3: The Awakening

Nyx POV

My wolf screamed inside me.

Nyra, wild and furious, howled against the cage of my ribs. She begged — no, demanded — to be let out.

But I had never shifted before. Not once. Not even a partial shift.

And I had no idea how.

Kale's hands grabbed at my dress again, and my instincts took over.

I screamed and fought back with everything I had. My nails clawed at his face, drawing blood. My legs kicked. My fists flailed. He grunted, but he was strong — too strong.

Then—

Fire.

My bones began to burn, like something inside me had been lit on fire.

Pain shot through every inch of my body. My vision blurred. My heart felt like it would shatter my chest. I couldn’t breathe — I couldn’t think.

Then I stopped trying.

My body arched off the bed — and I snapped.

A low, guttural growl ripped from my throat. Deeper than any sound I had ever made. Not human.

My spine cracked. My skin ripped open as black fur tore through it. My fingers lengthened into claws, my teeth sharpened, and my eyes burned gold.

Nyra.

And I lost control.

All I remember is the fury. The bloodlust. The overwhelming rage that consumed me as I lunged for him.

My claws dug into flesh.

I don’t remember the exact moment my fangs sank into Kale’s throat.

I only remember the blood.

Then—

Silence.

When I opened my eyes, he was dead.

Kale’s body lay still on the carpet. His eyes wide, lips parted in a scream that never came out. Blood soaked the rug. His neck was twisted. His chest didn’t rise.

I stood over him, trembling, covered in his blood. My claws were red. My fur soaked. My breath came out in sharp, broken pants.

The door burst open.

Alpha Kael stood at the threshold, his black eyes locking onto the horror before him.

He saw me — covered in his brother’s blood.

He saw Kale—lifeless. Motionless.

His eyes locked on mine.

And then his face changed.

Not with grief.

But with rage.

His face didn’t crumple in grief.

It twisted in rage.

“You—” His voice cracked. “You killed him.”

I took a step forward, panicked. “He—he tried to—”

“Shut up!” Kael’s voice was like thunder. “Don’t you dare lie about my brother!”

“I’m not lying,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “He tried to — rape me.”

His hand flew so fast I didn’t see it until I felt it.

The slap knocked me sideways, my vision tilting. I hit the wall, breath stolen from my lungs.

“Shut up!” he snarled. “You dare lie about Kale? My brother would never do that. You filthy murderer.”

Kael’s voice thundered again. “You disgust me. You came here to destroy my family. You were never meant to be my mate. I knew something about you was wrong.”

Tears poured down my face. “I didn’t mean to — he was going to hurt me — I didn’t know how it happens—”

“Enough!”

He turned to the door. “Lexxy!”

A broad-shouldered man appeared. His face was blank, but his eyes narrowed at the scene.

“Take her to the dungeon,” Kael barked. “She’s a murderer. She’ll rot for this.”

“And now I’ve lost the only person I loved because of you.”

“Kael, I’m your mate—”

“Don’t call my name like that! You will be a worthless slave. ”

“You’re nothing to me!” Kael snarled. “Take her away before I kill her myself.”

Lexxy grabbed me roughly. I kicked, screamed, cried — but it didn’t matter. I was dragged away, blood still drying on my skin, my heart shattered into pieces I’d never find again.

The dungeon was dark. Cold. The air stank of damp stone and old blood.

I was thrown inside like trash. The door slammed shut.

I sank to the floor, curling into myself as sobs wracked my body.

Maybe… maybe I should’ve listened to Dad. Maybe if I had rejected Kael like he told me, none of this would’ve happened.

He didn’t even believe me.

And I know no one will believe me.

“I’m sorry,” nyra said gently. “But I had to protect us. He would’ve destroyed us.”

“I know,” I whispered through the tears. “Thank you.”

But still — my soul felt broken.

I didn’t know who I was anymore.

********

Kael POV

I sat at the dining table, gripping a glass so hard I thought it would shatter in my hand.

My brother is dead.

The only family I had left. The only one who ever truly loved me.

And she killed him.

My mate.

No. She’s no mate of mine.

She’s a monster.

She’ll suffer until she begs for death — and even then, I won’t give it to her.

The door opened.

A cold, dominant presence filled the room. I rose quickly, bowing my head.

“Alpha Kyo,” I said, voice steady. “Welcome. You came unexpectedly.”

The man who entered was no ordinary Alpha. He was the Alpha. The Wolf King. The ruler of Ironclaw Dominion and every pack beneath his reign — including mine.

Kyo gave a nod. “Do I need to inform a subordinate pack before I visit?”

“N-no, of course not, my King,” I replied. “Forgive me. I’m just surprised.”

“I have business nearby,” he said. “But instead of staying at a hotel, I decided to stop here. Hope that’s not a problem.”

“Of course not. You honor us with your presence. Please, sit.”

He nodded and joined me at the table. His presence was magnetic, his aura impossible to ignore.

As we talked about trivial matters, my mind spun.

I couldn’t let him know what had just happened. Not yet.

Not until I figured out what to do with the girl who murdered my brother.

Because no matter what the Moon Goddess said…

She would never be my Luna.