Howl of Destiny: Alpha Lira's Legend novel Chapter 1

Lira Voss's POV:

"Lira Voss! You pathetic Omega, give me that ring now!

"Or I'll let my wolf out right here and rip your throat out!"

My stepmother, Raina Voss—the Luna of Brookstone Pack—snarled, her wolf eyes flaring as she stared at me fiercely and closed in step by step.

I clamped my right hand tight around the wolf-shaped ring on my left pinky, backing away slowly. The black iron shackles on my wrists and ankles scraped against the floor with a harsh, grating sound.

Mom's last words echoed in my ears over and over. "Lira, you have to protect this wolf ring! Leave Brookstone Pack and find Kael Thorne..."

The hard metal of the ring bit into my palm. I glanced down at it. The wolf's head was lifelike, and the bright blue crystal in its eye socket flickered on and off, just like Mom's eyes.

Mom had always been brave and tough. As her daughter, I'd never give in, even if I had to fight to the death!

I held my head high, glaring at her with disdain, my voice cold and firm. "You think you can just take what my mother left me? Dream on!"

"You b*tch!" Sharp fangs shot from her gums. In a flash, she lunged, her hand closing around my throat.

I looked at her calmly, forcing out the words with difficulty. "If... you don't care about... my dad's scolding and punishment, kill me now..."

She glared at me, her eyes full of hate. Then, with a furious growl, she shoved me away. I hit the ground hard.

This ring was a part of me now. She couldn't just yank it off. She'd have to beat me half to death first and force my wolf spirit into sleep. Only then could she take it.

Without Dad's order, she could only hurt my body—she couldn't beat me hard enough to get her hands on that ring. I knew it was driving her crazy.

Before she left the cell, she tossed an order over her shoulder. "Guards! Show her no mercy!"

The moment she was gone, a dozen burly warriors flooded in.

They surrounded me in an instant, raised their poison-soaked iron whips high, and lashed them at me nonstop.

The burning, relentless pain forced me into a tight ball on the filthy floor. My fists were clenched so tight my knuckles turned white. Every breath felt like my ribs were cracking, but I bit my lip until I tasted blood. I wouldn't make a sound.

Soon, my wolf Lily was too weak to stay awake. She couldn't heal my wounds anymore.

The musty smell unique to the dungeon mixed with the stench of blood, stinging my nose and keeping me wide awake.

I gritted my teeth, held the ring tightly, and endured silently until the torture ended that day...

*****

Three days ago, right after Mom's funeral, my father—Alpha Andrew Voss—couldn't wait. He announced that Raina, the woman he'd just brought home, was the new Luna.

It wasn't until my wolf, Lily, caught the scent on the girl Raina brought with her—Ruby—that I understood. Ruby smelled like my father. He'd betrayed Mom a long time ago.

In that moment, everything made sense. All those times Mom told me, "You have to leave Brookstone Pack."

Mom's death... it was probably no accident.

I rushed to the Elder Council Hall to demand an explanation, only to fall into Raina's trap.

While Dad was away, she framed me for "murdering the Luna and plotting a rebellion" and threw me into this abandoned dungeon.

I knew what she really wanted. The wolf-shaped ring my mom left me.

This ring was a family heirloom from my maternal grandfather's pure-blood noble pack, a symbol of status.

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