Chapter 26

The battlefield was a cacophony of chaos—the clash of steel, the snarls of wolves locked in combat, and the cries of the wounded. Smoke and dust clouded the air as the Midnight Crown warriors stood their ground against the combined forces of rogues and Silverclaw wolves. But amidst the fray, Lyra shone like a beacon.

She had always seen herself as a healer, someone who worked in the quiet aftermath of battle. But today, she realized her gift was more than that. It wasn't just about patching wounds or soothing pain—it was about life itself, about the pulse of energy that connected every living thing. And for the first time, she let herself tap into that connection fully.

Lyra stood at the heart of the battlefield, her hands raised as a soft, silvery glow spread from her fingertips. The light rippled outward in waves, enveloping her packmates in a protective aura. She could feel their strength surging, their wounds knitting together even as they fought. It was as if the moon itself was flowing through her, its energy unyielding and infinite.

A warrior near her had fallen, blood pooling beneath him as he struggled to stand. Lyra moved to his side, her hands glowing brighter as she knelt beside him. The light spread across his chest, sealing the gash that had threatened to end his life. He stared at her, his eyes wide with awe.

"Get up," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around her. "We're not finished yet."

The warrior nodded, his strength renewed as he shifted into his wolf form and charged back into the fray. Lyra stood, her heart pounding as she scanned the battlefield. She could see Kaelen at the front lines, his blade flashing as he fought with a ferocity that took her breath away. Their bond thrummed softly in her chest, a constant reminder that they were stronger together.

As she moved through the chaos, she realized her gift wasn't just affecting the Midnight Crown warriors—it was disrupting the enemy as well. The rogues and Silverclaw wolves faltered as they entered the glow of her aura, their movements sluggish and disoriented. It wasn't just healing—it was balance, a force that pushed back against the darkness threatening to consume them.

"Lyra, look out!" Kaelen's voice rang out, sharp with warning.

Lyra turned just in time to see a rogue lunging at her, its claws outstretched. She raised her hands instinctively, the light around her flaring like a shield. The rogue hit the barrier and was thrown back, its snarl turning into a cry of pain as it scrambled to retreat.

Kaelen was at her side in an instant, his silver eyes blazing as he struck down another foe. "You're incredible," he said, his voice filled with awe and something deeper—something Lyra didn't have time to dwell on.

"We're not done yet," she replied, her gaze fierce as she turned back to the battle.

The tide seemed to be turning in their favor, but the enemy wasn't giving up. Darius emerged from the chaos, his amber eyes locking onto Lyra as he approached. He moved with purpose, his expression unreadable as he cut down a rogue who dared to cross his path.

Lyra froze, her wolf growling softly in the back of her mind. She hadn't expected to see him again, not like this.

"Lyra," he said, his voice carrying over the din of battle. "I'm not here to fight you."

She narrowed her eyes, her power thrumming just beneath the surface. "Then why are you here?"

"To make this right," he said simply. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I can't stand by and watch them destroy you—or the pack you've built."

Before Lyra could respond, another wave of rogues surged toward them. Darius moved to intercept, his blade flashing as he defended her with a skill that reminded her why he had once been Beta. For a moment, they fought side by side, their movements in sync despite the years and pain between them.

Kaelen joined them, his expression wary as he took in Darius's presence. "What's he doing here?"

"Helping," Lyra said, her voice tight. "For now."

Kaelen didn't respond, but the tension between the two males was palpable. Still, they worked together, their focus on protecting the pack rather than their personal grievances.

As the battle raged on, Lyra felt her energy surging, the bond between her and the moon growing stronger. She could see it now—the threads that connected everything, the balance that her gift was meant to restore. And with a clarity she had never known, she realized what she needed to do.

Lyra raised her hands, the glow spreading outward like a tidal wave. The battlefield stilled for a moment as the light enveloped everyone—friend and foe alike. The Midnight Crown warriors felt their strength renewed, their spirits lifted as the glow wrapped around them. The rogues and Silverclaw wolves, however, faltered, their weapons slipping from their hands as the light pushed back against their aggression.

"What is she doing?" Darius asked, his voice filled with awe.

"She's ending this," Kaelen replied, his gaze fixed on Lyra.

The light grew brighter, its warmth radiating through the battlefield. Lyra could feel the enemy's resolve breaking, their unity unraveling as the force of her gift disrupted their plans. She wasn't just a healer—she was a force of nature, a wolf blessed by the moon to bring balance to a world on the brink of chaos.

When the light finally faded, the battlefield was quiet. The rogues and Silverclaw wolves had retreated, their forces broken and scattered. The Midnight Crown pack stood victorious, though the weight of the battle lingered heavily on their shoulders.

Lyra swayed, her energy nearly spent, but Kaelen was there to catch her. He wrapped an arm around her, his silver eyes filled with concern. "You did it," he said softly. "You saved us."

"We did it," she corrected, leaning into him as the bond between them pulsed softly, a reminder of their shared strength.

As the pack regrouped and tended to the wounded, Lyra couldn't help but feel a sense of hope—a belief that, together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.