We rolled into SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation headquarters around ten in the morning the following day. Kira had crashed shortly after I took the wheel, and by the time my drive time ran out, it was nearly six in the morning. She slept through the entire eleven-hour haul, oblivious to the world. Jake had called me during that stretch, worried sick about her silence. I had to explain—again—that it wasn’t my place to tell him what was on her mind. Kira would share when she was ready, and until then, he’d just have to trust her. After hanging up with Jake, I called Stoneclaw to fill him in on the mess Zak had dropped us into, how it all went sideways, and how I had to go all “rescue ranger” to get Kira back. He promised to keep the news under wraps from the rest of the fleet, which was a relief. The last thing I needed was a pack of worried wolves breathing down my neck.

I conveniently left out the odd changes I’d gone through during the mission. I wasn’t entirely sure how to explain it yet—or even if I could. That conversation would have to wait until I had more answers. Hopefully, Director Staroko would have some insights. After that, I called Mac. For some reason, I missed her. She kept me company the entire time I drove, chatting about the training exercises the fleet was running. Apparently, they’d added water balloons and paintball rounds to the mix to make things “more realistic.” Her excitement was contagious, and despite my exhaustion, I found myself smiling. Mac was thrilled to be back in a military unit, especially now that the support team had delivered our uniforms and gear, complete with division patches.

She also let slip that Charlotte and Tyler had been busy designing potential unit crests. They were waiting for me to get back and choose one. Mac had a favorite, of course, but she wouldn’t tell me which. The girl’s enthusiasm was infectious, though she refused to spill any details about my truck when I asked. It was “a surprise for my return,” she insisted, clearly enjoying the suspense. We talked about everything and nothing for the next few hours, and it was nice, really nice. I found out she had her CDL but wasn’t interested in driving long-term. She’d gotten it just in case—another way to be prepared. She also confided in me about the falling out she’d had with her odyssey, her family of phoenixes, when she joined the Marines. They still talked occasionally, but she kept her distance.

By the time I finally crawled into my bunk, I was too tired to keep my eyes open, and I drifted off with her still on the phone. Kira took over the driving, letting me sleep off the miles. Now, I was sitting groggy as hell in the passenger seat, staring blankly at the big sign outside SkyTeam headquarters. The company’s slogan, “The Choice is Clear,” was displayed prominently beneath a hand holding a glass of water. I let out a big yawn, rubbing my eyes with the palms of my hands, trying to shake off the lingering fog of sleep.

“Here, I got you something,” Kira said, pulling a large can of Red Bull out of a plastic bag and handing it to me.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, still half-asleep but grateful.

“I figured you’d be tired as hell by the time we got here,” she said with a grin.

I nodded, cracked open the can, and took a huge gulp of the tangy, caffeinated rocket fuel. The familiar rush hit me instantly, sending a shiver through my body. “You’re a lifesaver,” I said, clutching the can like it was liquid gold.

“I don’t want to deal with a crabby Lyra,” she teased.

I arched an eyebrow at her. “Who said I’d be crabby?”

“You do realize that we all talk, right? Steve warned everyone not to mess with you when you’re tired,” she said, her grin widening.

“Ah…” I trailed off, a little embarrassed. Steve would know better than anyone how unpleasant I could be when I hadn’t slept.

We rolled up to the entrance of SkyTeam headquarters, where I noticed something new: a military guard stationed at a freshly installed gate. That was definitely a change—there was never a guard here before. Kira rolled down her window as the guard stepped up, his posture rigid with authority.

“Paperwork and driver’s license, please,” he demanded, his tone all business.

We handed over the paperwork, and I pulled out my wallet. Instead of giving him my driver’s license, I handed him my military ID. Kira, still lacking hers, passed over her driver’s license along with the company ID we’d all been issued. The sergeant took our credentials, but the moment his eyes landed on my military ID, he froze. His demeanor shifted instantly—stiffening like he’d just realized he was standing in front of a superior officer.

He quickly returned our documents, snapping off a crisp salute. “Please proceed to the Research and Development building, Colonel Acosta,” he announced, dropping his salute with a sharp nod.

