The valley had not returned to normal.
It couldn't.
Not after what happened.
The air still carried the weight of that clash… the echo of power that refused to fade.
Every rogue in the camp moved differently now.
More careful.
More alert.
And when they looked at Lira,
It was no longer with doubt.
It was with fear…
And respect.
At the center of it all, Lira stood quietly, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The wind moved gently around her, almost like it was drawn to her presence.
"They're watching," she said softly.
The voice within her responded immediately.
"They have always been watching. Now… they are paying attention."
Behind her, Ronan crossed his arms.
"You didn't just send Alpha Darius away," he said. "You sent a message."
Lira didn't turn.
"That was the point."
Ronan let out a breath.
"You realize what comes next, right?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Say it."
"Other Alphas," he said. "Stronger ones. Smarter ones. Some won't come to test you…"
His voice dropped.
"They'll come to destroy you before you grow."
A faint smile appeared on Lira's lips.
"Then they're already too late."
Ronan shook his head, half amused, half concerned.
"You really don't fear anything, do you?"
Lira finally turned to face him.
Her silver eyes were calmer now but still carried that quiet, dangerous glow.
"I've already lost everything," she said. "What else is there to fear?"
That silenced him.
For a moment.
Then
A sudden gust of wind rushed through the camp.
Stronger than before.
Unnatural.
Lira's expression changed instantly.
Her eyes sharpened.
"This isn't normal."
The voice within her spoke, more serious this time.
"No… this is not the wind."
A shadow passed over the sun.
The temperature dropped slightly.
And then,
A presence.
Cold.
Watching.
Not like before.
Not like Darius.
This was different.
Lira slowly lifted her gaze to the sky.
"There," she whispered.
High above, barely visible
A figure stood on a distant ridge, cloaked in darkness.
Still.
Silent.
Observing.
Ronan followed her gaze, squinting slightly.
"Who is that?" he asked.
Lira didn't answer immediately.
Because for the first time,
She couldn't feel the person clearly.
It was like their presence was… hidden.
Masked.
"That's not an ordinary Alpha," the voice inside her said.
"No," Lira replied quietly.
"It's something else."
The figure didn't move.
Didn't attack.
Just watched.
As if studying her.
Learning her.
Then—
In a blink—
They were gone.
Ronan cursed under his breath. "I don't like that."
Lira remained still, her eyes fixed on the empty ridge.
"They're not here to fight," she said.
"Not yet."
The wind settled again.
But the feeling remained.
Unfinished.
Unresolved.
Ronan stepped closer.
"You didn't react," he said. "You could've chased them."
Lira shook her head slowly.
"No."
"Why?"
Her gaze hardened slightly.
"Because they wanted me to."
A brief silence passed.
Then realization hit him.
"They were testing you…"
"Yes."
Lira turned away from the ridge.
"But unlike the others…"
Her voice lowered.
"They're patient."
That was more dangerous than power.
Ronan ran a hand through his hair.
"Great. So now we have mysterious watchers too."
Lira began walking slowly through the camp.
Her presence alone now commanded space rogues stepping aside without being told.
"They won't stay hidden for long," she said.
"Something like me…"
Her eyes flickered with silver light.
"Draws out everything."
Ronan followed beside her.
"Then we need to prepare," he said. "Because if stronger enemies are coming"
"They are," Lira cut in calmly.
He stopped talking.
Because of how certain she sounded.
Lira paused, then looked back toward the sky one last time.
"And when they arrive…"
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on her lips.
"They won't find the same girl they heard about."
The wind rose slightly again.
Soft.
Obedient.
As if responding to her will.
"They'll find something worse."
Far away
Beyond valleys and forests…
Beyond rogue lands and Alpha territories…
The news had already reached others.
Stronger beings.
Older powers.
Awakened by a single name.
Lira.
And one by one,
Eyes began to open.
Watching.
Waiting.
Preparing.
Because the return of the Moon Goddess…
Was no longer a rumor.
It was a warning.