Chapter 53 Old Tensions Resurface

• The morning sun cast golden rays over the Red Moon Pack grounds, a reminder of how far we’d come, how much we’d rebuilt. It felt like a quiet celebration of our resilience. But as I stood by the gates, welcoming our allies and their envoys, the familiar sight of two approaching figures stole the air from my lungs. Lyra and Nicolai—two names and faces I never thought I’d see again.
• Beside me, Blue and Grey sensed the change immediately. Their easy smiles turned into tight lines as they noticed my reaction, and their postures stiffened, reflecting my own unease.
• Lyra, for all the years that had passed, still carried herself with that same air of polished grace. Her eyes met mine, unreadable yet piercing, a reminder of the fragile peace between us. Nicolai, however, was another story. His gaze burned with resentment, a deep-seated bitterness that instantly reignited the hurt I thought I’d buried.