The Midnight Crown pack's northern border was quiet for now, the kind of stillness that pressed against Lyra's senses like a warning. She stood at the edge of the forest, her hands resting lightly against the bark of an ancient oak. The moonlight bathed the land in a silvery glow, its gentle hum resonating deep within her chest—a presence she could no longer deny.
For weeks, Lyra had been training under Maelis, the elder's lessons unlocking parts of herself she hadn't realized were there. It wasn't just about healing anymore; it was about command. Her powers could soothe wounds, yes, but they could also surge like a river breaking free of a dam, becoming something fierce and untamed.
Tonight, she was alone, the cool night air wrapping around her as she practiced. Her palms glowed softly as she concentrated, drawing on the connection she now understood stretched between herself and the moon. The energy was warm and constant, a steady flow that she guided with care.
As the glow intensified, the grass beneath her feet seemed to shimmer, the earth itself responding to her call. She hadn't known she could do this—draw not just from her own energy but from the land around her, tapping into the pulse of life that flowed through the pack's sacred territory.
"You've come far," a voice said behind her.
Lyra turned, startled, to see Kaelen standing at the tree line. He was dressed in his patrol gear, his silver eyes catching the light as he stepped closer. There was no judgment in his gaze, only admiration.
"You've been watching," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"I couldn't stay away," he admitted. "The things you can do... it's extraordinary."
Lyra looked down at her hands, the glow fading as her concentration waned. "It's still new to me. Sometimes I feel like I'm grasping at threads, trying to pull something together that I can't quite see."
Kaelen reached out, his hand brushing hers. The bond between them pulsed softly, a reminder of the connection they shared. "You'll find it," he said. "You already have."
His words warmed her, but they also carried a weight she couldn't ignore. The scouts had reported growing activity along the northern border—a force amassing that was too organized to be a simple rogue faction. The threat was real, and Lyra knew she couldn't hold back anymore. Whatever lay ahead, she had to face it—not as the broken girl who had been cast aside but as the wolf she had become.
"I'm ready," she said, meeting Kaelen's gaze. "Whatever comes next, I'm ready."
Kaelen's expression softened, a faint smile curving his lips. "Then let's face it together."