.
And then, there was her.
A woman with pale skin draped in flowing black robes. Her raven hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her crimson lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.
"You're awake," the woman murmured, her voice like silk over steel.
Lyra tried to speak, but her throat was dry and her body was weak.
"Easy, child," the woman cooed, kneeling gracefully beside her. "You've been cursed, but you're lucky. I can help you… for a price."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The woman chuckled softly. "Names are powerful, young Alpha. But you may call me… Azula."
Darius shifted uncomfortably. "You're a witch?"
Azula's smile didn't falter. "Something like that."
Kael hesitated. They had been desperate when they brought Lyra here. The curse was spreading fast making her skin turn deathly cold and her veins blackened beneath the surface. No healer or shaman could undo Morgath's magic.
And then, Azula had found them.
She had promised salvation.
But now, standing in the dimly lit cavern, every instinct screamed danger.
Azula turned her gaze back to Lyra, brushing a cold hand against her cheek. "Your affliction runs deep," she mused, her eyes gleaming with an unreadable expression. "It will take something… potent to remove it."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Just do it."
Azula chuckled, rising to her feet. "Eager, aren't we? Very well." She turned toward an ornate chalice resting on a pedestal. A thick, dark liquid swirled inside.
Lyra's stomach twisted.
Something was wrong. She could perceive it.
Azula lifted the chalice, bringing it to Lyra's lips. "Drink, pretty One," she whispered.
The scent of iron flooded Lyra's senses.
Blood.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Kael reacted instantly. "Stop!"
Azula's hand snapped forward, striking him with unnatural strength. Kael flew backward, crashing into the stone wall with a sickening crack.
Darius drew his blade. "What the hell are you?"
Azula smiled, her crimson lips parting—revealing fangs.
Not a witch.
A vampire. A damn blood-sucking Vampire.
Darius barely had time to react before she moved—faster than the eye could follow. She grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. "You wolves always assume magic is the greatest power in the world," she mused. "But you forget the power of hunger."
Darius gasped, his blade clattering to the ground.
Lyra struggled to move, her body still weak from the curse. "No—"
Azula turned to her, her eyes burning with ominous amusement. "Don't fight it, my dear. This is the only way to cleanse your body. A life for a life. A little blood for a second chance."
She tilted her head, her fangs descending toward Darius' neck.
A scream built in Lyra's throat.
Then—a crash.
The cavern trembled.
The torches flickered violently as a deep, commanding voice echoed through the chamber.
"Enough!"
The shadows at the entrance split apart at the sound of the voice.
A towering figure stepped through. He was holding a golden trident that gleamed under the flickering light, his presence commanding the very water in the air to tremble. His eyes, the same shade as Lyra's—burned with much fury.
King Thalor.
Lyra's father.
Azula's expression twisted into a snarl. "You."
Thalor raised his trident, the air around them humming with energy. "Release them, you foul creature, and I will consider giving you a merciful death."
Azula hissed, tossing Darius aside as she stepped forward. "You cannot command me, sea king. Your magic is useless here."
Thalor smirked. "Oh… so you think?"
He slammed the trident into the ground.
A shockwave of pure oceanic power burst from the weapon, rippling through the cavern like a tidal wave. The torches extinguished, the walls groaned, and Azula screamed.
The vampire was thrown back, her body slamming into the far wall.
Kael groaned, pushing himself up. "I think I love your dad," he muttered.
Lyra would've laughed if she weren't barely holding onto consciousness.
Azula recovered quickly, her body twisting unnaturally as she bared her fangs. "You think you've won?" she spat, her voice an inhuman snarl.
Thalor didn't respond.
He lifted his trident again.
Azula's eyes widened. "Wait—"
A burst of water erupted from the weapon, striking her square in the chest.
The vampire shrieked, her body imploding into mist.
The cavern went silent.
The danger was gone.
But Lyra barely had time to process it before her father was at her side, lifting her into his arms. "My child…" His voice, though firm, wavered with emotion. "You are safe now."
Kael, still breathless, looked between Lyra and Thalor. "So… should I expect to be drowned after this, or—"
Thalor shot him a glare. "Silence, wolf."
Kael raised his hands in surrender. "Just asking."
Lyra managed a weak smile. Even in the worst moments, Kael always found ways to annoy powerful beings.
She let herself relax against her father's chest as exhaustion pulled her under once more.
She was safe.
At least for now.