The Lost Queen

“Mother?” The word barely left Lyra's lips before the ancient city answered. Thousands of silver lights flickered to life across the mountainside, illuminating towers, bridges, and enormous stone walls that had remained hidden beneath centuries of darkness. Lyra stared in disbelief. The city was beautiful. And terrifying.

Its silver towers rose toward the crimson sky, their pointed roofs gleaming beneath the blood-red moon. Ancient symbols covered the walls, glowing faintly as though the city itself had awakened from a long sleep. Yet Lyra couldn't look away from the enormous gates.

They were opening.

Slowly.

Almost reverently.

A deep rumble rolled through the valley as the final section of the gates parted.

Then the voice came again.

“Lyra.”

This time it was clearer.

A woman's voice.

Soft.

Broken.

Desperate.

Lyra's heart slammed against her ribs.

She knew that voice.

She didn't know how.

She had never heard it in her memories. She had never heard it spoken by anyone in Blackwood. Yet something deep inside her recognized it with an aching certainty.

“My mother,” she whispered.

Selene stepped closer.

“Lyra.”

“That's her.”

“You don't know that.”

“I do.”

Lyra turned toward her.

“I know.”

Selene's expression became unreadable.

Arkon lowered his head, his silver eyes fixed on the city.

Then a low growl escaped his throat.

Lyra looked at him.

“What is it?”

Arkon didn't answer.

His attention remained on the open gates.

Selene's grip tightened around her sword.

“Something is wrong.”

Lyra's excitement disappeared.

“What?”

“The city should have remained asleep.”

“But you said it was waiting for me.”

“It was.”

Selene looked toward the towers.

“But I didn't expect it to awaken this quickly.”

Another voice echoed through the valley.

“Lyra.”

Lyra took a step forward.

“Mother!”

She started toward the gates.

Selene caught her wrist.

“Wait.”

Lyra turned sharply.

“Let me go.”

“You don't know what is waiting inside.”

“My mother might be there.”

“And that is exactly why you must be careful.”

Lyra stared at her.

For twenty-one years, she had dreamed of knowing where she came from.

For twenty-one years, she had wondered whether anyone had ever loved her before she became the unwanted omega of Blackwood.

Now, for the first time, she had a reason to believe her mother might still be alive.

She couldn't simply stand there.

“I have to go.”

Selene's eyes softened.

“I know.”

She released Lyra's wrist.

“But you will not go alone.”

Arkon stepped forward.

His enormous paws pressed against the ancient stone.

“I'll take her.”

Selene nodded.

“Stay close.”

Lyra looked toward the city again.

The voice came once more.

“Come home, my child.”

Tears immediately filled her eyes.

Her child.

No one had ever called her that.

Not with love.

Not with longing.

Not with the tenderness hidden inside those two words.

Lyra wiped her tears quickly.

“Let's go.”

The three of them entered the city.

The moment Lyra crossed the gates, the ancient symbols carved into the walls erupted with silver light.

One after another, statues lining the streets bowed.

Lyra stopped.

“Did they just move?”

Selene nodded.

“They recognize you.”

“Everything here recognizes me.”

“You are the last Moon Heir.”

Lyra looked at her.

“And if my mother is here?”

Selene didn't answer.

That silence told Lyra more than words could.

They continued deeper into the city.

The streets were enormous, wide enough for hundreds of wolves to move through them at once. Silver banners hung from the towers, their ancient symbols faded but still visible.

Lyra touched one as she passed.

The instant her fingers brushed the fabric, a flash of memory struck her.

A woman stood in the same street.

She was beautiful, with long silver hair flowing down her back.

She wore a white gown embroidered with crescent moons.

In her arms was a baby.

Lyra.

The woman smiled.

“She's awake.”

A man's laughter came from beside her.

“She's been awake for hours.”

The woman looked down at the baby.

“She has your eyes.”

“And your stubbornness.”

The woman kissed the baby's forehead.

“My little moon.”

The memory shifted.

Lyra gasped.

The vision disappeared.

She stumbled.

Arkon immediately moved beside her.

“Lyra?”

She pressed a hand against her head.

“I saw her.”

Selene approached.

“Your mother?”

Lyra nodded.

