How could an omega become a Luna?
Inside the kitchen, Lira tried to keep her hands steady as she chopped vegetables for the morning meal.
The dream from the night before still clung to her thoughts.
The Moon Goddess.
The strange warmth in her chest.
The words she could not forget.
You are the Luna the moon chose.
Lira shook her head slightly.
"No," she murmured quietly to herself. "That was just a dream."
It had to be.
Things like that didn't happen to girls like her, maybe she was just overwhelmed at the events of yesterday.
She was still trying to convince herself when the kitchen door suddenly opened.
Several omegas turned their heads.
Alpha Kael stepped inside.
The entire room froze.
Omegas rarely stood this close to an Alpha. The power in his aura filled the space instantly, making the air feel heavier.
Lira looked up slowly.
Her heart jumped the moment their eyes met.
The bond reacted immediately, warmth spreading through her chest again.
Kael walked toward her calmly.
"Good morning," he said.
Lira blinked.
No Alpha had ever greeted her like that before.
"Good... morning Al..pha," she replied quietly.
The other omegas stared openly now.
Kael glanced briefly around the room.
"I need to speak with her."
No one argued.
They quickly found excuses to leave the kitchen, some clearly eager to escape the overwhelming presence of the Nightfall Alpha.
Within seconds, Lira and Kael were alone.
She wiped her hands nervously on her apron.
"You shouldn't be here," she said softly.
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
"The omegas' quarters are not meant for Alphas."
Kael shrugged slightly.
"That seems like an unnecessary rule."
Lira couldn't help the small smile that slipped across her face.
But it faded quickly.
"Everyone is talking," she admitted.
"I know."
"They don't believe it."
Kael leaned casually against the wooden counter.
"It doesn't matter what they believe."
Lira looked down.
"It matters to me."
Kael studied her carefully.
"You're afraid."
Lira hesitated.
"Yes."
That answer surprised him.
Most wolves would have hidden their fear, especially in front of an Alpha.
But she had simply told the truth.
Kael respected that.
"You don't have to be," he said quietly.
Lira looked up again.
"You don't understand."
"Then explain."
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter.
"I've lived here my entire life," she said.
"I know what I am to them."
"An omega."
The word left her lips like something heavy.
"They won't accept me as your Luna."
Kael was silent for a moment.
Then he said something that made her heart skip.
"That is why you won't stay here."
Lira frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm taking you to Nightfall Pack."
The words hung in the air.
Lira's eyes widened.
"You can't just decide that."
"I can."
Her heart pounded.
"But this is my pack."
Kael shook his head.
"No."
His voice was firm.
"This is the place you were forced to survive."
The truth of those words hit harder than she expected.
Before she could respond-
The kitchen door burst open.
Clara stormed inside.
"I knew you'd come here!"
Her angry voice echoed across the room.
Kael turned slowly.
Clara glared at Lira.
"You're already trying to steal him away in private?"
Lira stepped back instinctively.
"That's not-"
Clara cut her off.
"You think one night changes your place here?"
Her eyes burned with anger.
"You're still an omega."
Kael straightened slightly.
The shift in his posture was subtle.
But the power in the room increased instantly.
"You're speaking to my mate," he said coldly.
Clara hesitated.
But her pride pushed her forward again.
"She is not leaving this pack."
Kael's silver eyes darkened.
"She already has."
Clara laughed bitterly.
"You think you can just take her?"
"I don't think."
His voice lowered.
"I know."
The tension between them filled the room.
But before Clara could say another word-
Lira suddenly gasped.
Both of them turned toward her.
She pressed a hand against her chest.
Something inside her had moved.
For the first time.
Not the warm pulse she had felt before.
Something deeper.
Stronger.
A faint voice whispered inside her mind.
Hello.
Lira froze.
Her eyes widened.
"What...?"
Kael stepped closer instantly.
"What is it?"
She looked up at him, her voice trembling.
"I... I heard something."
Clara rolled her eyes.
"Oh please."
But Lira wasn't listening to her anymore.
The voice spoke again.
Soft.
Gentle.
But clearly inside her mind.
You can hear me now.
Lira's breath caught.
"Who are you?" she whispered.
Kael's expression sharpened.
"Lira?"
The voice answered.
I am you, I am Arla.
A sudden warmth spread through her entire body.
Stronger than anything she had felt before.
Lira realized something impossible.
Her wolf.
After nineteen years of silence...
Her wolf had finally spoken.
And somewhere deep within the forests beyond Silver Crest territory...
Another Alpha lifted his head toward the wind.
His dark eyes narrowed as he sensed a strange surge of power awakening in the distance.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Because he had been searching for something very rare.
Something powerful.
And now...
It seemed it had finally begun to awaken.