CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: ARIA

I woke to the sound of commotion outside my window – cars arriving, voices calling out greetings, the general bustle that accompanied the arrival of someone important.

My bedside clock showed 6:30 AM, which meant whoever was arriving had either traveled through the night or believed in making dramatic entrances at dawn.

The buzzing under my skin had worsened overnight, a constant electrical hum that made it difficult to focus on anything else.

Every nerve ending felt hypersensitive, and the whispers in my head – those ancient words I couldn't quite understand – seemed louder than ever.

I pressed my palms against my temples, trying to ease the building pressure.

Dragging myself to the window, I peered through the blinds.

Below in the circular drive, a convoy of three black SUVs was parked in perfect formation.

What looked like half the pack had gathered around the vehicles, their excitement palpable even from three stories up.

I could see Beta Thane directing traffic, his usual calm efficiency on full display as he organized the welcoming committee.

She was back.

Lyra Stone had returned.

My stomach clenched with an emotion I didn't want to examine too closely. It wasn't jealousy, I told myself firmly.

How could it be? I barely knew Alpha Kael, and whatever strange connection I felt toward him was probably just gratitude for his kindness mixed with the confusion of my awakening abilities.

Still, the thought of meeting the woman everyone expected to become his mate made my chest tight with anxiety.

A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"Aria? Are you awake?" Chloe's voice carried through the door, barely above a whisper despite the early hour.

I opened it to find her standing in the hallway, already fully dressed in dark jeans and a crisp blue sweater.

Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more serious, almost apprehensive.

"She's here," Chloe said without preamble.

"Lyra arrived about thirty minutes ago with a full security detail.

Dad's already called for an emergency pack assembly tonight."

"I figured something major was happening from all the commotion."

I stepped aside to let her into my room.

"You look worried. I thought everyone would be excited about her return."Chloe perched on the edge of my bed, her expression complicated.

"Don't get me wrong – Lyra is incredible. She's brilliant, absolutely lethal in combat, and fiercely devoted to the pack. She's saved more lives than I can count and has never backed down from a fight, no matter how dangerous."

"But?" I prompted, sensing there was more.

"But she's also been in love with Kael since they were teenagers, and she's never made any secret of it. She's beautiful, powerful, everything an Alpha's mate should be and she's never had any real competition for his attention."

Chloe's eyes met mine meaningfully.

"Until now." Heat crept up my neck.

"Chloe, I'm not—"

"You don't have to say anything. I and Thane can see how Kael looks at you, and more importantly, I can see how you look at him. But Lyra... she's not going to step aside gracefully if she perceives you as a threat."

"What exactly are you trying to tell me?"

"I'm telling you to be careful. Lyra commands respect through strength and has never encountered a situation she couldn't handle through sheer force of will. She's not cruel, but she's... intense and she's been counting on becoming Luna of this pack for years."

Before I could respond, Alpha Kael's voice echoed up from downstairs, carrying that unmistakable tone of authority that made every wolf in the house pay attention.

"Everyone to the main floor, please. I'd like to make some introductions."Chloe and I exchanged glances.

Okay so, after the welcome meeting, The officials of Raven Claw Pack were debating on moving to different partd of Portland to blend into the humans and also seek out information, so I, Chloe and a few others have been moved to the pack house during this time plus my medical emergency. So that's why we're in the pack house currently.

"Here we go," she murmured.

I quickly changed into my best jeans and a forest green sweater that Chloe had insisted brought out my eyes, though my hands shook slightly as I brushed my hair.

Whatever was about to happen, I had the distinct feeling it would shift the careful balance I'd been trying to maintain since arriving at the pack house.

The main living area was more crowded than I'd ever seen it when we descended the stairs.

Nearly every pack member seemed to be present, from the youngest teenagers to the eldest council members.

The air thrummed with anticipation and barely contained excitement, like the moment before a thunderstorm breaks and there, standing beside Alpha Kael as naturally as if she'd never left, was Lyra Stone.

She was breathtaking in the way that only supernatural beings could be.

Tall and athletically built, she possessed the kind of commanding presence that drew every eye in the room without any apparent effort on her part.

Her hair was a bright strawberry blonde that seemed to capture and reflect the morning sunlight streaming through the windows, falling in a perfectly styled bob, kissing her jaw.

Her skin had the warm tan of someone who spent significant time outdoors, and her features were sharp and aristocratic – high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a nose that spoke of good breeding.

But it was her eyes that truly commanded attention.

They were the most interesting brown eyes I'd ever seen, like ice dipped in chocolate, striking and intelligent, missing nothing as they swept across the assembled pack members.

When those glacial eyes found mine across the room, I felt the impact like a physical blow.

There was immediate assessment there, calculation and something that might have been mild surprise, as if I wasn't quite what she had been expecting.

She wore black tactical clothing that had clearly seen recent use – cargo pants, a fitted long-sleeve shirt, and boots that were scuffed from hard travel.

Everything about her outfit spoke of competence and professionalism, but she wore it all with an elegance that made it look like high fashion.

"Everyone," Alpha Kael began, his voice carrying easily through the large space,

"I'd like you to welcome back our head of security, Lyra Stone. Her mission to the northern territories has been successfully completed."

The room erupted in warm applause and calls of welcome.

Several pack members surged forward to greet Lyra personally and she received each greeting with genuine warmth and what appeared to be perfect recall of personal details.

She asked about children by name, remembered important events, inquired after family members with the kind of sincere interest that spoke of deep connections to these people.

Watching her work the room, I began to understand why everyone expected her to become Luna.

She wasn't just beautiful and powerful – she genuinely cared about each pack member and had clearly invested years in building these relationships.

The pack didn't just respect her; they loved her.