“She was holding me.”

Her voice trembled.

“She called me her little moon.”

Selene's expression softened.

“That was what she called you.”

Lyra looked at her sharply.

“You knew?”

“I knew many things.”

“Then stop hiding them from me.”

Selene remained silent.

Lyra's frustration rose.

“I have spent twenty-one years being lied to. I don't want half-truths anymore.”

Selene looked toward the palace at the end of the city.

“Then we will tell you everything.”

Lyra followed her gaze.

The palace stood above the city on a massive hill.

Its silver walls reflected the crimson moonlight.

At the highest point stood two enormous statues.

A king.

And a queen.

Lyra stared at them.

She didn't need anyone to tell her who they were.

Her father held a sword in one hand.

Her mother held a crescent-shaped staff.

And between them was a small empty space.

Lyra's chest tightened.

“That's where I was supposed to stand.”

Selene nodded.

“You were born to inherit that throne.”

Lyra looked away.

“I don't know if I want it.”

“You don't have to decide today.”

A strange howl echoed from somewhere inside the city.

Arkon immediately stopped.

His ears lifted.

“What is it?” Lyra asked.

Arkon growled.

Selene's eyes narrowed.

“We aren't alone.”

A shadow moved across one of the rooftops.

Then another.

Lyra's wolf stirred.

Hunters.

Lyra froze.

“They followed us.”

Selene drew her sword.

“Stay behind me.”

Several black arrows suddenly flew through the air.

Selene raised her blade.

A burst of silver energy knocked the arrows aside.

“Run!”

Lyra didn't argue.

She sprinted toward the palace.

Arkon stayed beside her while Selene fought behind them.

Black-clad warriors poured from the surrounding streets.

Their crimson eyes glowed beneath their helmets.

One rushed toward Lyra.

Arkon shifted and struck him with enough force to send him crashing into a wall.

Another appeared ahead.

Lyra stopped.

The warrior raised his sword.

“Princess.”

Lyra's silver mark flared.

The warrior hesitated.

She didn't understand why.

Then her wolf whispered.

Look at him.

Lyra stared into his eyes.

Something inside her recognized the dark symbol on his armor.

“The mark.”

The warrior smiled.

“You know what it means?”

“No.”

“You will.”

He lunged.

Lyra raised both hands.

Silver energy exploded outward.

The warrior was thrown backward.

Lyra stared at her hands.

“I did that.”

Yes.

Her wolf sounded almost pleased.

You are learning.

Lyra ran again.

The palace gates were ahead.

They opened before she reached them.

Lyra stopped.

No one stood there.

The enormous doors had simply opened.

A cold breeze swept through the courtyard.

Then she heard footsteps.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Coming from inside the palace.

Lyra's heart pounded.

“Mother?”

No answer.

She entered.

The palace was enormous.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Silver pillars lined the walls. Ancient paintings covered the halls.

Lyra walked past them.

Then she stopped.

A portrait hung above the grand staircase.

Her parents.

And a baby.

Her.

Lyra's breath caught.

She walked closer.

The woman in the painting looked exactly like the woman from her memory.

Her mother.

Lyra raised her hand.

Her fingertips touched the painted image.

A tear slid down her cheek.

“I remember you.”

The words were barely audible.

Behind her, Selene entered the palace.

She stopped when she saw the portrait.

Lyra turned.

“Tell me her name.”

Selene looked at the painting.

“Queen Elara.”

Lyra whispered the name.

“Elara.”

It felt like something inside her heart had finally found a missing piece.

“What happened to her?”

Selene hesitated.

“We don't know.”

Lyra's expression hardened.

“Arkon said they never found her body.”

“That is true.”

“So she could be alive.”

“Yes.”

Hope rose inside Lyra.

Then the palace doors slammed shut.

Everyone froze.

Arkon turned toward them.

The ancient locks clicked into place.

Selene raised her sword.

“We have company.”

A slow clap echoed through the hall.

Lyra's blood ran cold.

A man stepped from behind one of the pillars.

He was tall, dressed in black armor.

Unlike the hunters outside, he wore no helmet.

A scar ran from his left temple to his jaw.

His eyes were crimson.

He smiled.

“So this is the last Moon Heir.”

