Chapter 3: Full Moon Night
347words
Lyra stood alone on the castle balcony, gazing at the enormous full moon. On this night in her previous life, she had been forbidden to leave her room, warned that werewolves became extremely dangerous during the full moon.
That night had marked the beginning of her marital nightmare.
But reborn, she no longer feared.
She was no longer that weak woman so easily manipulated. She would see everything with her own eyes and uncover the source of those past-life lies.
She slipped quietly from the castle toward the forest. Moonlight poured down like water over swaying tree shadows. Distant wolf howls made Lyra shudder despite herself.
Suddenly, rustling came from the bushes. A massive silver-gray wolf emerged from the darkness, blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
Lyra held her breath. This was Rayne's wolf form, more majestic than she remembered.
In her previous life, she'd never seen Rayne's wolf form. Rumors claimed it was ferocious beyond measure, that he would tear apart anyone who approached.
Yet now, the great wolf merely watched her quietly. His eyes held no hostility—only complex emotions: vigilance, curiosity, and... protectiveness?
Lyra gathered her courage and stepped forward. "Rayne?"
The wolf lowered his head, gently nuzzling her hand, warm breath against her palm. Then he looked around vigilantly, as if protecting her from unseen threats.
This contradicted everything she'd heard. Wasn't Rayne supposed to become bloodthirsty and violent during the full moon? Why did he seem so... gentle?
As the wolf led her back to the castle, questions filled Lyra's mind. Perhaps things weren't as she remembered. Perhaps the truth of her previous life was more complex than she'd imagined.
Back in her room, Lyra watched from the window as the wolf disappeared into the forest depths. Her fingers touched where his muzzle had brushed her skin, the warmth still lingering.
"If Rayne isn't my enemy," she whispered to herself, "then who truly wants me dead?"
Outside, the moonlight remained cold and clear, but in Lyra's heart, a terrible suspicion was taking shape.
