The morning air was heavy with fog as Kael crossed the wild river into Crescent Moon territory. Every branch snap, every rustle in the trees, kept his senses sharp. Lyra had given him a task—form an alliance. But even with her mark of command burned onto his shoulder, he knew this wouldn't be easy.
The Crescent Moon Pack didn't trust outsiders.
And they certainly didn't trust ghosts.
He was both.
He stopped near a fallen tree and inhaled deeply. The scent of old blood and pine filled his nose—and something else.
A presence.
"You're either brave or stupid to step into this forest alone," a voice called out behind him.
Kael didn't turn around immediately. "Depends who's asking."
A sharp whistle followed—and a dozen wolves surrounded him in an instant. They were lean, fast, and fierce. Their leader stepped into view, auburn hair in a tight braid, sharp green eyes glinting with suspicion.
Kael blinked. "Amara?"
Her face didn't change. "Kael Nightwind. You've got nerve."
---
Back in the sanctuary, Lyra stood in the inner crypt, facing the ancient stone mirror again. The Moonseer's trial was rumored to be buried beneath it—a test left only for those chosen by flame and fate.
Seris handed her a small silver dagger. "This will open it. But you'll have to offer blood."
Lyra took it with steady hands. "I'm ready."
"Are you?" Seris asked, her voice low. "Because what you find down there… it may change everything. Even how you see yourself."
Lyra looked her friend in the eye. "I'm not afraid of truth."
She sliced a line across her palm, and blood dripped onto the mirror's base.
The stone shimmered.
Then cracked.
And with a low groan, the floor beneath them opened—revealing a spiral staircase descending into utter darkness.
---
In the Crescent Moon camp, Kael sat across from Amara in her war tent, nursing a shallow wound from their brief scuffle. The woman hadn't changed much. Still fierce. Still sharp-tongued. Still the best tracker in the western clans.
"You vanished," she said, pouring them both a drink. "We thought you were dead. Or worse—Council property."
Kael sipped the bitter rootwine. "For a time, I was."
Amara raised an eyebrow. "So why crawl out of your grave now? And what does Lyra Flameborn want from me?"
"She wants an alliance," Kael said. "And she's not asking for favors. She's offering fire."
Amara chuckled. "Fire burns. It doesn't build."
"It protects," Kael replied. "And she's the only one who can stand against the Council now."
Amara leaned forward. "And you? Why are you here?"
Kael hesitated. "Because I chose her. Again."
She studied him. "So you're not just back for the war. You're back for her."
He nodded.
"Then you better be ready to bleed, Kael. Because that woman carries kingdoms in her eyes—and weapons in her soul."
---
Below the sanctuary, Lyra descended into the trial chamber.
Torches lit themselves as she stepped forward. The walls were inscribed with moons, wolves, and blood sigils. Her blood pulsed in her veins, reacting to every symbol.
At the end of the chamber stood a large circular door.
She approached, and the runes along the frame shimmered.
A voice filled the chamber—not spoken aloud, but inside her mind.
> "You who are of the Flame…
You who have been broken and betrayed…
Speak your truth and face your shadow."
Lyra stepped forward.
"My name is Lyra Flameborn," she said aloud. "Alpha of the Broken Moon. Heir of the lost prophecy. I have come not to conquer, but to understand."
The door opened.
And inside—was herself.
A perfect mirror image… but twisted.
The other Lyra wore a crown of bone. Her eyes were golden, cold, her smile feral.
"I am what you will become," the shadow Lyra whispered. "If you continue down this path."
Lyra didn't back down. "You are fear. And I've walked with fear my entire life."
"Then you know I never leave," her shadow replied.
They circled each other.
"Do you know what makes a true Alpha?" shadow Lyra asked. "Not power. Not prophecy. But sacrifice."
"I've sacrificed enough," Lyra growled.
"Not yet," said the shadow. "But soon."
The shadow raised her hand, and fire engulfed the chamber.
Lyra screamed—but stood her ground.
"I will not run from myself," she roared. "I will not become you."
The flames parted.
And the shadow Lyra smiled.
Then vanished.
---
Back in Crescent Moon territory, Kael followed Amara to the edge of a cliff where her scouts had gathered. A fire burned in a stone pit. Above it, a banner fluttered—silver and black.
Amara held up her hand. "Before I agree to anything, I need your blood."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Is this a ritual or a threat?"
"Both," she said. "If you bleed willingly, you're one of us again. If not, we kill you and send your ashes to Lyra in a jar."
Kael smirked. "You haven't changed."
He sliced a line across his forearm and let the blood drip into the fire.
The flames turned blue.
Amara stared, then nodded once.
"You're one of us now," she said. "And if Lyra still carries that same fire... we'll follow her."
---
In the sanctuary, Lyra emerged from the crypt.
Her body was scorched from the inside out, her skin pale, but her eyes blazed with purpose.
Seris rushed to her. "What happened?"
"I faced my shadow," Lyra said. "And I survived."
"What did you see?"
Lyra looked to the rising moon.
"I saw what I'll become if I don't make the right choice."
"And what is the right choice?" Seris asked.
Lyra didn't answer.
Because she didn't know yet.
---
Far across the land, Cassian stood in a circle of obsidian, surrounded by the Binder's acolytes.
Maren stepped forward.
"You were loyal once. Pure. But pain made you dangerous."
Cassian's voice was low. "I don't want revenge."
"No," she said. "You want redemption. But to earn that, you must take something from the one you betrayed."
Cassian's stomach twisted. "Lyra?"
Maren nodded. "Not her life. But her memory of you."
He stepped back. "No."
"It's the only way to erase the betrayal. To give her peace."
Cassian's heart thundered.
To protect her… he would have to make her forget him.
---
That night, Lyra stood beneath the moon, the wind tugging at her dark hair.
Kael returned just before midnight.
"They agreed," he said.
Lyra nodded, but her smile didn't reach her eyes.
"What did the Moonseer's trial reveal?" he asked.
She turned to him.
"That I'm not the girl I used to be," she said. "And I might not survive the woman I'm becoming."
Kael stepped closer. "Then let me hold the pieces together."
She leaned into him, just for a moment.
But in her soul, something whispered.
Another storm is coming.