Lyra stepped backward.

“Who are you?”

The man bowed mockingly.

“Lord Darius.”

Selene's expression changed.

“You.”

Darius smiled.

“You remember me.”

“I remember the monster who helped destroy this kingdom.”

His smile disappeared.

“Careful, Priestess.”

He looked at Lyra.

“Your guardian won't always be able to protect you.”

Arkon growled.

Darius laughed.

“Still loyal to a dead king.”

Arkon lunged.

Selene shouted, “Arkon!”

Too late.

Darius raised one hand.

A wave of black energy slammed into Arkon.

The enormous wolf was thrown across the hall.

“Arkon!”

Lyra rushed toward him.

Darius moved faster.

He appeared directly in front of her.

His hand closed around her wrist.

The silver mark burned.

Lyra cried out.

Darius's eyes widened.

“What power...”

He tightened his grip.

“You really are his daughter.”

Lyra stared at him.

“Whose daughter?”

Darius smiled.

“Your mother's.”

Lyra's heart stopped.

“You know her?”

Darius leaned closer.

“I know exactly where she is.”

Lyra's breath caught.

“Where?”

Selene attacked.

Darius released Lyra and blocked the sword.

Their weapons collided.

The palace shook.

“You won't touch her!” Selene shouted.

Darius laughed.

“You still think you can protect her?”

He kicked Selene backward.

Lyra looked toward Arkon.

He was struggling to rise.

“Arkon!”

He growled and forced himself onto his feet.

“Run.”

Lyra shook her head.

“No.”

“Lyra!”

“No!”

Something inside her surged.

The silver light around her body intensified.

Darius stared.

“What are you doing?”

Lyra didn't know.

She only knew that she was tired.

Tired of being weak.

Tired of being hunted.

Tired of losing everyone she loved.

Her wolf's voice echoed through her mind.

Let me out.

Lyra froze.

“Can you?”

Not completely.

“Then help me.”

The warmth inside her exploded.

Silver markings spread from her wrist across her arms.

Her eyes burned.

The entire palace trembled.

Darius took a step backward.

“What are you?”

Lyra looked at him.

For the first time, she didn't feel afraid.

“I am Lyra Ashwood.”

The silver light around her intensified.

“And you will never touch me again.”

A shockwave exploded from her body.

Darius was thrown across the hall.

Selene stared at Lyra in astonishment.

Arkon slowly raised his head.

“Her power...”

Lyra collapsed to her knees.

Her breathing became ragged.

The voice inside her whispered.

That was only the beginning.

Lyra looked down at her hands.

“I can't control it.”

“You don't need to yet,” Selene said.

Lyra looked up.

“What was that?”

“The first stage of your awakening.”

Darius slowly stood.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

His smile had disappeared.

“You have no idea what you've awakened.”

Lyra stared at him.

“Tell me.”

Darius looked toward Selene.

“She hasn't told you.”

“Told me what?”

Darius laughed.

“The prophecy.”

Selene's face went pale.

Lyra looked between them.

“What prophecy?”

Darius ignored her.

“The Moon Heir will rise beneath the Crimson Moon.”

He looked directly at Lyra.

“She will reclaim the throne.”

Lyra swallowed.

“And then?”

Darius's smile returned.

“She will either save the Seven Kingdoms...”

He paused.

“...or destroy them.”

Silence filled the palace.

Lyra's heart pounded.

“That makes no sense.”

“It will.”

Darius turned toward the windows.

“The prophecy also speaks of the one who will stand beside you.”

Lyra's chest tightened.

“Who?”

Darius looked back at her.

“The Alpha King.”

Kael.

The name wasn't spoken.

It didn't need to be.

Lyra's heart betrayed her with a single painful beat.

Darius noticed.

“You still love him.”

Lyra's expression hardened.

“No.”

“Then why did your heart react?”

“I don't love him.”

Darius laughed.

“You can lie to yourself, Princess.”

He looked toward the crimson moon.

“But the Moon Goddess doesn't lie.”

Suddenly, a deep horn sounded from outside.

Darius's expression changed.

“What is that?”

Selene looked toward the windows.

“Royal forces.”

Lyra froze.

“Royal?”

