The Alpha's Oath.

e had settled over the Blackmoor Fortress. Lyra awoke to find the chair where Draven had be

. Her dreams still clung to her like a second skin - the vision of her

e is still

had a choice. War was coming

with a fresh set of clothing - soft black leggings, a long-sle

moned you," Miren said.

ed. "Am I

g. The Elders want to speak with you. Not all a

hands shook slightly, but she forced hersel

by the pack's elders, each marked with their own crest. Elder Corvin stood at the head, his face un

orward. All ey

"You have power in your veins that has not stirred in generations. Last

aned forward. "Power like that doesn't come without cost. How do we kn

narrowed her gaze. "Or worse... what if she's

ryone I've ever known, to become a walking target?" Her voice rose with passion.

n straightened, stepp

e saved many lives last night. You question her power,

e her. Protect her. Whether we want to admit it or not,

grunted, but sat

something else: a spark of respect. It wasn't

glade deep within the forest. Mist still clung to the g

a mossy stone. "She was the last of the Shadow Sentinels - warriors trained

e air here felt older,

"Lesson two: focus through a conduit. Until you lear

de in her palm. "An

," he said with a faint smir

er how to listen not just to sound, but to energy - the shift of life around her. With each m

ntom target, silver light crackled d

hands over hers, guiding the motion again. "Feel that

between them again - not just physical, but something deeper.

fraid of me,"

t I'm afraid of what mig

t a shiver do

indigo, Lyra wandered the edge of the fortress wall

a bench near the stables, scribbling in a leath

're still her

smile. "And I'm gl

elieve everything they're say

just because of magic, but because you care. You're brave -

ead on his shoul

"And this Draven guy

e is. But he's also... loyal. And

ise me you won't lose yourself in all of this. No

romi

. Because each day, the magic inside her grew stronger - and so did

another dr

hat pulsed with stars. Before her stood a great wolf

"But light is not always kind. Be careful who

e, and the stars sh

the howl still ringing in her

n?" sh

the eyes that met hers w

glowing - and fi

ine Da

scream, Seraphine