The Lunar Queen

Lyric POV

My alarm goes off at 5am sharp as usual. I groan before rolling over and turning it off.

“You’re so cranky in the mornings,” my wolf Nova snickers in my mind. There’s warmth in her amusement, like she knows exactly how much I hate the early hours.

I climb out of my bed and make my way to the shower, my muscles already protesting what’s coming next.

“I hope you’re ready for a week of chaos,” my best friend Winter links me.

Winter is the youngest pup of our Alpha and Luna.

“What do you mean?” I link back, already bracing myself.

“Seriously, Lyric. Besides the fact that the pack will be crawling with visiting packs soon for the ball on Saturday…” she trails off, dramatic as always.

How could I forget? Our future alpha Mason Lane—who is Winter’s older brother—and my older brother Hunter, the future beta, both turn 18 this week. Hunter’s birthday is on Thursday, and Mason’s birthday is today. Even though the mating ball is Saturday, Mason can scent his mate today… even if she isn’t 18.

“Don’t remind me,” I link, stepping under the spray of hot water, letting it pound against my skin. “But what does that have to do with me?”

“Well, Summer already walks around the pack like she is our future Luna, and now today we will find out,” she links back.

Summer is my twin sister—and I say twin loosely, because we are on two opposite ends of the genetics spectrum. I’m 5’0 tall with caramel skin, curvy and thick no matter how much I train, with copper red hair and green eyes. Summer has olive skin like our mother, pale blue eyes, and she’s 5’7 and slim. Total opposites.

That makes me an easy target for the pack’s so‑called “future Luna.” In public she’s sweet and perfect, but behind closed doors—where there are no eyes on her—she finds any way to make my life hell.

“Please tell me you’re almost ready. Training starts in 15 minutes,” Winter links.

“Getting dressed now,” I link back, rushing through the rest of my routine. I pull on my leggings and sneakers, throw on a sports bra and cropped tank. My hair does whatever it wants, so I shove it into the best version of a bun I can manage.

“You’re trying too hard,” Nova says in amusement.

I ignore her and walk out of my room.

“Meet me in the dining room,” I link Winter.

I head downstairs to the dining hall from the beta floor. As I walk into the kitchen, I spot Mason sitting at a table with Hunter, Lucas, and Micah—the future gamma and delta.

His eyes lock on me the moment I step inside.

My stomach flips, sharp and sudden. Heat crawls up my neck, and before I can think too hard about what it means, I turn away.

Don’t.

Just don’t.

“Good morning, Mary,” I say to the head omega.

“Good morning, sweetheart. How are you today?” she asks, her eyes sweeping over me in that gentle, knowing way.

“I’m fine. Need help with anything?”

“No, sweet girl. I will see you after training,” she says.

I walk out and find Winter waiting by the door, foot tapping impatiently.

“Finally. We are already late,” she says the second she sees me.

“I’m sorry. Let’s go.”

When we reach the training grounds, a link hits me.

“Lyric, the Alpha and I would like to use you for a demonstration today,” Delta Sam says.

“Why me?” I link back, dread curling low in my stomach.

“Because you are the only one who knows how to do the move properly.”

I exhale slowly. “Fine.”

“What was that about?” Winter asks, watching my expression shift.

“I’m being used for a demonstration,” I say, annoyed.

“It’s going to be okay,” Nova says gently.

“I would rather stay in the back where I belong until I can get out of here,” I mutter to her.

“You are not meant to be in the back, Lyric,” she says softly.

“Tell that to Summer,” I murmur.

“Good morning, everyone,” Delta Sam calls, pulling attention from the crowd.

“Today we will be practicing offensive moves that can be useful while fighting a wolf in human or wolf form.”

Murmurs ripple through the pack.

“We will have a demonstration before we pair off to practice.”

My shoulders tense.

“Our gamma will be demonstrating with Lyric.”

All eyes turn to me—including Mason’s. Including Summer’s.

Great.

I walk toward Delta Sam and Gamma Jake, every step feeling heavier than the last.

“Okay,” Delta Sam says. “Lyric will be on offense, and Gamma Jake will be on defense. He’ll attack you in his human form first, then his wolf form.”

My heart pounds in my chest. I know I can handle this. I’ve trained for this. But all this attention? Not my favorite thing.

“Begin!”

I drop into a fighting stance, grounding myself, waiting for Jake to make the first move.

He swings, aiming for my ribs. I sidestep and land my own punch right there—solid, sharp. He staggers back and goes for a leg sweep. I hop back just in time, narrowly avoiding it. Then he lunges, grabbing me around the waist.

I twist with his momentum, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. In one smooth motion, I’m on his back like a backpack from hell. Before he can shake me off, I drive my elbow into the back of his head.

“Time!” Delta Sam calls.

I leap down from Jake’s back, breathing hard, adrenaline buzzing through my veins. A huge grin splits my face before I can stop it.

When I look up, Mason’s eyes are locked on me—dark, intense, filled with something I can’t quite read.

The air feels thicker. Charged.

Whatever it is in his gaze sends chills racing down my spine.