Chapter 17

The Midnight Crown fortress was steeped in history, its halls echoing with the wisdom of centuries past. Lyra hadn't given much thought to the legends and lore of werewolf society before. Her life had been consumed by survival—first in her old pack, then as a lone wolf, and now among Kaelen's people. But one evening, everything changed.

She had been summoned to the Hall of Elders, a circular chamber carved into the heart of the fortress. Its walls were adorned with intricate carvings of wolves howling beneath the moon, their stories told through ancient symbols and flowing patterns. Maelis stood at the center, her silver braid gleaming in the flickering light of the firepit.

Kaelen was there too, his presence a steady anchor that both comforted and unsettled Lyra. He didn't speak, allowing Maelis to take the lead, but his gaze never left Lyra. She could feel the weight of his curiosity and concern, the unspoken questions that lingered between them.

"You've felt it, haven't you?" Maelis said, her voice soft but resonant. "The bond that ties you to the moon. The energy that flows through your hands. It is no accident, Lyra. You were chosen."

Lyra frowned, her arms crossed over her chest. "Chosen for what? I didn't ask for any of this."

"No one asks for destiny," Maelis replied with a faint smile. "But that does not make it any less real."

She gestured for Lyra to approach the carvings, her hand resting on a depiction of the full moon. The symbols around it glowed faintly in the firelight, their meaning lost to Lyra but resonating with a strange familiarity.

"This is the prophecy of the Moon Blessed," Maelis continued. "It speaks of a wolf born under a rare alignment of the stars, one whose connection to the moon's energy is unlike any other. This wolf would possess the power to heal and protect, to restore balance to a fractured world."

Lyra shook her head, her disbelief evident. "That's just a story. It doesn't mean anything."

Maelis turned to her, her expression gentle but firm. "It's more than a story, Lyra. The signs are undeniable. Your abilities, your strength of will—they align with the ancient texts. And there is one more detail that cannot be ignored."

Lyra hesitated, her heart pounding as she waited for Maelis to continue.

"The prophecy also speaks of a second chance," Maelis said, her gaze steady. "A bond between two wolves, both scarred by loss but united by fate. Together, they are said to bring about a new era of harmony, guided by the light of the moon."

The words hung heavily in the air, their implications sinking into Lyra's mind. She glanced at Kaelen, who had stiffened slightly, his expression unreadable. The bond between them hummed faintly, a reminder of its undeniable presence even as she tried to deny its significance.

"No," Lyra said, stepping back. "That can't be true. I'm not some... savior. I'm just trying to survive."

Maelis stepped closer, her voice calm but unwavering. "You are more than you believe, Lyra. The moon does not choose lightly."

Kaelen finally spoke, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "If the prophecy is true, it's not something you have to face alone. Whether you accept it or not, you have people who will stand by you."

Lyra looked at him, her chest tightening with a mix of fear and something she couldn't quite name. "I don't know if I can do this," she admitted, her voice trembling.

Kaelen held her gaze, his silver eyes resolute. "You don't have to decide now. But when the time comes, I'll be by your side."

The bond between them pulsed again, stronger this time, as if the moon itself were acknowledging their connection. Lyra didn't know what to think, her mind a whirlwind of doubt, fear, and reluctant hope.

For the first time in her life, she wasn't just a lone wolf struggling to survive. She was part of something greater, something that scared her more than she cared to admit. And as she left the Hall of Elders that night, the weight of the prophecy pressing heavily on her shoulders, she couldn't help but wonder if she was strong enough to fulfill her destiny—or if she even wanted to try.