I nodded back and directed Kira to drive on. She glanced at me, her brow furrowed in curiosity. “How do you know where we’re going?” she asked.

“I used to work and live here. If anything, this is home for me,” I explained. “I come back during the holidays to visit.”

“Damn…” she mouthed, eyes widening a bit as she took in the place.

We pulled into the loading area of the Research and Development building, where a small team of people was already waiting for us. I could just make out Director Staroko and Dr. Volkova among them. Kira parked the truck, and we climbed out, meeting the group halfway to hand over the paperwork we’d gotten from Aberdeen Proving Grounds. As soon as the documents changed hands, Director Staroko waved the team toward the truck. Kira and I automatically moved to help break down the load, but Director Staroko stopped us before we could get two steps.

“Ladies, the team will handle the load. It’ll be a couple of hours before you can leave,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I gave him a questioning look. Normally, drivers were required to handle their own securement and untarping.

“They’ve got it covered. Meanwhile, Dr. Volkova and I will take you to an early lunch,” he added, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Are you sure?” I asked, still a bit thrown by the offer.

“Yes. They need to offload certain items and reload others that we’re sending to your camp,” he explained.

“Alright,” I relented.

We followed him to a black Chevy Tahoe parked just out of sight of the loading area. As we drove, I couldn’t help but glance out the window as we passed the field where I had first met Cayro all those years ago. The memory was as clear as if it had happened yesterday—a night filled with chaos and bloodshed. The field still bore the scars from that battle, the trees standing as silent witnesses to the horror of that night. Now, a granite memorial in the shape of a wolf howling at the sky stood in the middle of the field, a somber tribute to all those who had fallen. Each time I came back here, I made it a point to visit, to honor their memory.

As the SUV emerged from the cover of the trees, the Tuscan-style mansion came into view, the Crescent Moon hovering just above it. The sight was as imposing as ever.

“Director Staroko, before we have lunch, could we have a private discussion?” I asked from the back seat.

“Of course,” he replied, his amber eyes meeting mine in the rear-view mirror.

He pulled the SUV around to the front of the mansion, and we all got out. I glanced over at Kira, noticing how nervous she looked as we walked up to the entrance.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Are we really going into the Zaraki Mansion?” she whispered, her voice laced with awe.

“Yeah, why?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“It’s just… all so surreal,” she replied, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Nah, like I said, this is home to me. I bet Star and Cayro are somewhere around here. You can bother them for a bit while I talk to Director Staroko,” I said with a grin, trying to ease her nerves.

“Is he really Director Staroko, the first King of the Wolves?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“The one and only,” Director Staroko said, turning back to look at us with a knowing smile.

Kira’s eyes widened as she quickly averted her gaze from Director Staroko. I rolled my eyes and gently dragged her into the mansion. The place hadn’t changed much since the first time I walked through those doors years ago. Dr. Zaraki still had photos of Star and the SAF scattered throughout the house, but there were some new additions. Recent photos had begun to appear—some of the twins, others of Cayro and Star standing with Dr. Zaraki. There were even a few of me and the Lyconotus, which caught me off guard.

Director Staroko led us to the main dining hall, where we found Cayro, Star, the twins, and a few other people I didn’t recognize sitting at the table, talking quietly. Cayro was at the head, with Star on his right and Celestia on his left, while Seren sat next to Star, quietly coloring with crayons.

Mounted above Cayro’s head were two new, large photos that caught my attention. One was of Cayro, Star, and the 588th with the Crescent Moon hovering over them—a moment frozen in time. The other was a shot of me and the entire fleet, with our trucks lit up in the background. It was the picture Dr. Zaraki had taken when we returned to the Ankeny yard after our first mission. For a moment, I gaped at the photos, feeling a mix of pride and surprise before shifting my focus back to Star and Cayro, who were now watching me.

Cayro directed our group toward a set of empty chairs, and we made our way over. Director Staroko gestured for Kira and Dr. Volkova to sit down.

