Luna. Chapter 34

(Lyra's POV)

The crowd parted as Magnus and I made our way back to the display case. I could feel hundreds of eyes on me, watching for any sign that the stone would react to my presence.

My heart was pounding. My palms were sweaty. The baby was moving restlessly, as if sensing my anxiety.

"Are you sure about this?" Magnus asked quietly.

"No. But I need to know."

Alpha Derek stood beside the display case, his expression unreadable. Up close, I could see the exhaustion in his features, the weight of five years of grief and leadership without a partner.

"Luna Lyra," he said formally. "Thank you for agreeing to this test."

"Of course." My voice came out steadier than I felt.

The Goddess Stone seemed to pulse in its case. The blue and silver swirls were moving faster now, creating patterns that hurt to look at directly.

"The stone has been in my family for generations," Derek explained to the gathered crowd. "It has never failed to recognize the true Sebastian bloodline. If you are truly Christina's sister, it will call to you."

"And if I'm not?"

"Then it will remain dormant, as it has for the past five years."

I stepped closer to the case. The stone's whispers grew louder.

"Isabella. Come home, Isabella."

"Do you hear that?" I asked Derek.

"Hear what?"

"The whispers. It's calling me Isabella."

Derek went very still. "Isabella was Christina's middle name. Very few people knew that."

"I hear it too."

The voice came from behind me. I turned to see Kael pushing through the crowd, his expression intense.

"You hear it?" Derek asked sharply.

"Not words. But something. A humming, maybe. Like the stone is... singing."

Magnus stepped closer to the case. After a moment, he shook his head. "I don't hear anything."

"Only those with Sebastian blood can hear the stone's call," Derek said quietly. "But you're not Sebastian blood, Kael. How is this possible?"

Before Kael could answer, a new voice cut through the murmur of the crowd.

"Perhaps I can explain."

Everyone turned toward the speaker. A tall man in military dress uniform was approaching, flanked by two guards. He had silver hair, sharp features, and the kind of presence that made everyone automatically step aside.

"General Cassius," Derek said, his voice tight with surprise. "I wasn't expecting you tonight."

"Plans change, Alpha Derek. Especially when matters of bloodline succession are involved."

General Cassius. I'd heard that name before, though I couldn't place where. He was clearly someone important, someone with authority that even an Alpha respected.

"General," Magnus said formally, inclining his head.

"Alpha Magnus. Luna Lyra." Cassius's piercing gaze fixed on me. "Though I suppose your title may be changing soon."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that bloodline claims have implications beyond pack politics. Especially when they involve the Sebastian line."

"I don't understand."

"The Sebastian family is one of the oldest werewolf bloodlines in North America. Their genetic heritage is... unique. Valuable to certain parties."

The way he said "valuable" made my skin crawl.

"What kind of parties?" Kael asked, moving to stand between me and the General.

Cassius smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "The kind that prefer to remain anonymous. But let's focus on the matter at hand, shall we?"

He gestured toward the stone. "The test. I'm very curious to see the result."

I looked at Derek, who nodded encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, I approached the display case until I was close enough to touch the glass.

The moment I reached out, the stone exploded with light.

Not just glowing—blazing like a miniature sun. The blue and silver became brilliant white, so bright that people in the crowd cried out and covered their eyes.

"Isabella," the voice said clearly now. Everyone could hear it. "Welcome home."

The glass case began to crack under the intensity of the light and heat. Derek quickly unlocked it and lifted the stone out, wrapping it carefully in a silk cloth.

"Extraordinary," General Cassius murmured. "Simply extraordinary."

The moment Derek covered the stone, the light dimmed back to its normal pulsing glow. But I could still feel its presence, like a warm hand touching my heart.

"There can be no doubt," Derek announced to the crowd. "Luna Lyra is Christina's sister. The rightful heir to the Sebastian bloodline."

The hall erupted in cheers and excited conversation. But I barely heard any of it. I was staring at General Cassius, who was watching me with an expression I couldn't read.

"Fascinating," he said, stepping closer. "Tell me, Lyra, do you remember anything about your childhood before you were adopted?"

"Some things. Fragments."

"Such as?"

Magnus moved closer to my side, his protective instincts clearly triggered by something in the General's tone.

"General, perhaps these questions would be better addressed privately," he suggested.

"Of course. How thoughtful of you, Alpha Magnus." Cassius's smile was sham. "But I think Luna Lyra can speak for herself."

"I remember playing by a lake," I said carefully. "A woman with dark hair who used to braid flowers in my hair. A man who would carry me on his shoulders."

"And do you remember how those memories ended?"

"No. They just... stop. When I was very young."

"Interesting." Cassius made a note in a small notebook. "We'll need to discuss this further, I think. But not tonight."

"Why?" Kael asked suspiciously. "What's your interest in this?"

"My interest, Alpha Blackwood, is ensuring that important bloodlines are properly protected."

The way he said "protected" made my blood run cold.

"I think we should go," Magnus said quietly. "Lyra, you've had enough excitement for one evening."

"Actually," Derek interjected, "I was hoping Luna Lyra might stay for the dancing. It's traditional after the heritage ceremony."

"Dancing?"

"Just a small celebration. Nothing elaborate." Derek's eyes were hopeful. "It would mean a great deal to the pack to have Christina's sister participate in our traditions."

I looked around at the faces surrounding me. People who might be my family, my blood relatives, looking at me with hope and expectations.

"I suppose we could stay for a little while," I said.

"Excellent." General Cassius clapped his hands together. "I do so enjoy pack celebrations. So authentic."

The way he said it made me want to grab Magnus and leave immediately. But I also needed answers.

Damn!

"The dancing will begin shortly," Derek announced to the crowd. "Please, everyone, enjoy the refreshments while we prepare the great hall."

As people began to disperse, General Cassius approached me once more.

"Luna Lyra, I hope you'll honor me with a dance this evening."

It wasn't really a question. It was the kind of polite command that powerful people used when they expected compliance.

"I... yes, of course."

"Wonderful. I'm very much looking forward to our conversation."

After he left with his guards, I turned to Magnus and Kael, who were both looking troubled.

"I don't like him," Magnus said bluntly.

"Neither do I," Kael agreed. "There's something wrong about his interest in you."

"You two agreeing on something," I said weakly. "That's not terrifying at all."

"Lyra, we should leave," Magnus said. "Now, before the dancing starts."

"I can't. Not yet." I looked toward the great hall, where pack members were already setting up for the celebration. "These people might be my family. This might be where I belong."

"You belong with people who love and protect you," Kael said quietly. "Not with people who see you as some kind of valuable commodity."

"You think that's what Cassius sees when he looks at me?"

"I think he sees an opportunity. And that makes you dangerous to be around."

Magnus nodded in agreement. "We should at least call for additional security."

"No. If I run away now, I'll never know the truth about my past." I straightened my shoulders, trying to project confidence I didn't feel. "I can handle one dance with a creepy general."

"You shouldn't have to handle it alone," Kael said.

"She won't be alone," Magnus replied firmly. "I'll be watching every moment."

"So will I."

The two Alphas looked at each other, and some kind of understanding passed between them. Whatever their personal feelings, they were united in wanting to protect me.

"Both of you watching me dance with other men," I said. "This won't be awkward at all."