Chapter 5 The Dream of the Moon

The hall remained silent long after the glasses shattered across the wooden floor.

No one moved.

Every wolf present had felt it.

That sudden pulse of energy that had rippled through the room like a quiet earthquake.

Lira laid in the arms of Karl or was she dreaming? Because it felt like her whole life had changed in 1hr. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw glasses everywhere, she felt the ground should swallow because Clara would definitely flog her mercilessly tonight for the embarrassment and the damage

She hadn't meant for that to happen.

She hadn't done anything.

At least... she didn't think she had.

"What was that?" someone whispered.

The murmurs returned immediately.

"I felt it too."

"That wasn't normal."

"Did she do that?"

Lira's fingers trembled at her sides.

"I-I'm sorry," she stammered softly.

But Alpha Kael wasn't listening to the crowd.

He was watching her.

Carefully.

His wolf had surged forward the moment that strange power burst from her.

And his instincts were screaming one thing very clearly.

She is not weak.

Something inside Lira was potent, locked away.

Something powerful.

Kael stepped forward, his presence immediately quieting the whispers again.

"Enough," he said.

The command rolled through the hall with unmistakable authority.

The wolves fell silent instantly.

Kael's gaze softened slightly as he looked down at Lira.

"Are you hurt?"

The question seemed to surprise her.

"N-no."

She shook her head quickly.

"I'm fine."

But her voice carried uncertainty.

Kael could feel it.

The confusion.

The fear.

And something else beneath it.

Something that reminded him of a storm waiting beneath calm waters.

He extended his hand toward her.

"Come."

Lira hesitated.

Dozens of eyes still watched her.

But something about Kael's voice felt... steady.

Safe.

Slowly, she stepped forward.

The moment her hand touched his-

A sharp spark of warmth shot through her entire body.

Lira gasped softly.

Kael felt it too.

The bond reacting.

Stronger than before.

His wolf rumbled with satisfaction.

Mine.

Across the hall, Clara watched the scene unfold with growing anger.

That omega should not have been standing there.

Should not have been touching an Alpha.

And she certainly should not have been causing mysterious power surges in the middle of the gathering.

Something about this felt wrong.

Dangerous.

Clara narrowed her eyes.

"This isn't over," she muttered quietly.

Later that night, after the gathering finally ended, the packhouse grew quiet again.

Most of the visiting wolves had returned to their temporary lodges for the night.

Kael had been offered a guest chamber inside the Silver Crest packhouse.

But sleep didn't come easily.

His wolf remained restless.

She is different.

Kael leaned against the window, staring out at the moonlit forest.

"I noticed."

That strange burst of energy earlier...

He had felt it clearly.

And it hadn't been the energy of an omega.

It had been something far older.

Far stronger.

A knock sounded at his door.

"Enter."

Roran stepped inside.

"You're thinking about it too," his Beta said immediately.

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"You mean the mysterious wave of power that knocked every wolf in the hall silent?"

Roran nodded.

"Exactly that."

Kael turned back to the window.

"She doesn't know."

Roran frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"She was just as surprised as everyone else."

Roran crossed his arms.

"You think she's hiding something?"

Kael shook his head.

"No."

His voice grew quieter.

"I think she's been sealed."

Roran's eyebrows rose.

"That sounds like prophecy talk."

Kael didn't respond.

But deep down...

That was exactly what it felt like.

In another part of the packhouse, Lira lay awake in the small room she shared with two other omegas.

But tonight she couldn't sleep.

Her mind replayed the events of the evening over and over again.

The moment Kael looked at her.

The way her chest had warmed when he called her his mate.

And that strange pulse of energy that had escaped her body.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered into the darkness.

Eventually, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.

But the moment her eyes closed...

The dream began.

Lira stood in the forest.

The same place she often visited at night.

But something was different.

The moon above her shone brighter than she had ever seen before.

Silver light bathed the trees, making the entire forest glow.

"Hello, child."

The voice was soft.

Gentle.

But powerful enough to make the air vibrate.

Lira turned slowly.

A woman stood behind her.

Her hair shimmered like moonlight, and her eyes held a quiet wisdom that felt ancient.

"Who... are you?" Lira asked.

The woman smiled softly.

"You have called to me many times without realizing it."

Lira frowned.

"I have?"

"Yes."

The woman stepped closer.

"I am the one who has always watched over you."

Something inside Lira stirred again.

That same warmth.

"You mean..."

"Selene....," the woman finished gently.

Lira's breath caught.

The Moon Goddess smiled.

"You have grown well, little one."

"I don't understand," Lira said quietly.

The goddess reached out and placed a glowing hand over Lira's chest.

Immediately, warmth flooded through her body.

"For many years, your power has slept."

"Power?"

"Yes."

"To protect you."

Lira's heart pounded.

"From what?"

"From those who would seek to control it."

The goddess looked toward the sky.

"But the time for sleeping is ending."

Lira shook her head slowly.

"I'm just an omega."

The Moon Goddess chuckled softly.

"No."

Her eyes sparkled.

"You are something far rarer."

The goddess leaned closer.

"You are the Luna the moon chose."

Lira's chest tightened.

"But... I don't even have a wolf."

"Not yet," the goddess said.

"But she is there."

Sleeping.

Waiting.

"And when she awakens..."

The forest trembled slightly as silver light pulsed across the ground.

"...the world of wolves will change forever."

Lira's eyes widened.

"What do I do?"

The goddess smiled gently.

"For now?"

She glanced toward the distant mountains.

"Trust the Alpha fate has chosen for you."

The dream began fading.

The silver light slowly dissolving into darkness.

And just before Lira woke-

The Moon Goddess whispered one final sentence.

"Your power is beginning to remember who you are."

Lira jolted awake in her bed.

Her heart raced as she looked around the dark room.

The dream felt too real to ignore.

She placed a hand over her chest.

The warmth was still there.

Faint.

But alive.

And miles away in his chamber...

Alpha Kael suddenly woke as well.

His wolf stirred again.

Stronger this time.

Because somewhere inside his mate...

Something powerful had begun to awaken.