“Cayro, I need to borrow Lyra for a bit to have a private conversation. Would you mind keeping her pack member and Katrina company while Lyra and I have our discussion?” Director Staroko announced.

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“Not a problem, Director. We’ll hold lunch until you return,” Cayro replied with a grin, giving me a wink that made me narrow my eyes suspiciously. What was that about?

I followed the director out of the dining hall, squeezing Kira’s shoulder as a silent reassurance that she would be safe with them. Director Staroko led me to the conference room near Dr. Zaraki’s office, where we pulled out chairs to sit down. I kept my eyes fixed on the tabletop, feeling the weight of the impending conversation.

“Lyra, I know what you want to ask me. Being that you and I are now equals, you don’t have to be submissive,” he said calmly.

I looked up, meeting the gaze of the world’s most powerful wolf. His scarred face was stern, but his amber eyes held a calm, caring expression. I swallowed hard and clasped my hands together on the table, feeling the pressure to find the right words.

“How was I able to bond with a phoenix and a dragon?” I finally asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

A grin spread across his face, and he took a moment to ponder his response. “Lyra, like all other werewolves, you were taught that our bonding magic only works within our species. However, that isn’t entirely true. The magic that flows through us is the same magic that originates from another realm.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“What I’m about to tell you cannot leave this room. The ramifications of this information getting out would cause chaos that even I cannot predict,” he said, his tone ominous.

“Okay,” I agreed quietly, the seriousness of the moment sinking in.

“I, along with several other supernaturals, are not originally from this realm. We come from the realm that the weapon ripped open,” he revealed, slowly lacing his hands together as if to anchor himself to the gravity of his words.

I stared at him, processing the enormity of what he had just said. This wasn’t just any revelation—it was a secret that could upend everything we knew about our world.

“Over three thousand years ago, I and a group of my closest allies escaped that realm and came to Earth to avoid a war and the slaughter of my bloodline. Back then, we were at war with a faction of mages and kingdoms that coveted our lands and magic,” he explained, his voice steady.

“But how does that relate to me bonding with other species?” I asked, trying to piece together how this ancient history connected to my recent experiences.

“I’m getting to that,” Director Staroko continued, his voice taking on a more solemn tone. “In the other realm, it was common practice to bond with other magical creatures to strengthen and protect one another. These bonds allowed us to rely on each other in ways that went beyond mere alliances. But over time, this practice revealed a critical flaw—a flaw that was exploited and ultimately led to the destruction of my kingdom in that realm. A powerful mage, known only as Merlin, helped us escape the annihilation of our species. When I and what remained of my kingdom arrived on Earth, I made it a law that we would never bond with another supernatural creature again. Over the centuries, this law became so ingrained that wolves began to believe our magic was incompatible with any other species.”

“So, let me get this straight,” I said, biting my lower lip in concern. “Technically, our magic isn’t from this world, we can bond with other creatures, and I broke one of your laws.”

“No, yes, and yes,” he replied, his stern expression softening into a smile. “But I should point out that I’m no longer king, so you didn’t break my law—you broke Zak’s. However, since I know for a fact that he hasn’t bothered to read up on the old laws yet, I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

“What do you mean by ‘no’?” I asked, confused.

“My magic and that of your ancestors isn’t of this world,” he explained, “but over time, it has evolved. Now, the magic you and your peers possess is a blend of this world and the other. As more time passes, the magic will become more attuned to this realm. Unlike me, you and most other wolves are beings of this world. There are only a handful of us who aren’t. The problem is, humans tend to think in linear terms. If you didn’t originate from this world, they consider you a threat. That’s why I’m telling you to keep this information between us.”

I nodded, trying to wrap my head around all this. “What are the consequences of bonding with other creatures? Are there any benefits?”

“First and foremost,” he said, his gaze locking onto mine, “always bond with those you absolutely trust. If you bond just to gain power, the results can backfire catastrophically. That’s what happened in my past. When you bond with another, you’re offering them a piece of your soul, and they’re giving you a piece of theirs in return. This makes you vulnerable to each other.”

