THE FIRST LESSON

Chapter 9

The First Lesson

Morning arrived beneath a sky of pale silver.

The Mooncrest Pack was already awake.

Warriors sparred in the training grounds while healers hurried between the injured after Ronan's surprise attack. Although the village appeared calm, fear lingered in every corner.

Lyra stood at the edge of the arena, dressed in simple black training clothes. She watched the wolves transform effortlessly between their human and wolf forms, their strength and speed unlike anything she had ever imagined.

A voice broke her thoughts.

"Nervous?"

She turned to find Kael standing behind her.

He looked exhausted. The poison still weakened him, but his posture remained proud and commanding.

"A little," Lyra admitted. "What if I can't do this?"

Kael stepped closer.

"You've survived twenty-two years without knowing who you really are."

His silver eyes met hers.

"Strength isn't something you're given, Lyra."

"It's something you choose."

For the first time since meeting him, she smiled.

"Then teach me."

---

Training began immediately.

Kael placed an old wooden sword in her hands.

"Attack."

Lyra blinked.

"That's it?"

"Yes."

She swung awkwardly.

Kael sidestepped with ease.

Again.

She missed.

Again.

She stumbled.

Within minutes she was breathing heavily while Kael hadn't broken a sweat.

"I'm terrible."

"No."

"You've simply never been trained."

He corrected her grip.

His hand rested gently over hers.

"Relax your shoulders."

His voice was calm, almost gentle.

Lyra felt her heartbeat quicken.

Before she realized it, she was staring into his silver eyes.

Kael cleared his throat and stepped back.

"Again."

This time her strike was faster.

Kael blocked it with a satisfied nod.

"Better."

A sudden clap echoed across the arena.

"Impressive."

Both turned.

A handsome young warrior leaned against the fence with a playful grin.

Golden hair.

Bright green eyes.

A confident smile.

"If the Alpha keeps holding your hand like that," he teased, "people are going to start talking."

Lyra immediately pulled away, her cheeks burning.

Kael sighed.

"You're late, Rowan."

"I know."

The young warrior laughed.

"I was busy chasing thieves."

He walked over and bowed politely before Lyra.

"My name is Rowan."

"I'm Kael's Beta."

"It's an honor to finally meet the woman everyone keeps whispering about."

Lyra smiled politely.

"It's nice to meet you."

From across the arena...

An elderly wolf watched silently.

His eyes narrowed.

Too many smiles.

Too much trust.

---

Later that evening...

The pack gathered for dinner inside the great hall.

Long wooden tables overflowed with food, laughter, and conversation.

For the first time in years...

Lyra felt what it was like to belong somewhere.

Children ran around the hall laughing.

An elderly woman insisted Lyra try her homemade bread.

Rowan entertained everyone with exaggerated stories from his patrols.

Even Kael looked more relaxed than usual.

But not everyone welcomed her.

At the far end of the hall sat a young woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes.

She never touched her food.

She only watched Lyra.

Her name was Selene.

Captain of the Mooncrest warriors.

And once...

She had believed she would become Luna beside Alpha Kael.

Now another woman sat at his table.

Selene's fingers tightened around her cup until it cracked.

"She doesn't belong here," she whispered.

---

That night...

Lyra couldn't sleep.

She wandered outside beneath the moonlight, the silver pendant hanging around her neck.

The valley was peaceful.

Almost too peaceful.

A twig snapped behind her.

She spun around.

"Who's there?"

No answer.

Another snap.

Then—

A hooded figure emerged from the shadows.

"You shouldn't be outside alone."

Lyra stepped backward.

"Who are you?"

The stranger lowered the hood.

It was the elderly wolf she had seen watching her earlier.

His face was lined with age, but his amber eyes were sharp.

"My name is Elder Orion."

"I served your mother."

Lyra's heart skipped a beat.

"You knew her too?"

"I did."

He glanced around to make sure no one was listening.

"Which is why I came to warn you."

"Warn me about what?"

Orion's expression turned grim.

"The traitor."

Lyra leaned closer.

"Do you know who it is?"

Before Orion could answer—

An arrow ripped through the darkness.

It struck him squarely in the chest.

"NO!"

Lyra caught the old man as he collapsed.

Blood stained his robes.

His breathing became shallow.

With the last of his strength, Orion grabbed her wrist.

His lips barely moved.

"The... traitor..."

"...wears..."

Footsteps echoed nearby.

Orion's eyes widened in terror.

He looked past Lyra at someone standing in the darkness.

His grip suddenly went limp.

He was dead.

Lyra slowly turned toward the trees.

A lone figure stood beneath the moonlight.

Hidden behind a black cloak.

Watching her.

Then...

Without a word...

The stranger disappeared into the night.