CHAPTER 1 : THE BLOOD MOON FESTIVAL
The Blood Moon only came around once every fifteen years.
For most wolves, it was sacred—a night to celebrate. For Luna Lyria Nightbane, this was supposed to be the best night of her life.
The whole Darkfang Pack had spent months getting ready for the festival. Crimson banners hung from every building, silver lanterns lit every path, and the smell of roasted meat filled the mountain air.
Tonight marked fifteen years since Alpha Kael Thorncrest and Luna Lyria became pack leaders.
Fifteen years of victories.
Fifteen years of sacrifice.
Fifteen years of love.
Or so she believed.
She stood in her chambers, facing a gilded mirror, smoothing the midnight-blue gown she wore. She checked her reflection—still one of the Northern Territories’ most beautiful women at twenty-nine. Dark hair spilled over her back, framing silver eyes she got from her mother. Around her neck, Kael’s Moonstone Pendant rested—a gift from the day they became mates. She touched it softly.
A small, bittersweet smile played on her lips. “Fifteen years,” she whispered. A lifetime.
But instead of feeling happy, a heavy weight settled inside her chest.
Her wolf stirred—restless.
Lyria frowned. “Nyra?”
Silence.
Then the voice echoed through her mind: “Something is wrong.”
Lyria blinked. Nyra never panicked. Her wolf spirit was calm, sharp, and almost never shaken.
If Nyra was worried…something was really wrong.
“What do you mean?” Lyria asked, quietly.
“I don’t know.” A pause. “But danger is near.”
Lyria’s heart beat faster. Danger? That made no sense. The festival was covered by hundreds of warriors. Allies from every pack had sent people. There shouldn’t be any threat.
Still, Nyra was uneasy. Pacing. A low growl rose in the back of Lyria's mind.
A sharp knock jolted her out of her thoughts.
“Luna?” Her maid, Eliza, entered carrying a basket of moonflowers before Lyria could answer.
“You look beautiful,” Eliza said, smiling. Lyria forced a smile in return. “Thank you.”
Eliza squinted. “You don’t sound convinced.”
Lyria sighed. “I feel strange.”
Eliza just laughed. “Festival nerves.”
“It’s more than that.”
“Oh? What is it?”
Lyria hesitated, then shook her head. “Nothing.” How could she even start to explain her wolf’s constant warnings?
Eliza set the flowers down. “Whatever it is, don’t let it ruin tonight.”
Lyria nodded, mostly pretending. She wanted to believe Eliza was right—tonight mattered. Not just for the pack, but for her and Kael.
Lately, things between them felt off. Kael seemed distant, wrapped up in meetings and patrols. He barely showed up in her chambers. Even during meals he seemed far away.
At first, she blamed stress—leading a pack was hard. But now, the space between them didn’t feel like work—it felt personal. The thought made something sour twist inside her.
Nyra was right. Something was wrong.
An hour later, the festival began.
Lyria stepped onto the palace balcony. Thunderous cheers greeted her.
“Luna Lyria!”
“Our Luna!”
“Long live Luna Lyria!”
Wolves packed the courtyard. Music echoed, children laughed, warriors toasted victory after victory. It should have felt joyful, but Lyria felt like she stood on a cliff’s edge—one step from falling.
She descended the staircase, smiling, greeting pack members. Wolves bowed; some thanked her for her service. Old ones kissed her hands.
A little girl, clutching a bouquet of moonflowers, scurried over. “These are for you, Luna.”
Lyria knelt to take them. “Thank you.”
The child grinned—then suddenly frowned. “Luna?”
“Yes?”
The girl looked up, puzzled. “Why are you crying?”
Lyria shook her head, startled. “I’m not.”
The child’s face scrunched up with confusion. Before Lyria could say more, the mother hustled her daughter away.
The question lingered long after. She touched her cheek—no tears. Nothing.
But the question clung to her. Why are you crying? As if the child had seen something she couldn't feel. Or maybe children just noticed what adults ignored.
It unsettled her.
Night fell and the Blood Moon finally rose, fat and red, over the valley.
The crowd gasped. The crimson moon looked down—the ancient eye, always watching.
A deep horn sounded. The ceremony was starting.
Lyria moved toward the ceremonial platform. Kael stood waiting for her.
When she saw him, her chest seized up. He looked so proud—tall, strong, commanding in ceremonial black and silver armor. Every bit the Alpha who’d united the Northern packs.
He was the man she’d loved, the man she’d sacrificed for.
But when their eyes met, something inside her broke. He didn’t smile. No warmth. Just a cold, heavy guilt hanging in his expression.
A chill tore down her spine.
“RUN!” Nyra ripped through her mind.
Lyria faltered, stunned by her wolf’s panic. “What’s wrong with you?” she demanded inwardly. Nyra only howled—a sound full of terror.
The ceremony rolled on. Elders spoke. Warriors cheered. But Lyria barely heard any of it. Kael wouldn’t look at her.
Minutes dragged by. Then Kael stepped forward, and the entire courtyard fell silent.
Lyria’s pulse pounded in her ears. Something bad was coming—she could feel it.
Kael’s voice boomed: “Luna Lyria and I have served this pack for fifteen years!”
Applause. Lyria managed a polite smile, ignoring the nausea curling in her gut.
Kael kept speaking, recounting their battles, their years, their challenges. His voice sounded wrong—almost sorrowful, like someone giving a eulogy instead of toasting a festival.
Lyria’s chest ached. “RUN,” Nyra whispered again.
Kael’s jaw flexed. He glanced at someone by the platform’s edge.
A woman stepped forward. Young. Gorgeous. Gold hair spilled over her shoulders. Silver eyes glittered.
Lyria had never seen her. The woman smiled, smug. Victorious.
Kael took her hand. The world stilled. Lyria couldn’t move or breathe.
Kael turned to the crowd, his voice loud, steady. “Luna Lyria has served this pack faithfully.”
Silence. The kind that leaves your ears ringing.
“But the Moon Goddess has shown me that she was never my true mate.”
Gasps, everywhere. Lyria’s heart simply stopped.
No. No.
Kael’s fingers curled tighter around the other woman’s hand. He smiled—a real smile, one Lyria hadn’t seen for months.
“The Moon Goddess has blessed me with a second chance.”
The strange woman stood tall at his side, basking in victory.
Kael lifted their hands. “I have found my true mate.”
The courtyard was silent—walls seemed to close in.
And Lyria’s world fell apart.