I had to ask, though I already suspected the answer. “Have you ever bonded with another species?”

His expression told me everything I needed to know. He had, and it had led to betrayal.

“Yes, twice,” he admitted. “The first time nearly killed me. The second is the reason I’m alive today. It’s why, despite being over three thousand years old, I look like I’m in my late forties.”

“I thought werewolves were long-lived,” I said, puzzled.

“Oh, we are,” he confirmed, smiling slightly. “But the oldest werewolf on record is over six hundred—that would be Alpha Malachi’s father. That old dog just won’t give up the ghost. Our average lifespan is about three hundred years.”

“Then how are you still alive?” I asked, trying to make sense of it all.

“I just told you,” he said with a slight chuckle. “I’m alive because I bonded with another creature. I gained his ability to be immortal. It wasn’t something I intended, but it happened. And I suspect you have a similar ability.”

I gave him a questioning look, struggling to understand what he meant. “How would I be immortal? I’m bonded to a phoenix and a dragon. The others are all werewolves.”

“Are you sure about that?” he asked, a knowing grin spreading across his face.

“Yes, I’m sure,” I huffed, feeling defensive.

“Are you not bonded to Star and Cayro?” he asked, his tone careful.

“Well… yes, but they’re part werewolf. That’s where our bond originated,” I replied, a hint of doubt creeping in.

“You’re forgetting what we just discussed. We can bond with other creatures. Star and Cayro aren’t just werewolves. They’re also draconians,” he pointed out, his words hanging in the air like a challenge to everything I thought I knew.

It dawned on me that Mac wasn’t my first external species bond—Star and Cayro were. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, and I couldn’t help but blush at my earlier ignorance. All this time, I’d seen their bond with me as a purely werewolf connection.

“Oh…” I muttered, the embarrassment clear in my voice.

“So, you’re saying that I’ll be immortal because they are?” I asked, treading carefully as if the answer might upend my entire existence—which, let’s face it, it kind of did.

“That’s correct,” Director Staroko confirmed, leaning back in his chair with an air of calm certainty.

I leaned back too, trying to piece together the implications. If Star and Cayro were immortal due to their draconian nature, and now I might be immortal because of my bond with them… I shot a look of shock and realization at Director Staroko.

“You’re bonded to Dr. Zaraki, aren’t you?” I demanded, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

He gave me that same knowing grin, the one that said he wouldn’t need to confirm it outright—it was all in the subtext.

“That’s why you stepped down from being the King of the Wolves,” I continued, the pieces falling into place. “You knew that if the others discovered what you’d done, they’d want to do the same. You broke your own law and gained immortality, even though it wasn’t your intention. That’s why you’re loyal to him and not the North American Wolf Council.”

“Very perceptive, Alpha Acosta,” he replied, his tone one of genuine respect. “You’ve figured it out. And this is exactly why you cannot share any of this conversation with anyone outside this room. I inadvertently gave up my title the day Dr. Zaraki and I bonded. He is loyal to me, and I am loyal to him. By bonding with Star and Cayro, you’ve inadvertently set yourself apart from the werewolf hierarchy. You may be loyal to Zak as a friend, but your true loyalty lies with Star and Cayro. If they gave you an order that contradicted Zak’s, you’d obey them over him. That’s how the bonds work.”

“So, I’ll never be a true member of the werewolf community?” I asked, the weight of that realization pressing down on me.

“Eh, yes and no,” he replied, lifting his hand and tilting it side to side, a gesture as ambiguous as his answer.

“What do you mean?” I pressed, needing clarity in this swirling mess of revelations.

“Zak will recognize you as an alpha and as the leader of your pack, but he knows you’ll never truly answer to him. That’s why, when it came to helping you build a pack, he came to me. He knew you needed members who would be loyal only to you and not have ties to other packs,” Director Staroko explained.

“Zak knows?” I asked, feeling a pang of betrayal mixed with understanding.

“He figured it out after he discovered that Dr. Zaraki and I were bonded. My son is pretty perceptive when it comes to connections. It’s one of the reasons why he makes a damn good king,” he said with a small smile.

