CHAPTER1: WHISPERS of the WHITE WOLF

The biting wind whipped through the Red Crescent Pack, a constant reminder of Lyra's place in the world – on the fringes, exposed and unwanted. She huddled deeper into the threadbare cloak, its meager warmth a poor defense against the chill that seeped into her bones. The pack house, usually a beacon of warmth and laughter, was a distant hum tonight, a world she wasn't allowed to enter. Or rather, a world she chose not to. Lyra preferred the solitude of the ancient oak at the edge of the territory. Its gnarled branches, reaching towards the moon like supplicating arms, offered a strange comfort. Here, beneath the watchful gaze of the celestial orb, she could almost breathe freely. Here, the whispers of her secret, the whispers of the white wolf that resided within her, were louder than the scorn of the pack. She closed her eyes, and the whispers became clearer. Strong…You are strong… The voice, ancient and powerful, resonated within her soul. It was the voice of the wolf, a gift from the Moon Goddess, a secret she guarded fiercely. A secret that was both a blessing and a curse. The Red Crescent Pack despised her. They scorned her for her lack of a wolf, for being an orphan, for being different. Elder Mira, the pack leader, often sneered, calling her a "moon-touched freak." Rhea, Mira's daughter, led the pack's younger generation in their relentless torment. They saw Lyra's silence as weakness, not understanding that it was a shield she had built around her heart. Find him…He is coming… The wolf's voice shifted, a new urgency lacing its words. Lyra's breath hitched. "Him?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, even to herself. For years, she had dreamt of him – her mate, the one person destined to see beyond her silence, to see the wolf within. But hope had become a fragile thing, easily crushed by the harsh realities of her life. The Royal Alpha…He seeks you…The words sent a shiver down her spine, not from the cold, but from a mixture of fear and anticipation. The Royal Alpha. King Lucian. His name was spoken in hushed whispers throughout the land, a name synonymous with power and strength. He was a legend, a king who had waited an age for his Luna. Why would he seek her? A wolf-less orphan from the Red Crescent Pack? It was absurd. Yet, a tiny ember of hope flickered within her. Could it be true? Could the Moon Goddess finally be answering her prayers? A rustle in the undergrowth broke her reverie. Lyra's eyes snapped open, her senses on high alert. She knew every sound of the forest, every rustle of leaf, every snap of twig. This was different. This was… deliberate. A figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, imposing, with eyes that seemed to glow in the moonlight. Lyra's heart pounded in her chest. It couldn't be…He stopped a few feet away, his gaze fixed on her. He was even more magnificent than the stories described. His presence radiated power, but there was something else in his eyes, something that made her breath catch. Something…gentle. "Lyra?" His voice was deep, resonant, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She didn't answer, couldn't answer. Her voice was trapped somewhere deep inside, a prisoner of her past. She simply stared at him, her heart beating like a trapped bird. He took a step closer, and she instinctively flinched. He paused, his expression softening. "Don't be afraid," he said, his voice gentle. "I've come for you. "Lyra's mind reeled. He's here…He's really here… The wolf within her stirred, a low growl rumbling in her chest. Mate…Tears welled up in Lyra's eyes, tears she hadn't shed in years. Tears of relief, tears of fear, tears of a hope she had almost given up on. She wanted to speak, to tell him everything, but the words wouldn't come. She could only stand there, beneath the watchful gaze of the moon, and let the Royal Alpha, King Lucian, see the truth in her eyes – the truth of the white wolf, the truth of a Luna finally found.