LYRA The door to Andrew’s bedroom swings open and the sound of someone singing fills my ears. I sit up abruptly and meet the eyes of a tiny woman with gray hair and a face full of wrinkles. Her blue eyes sparkle gently as she looks at me wrapped in Andrew’s blankets. “Oh dear, I apologize, Luna,” she says with a bit of shock in her voice. “I was told you were staying in the guest room.” “I was supposed to be, but ummm…” I did not know how to finish. I was not sure why I chose to stay in Andrew’s room rather than one of my own. The shock on the woman’s face disappears and she gently smiles at me. The smile is so joyful it reaches her eyes, causing them to twinkle brightly. “Luna, it does not feel right to sleep away from your mate. You do not owe me an explanation.”A warmth spreads across my chest, and I suddenly feel like I can tell this woman my deepest darkest sec

LYRAAndrew grabs my hand and pulls me out of his bedroom. As he practically drags me down the stairs, I can smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. Turning down the hall I can see Alva standing at the stove frying something in a pan. When she sees Andrew and I approach the kitchen I can see her visibly stiffen. Walking up behind her I place my hand on her shoulder and feel the energy transfer between the two of us. The action seems to relax her.Suddenly my vision fades to black, and I am standing in the Silver Wolf packhouse. Little me is sitting at the dinner table, I could not have been more than three or four. My curls were still wild, and I sat with my arms crossed tightly against my chest. “You cannot make me eat my friends!” I scream at my father who is looking down on me, his eyes full of anger. My mother gets up from the table and kisses me on the top of my head. “You can be a strong wolf, even if you do not want to eat yo

ANDREWI find Lyra and Alva sitting in the kitchen chatting like old friends. Both of them look tired and worrisome, as if they have been crying all day. Lyra tries to put on a cheerful smile for me when she sees me come into the kitchen, but I can see that her eyes are filled with burden. Maybe I should not have left her with Alva all day. Maybe the training was too much for her. Lyra’s powers are new after all.“Oh, Andrew. I did not expect you back so soon,” Alva says gently. “I am feeling a wee bit tired. If you do not mind I think I will take off for the evening. I am sure you all can find Lyra something more to eat than poptarts for dinner.” Alva’s eyes look tired, and she looks weaker than I have ever seen her before.“Of course,” I say as I pat her gently on the shoulder. “You may take tomorrow as well if you need.” Alva stumbles a little trying to get to her feet. She catches herself on

ANDREWAll day.  Lyra and James have been gone all day.  It is getting closer to midnight, and I am starting to get worried.  I have tried to mind link James several times, but I only hit a mental wall.  I know his phone is full of unread text messages and missed calls from me and yet no response.  Just when I am ready to head out and look for them, I hear Lyra and James as they burst through the front door.  Both of them are laughing like they are old friends.  Turning the corner into the hallway, I see them linked arm and arm trying to squeeze through the door at the same time.  Lyra falls through the door flat on her face taking James down with her.  They are both lying on the floor trying to stifle their giggles. James pushes himself up and leans himself back against the door frame, holding out a hand for Lyra.  Lyra rolls over to her back and bursts into another fit of laughter.  “Shhhhhhhh,”

ANDREWLooking down at Lyra’s body, she is still in wolf form.  Normally when a wolf is knocked unconscious they shift back to their human form, but Lyra’s silver wolf is in control of her body.  Even as a wolf she is small.  I pick her up and carry her into the packhouse and lay her in my bed.  Her breathing appears stable, but I mind link the pack doctor anyway.  Goddess knows there are many men out there that need attending to as well.   Peering out of the window I see both packs attending to their dead.  The yard in front of the packhouse is littered with bodies.  Some of the bodies are still in wolf form, others have shifted back.  Normally we would burn the enemy bodies but as a peace offering I am willing to let them return home to their families.  The wounded are sitting off to the side, trying to rest to speed up their healing.  I cannot help but think what a waste all of this was.