The night stretched endlessly as Lira walked alone into the forest.
No guards.
No pack.
No destination.
Only the sound of leaves crunching beneath her feet… and the steady glow of the moon above guiding her path.
The deeper she went, the darker it became,but she wasn't afraid.
Not anymore.
The forest, once cold and unwelcoming, now felt… alive.
As if it recognized her.
As if it bowed to her.
Lira paused beside a large ancient tree, her fingers brushing against its rough bark. A strange warmth spread through her touch.
"I can feel it…" she whispered.
"The earth… the wind…"
"And you will feel more," the voice inside her replied gently.
Lira closed her eyes.
"Tell me who I am," she said.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then
"You are Lira… and more."
Images flickered in her mind again.
A throne under the full moon.
A crown of silver light.
Wolves kneeling.
"You were once worshipped," the voice continued. "A ruler… a protector… the balance between power and peace."
Lira's brows furrowed slightly. "Then why was I reborn as… this?"
"A broken girl?" the voice finished softly.
Lira didn't answer.
"Because power without pain creates a tyrant," the voice said. "You needed to feel… to suffer… to understand the hearts of those you would one day lead."
Lira slowly opened her eyes.
"So everything I went through…" she murmured.
"Was not a mistake."
A quiet silence followed.
This time… it didn't hurt.
It made sense.
Suddenly
A low growl echoed from the shadows.
Lira's head snapped to the side.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
From the darkness, a massive wolf stepped out its fur black as night, its eyes glowing faintly gold.
Another followed.
Then another.
Three rogue wolves.
Hungry.
Dangerous.
Watching her like prey.
"Looks like they don't recognize you yet," the voice in her head said calmly.
Lira didn't move.
One of the wolves stepped forward, baring its sharp teeth.
A warning.
A threat.
Lira exhaled slowly.
"I'm not in the mood," she said quietly.
The largest wolf lunged.
Fast.
Deadly.
But before it could reach her
Lira raised her hand.
And everything… stopped.
The wolf froze mid-air.
Suspended.
Unable to move.
Its eyes widened in fear.
The other two wolves whimpered, stepping back.
Lira's glowing silver eyes locked onto the frozen beast.
"Bow," she said softly.
At first nothing.
Then suddenly
The wolf slammed to the ground, forced down by an invisible pressure.
Its body trembled violently.
It lowered its head.
Submitting.
The other two followed instantly, dropping to the ground in fear.
Lira lowered her hand slowly.
The pressure eased but the wolves didn't move.
They stayed down.
Obedient.
She stared at them for a moment, studying them.
Then she turned away.
"I don't need followers forced by fear," she said.
"Go."
The wolves hesitated.
Then quickly fled into the darkness.
Lira continued walking.
But something had changed.
Not just in her power
But in her purpose.
"I was once a queen…" she murmured.
The wind brushed softly against her skin.
"Yes," the voice replied.
Lira's gaze lifted, determination forming in her eyes.
"Then I will rise again."
Her steps became stronger.
Steadier.
"No more running."
Her voice hardened.
"No more begging."
The moonlight wrapped around her like a blessing.
"I will build something greater…"
A faint, confident smile appeared on her lips.
"And this time…"
Her eyes flashed with power.
"I will choose who stands beside me."
Far behind her, deep within the pack grounds
Kael stood alone under the same moon.
But while Lira was rising
He was unraveling.
And soon…
Their paths would cross again.