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Lyra paced the small, dimly illuminated room as the shimmering candles cast long straws across the hallway. Her breath was shallow, her fingers shaking as she coupled them together, anxiously awaiting the healer’s return.

She had visited the healer countless times before in the past months, seeking answers for the emptiness that had plagued her since she and Mason had first tried to conceive. But today was going to be different.

The healer, an old woman with filled eyes and a voice like burnt wood, stepped into the room. Her gaze was sharp, as if she could see straight through Lyra’s and into the deepest parts of her soul.

“The Blood Moon is powerful, child,” the healer said, her voice cold and deliberate. “It will not only strengthen the pack but reveal many truths that have been hidden behind curtains.”

Lyra swallowed hard, her mouth dry as she drenched her mouth had left . “I don’t understand great one. What truths could there be?”

The healer’s lips twisted into a thin smile. “That is not for me to say. The moon will speak all when it is rip.”

Lyra wanted to press on, to demand clarification, but the words hung heavy in her throat. Something about the healer’s tone, about the certainty in her eyes, made Lyra’s stomach churn.

She gave gratitude to the healer quickly and left, stepping out into the crisp evening air. The cool breeze did little to soothe her, and the healer’s words echoed in her mind as she made her way back to the home.

*Truths behind curtains*

The phrase looped endlessly in her subconscious. Could it be something about Mason? She had sensed his growing distance, his coldness, but he'd insisted it was stress from his responsibilities as Alpha.

Jessy had assured her that it was nothing more than that, that Mason’s aloofness would pass once the festival was over. Jessy had always been there for her, always supporting her, reassuring her when her mind raged with insecurities.

And yet, as much as she trusted Jessy, the healer’s warning loomed above her, casting an unsettling shadow that was now here to stay.

---

The next few days were a blur of activities. Lyra threw herself into her duties as Luna, determined to make the Blood Moon Festival a success. She worked closely with Jessy, who was her constant companion through every decision.

They spent hours together, planning the decorations, finalizing the rituals, discussing the pack’s expectations. Jessy’s easy laughter and teasing comments kept Lyra grounded, kept her from spiraling into the dark thoughts that had now begun to plague her.

“I swear, if I have to tie one more garland, I’m going to lose it,” Jessy groaned in exasperation, flopping onto the grass beside Lyra as they took a break from setting up the ceremonial circle.

Lyra smiled, thankful for the distraction. “It’s almost over. Just a few more details, and we’ll be done.”

Jessy rolled on her back, staring up at the sky. “You’re too good at this, you know that right? The perfect Luna.” There was a playful lilt to her tone.

“Only because I always have you around,” Lyra said lightly.

“Hmm,” Jessy hummed, her smile tight. “Maybe.”

Lyra frowned, sensing the subtle change in her friend’s demeanor, but before she could ask, Jessy sat up and grinned. “Come on, let’s finish up before I actually faint this time.”

They returned to their work, and Jessy’s mood seemed to praise again, but that quick moment of tension stayed with Lyra, like a pinch in the facade of their friendship.

---

Three days to the Blood Moon festival, Lyra began to feel oddly strange. It started with small things—dizziness that faded quickly, a faint feeling when she stood up too fast.

She dismissed it at first, blaming it on stress and exhaustion from all the festival preparations. But when the spells became more frequent, she couldn’t ignore them any longer. Something was definitely wrong.

Jessy noticed her paleness one afternoon as they set-up final decorations for the festival. “Lyra, you don’t look so good. Are you sure you shouldn't take a break,” she suggested, her tone utterly concerned.

“I’m fine,” Lyra insisted, brushing off her friend’s worry. “I just need some air. That's all”

But later that night, as she lay in bed, the dizziness returned, this time accompanied by a wave of nausea so intense it pushed her to sit up, gasping for breath.

The next day, she went to see the healer yet again.

---

The healer’s cabin smelled of herbs and soil, the scent strong in the air as Lyra sat across from the old woman. This time, the healer’s expression was softer, her sharp eyes filled with something that almost resembled care.

“You’re pregnant of a child, Luna,” the healer said softly, watching as Lyra’s eyes widened in surprise.

Lyra’s breath hung in her throat, her hands making their way to her stomach. “Pregnant? Are you sure?”

The healer smiled but it didn't get to her eyes, her voice gentle but defined. “Yes. You’re carrying the Alpha’s child.”

For a moment, the world seemed to come to a halt. Lyra’s heart raced in her chest, her mind pacing with the sudden revelation.

She was pregnant. After all these years of trying, of hoping and praying, it was finally a reality. A rush of joy surged through and from her, overwhelming her senses. This was it—the long waited answer to her prayers. She was finally going to bear the child that would heal the rift between her and Mason.

Tears loomed within her eyes as she imagined telling him, imagined the look of joy and relief on his face when she revealed the good news. Everything would be better now. They would be a family.

She thanked the healer profusely, her heart soaring as she took her leave and made her way back to the packhouse. The Blood Moon Festival was only days away, and Lyra knew exactly when she would tell Mason.

After the ceremony, when the pack gathered to celebrate, she would share the news. It would be perfect beginning of a new end.

—

The night of the Blood Moon arrived, and Lyra had never felt more radiant. The packs had gathered in their magnitude , the torches flickering as the red-hued moon began its slow ascent into the dark sky. The air was thick with anticipation, the energy of the festival palpable as wolves danced, laughed, howled and celebrated the ancient ritual.

Lyra moved through the crowd in jolly, her heart light with the secret she now carried within her. She could feel the life growing inside her, a small, delicate promise of a beautiful future. Mason hadn’t arrived yet, but she didn’t that's wasn't going to dampen her spirits. Tonight was the night everything would change for good.

As she oversaw the smooth running of things, Jessy appeared at her side, her smile bright as always. “You look stunning tonight, Lyra,” she said, her eyes meandering around Lyra’s dress, the soft fabric shimmering in the firelight.

“Thank you, Jess” Lyra said, her excitement evidently bubbling. “I have a surprise tonight.”

Jessy raised an eyebrow, shocked. “A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

Lyra’s smile widened. “Now now my love, You’ll see after the ceremony, just as everyone else.”

Jessy’s expression darkened slightly, though it was barely visible for Lyra to notice. “Well, I have a surprise for you too,” Jessy responded, her tone light but tinged with something sinister. “I’ll show you soon too. It’s… something that'll certainly take your breath away.”

Lyra’s curiosity rose, was it a gift. “I can’t wait to see what it is.”

As the ceremony began, Lyra felt her heart swell with excited anticipation. But as she glanced around, searching for Mason, a small pang of unease crept into her chest. He hadn’t arrived yet, and the festival was already in full swing. Trying to push the discomfort aside, she focused on the ceremony, on the pack’s joyous energy.