Astra's POV
The plate crashed to the floor, food splattering everywhere. Laughter burst across the dining hall.
"Oops," Selene said with a grin, pulling back her foot that had tripped Astra. "Someone should teach the new Luna how to walk properly."
Astra's cheeks burned as she knelt to pick up the broken pieces. Breakfast had barely started, and already she was the pack's entertainment. She could feel dozens of eyes watching her, waiting to see what she would do.
"Leave it," a cold voice ordered.
Astra looked up to see Alaric standing over her. His face showed no anger at Selene, only sadness in Astra. Without offering to help, he turned to address the dining hall.
"The full moon run starts at sunset. All pack members are required to attend." His eyes found Astra. "Even those who don't belong."
More laughing rippled through the room. Astra stood, hands shaking with rage. After what she'd overheard last night, she knew Alaric planned to use her for some rite during the Blood Moon. And according to Kael, only one sister would live.
Lyra. The thought of her sister made Astra's stomach twist. How could the little girl who used to braid her hair now want her dead?
"I'll clean this up," a gentle voice said.
A woman with dark hair streaked with silver knelt beside Astra, gathering the broken plate pieces. She had kind eyes that reminded Astra of her mother.
"I'm Elysia, the pack healer," she said quietly. "You've cut your hand. Come with me, and I'll fix it."
Astra looked down, surprised to see blood dripping from her hand where a piece of the plate had sliced her skin. She hadn't even felt it.
"Thank you," Astra whispered, grateful for any kindness in this dangerous place.
As they left the dining hall, Astra felt Alaric's eyes following her. His face was unreadable, but something in his look made her shiver.
Elysia lead her to a small room filled with herbs and bottles. The sweet smell of healing plants reminded Astra of her youth, before everything went wrong.
"Sit," Elysia said, pointing to a wooden chair. She took Astra's bleeding hand and studied it closely. "Not too deep. It will heal quickly with your werewolf blood."
As she cleaned the cut, Elysia spoke in a low voice. "You need to be more careful. Selene is dangerous."
"So is everyone else in this pack," Astra answered bitterly.
Elysia's eyes flicked up to meet hers. "Not everyone."
"You mean Kael?" Astra asked, remembering Selene's warning. Don't trust Kael. He's Lyra's son.
"Kael has his own secrets," Elysia said carefully. "But I wasn't talking about him."
She wrapped a tape around Astra's hand, then checked that they were alone before continuing.
"I knew your mother," Elysia said. "I was there the night you were born. And the night Lyra was born."
Astra's heart skipped. "You knew my mother?"
Elysia nodded. "She was my best friend. And she made me promise to watch over both her girls if anything happened to her."
"But you didn't," Astra said, rage flaring. "No one helped me when I was blamed for Lyra's death. No one stood up for me when I was forced to leave the pack."
"I couldn't stop what happened," Elysia said, sadness in her eyes. "But I've been waiting for you to return. There are things you need to know before the Blood Moon."
A chill ran down Astra's spine. "About the prophecy?"
Elysia looked surprised. "You know about that?"
"Only that it involves me and Lyra, and that one of us won't survive the ritual."
Elysia shook her head. "That's what they want you to believe. But the promise has been twisted by those who seek power." She leaned closer. "The Moon Sisters were never meant to fight each other. They were meant to join and bring balance to all werewolves."
Astra's mind raced. If what Elysia said was true, then everything Kael had told her was wrong. Or he had lied.
"Why should I trust you?" Astra asked.
Elysia reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silver charm. "This was your mother's. She asked me to give it to you when the time was right."
Astra took the locket with shaky fingers. Inside was a tiny picture of her mother holding two baby girls. On the other side was an inscription: "My two moons, forever united."
Tears filled Astra's eyes. "I don't understand any of this."
"You will," Elysia promised. "Tonight, after the pack run, meet me at the old willow tree by the lake. I'll explain everything."
