Chapter 4 Moonlit Awakening

I see her. A new Lyra. More beautiful. Stronger. Immortal, in a way I had never imagined.

A goddess reborn. And yet...lost.

My skin tingles, alive with a sensation I have never felt. Each breath tastes like moon light. Crisp and electrifying. It feels like the night itself is whispering my name.

I can feel the moon inside me. The surge of power, lingers on my fingertips.

The moon speaks to me. And I listen.

For a moment, I feel like I'm lost. My heart pounds heavily against my ribs. Memories flash back at me all at once.

Adrian's voice. His rejection. The entire pack staring. Emery's smile. The bitter taste of the tea. The burning in my throat. My body collapsing.

My fingers wrap around my neck.

"I died..." I whisper hoarsely.

My words echo faintly, through the quiet room. But my voice sounds different.

Stronger.

Clearer.

I lift my hand slowly.

The wind follows, carrying with it a small feather lying on the floor, shifting in the direction of my hands.

My eyes widen. Could this be real?

"I didn't touch that."

I close my palms and the feather falls back to the floor.

"What the..."

I open my palms again. The feather spins once in the air and drops gently on my palm.

I stare at it.

I laugh softly.

"No way..."

Is this what it means to be reborn, to be a moon goddess? To wield power that the moon itself lent?

I can hear voices in my head, thoughts that aren't mine.

I walk outside and the forest welcomes me immediately. Each step feels scary. The earth whispers secrets beneath my feet. A fox darts across the trees, it pauses as if bowing to me.

The wind wraps around my body like an old friend.

Leaves rustles like they are greeting me.

The moon light follows every step I take.

"This feels..." I take a deep breathe.

"...amazing."

I stretch my fingers again.

A small stone on the floor, rolls across towards my foot.

"Hahahahaha..." I laugh slightly.

"...that's definitely new."

I suddenly feel something.

A familiar heartbeat.

I freeze. Adrian. My eyes widen instantly. The wind shifts my hair across my face.

He's standing near the edge of the lake, leaning casually against a tree.

Arrogant.

Relaxed.

Like nothing had happened.

Like he didn't destroy my life.

Should I reveal myself? Test my new found powers? Or let him wonder, let him fear?

For a moment I feel like revealing myself.

But then I pause.

No.

Not yet.

I step forward into the moonlight and Adrian lifts his head instantly.

His eyes lock on mine. We stare at each other far longer than we should.

His eyes slowly travel from my face down my body and back again.

"...Wow."

I fold my arms calmly.

He frowns slightly, clearly confused.

"Do I...know you?" I let him linger in curiosity, savoring the moment. His question seems to probe. Trying to understand the woman standing in front of him. I mirror his gaze.

My lips twitch.

"No." My heart remains guarded. But the thrill of seeing him not settled is addictive.

He probably still thinks he has the power here. Yet I know something he doesn't.

His eyes fill with curiosity.

"Strange," he mutters. "I'd remember someone who looks like you, but she died a week ago."

"A week ago?" I ask.faking a look of surprise. Turns out that Adrian's not the only wolf that knows how to fake a thing or two.

"Yes." He answers.

"What happened to her?" I ask.

"I guess she couldn't handle the fact that I rejected her as my mate..."

"Oh, that's sad to hear. But why did you reject her though, didn't you love her? I ask still longing for some form of clarity, hoping that Adrian isn't as evil as I think he is.

"Love doesn't make an Alpha...forgive my manners, what's your name?"

"My name is Lyra."

"Her name was Lyra too...I knew there was something about you." He says as he smirks.

"Alright, I've got to go now...enjoy your night." I say as I walk past him.

Adrian turns as I pass.

"Wait," he calls.

I don't stop.

I keep walking deep into the Nightfang territory.

Deep in thoughts. Oblivious to what may be happening around me. Trying to make sense of what may be my new life.

This...this energy... it's feels like the night itself is alive inside of me. Everything feels familiar, yet not. A feather spins in the air...I didn't touch it.

I slow my steps. The forest is suddenly quiet. Not empty, just waiting. My fingers lightly brush against a tree's trunk. Something shifts the moment my skin touches the bark.

The tree. It pulses once. Then again. The tree is alive. Not just alive...but aware. Suddenly, a small injured bored falls Landon's weakly near my feet.

I quickly kneel, scooping it into my hands. "Hey...hey, it's okay..." it's tiny body is trembling and it's right wing is broken. My heart breaks at the thought of her pain.

I close my eyes without thinking. The warmth flows deeply from within me through my palms wrapping around the bird. Soft. Gentle.

She suddenly stills. Then Flutters. My eyes snap open. It blinks once...twice...then spreads its wings.

Perfect. Healed. It chirps softly before flying off into the night. I stare after it. "I...I healed it..." My fingers tremble slightly as I look down at my hands.

I take a step forward. I accidentally stumble on another wolf.

"Oh!" I blink in surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't see you coming." I raise my head slightly.

Emery.

"Its fine..." she says.

"Are you visiting from another pack?" Emery asks.

"No." I simply answer.

She looks over my hair, my face, my body.

And suddenly she sighs. "You're really beautiful."

I almost laugh.

"Goodnight," I say as I walk away.

And that is when I feel it.