Selene nodded.

“The Blackwood army.”

Lyra's heart began pounding.

“Kael?”

Darius smiled.

“Perhaps.”

He stepped backward.

“The Alpha King has come.”

Lyra stared toward the palace gates.

Why?

Why had Kael come?

Was he looking for her?

Or was he coming to finish what he had started?

A distant howl rolled through the valley.

Kael's wolf.

Lyra's wolf suddenly answered.

A silver pulse shot through her chest.

She gasped.

Our mate is near.

“No.”

You feel him.

Lyra pressed a hand against her heart.

She did.

Faintly.

But unmistakably.

Kael was close.

Too close.

Darius watched her reaction with satisfaction.

“This is going to be interesting.”

Selene stepped between them.

“Get out.”

Darius laughed.

“Not yet.”

He looked at Lyra.

“I came here for one reason.”

“What?”

“To give you a message.”

Lyra stared at him.

“From whom?”

Darius's expression became strangely serious.

“Your mother.”

Everything inside Lyra stopped.

“What did she say?”

Darius's crimson eyes held hers.

“She told me that if you ever returned to the Moon City...”

He paused.

“...I was to tell you never to trust the Alpha King.”

Lyra's blood ran cold.

Behind her, the palace doors suddenly opened.

Silver-armored warriors flooded into the courtyard.

A familiar presence swept through the palace.

Powerful.

Cold.

Unmistakable.

Lyra turned.

Kael stood at the entrance.

His black ceremonial armor was covered in dust from the journey, and his silver eyes immediately found hers.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The entire world seemed to disappear.

Kael stared at Lyra as though he couldn't believe she was standing before him.

Lyra stared back.

Pain.

Anger.

Longing.

Everything she had tried to bury came rushing back.

His wolf roared inside his mind.

Mate.

Kael took one step forward.

“Lyra.”

Her heart trembled.

She wanted to run to him.

She wanted to slap him.

She wanted to demand why he had rejected her.

Instead, she stood frozen.

Then Darius laughed softly.

“Well...”

He looked between them.

“This reunion is going to be far more entertaining than I expected.”

Kael's gaze snapped toward him.

His expression turned murderous.

“Who are you?”

Darius smiled.

“The man who knows why your prophecy told you to fear her.”

Kael's eyes narrowed.

“What did you say?”

Darius looked at Lyra.

Then at Kael.

“The woman you rejected isn't the threat you were warned about.”

He stepped backward into the shadows.

“She is the reason your kingdom will either survive...”

His smile widened.

“...or burn.”

Dark smoke exploded around him.

When it cleared, Darius was gone.

Kael immediately turned toward Lyra.

“Are you hurt?”

Lyra stepped backward.

“Don't.”

Kael froze.

His face tightened.

“Lyra—”

“You rejected me.”

The words came out quietly.

But they carried more weight than a scream.

Kael's jaw clenched.

“I know.”

“You broke our bond.”

“I know.”

“You told everyone I would never be your Queen.”

His eyes filled with regret.

“I had no choice.”

Lyra laughed bitterly.

“No choice?”

Kael took another step.

“The prophecy—”

“I don't care about your prophecy.”

Her silver eyes flashed.

“You made your choice.”

Kael stopped.

For the first time, the feared Alpha King looked completely helpless.

Lyra turned away.

But before she could take another step, a thunderous explosion shook the city.

Everyone looked toward the northern mountains.

A massive column of black fire rose into the crimson sky.

Selene's face drained of color.

“No.”

Lyra turned.

“What?”

Selene stared at the fire.

“The northern seal.”

Arkon growled.

“What does that mean?”

Selene tightened her grip on her sword.

“The seal was never meant to keep the hunters out.”

Lyra's heart sank.

“Then what was it keeping inside?”

Selene looked at her.

“The thing your parents died trying to imprison.”

Another roar shook the valley.

This one wasn't human.

It wasn't wolf.

It was something ancient.

Something enormous.

Kael's wolf went silent.

For the first time, fear entered the Alpha King's eyes.

Selene whispered,

“The Dark Alpha has awakened.”

And from somewhere beyond the mountains came a voice that made every wolf in the city drop to its knees.

“Where is my daughter?”