Born to a legendary werewolf father and a human mother with a mysterious past, Lyra Blackwood has never embraced her true nature. Deprived of the transformation that would connect her to her pack, she has always felt a deep disconnect with those around her. At 18, determined to escape this heavy reality, Lyra leaves her territory to study abroad, in the hope of finding answers to her difference. But when Lyra returns five years later, everything has changed. The pack is under the control of a new Alpha, Kael Stormborn, a wolf as young as he is fearsome, whose steely gaze seems to pierce her soul. Why does this Alpha, known for his coldness and ruthless authority, suddenly seem obsessed with Lyra? And what secrets does he hide about his family's past? Things get even more complicated when her childhood friend, Elias Moonshade, resurfaces. Elias, once tender and protective, has become a charismatic but enigmatic wolf, ready to do anything to rekindle their broken bond. But is it true love he feels for her, or a calculated attempt to secure his place at the top of the pack hierarchy? As Lyra is caught between two wolves with dubious intentions, strange events multiply: unexplained disappearances in the woods, terrifying dreams of a forgotten pack, and an ancient power that seems to awaken within her. Is she truly incapable of transforming, or is she linked to a force greater, more dangerous than anything the pack has ever known? What secrets are Kael and Elias hiding? Will Lyra discover the truth about her nature before darkness descends upon them all? And most importantly, will she be able to survive the war that threatens to break out between her two suitors?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
The winding road that led to the pack's territory seemed endless. Lyra sat in the back of a weathered taxi, watching the scenery pass by through the window. The dense forests, the familiar hills... Everything reminded her of the childhood she had left behind, a mixture of sweet and bitter memories. But today, she was no longer the carefree young girl who had left this territory. Five years had passed, and yet a part of her wondered if anything here had changed.
The car stopped abruptly in front of the imposing arch marking the entrance to the territory. The driver, a human of few words, gave him a cautious look before placing his suitcase on the ground. Lyra quickly thanked him, leaving a few crumpled bills in his hand. As soon as he disappeared, she felt the weight of the stares. The sentries stationed at the entrance stared at her with palpable intensity.
"Lyra Blackwood," one of them whispered, a hesitant smile tugging at his lips. "Welcome home. »
These words caused a strange shiver in her. At your place. Was this always the case? She just nodded, all too aware of the anxiety building within her.
As she crossed the boundaries of the territory, the sound of voices and laughter reached her. His family was waiting for him. Her adoptive mother, Rosalie, was the first to run to her, pulling her into a hug so tight that Lyra felt her breath fail.
"My god, darling, you're finally here! » cried Rosalie, her eyes shining with tears. "We missed you so much. »
Lyra returned the hug, but her gaze was already wandering beyond the small group. His younger brother, Liam, stood a little behind, a shy smile on his face. But someone was missing. Or rather something.
The territory seemed... different. The air was thick with a tension she couldn't define. The smiles seemed less bright, the looks more cautious. Before she could ask the question that was burning on her lips, a deep voice broke the moment.
"Lyra Blackwood. »
She turned around abruptly, her heart stopping for a moment as she saw the man standing a few meters away from her. Tall, imposing, his aura dominated everything around him. Kael Stormborn.
She had seen him from a distance before, when he was just a Beta, but today he seemed transformed. His steel gray eyes stared at her with an unsettling intensity, and the thin scar that marked his jaw added to his fearsome appearance.
"You are expected at the pack meeting, immediately," he said in a cold, sharp voice.
Rosalie, shocked by the interruption, tried to protest. "Kael, she just arrived, at least let her..."
"This is an important decision, Rosalie," he cut in without looking away from Lyra. "She must be there. »
Lyra felt her stomach drop. This welcome was certainly not what she had imagined. But Kael's tone allowed no discussion.
"Very well," she finally whispered, briefly squeezing Rosalie's hand before following Kael.
The path to the main building was silent, Kael walking ahead of her with firm steps, as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Lyra tried not to pay attention to the curious looks of the members of the pack they passed.
As they entered the large meeting room, a wave of murmurs arose. The elders were all present, their piercing gazes analyzing Lyra's every move. She felt like an outsider under their judgment, an intruder who shouldn't have been there.
Kael walked to the center of the room and turned to face her. "First of all, I want to be clear about one thing, Lyra," he stated, his voice echoing in the room. "Your return here is not trivial. Much has changed since you left, and your role in this pack will now be crucial. »
Lyra frowned, confused by his words. "My role? she asked, her voice shaking slightly.
One of the elders, a man with a face marked by time, spoke. "Lyra, as the daughter of Magnus Blackwood, you carry a legacy. A legacy that this pack cannot ignore. »
Her father's name rang through her like a clap of thunder. Magnus Blackwood. A name she had tried to forget.
Kael let a heavy silence settle in before continuing. "We will discuss all this in more detail tomorrow. For now, consider your return a second chance to prove your worth. »
The words hit her like a slap. A second chance? Was that really how they saw her, as someone who still had to prove she belonged here?
As she was about to respond, Kael suddenly looked away and addressed the others. "The meeting is over. »
Without another word, he left the room, leaving Lyra alone amidst inquisitive looks.
She felt a gentle hand placed on her shoulder. It was Rosalie, who gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't let Kael trouble you, my dear. He's...difficult, but he has a good heart, deep down. »
Lyra nodded, but deep inside her, a feeling of anger and frustration bubbled. Why did she feel like an invisible trap was slowly closing around her?
Later that evening, as she stood on the balcony of her family's home, watching the moon light up the forest, she felt a presence behind her.
"I haven't seen you smile once since you arrived," a familiar voice whispered.
She turned around to find Liam, her younger brother, with his hands in his pockets.
"It's hard to smile when you feel like an intruder," she replied with a sad smile.
Liam came closer, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. "You are not an intruder, Lyra. Not for me. Not for mom. »
She gave him a grateful look, but the weight of the day's events was still too heavy for her to feel calm.
"What's changed here, Liam? » she finally asked.
He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. " All. Since Kael became Alpha, things haven't been the same. He made some necessary changes, but... some people don't like him. Others fear him. »
Lyra felt her heart tighten. What role was she supposed to play in all this? Why did Kael seem so insistent about being here?
As the night wore on, only one question occupied her mind: what secrets were hidden behind this return, and above all, behind this Alpha with the steely gaze who seemed to pierce her at every moment?
She didn't know it yet, but this return would be the start of a journey that would change her life forever.
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