Lyra crumpled the strange note and shoved it under her mattress when a sharp knock came at her door. Before she could answer, two female dogs burst in, arms laden with clothes and makeup.
"We have one hour to make you presentable," the taller one said, eyeing Lyra closely. "The Alpha wants both Lunas ready for the ceremony."
"Both Lunas?" Lyra questioned, backing away from their determined approach.
"You and Lady Elara, of course," the shorter woman said, putting out brushes and cosmetics. "Though everyone knows she's the true Luna."
Lyra clenched her jaw but said nothing as they tugged at her hair and dabbed powders on her face. In the mirror, she watched herself change into someone she barely recognized.
"The green dress," the taller woman directed, holding out a silky gown. The same one Elara had stated would make her eyes look dull.
"No," Lyra said firmly. "The red one."
The women traded glances. "The Alpha's mate should really—"
"I am the Alpha's mate," Lyra cut in, surprising herself with her confidence. "And I choose the red dress."
They didn't argue further, though their tight smiles spoke volumes. The red dress fit perfectly, making her eyes look bright and fierce rather than dull. Small wins, Lyra thought bitterly.
When they finished, a guard led her downstairs where hundreds of pack members had gathered in the great hall. Whispers swept through the crowd as she entered. Lyra kept her head high, ignoring the curious and often angry stares.
Narek stood at the front of the hall on a raised platform, looking powerful and remote in formal clothes. Beside him, Elara glowed in a sparkling blue gown that matched her eyes. When Elara spotted Lyra in the red dress, her smile slipped slightly.
"Come," Narek ordered, gesturing for Lyra to join them.
The walk across the hall felt endless. Lyra could hear the whispers clearly now.
"She looks just like Lady Elara..." "I heard she's an impostor..." "How can there be two Lunas?" "The Alpha clearly prefers Elara..."
Lyra took her place on Narek's left side, while Elara stood proudly at his right. The meaning wasn't lost on anyone.
"Pack members of Silver Moon," Narek's voice boomed through the hall. "Today marks an unprecedented event in our history. The Moon Goddess has chosen to mark two mates for your Alpha."
The whispers grew louder.
"Elara, daughter of Alpha Kaden of the River Moon Pack, has been my chosen mate since childhood. She will serve as your primary Luna."
Elara stepped forward, beaming as Narek put a silver crown on her head. The pack cheered excitedly.
"And this," Narek continued, pointing to Lyra without meeting her eyes, "is Lyra, Elara's twin sister, also marked by the Goddess. She will serve as second Luna."
The applause was scattered and uncertain. Narek put a smaller circlet on Lyra's head, his fingers cold against her skin.
"Respect them both as you would respect me," he finished, though his tone suggested he didn't expect anyone to respect Lyra at all.
As the formal part finished and food was served, pack members approached to pay their respects. Most barely glanced at Lyra, focused their attention on Elara, who charmed everyone with her warm smile and gentle words.
Lyra stood alone, the circlet heavy on her head, watching as Narek stayed glued to Elara's side. Not once did he look in Lyra's way or introduce her to important pack members.
"So you're the spare Luna," a cool voice said behind her.
Lyra turned to find a beautiful woman with long dark hair and sharp eyes studying her. Unlike the others, this wolf didn't try hiding her disdain.
"I'm Lyra," she said, unwilling to accept the 'spare' label.
"Selene." The woman circled Lyra slowly. "I've been part of this pack my whole life. I've trained to be Luna since I was a child. I know every pack member, every tradition, every alliance."
"Good for you," Lyra said, trying to step away.
Selene blocked her way. "And then you appear out of nowhere with a mark that matches Elara's, forcing the Alpha to accept you. How convenient."
"I didn't ask for this mark," Lyra said through tight teeth.
"Of course not." Selene's smile was cruel. "Just like you didn't ask to look exactly like the woman he loves. What magic did you use, I wonder?"
Before Lyra could answer, a male voice interrupted.
"Selene, I think the Beta is looking for you."
