Chapter 5 - The Enemy King Called Lyra His Lost Daughter
The battle began before sunset.
Silver Crest warriors lined the northern ridge.
Black Claw wolves emerged from the forest.
There were too many.
Nathaniel stood at the front.
Lyra watched from behind the defensive line.
Kira stood beside her.
“Don't move.”
Lyra nodded.
Then a deep howl rolled across the valley.
The Black Claw wolves parted.
A tall man stepped forward.
He shifted slowly into human form.
Silver-gray hair.
Scar across one eye.
A black cloak.
He looked directly at Lyra.
Then smiled.
“My little moon.”
Lyra froze.
Nathaniel stepped in front of her.
“Who are you?”
The man ignored him.
“You've grown.”
Lyra's voice shook.
“Who are you?”
He laughed softly.
“Your family never told you?”
Nathaniel's wolf growled.
“Answer her.”
The man tilted his head.
“I am King Darius of Black Claw.”
The entire pack recoiled.
Black Claw had no rightful king.
At least not officially.
Darius continued.
“And your mother was my sister.”
Lyra felt as if the ground disappeared.
“No.”
“She never told you?”
“My mother was an ordinary wolf.”
Darius laughed.
“That was the story we gave everyone.”
Nathaniel looked at Marin.
She stood behind them.
Tears were running down her face.
“Marin.”
Lyra turned.
“Is it true?”
Marin said nothing.
That was enough.
Lyra felt betrayed all over again.
Darius lifted his hand.
“Come with me.”
“No.”
“You belong to the Moonborn line.”
“I belong to Silver Crest.”
“You belong to yourself.”
Nathaniel growled.
“She's staying here.”
Darius smiled.
“You don't understand what she is.”
“I understand enough.”
“She can unite all five ancient bloodlines.”
Nathaniel looked at Lyra.
Darius continued.
“Your mate cannot give you what your blood can.”
Lyra's eyes narrowed.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
“Why?”
“Because the old prophecy says a Moonborn queen will choose one Alpha.”
Darius pointed at Nathaniel.
“And when she does, that Alpha gains authority over every allied pack.”
Nathaniel's expression changed.
Darius smiled.
“But if she chooses the wrong one…”
He glanced around.
“The ancient packs will go to war.”
Lyra shook her head.
“I don't want to rule anyone.”
“That is why you are dangerous.”
The battle began.
Nathaniel shifted.
His black wolf exploded forward.
Lyra could barely process the speed.
Kira and the warriors moved beside him.
The forest became chaos.
Then Lyra heard it.
A cry.
Not from the battlefield.
From the healer's den.
Children.
She ran.
Kira followed.
They found three Black Claw infiltrators inside.
Kira attacked immediately.
Lyra closed her eyes.
Her silver wolf rose.
She sensed every movement.
Every heartbeat.
Every hidden injury.
She pointed.
“Behind you!”
Kira turned just in time.
She struck the attacker down.
Lyra moved toward the children.
One little boy was bleeding.
She placed her hand on him.
Silver light spread beneath her palm.
The wound closed.
Kira stared.
“You can heal.”
Lyra shook her head.
“I didn't know.”
Outside, Darius saw the light.
He smiled.
“My queen.”
Nathaniel charged toward him.
They collided.
Darius was older.
More experienced.
But Nathaniel fought with fury.
Lyra watched the battle.
Then she realized something.
Darius wasn't trying to kill Nathaniel.
He was testing him.
Why?
Her wolf whispered:
Because the prophecy needs him.
Lyra suddenly understood.
Darius needed Nathaniel alive.
But for what?
She looked toward the ancient forest.
A third group was arriving.
Wolves wearing white markings.
The Highland Pack.
Another ancient bloodline.
Their leader approached Lyra.
“Kneel, Moonborn.”
Lyra refused.
Nathaniel staggered.
Darius laughed.
“The choice is yours.”
The Highland Alpha looked at Nathaniel.
“He cannot protect you from what comes.”
Lyra stepped forward.
“He already has.”
The silver crescent on her wrist flashed.
The Highland wolves lowered their heads.
The pack gasped.
Darius's smile disappeared.
“You chose.”
Lyra looked at Nathaniel.
“I did.”
Nathaniel stood slowly.
“What did you do?”
“I chose you.”
A shockwave rolled through the valley.
The three packs stopped fighting.
An ancient bond spread from Lyra to every wolf.
Not domination.
Connection.
The Highland Alpha whispered:
“The queen has awakened.”
Darius looked furious.
Then he smiled.
“Then the real war begins.”
He vanished into the forest.
The battle ended.
But Nathaniel looked at Lyra with something like fear.
“Why?”
Lyra frowned.
“Why what?”
“Why did you choose me?”
She answered honestly.
“Because you were the first person who looked at me and didn't see something broken.”
Nathaniel's face softened.
He stepped forward.
Then, in front of every pack, he kissed her.
The valley erupted in shocked whispers.
But before Lyra could process it, a strange pain hit her chest.
Her wolf screamed.
Not mate.
Lyra staggered.
Nathaniel caught her.
“What is it?”
She looked toward the mountains.
Something was coming.
Something far older than Darius.
May you like
And her wolf whispered one terrifying word.
Father.
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