The door suddenly burst open. Lyra stood there, her eyes cold as she looked at Astra.
"There you are," she said. "Alaric is looking for you."
Elysia quickly stepped between them. "I'm treating her wound. She'll be done soon."
Lyra's eyes shifted to the healer. "Don't take too long. The Alpha isn't patient today."
After Lyra left, Astra clutched the locket tightly. "She doesn't seem like my sister anymore."
"She's not," Elysia said grimly. "Something was done to her after she left. But I believe the real Lyra is still in there, trying to get out."
"How do you know?"
"Because last night, she came to me in secret. For a moment, she remembered who she was. She asked about you, about what happened when you were children." Elysia's face got serious. "But then she changed, like someone else took control of her mind. She threatened to tell Alaric I was helping you if I didn't give her a special plant."
"What herb?" "Moonshade. It's used in ancient practices to open the mind to control." Elysia's voice dropped to a whisper. "I think someone is using it to control Lyra, to make her do things she wouldn't normally do."
"Like help kill her own sister," Astra said.
Before Elysia could reply, the door swung open again. This time it was Kael.
"Astra, there you are!" he said, relief in his voice. "Alaric is looking for you. He's angry."
Astra shot a questioning look at Elysia, who gave a small nod. Trust your gut.
"Thank you for helping me," Astra said to the doctor as she stood.
"Remember," Elysia whispered. "The willow tree after the run."
As Astra followed Kael through the halls, she studied him carefully. Could he really be Lyra's son? It seemed impossible—Lyra would have been too young.
"Is everything okay?" Kael asked, noticing her stare.
"Just wondering who I can trust," Astra replied honestly.
Kael's face relaxed. "I know it's hard. But remember our plan for after the run tonight. I'll get you out of here."
They turned a bend and nearly collided with Damon. Astra's heart leapt at the sight of her old friend, but then she remembered his note. He had betrayed her.
"Astra," Damon said, his eyes begging. "Can we talk?"
"She's busy," Kael said, stepping between them.
Damon's eyes narrowed. "I wasn't asking you, pup."
"It's fine," Astra told Kael. "I'll catch up."
When they were alone, Damon pulled her into an empty room. "Did you get my message?"
"The one where you admitted to deceiving me? Yes, I got it."
"I had to do it," Damon said. "It was the only way to get close to Alaric and find out what he was planning."
"And what is he planning?"
"To use you and Lyra in some rite during the Blood Moon. Something about controlling the power of the Moon Sisters."
"I already know that," Astra said. "What I don't know is who to trust."
Damon took her hands. "Trust me. Tonight, during the full moon run, I'll help you escape."
Astra pulled her hands away. "Kael already offered the same thing."
"Kael?" Damon's face reddened. "Astra, you can't trust him. He's—"
"Lyra's son," Astra finished. "I know."
Damon looked shocked. "Who told you?"
"Selene."
"And you believe her?" Damon shook his head. "Astra, Kael isn't Lyra's son. He's Lyra's twin."
Astra felt like the floor had dropped from under her. "What? That's impossible. Lyra doesn't have a twin."
"She does," Damon maintained. "Kael and Lyra were separated at birth. Your father kept Kael's presence secret to protect him from the prophecy."
Before Astra could reply, a howl echoed through the castle. The call for the pack to gather for the run.
"We have to go," Damon said quickly. "But remember—don't trust Kael, and don't go anywhere with him after the run."
As Astra walked toward the gathered pack, her mind spun with questions. Elysia wanted to meet her at the willow tree. Kael promised to help her flee. Damon told her not to trust him.
Who was telling the truth? And who was setting a trap?
The sun was setting as she joined the pack outside. Alaric stood on a rock, his strong form silhouetted against the dying light. Next to him was Lyra, beautiful and cold.
And as the full moon began to rise, Astra saw Selene watching her with a smile that promised nothing good.
Tonight, someone would betray her. But who?