LOGINChapter 15 — Shadows and Whispers
Lyra’s POVThe sun was barely up when the courtyard came alive again. Wolves ran drills, practicing moves I didn’t yet understand but could feel in my bones. Every step, every swing of a weapon, every measured breath reminded me of the world I was trapped in. And the world I might change.Ronan was already there, standing at the edge of the training ground, watching. His eyes never left me. Not once.Chapter 20 — Shadows and BladesLyra’s POVThe morning sun barely touched the top of the towers when I woke, heart pounding, a tension I couldn’t shake. My wolf was already alert, shifting beneath my skin, restless and sharp. Something was coming—I could feel it, like the wind before a storm, like the first tremor of an earthquake.I dressed quickly, ignoring the chill, and made my way to the courtyard. The guards were alert, more than usual. Ronan was already there, his eyes scanning the perimeter, posture rigid.“You sensed it too,” I said quietly as I approached him.He nodded, jaw tight. “Yes. Selene isn’t going to wait. She’s planning something today. I can feel it.”My wolf growled softly. Then let her come.The training yard was empty, silent except for the occasional clink of weapons from the distant armory. I moved with awareness, eyes sweeping, every sense tuned. The pack
Chapter 19 — Fire in the ShadowsLyra’s POVThe courtyard was empty when I arrived, save for the scattered remnants of morning mist. The sun hadn’t fully risen, casting a pale glow across the stone floor. I liked mornings like this—quiet, still, deceptive. Nothing ever stayed quiet for long in Blackthorn.I stretched my arms, feeling the tension in my muscles. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, eager. Something is coming.I froze, listening. The faintest shift, a whisper of movement near the training hall. I wasn’t sure if it was wind or instinct—but my body knew.Stay alert.I nodded.Ronan appeared without a sound, as if he had been watching me the whole time. His presence was a constant weight beside me. Not overbearing, not possessive, just… grounding.“You’re tense,” he said softly.“I know,” I admitted. “Something feels off.”He didn’t speak for
Chapter 18 — Power StirringLyra’s POVThe morning light filtered through the tall windows of the training hall, painting the stone floor with streaks of gold. I could hear the pack moving outside, their footsteps a steady rhythm that matched the pounding in my chest. Something had shifted since the feast, since the killings, since the bond with Ronan had snapped into place. I wasn’t just surviving anymore—I was being watched, measured, feared.I ran a hand down my arm, feeling the tension beneath my skin. My wolf stirred, restless, eager. They’ve seen you now. They know what you are.I swallowed hard. “And what am I?” I whispered.The storm they can’t control.The thought sent a shiver through me.Ronan arrived soon after, his boots echoing against the stone floor. He didn’t speak at first. He just stood, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me like he could see every thought I tried
Chapter 17 — Ripples in the PackLyra’s POVThe aftermath of last night hung over the Blackthorn compound like a storm cloud, heavy and restless. Every hallway, every corner, every shadow seemed to watch me, whispering. Moon-marked… dangerous… survivor… The words didn’t leave my mind, and neither did the taste of what I’d done.I hadn’t meant to kill him—at least not in the conscious sense—but my wolf had acted. The instincts I’d tried to ignore had taken over, sharp and swift and absolute. And now everyone knew.I was the Moon-marked. The one to fear. The one no Alpha—or anyone else—could underestimate.I woke to the sun creeping through the slits of the high windows in my room. The guards were already gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I stretched, listening to the distant sounds of the pack moving, training, waking. The air was alive with whispers of yesterday’s feast, of the dead assa
Chapter 16 — The Weight of ClaimLyra’s POVThe moment I opened my eyes, I knew nothing would ever feel normal again.The cell was cold. Not freezing, but cold enough to make every muscle in my body ache. Stone walls pressed in on all sides, and the only light came from a small barred window high above, casting a narrow strip of gray across the floor. I shivered, pulling my knees to my chest, trying to convince myself that I could think clearly.But thinking clearly was the first thing I couldn’t do.The memory of last night—the Council, the whispers, the way every wolf in the room had looked at me, weighing me like I was meat—still burned.And then there was Ronan.He hadn’t left. Not really. I could feel him outside, pacing. Waiting. Protecting. I hated that I wanted to feel protected. I hated that his presence calmed me. But part of me couldn’t help it.I rose slowly, stretching,
Chapter 15 — Shadows and WhispersLyra’s POVThe sun was barely up when the courtyard came alive again. Wolves ran drills, practicing moves I didn’t yet understand but could feel in my bones. Every step, every swing of a weapon, every measured breath reminded me of the world I was trapped in. And the world I might change.Ronan was already there, standing at the edge of the training ground, watching. His eyes never left me. Not once.“Stay focused,” he said as I approached, his voice low. “Every movement counts.”I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I could. My body still felt heavy from yesterday. From what I had done.I swallowed the memory of the man I had killed. It wasn’t like me—my human side still protested—but my wolf… she hadn’t hesitated. She had taken over, and for the first time, I understood what she was capable of.Ronan came closer. “You can’t hold back,” he said. “Not now. Not ever.”







