And as for those without favor?They never even dared meet her gaze.
Back then, I had assumed the stories were exaggerated.No one could really be that arrogant.
Not inside the Alpha’s domain.Not while his heir still lived.
But now, seeing them here…
I realized reality was worse than any rumor.
My gaze sharpened, claws digging into my palms.
“You’ve overstepped yourselves,” I said quietly.
“Even for pack law.”
Lyra crossed her arms, utterly unbothered,a lazy smile curling her lips.
“The entire inner territory answers to me now,” she said.“You think disciplining a she-wolf who broke pack codes is something worth fearing?”
The others laughed.
“Exactly!
These days, every female wolf in this territory has to bow to Lady Lyra.”
“And you?” one sneered.
“A forgotten, sealed-away mutt hiding in the inner den?You think you’re still anything?”
Another stepped closer, eyes filled with malice.
“Lady Lyra, we’ve purged so many troublemakers already.And this one almost slipped through our hands.”
“She’s worse than all the others.We absolutely can’t let her off easy.”
“Just looking at her makes my claws itch,” another hissed.
Their voices surrounded me.
Sharp.Poisoned.Hungry.
Like wolves circling a wounded deer.
I straightened slowly,pain spreading down my spine.
“This is your last warning,” I said, my voice steady despite the tremor.
“You’d better find out who I truly am before you go any further.”
Lyra burst out laughing.
“A hidden whore locked in the inner den,” she mocked.“What’s there to investigate?”
“My rank is recognized by the Alpha,” she continued coldly.
“My bloodline commands armies.”
“You think you can outrank ME?”
Her gaze drifted over the corridor,a faint, almost excited glint in her eyes.
“Honestly…” she said slowly.“This den has been far too quiet lately.”
“I’m in the mood to see some blood.
The others instantly understood.Their eyes lit up.They lunged.
Hands.Claws.Boots.All of it crashed into me.
I fell hard against the cold stone floor.Pain exploded through my body.Instinct took over.
I curled around my stomach,my arms locking around my swollen belly.
The place where his hands had once rested every night,whispering promises to the life growing inside me.
The place where he swore:“This pup will be Alpha after me.No matter what happens, I will protect you both.”
A memory.A lie.
Tears stung my eyes,but my voice still tore through the hall—“STOP!” I cried out, breath shaking.
“I am the LUNA!”