Selene's expression changed quickly to a sweet smile. "Of course. We'll talk again soon, Spare Luna."
As she walked away, Lyra turned to thank her savior. A young man with kind green eyes and sandy brown hair smiled at her.
"Don't mind Selene. She's been chasing the Alpha for years," he said. "I'm Dorian."
Lyra's heart jumped. D from the note? "Thank you for stepping in."
"No one should be treated that way, especially not a Luna." His eyes flicked toward the exit. "Even an unwanted one."
Lyra studied him carefully. "Do I know you?"
Something passed across his face—recognition, perhaps, or secrets. "We haven't met before. But I know your father."
"My father?" Lyra's voice dropped to a whisper. "He's alive?"
"Very much so." Dorian glanced around, making sure no one was listening. "And he wants to see you."
Lyra's mind reeled. Her father was alive? The man who had blamed her for Elara's "death" and then abandoned her?
"Why would I want to see him?" she asked angrily.
"Because he can explain everything," Dorian said quickly. "About the twin marks, the prophecy, Elara's powers. Meet me tonight, as my note said."
So he was D. "I don't know if I can trust you," Lyra admitted.
"You can't trust anyone here," he replied, and she knew he was right. "Especially not—"
He stopped suddenly, eyes focused over her shoulder. Lyra turned to see Narek coming, his face dark with anger.
"You're speaking with my mate," he said to Dorian, voice dangerously low.
Dorian bowed his head respectfully. "Just welcoming the new Luna, Alpha."
"Your welcome has been noted. Now leave."
As Dorian walked away, he caught Lyra's eye one last time, a clear message in his gaze: Midnight. The old tree.
"You should be more careful who you speak with," Narek said coldly to Lyra.
"Why do you care? You've ignored me all night," she shot back.
Something flashed in his eyes—guilt, perhaps? "Elara is nervous having you here. It upsets her."
"And we can't upset precious Elara," Lyra said sarcastically.
Narek's jaw tightened. "You know nothing about what she's been through."
"And you know nothing about what I've been through, thinking I killed my sister, being blamed by my father, living as a rogue for years!"
For a moment, Narek seemed taken aback by her outburst. But his face quickly hardened again.
"Your role here is simple," he said quietly. "Appear when required. Speak when spoken to. Do not cause trouble."
"Or what? You'll lock me up again?"
"I'll do whatever is necessary to protect my pack and my true mate." His eyes bore into hers. "Don't test me, Lyra."
As he walked away, Lyra noticed Selene watching their exchange with interest. The beautiful wolf approached Narek instantly, placing a hand on his arm and speaking urgently.
To Lyra's surprise, Narek nodded and followed Selene to a quiet nook. Their heads bent close together in serious talk.
"She's plotting against you," a soft voice said.
Lyra turned to find an old pack member beside her, one of the women from the elder council.
"Selene?"
The old woman nodded. "She wants to be Luna. She thinks if she can prove you're dangerous to the pack, the Alpha will reject both you and Elara."
"Why are you telling me this?" Lyra asked suspiciously.
The woman's eyes twinkled. "Not everyone believes Elara is the right choice. Some of us remember the prophecy differently." She patted Lyra's hand. "Be careful tonight, child. The walls have ears, and the forest has eyes."
With that cryptic threat, she melted back into the crowd, leaving Lyra stunned. How did the woman know about her midnight meeting?
Across the room, Elara laughed happily at something someone said, looking every bit the perfect Luna. No one would guess she had threatened her own sister just hours ago.
As the celebration continued around her, Lyra made her choice. She would meet Dorian at midnight. She would learn the truth about her father, the prophecy, and her own possible powers.
But as she watched Narek return to Elara's side, putting a protective hand on her back, a cold realization settled in Lyra's heart. If she left to meet Dorian, she would be defying her Alpha directly. Such disobedience could be punished by death.
The mate mark on her wrist burned, as if warning her against her plans. But the crown on her head felt like a mockery, telling her that she would never truly belong here.
Sometimes, Lyra thought, you had to risk death to really live.