The Awakening

Chapter 13

"The heir has awakened."

The words echoed through Magnus's fortress.

Why does Alpha Magnus fear the Moon Queen's heir so much? What happened centuries ago that made an entire bloodline worth exterminating—and what powers will Lyra gain now that her awakening has begun? 

A deadly silence followed.

The messenger kept his head lowered, afraid to meet the Alpha's gaze.

Magnus slowly turned toward the shattered remains of his desk.

For centuries, his family had ensured the Moonborn bloodline remained buried.

Hidden.

Forgotten.

Destroyed.

And now one girl threatened everything.

"Prepare the hunters."

His voice was ice cold.

"Bring me Lyra Blackwood."

The messenger swallowed.

"Alive?"

Magnus's eyes darkened.

A slow smile spread across his face.

"Alive."

---

Shadow Hollow

Lyra stood in the center of the Chamber of Echoes.

The silver crest beneath her feet continued glowing.

Everyone around her remained kneeling.

Everyone except Ronan.

The sight made her uncomfortable.

"I don't understand."

Elara slowly rose.

"You don't need to understand it yet."

"That's not an answer."

A faint smile touched the old woman's lips.

"No. It's a warning."

The room grew quiet.

Elara approached her carefully.

"The awakening has begun."

"What exactly is awakening?"

The Seer's expression became serious.

"Your bloodline."

Before Lyra could respond, a sudden pain shot through her chest.

Sharp.

Violent.

She gasped.

The pain spread through her body.

Every muscle tightened.

Every nerve screamed.

"Lyra!"

Ronan rushed forward.

But before he could reach her—

Silver light exploded from her body.

The chamber shook.

Candles flickered wildly.

Ancient symbols illuminated the walls.

Power surged through the room like a storm.

Everyone stumbled backward.

Everyone except Lyra.

She was no longer standing.

She was floating.

A few inches above the ground.

Silver energy wrapped around her like moonlight made solid.

The air crackled.

Then suddenly—

The vision returned.

---

Lyra found herself standing in a moonlit forest.

Not Shadow Hollow.

Not Stormfang territory.

Somewhere older.

Ancient.

A woman stood before her.

Queen Selene.

This time, the Moon Queen looked calm.

Almost relieved.

"You came."

Lyra stared at her.

"Who are you really?"

Selene smiled sadly.

"Your ancestor."

The answer should have shocked her.

Instead, it felt strangely natural.

"Why are people trying to kill me?"

The Queen's expression darkened.

"Because they fear what you can become."

Lyra crossed her arms.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

"Because it's true."

The forest suddenly shifted.

Images appeared around them.

Like living memories.

Wolves kneeling.

Kingdoms united.

Cities thriving.

Then—

Blood.

Fire.

War.

Screams.

The beautiful kingdom collapsed.

Lyra watched in horror.

"What happened?"

Selene's silver eyes filled with pain.

"Greed."

The vision changed again.

Several men stood around a stone table.

Their faces hidden beneath cloaks.

A council.

Plotting.

Whispering.

Betraying.

"The First Council."

Selene's voice became cold.

"They wanted power."

One of the cloaked men drew a dagger.

Another produced a scroll.

A third smiled.

The sight sent chills through Lyra.

"They betrayed you."

"Yes."

The Queen looked directly into her eyes.

"But they didn't stop with me."

The vision shifted once more.

Moonborn children.

Families.

Villages.

Being hunted.

Slaughtered.

Erased.

Lyra's stomach turned.

"No."

Tears filled her eyes.

"No."

"For centuries," Selene whispered.

"They hunted our bloodline."

The pain in her voice was unbearable.

Then the Queen stepped closer.

"The Council's descendants still live."

Lyra froze.

"What?"

Selene nodded.

"They hide among the packs."

"They hold positions of power."

"They continue the hunt."

A terrible realization dawned.

Magnus.

The assassins.

The lies.

The conspiracy.

It had never ended.

Not once.

Then Selene grabbed Lyra's hand.

The Queen's expression became urgent.

"There isn't much time."

Fear coiled inside her.

"What do you mean?"

"The hunters are coming."

The forest trembled.

The vision began breaking apart.

"Wait!"

Lyra reached for her.

"Tell me how to stop them!"

Selene smiled.

A proud smile.

The smile of a queen.

"The same way I once did."

The world shattered.

And Lyra woke up.

---

She crashed onto the chamber floor.

Gasping.

Sweat covered her skin.

The silver light vanished.

Silence returned.

Ronan immediately knelt beside her.

"What happened?"

Lyra looked up.

Fear still gripped her heart.

"The Council."

Her voice trembled.

"They're still alive."

The room froze.

"What?"

"They never disappeared."

Everyone stared at her.

Waiting.

Lyra slowly sat up.

Then delivered the words that changed everything.

"The people hunting me..."

Her eyes met Ronan's.

"...are descendants of the First Council."

A stunned silence followed.

Then—

A horn sounded outside.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The alarm.

Every warrior in the room stiffened.

A guard burst through the chamber doors.

Breathless.

Terrified.

"My King!"

Ronan rose instantly.

"What is it?"

The guard looked directly at Lyra.

Panic filled his eyes.

"The northern gate has fallen."

The room went silent.

"Shadow Hollow's location has been discovered."

End of chapter