Chapter 1

Lyra's POV

I adjusted the black half-mask on my left cheek, making sure my scars were completely hidden before following Seraphine.

"What's got you so nervous, Lyra?" Seraphine glanced back at me, her blonde hair catching the evening light. "It's just a routine health check. Nothing to worry about."

I nodded without speaking. As a healer, I'd learned to keep quiet. But deep down, I knew this wasn't routine at all—Seraphine was here to marry the Shadowpine Alpha, and I was just her tool.

The moment we passed through the ancient stone gates, a familiar scent hit me like a wall—pine mixed with wildflowers.

My chest tightened as if someone had grabbed my lungs. I couldn't breathe. My eyes started burning.

That smell... I knew it from somewhere.

"You okay?" Seraphine frowned at me. "You look awful."

"I'm fine." I forced myself to breathe. "Just tired from the journey."

A young Beta guided us through the territory, enthusiastically pointing out landmarks. I walked behind Seraphine, barely listening, but something strange was happening—my feet seemed to know where the steps would be, which paths were smoother. Even stranger, lilies were everywhere. In the grass, in gardens, carved into doorframes and windows.

"Why so many lilies?" I couldn't help asking.

The guide's expression darkened. "They're... they're for our former Luna. Lilies were her favorite."

Former Luna?

I wanted to ask more, but Seraphine was already pulling me forward. "Stop asking about irrelevant things. We're meeting the Alpha."

The council hall was more impressive than I'd imagined. Ancient wolf totems hung from the vaulted ceiling, and on a massive stone throne sat a man with his eyes closed, as if resting.

Even sitting, his presence was overwhelming. Alpha.

Behind him, an elderly couple sat with quiet dignity—the Alpha King and Luna Queen.

"Your Majesties, I'm Seraphine." Seraphine curtsied gracefully, her voice honey-sweet. "It's an honor to visit Shadowpine."

I stood behind her at the proper distance for a healer, head down.

The Luna Queen smiled warmly. "What a lovely girl. I do hope you'll spend time with Darian."

Darian. So that was the Alpha's name.

"This is Lyra, a healer from my pack," Seraphine said. "She can treat anyone who needs healing."

The Luna Queen's eyes lit up. "How thoughtful! I heard your pack welcomed a gifted healer three years ago—someone with remarkable skills."

"That's her," Seraphine said proudly.

"Wonderful! Lyra, come examine Darian. He's been having trouble lately—"

"Mom." The deep voice cut through the air, making my heart skip.

I slowly raised my head and met eyes dark as midnight.

Everything went silent. His expression was a storm of emotions—shock, pain, something that looked like despair.

Then his face turned to ice.

"I don't need an examination." Darian's voice was arctic. "Show them to their quarters."

"But Darian—"

"Show them to their quarters." The authority in his voice brooked no argument.

The Luna Queen sighed and had a Beta escort us out.

Outside the hall, Seraphine whispered, "Why was he so cold? Most men show at least some interest when they see me."

I didn't answer. I'd noticed something—the Alpha's gaze had lingered on me, not Seraphine. That look was too complicated, too dangerous. I'd need to stay away from him.

"Is he really the legendary Alpha?" I asked our Beta guide casually.

"Yes, Alpha Darian." The guide's voice held admiration, then worry. "He's had a hard few years."

"What do you mean?" Seraphine perked up.

The guide hesitated. "Three years ago, we lost our Luna. The Alpha... he hasn't been the same since."

My chest ached again. Why did this news hurt so much?

Passing the training grounds, I caught fragments of conversation from resting warriors:

"Alpha didn't sleep again last night. Howled in the forest till dawn..."

"Three years, and his pain just keeps getting worse..."

"The healers who came before won't return. They said his anguish was too intense—it would drag them into darkness..."

I stopped walking. Anguish? Pain?

"Did you hear that?" Seraphine grabbed my arm excitedly. "This is perfect! A heartbroken Alpha needs gentle care."

But all I felt was an inexplicable ache. The man who seemed strong as a mountain was carrying wounds that wouldn't heal.

That night, I lay in my small room, unable to sleep.

A low howl drifted through my window—long, mournful, like weeping.

I knew it was Darian.

Tears ran down my face as I listened. I didn't understand why this strange pack, this Alpha I'd just met, stirred such powerful emotions in me.

I touched my mask, remembering how he'd looked at me. For one wild moment, I'd wanted to remove it.

But that was impossible. The scars beneath were a secret I could never reveal.