“So, you were the one who put my pack together?” I asked, the pieces of my life being reshuffled in my mind.

“Yes, and you were the best option for them. They needed an alpha, and we didn’t have a place for them here at SkyTeam,” he answered.

“Thank you. They mean the world to me,” I said softly, genuinely grateful.

“That’s good because they’ll be loyal to you and only you now,” he replied.

“Did you suggest the dragons and Mac too?” I asked, curious about how deep this plan went.

“No, that was Dr. Zaraki’s doing. Although I don’t think he intended for them to bond with you. The dragons needed a task that got them out of the special forces, and Mac, from what I understand, was struggling to adjust to her position in the shop. She’s a hell of a mechanic, from what I’ve heard,” he explained.

“Yeah, she is,” I agreed, smiling at the thought of Mac’s enthusiasm. “I have one more question before we head back.”

“What’s that?” he asked, his tone patient.

“My beta, Steve Amarok, suggested that Zak is preparing me to be on his council. Is that the case?” I asked, bracing myself for the answer.

“No, in fact, that’s part of why we’re having this lunch today. We—meaning me, Dr. Zaraki, and Zak—have been preparing you to be on Star and Cayro’s council. Because they are your Alpha and Luna, we’ve been taking steps to get you ready to take your seat as their lead council member,” he revealed.

My shoulders sagged as the truth of his words settled over me. I had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed made it all the more real. I took a moment, gathering my thoughts, before looking back up at the Director.

“Why?” I asked, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.

“I’ll answer this one last question, Lyra,” Director Staroko said, his tone leaving no room for debate. “But afterward, we need to head back to the dining hall. We’re out of time.”

“Okay,” I replied, bracing myself for whatever revelation was coming next.

“The supernatural world is shifting and restructuring now that we’ve been revealed,” he began, his voice measured and deliberate. “With Star and Cayro being one of the more influential families in our world, they’re set to be among the most prominent leaders of the supernaturals. They’ll likely be in charge of the military side of things. That means they need a council of their own—one they can lean on and trust implicitly.”

He stood up, signaling that our conversation was over, and opened the door for me. I followed him out of the conference room, my mind buzzing with everything I’d just learned.

As we entered the dining hall, I noticed Star and Kira deep in conversation, while Dr. Volkova sat with Cayro, holding Seren. When Cayro saw us, he stood and gestured for the room to quiet down.

“Now that we’re all here, please move to your proper seats so that we can begin lunch and discuss the plans that are in motion,” Cayro announced, his voice carrying the authority of someone who was used to being obeyed. “Lyra, you and your sergeant, please take your seats next to me.”

Star and Kira stood and moved to their seats at the head of the table, and I followed suit, though not without a pang of unease. I carefully pulled out the chair that had been reserved for me and sat down beside Cayro, trying to get a read on the room. Director Staroko and Dr. Volkova took the twins out of the dining room, with the director giving me a wink as he left. I returned it with a weary look before turning my attention to Star, who offered me a soft, reassuring smile just as the mansion staff began bringing in the food.

I swallowed hard and looked down at my plate, waiting for everyone to be served. As I glanced around the room, I couldn’t help but notice that everyone except Kira and me was dressed in military uniforms. Most of them were colonels or lieutenant colonels, with a few sergeants mixed in. The realization that I was surrounded by such high-ranking officials made my stomach churn.

Leaning over to Kira, I whispered, “There’s a lot of higher brass here. Any idea what’s going on?”

“Supposedly, this is a divisional lunch, from what I understand,” she whispered back. “By the way, when did I get the rank of sergeant?”

“No idea,” I whispered, genuinely baffled.

“Just now,” Cayro whispered, leaning over to both of us with a mischievous grin.

I nearly jumped out of my skin at his voice, having forgotten his super hearing. “Not funny, Alpha,” I grumbled, trying to mask my surprise.

Cayro just smiled at me, a quick, knowing smile, before standing up to address the room. The atmosphere shifted as he prepared to speak, the weight of whatever was coming next hanging in the air like a storm about to break.