LyraI felt my heart pounding in my chest as Gabriel moved closer, his piercing emerald eyes locking onto me with an intensity that made me shiver. Despite my lingering misgivings about this whole situation, I couldn't deny the visceral pull his commanding presence had on my instincts."Do not be afraid, Lyra," he rumbled in that deep, authoritative tone that seemed to resonate in my very bones. "I want only to protect you and the pups you carry - my long-awaited heirs."A tremor of awe and trepidation rippled through me at his words. The idea that I, a once-scorned omega from a rival pack, now carried the precious seed that would continue this legendary alpha's bloodline...it was almost too much for my mind to fully grasp."I...I'm not afraid, exactly," I managed, struggling to find the right words. "It's just, you must understand how strange this all feels for me. Your pack and mine have been sworn enemies for generations. And now I'm to be the mother of your pups?"Gabriel regarded
Lyra"Elias!" The name escaped my lips in an astonished gasp, recognizing my former alpha's unmistakable form despite his disheveled, near-feral appearance. I remembered him after what he did.... amongst the Blackmoon pack.Elias is the worst person I know....Elias' crazed gaze found me instantly, flickering briefly to the curve of my belly in disgust."Put an end to this stupidity before it goes any further," he growled in a low, threatening tone that made hackles rise protectively. "You were cast out by even your father, which made you think you'll be The Blackmoon Luna!"Before I could even begin to process Elias' vicious words, Gabriel was on his feet in a blur of motion. One massive arm swept protectively in front of me as the prime alpha inserted himself between my former alpha and I in an unmistakable stance of guardianship."You will mind your tongue in my den, wretch," Gabriel's deep rumble carried a lethal undercurrent that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on
GabrielAs I exited the den leaving Lyra to rest, I could feel the thundering cosmic forces we had unleashed with the consecration ceremony. The very foundations of existence seemed to shudder around me as I strode through the corridors, my alpha aura blazing like a supernova. "You did what needed to be done, my Lord," Talon's gruff baritone rumbled at my side as we entered my personal chambers. "Binding that omega to you permanently is the first step in your lineage's rebirth across the celestial planes."I gave a curt nod, but remained silent as I moved towards the heavy oak desk dominating one side of the room. My inner wolf, Fury, stirred within my consciousness."She has accepted her sacred role...for now," Fury growled. "But you know there will be further resistance to overcome before her womb's bounty is made manifest.""Resistance I will obliterate if needed," I responded in a low rumble as I took my seat. "Now that Lyra has sworn her covenant, any who raise a voice against
GabrielI sat cross-legged in the center of my private office, the green glow of the computer screens filling the space with an eerie light. I breathed in deeply, letting my mind reach out until I could feel the electric tingle of destiny surrounding me like a force field.Deep anger stirred within me. "You feel it getting stronger, don't you?" my inner wolf growled. "Elias is getting the pack to fall apart by denial of Lyra as their Luna!""Yes..." I rumbled, feeling waves of savage joy flow through me. "But, they should do whatever they want. My decision is final. Lyra would be my Luna and in the next coming full moon, Lyra will give birth to my pups and the blaze of unstoppable power. Our rise to dominance is no longer just a possibility, but an immutable certainty that bends all other packs to our will."A wild grin split my face, my fangs gleaming like polished blades ready to rend our enemies. I could already feel rival wolves, lesser creatures, and packs that didn't even exist
LyraI smoothed the sleek fabric of my designer gown, the lavish ivory garment whispering against my trembling fingers. My heart thundered in my chest like a caged bird desperately beating its wings, trying to escape the snare of doubt and dread enveloping me. Would it be fine? To crown the Enemy as Luna?This grand ballroom of the Blackmoon Estate should have inspired awe, yet all I felt was an icy grip of fear. The polished marble floors and towering crystal chandeliers gazed down with silent condemnation as I paced the anteroom, awaiting the call to begin my coronation."You look positively radiant, Lyra dear," Kira's gentle voice murmured. The graceful woman glided across the plush carpets, her kind eyes warmly appraising me. As Gabriel's most trusted adviser, and aged healer she had become like a nurturing mother to me. "An absolute vision befitting this new dawn you're ushering in."I managed a tremulous smile for the elegant older woman who had been my sole ally in these stra
GabrielI tightened my grip on Lyra's arm, pulling her closer as I shielded her from the hostile pack's suspicious glares and mocking whispers.This was meant to be her night - the crowning of her as my Luna and pup's mother. Yet even now, there were treacherous forces undermining us from the shadows.Catching Kira's concerned gaze over Lyra's trembling shoulder, I gave the barest of nods. The aging woman may have been Lyra's sole friend here, but she was still first and foremost my trusted adviser. With a look, I entrusted the scared young woman into Kira's motherly care."Stay with her," I murmured under my breath, just loud enough for their preternatural hearing to pick up. "Keep her safe while I root out these snakes slithering in the shadows."Kira inclined her head fractionally in understanding as I released Lyra, giving her shoulder one final reassuring squeeze before turning away. "I'll be right back." I uttered.Although unshed tears glistened in her luminous eyes, the girl
GabrielYou're playing a dangerous game, Elias," I replied in a deceptively mild tone that somehow proved even more unsettling. "One that could cost you more than just your pathetic attempts at vengeance."Elais mocked "really?" With that he snarled deep in his throat, beads of sweat glistening on his brow despite the alcove's shadows. Yet even as he bared his fangs in an attempt at bravado, I could scent the acrid undercurrents of fear clinging to him.The coward knew he stood not a whisper of a chance against the full force of my fury if roused."Such arrogant dismissal," he growled, desperation creeping into his tone no matter how much bluster he tried to muster. "You think exiling me once cowed my spirit forever?"I said nothing, merely letting the words hang heavily for several tense beats. Then, reaching out with my supernatural senses, I detected the barest hints of movement in the shadows.The unmistakable brushing of cloth and displaced air that could only mean more hidden p
Gabriel"But I never left the halls you see." He mocked. As ever the old bitch has it figured out. "The former beta was but a simple decoy, Alpha - a fragile illusion to scatter your focus while the true play began here."My head whipped around at that, cold realization lancing through me like a blade between the ribs.Of course... It all made sense now in a horrific, inescapable way.This means one thing!A shifter!A true skin-walker capable of transcending their physical formOne of the most feared, powerful classes of our kind. And here, in the center of my heart, I feel pain.When did it escape me?How did this vile creature walk unnoticed amidst my pack, sowing its seeds?"Talon!" I barked over my shoulder, barely keeping my fury leashed as the pieces fell into place. "Initiate a full security lockdown and have your hunters brought in! We are dealing with a shifter - a skinwalker of immense power bent on-"My words cut off as I spun back to confront the shifting tide of mali