PROJECT: CAYRO

Cayro Bracton

October 23, 2035

11:18 EST

Lyconotu Manor

Pigeon Forge, TN

“What the hell do you mean you've been arrested?” Zak’s roar tore through the quiet house from the living room.

The jolt snapped me from my half-dazed state on the couch, Star sprawled over me. She grumbled as I craned my neck, straining to catch what had him so riled up. We’d spent all night in the garage, fine-tuning the bike until it finally roared to life. Afterward, we’d barely managed to crawl back inside. The nearest available couch had been all we could handle.

Yawning, I nudged Star gently off me. She whined but slid onto my spot, curling up as I made my way to the bathroom, splashing some water on my face to wake up. My mouth felt like a desert. As I grabbed a glass in the kitchen, Zak’s booming voice echoed in, growing louder. He had his phone to his ear, his expression like thunder.

“You let her drive the Mustang! Why on earth did you let Lyra behind the wheel?” His voice reverberated around the room.

I blinked. Lyra? In Aura’s Mustang? I turned back to the sink, filling my glass, curiosity piqued.

“Aura… just because Lyra showed you her driver’s license doesn’t mean you let her drive!” Zak grumbled, more frustrated than ever.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering why Lyra hadn’t taken the skycar; Scuzball would’ve happily chauffeured her. Zak switched the call to speaker.

Aura’s shaky voice came through, “I’m sorry, Zak! I didn’t know she’d drive like a possessed demon!”

Halfway through my drink, I froze, my glass hovering in mid-air. Aura was crying. I glanced at Zak’s face, then back to the phone, finally setting my glass down.

“What exactly happened?” I asked, breaking the silence.

Aura hiccuped, then began. “Lyra wanted to go to the store. She asked to borrow my car, and I... I went with her. Next thing I know, we’re in a high-speed chase through the city. Lyra lost the cops, but when I was driving us home, I got pulled over. I was arrested. And then Jason, the Acosta Pack Beta, showed up and took Lyra.”

Zak’s jaw clenched. “Why didn’t you tell the cops Lyra was the one driving?”

“I did! But she told them she was fourteen—and damn it, Zak, she looks fourteen! The cops believed her, and Jason leaned on my record to back it up.” Aura’s voice was thick with frustration.

Zak’s gaze whipped to me, his eyes hardening, and I suddenly felt the full weight of the King of Wolves staring me down. I could tell this wasn’t a look meant for his best friend; it was the fury of a ruler. Hell no, I wasn’t taking the fall for this.

“What the hell did I do?” I demanded, refusing to back down.

“She’s your Beta. Your responsibility,” he growled.

A low, heated rumble rose in my chest. “You know damn well I don’t have a clue what it means to run a pack yet. Secondly, I was asleep with Star when this whole thing happened. Thirdly—Aura made the conscious choice to let Lyra drive. This is not on me.” My inner beast clawed forward, anger sharpening my words.

Zak held my gaze for a long moment, then finally looked away, the edge of his anger easing but not gone. Just then, Star shuffled in, the mix of sleepiness and irritation clear on her face.

“What did I just hear? Aura got arrested?” she demanded, her tone sharp enough to cut glass.

Zak’s frown deepened. “Yes.”

“Why?” Star’s voice brooked no excuses.

“Lyra got into a high-speed chase with the local PD,” I muttered.

Star’s gaze narrowed. “Where is Lyra now? Why isn’t she with Aura?”

Aura’s voice crackled over the speaker. “The Acosta Pack’s Beta took her…”

The look on Star’s face shifted from shock to a white-hot fury, a transformation that froze me in place. Her form began to change, scales rippling to the surface as she shifted into her Draconian form. Anger radiated off her in waves, nearly tangible in the air. She turned to Zak, her voice low and dangerous.

“We’re going to get Lyra,” she declared, the authority in her tone settling into the room like a heavy weight, raising the hairs on my arms. I’d seen Star angry before, but this was different—there was no hesitation, only a fierce, relentless resolve. Even Zak, the King of Wolves, took a step back, his wary gaze flicking between her and me.

I arched an eyebrow at him before glancing back at Star. “Babe? I’m pretty sure Zak can handle it. He is the king, after all.”

Star spun to face me, her eyes glistening with tears that barely softened the fury underneath. “Cayro, Lyra’s in real trouble. Her father hurt her. Those arm bracers she wears—they cover scars. And her back… it looks like someone whipped her.” Her voice broke, but the anger didn’t waver.

I blinked, taken aback, glancing over at Zak, who looked equally stunned. Scars? I hadn’t known Lyra hid scars, though maybe Star had seen them after that ridiculous glitter incident. Zak’s expression hardened as he focused back on his phone, now clearly as determined as Star.

“Aura, we’re on our way. I’ll call Malachi; he’ll meet us at the station. Just sit tight,” he instructed before hanging up.

Zak headed for the door, pausing only to look over his shoulder at us. “Coming, or not?”

Star and I moved in sync, following him to the truck. I climbed into the front seat while Star slid into the back, eyes still blazing. Surprisingly, Zak kept his cool as we left the mansion and pulled onto the main road. I’d half-expected him to drive like a madman, given his mood.

On the way, he filled Malachi in on the details, explaining Aura’s record and the lack of hard evidence that Lyra was the one driving. Malachi seemed confident he could get Aura out of jail, though the fine would likely stick. Star’s offer to cover the fine took both Zak and me by surprise, but she waved it off as if it were nothing.

We arrived at the police station quickly. Zak parked near the entrance and got out, but before Star and I could follow, he tossed me his keys, giving me a look that brooked no argument. “Wait here. This won’t take long.”

When Star tried to protest, Zak silenced her with an alpha stare—the kind I’d seen only a few times, and each one unforgettable. “It’s better if just Malachi and I go in. Cops don’t appreciate a show of force, and we’re a pretty damned imposing crew.”

Star shut her mouth and sank back into her seat as we watched Zak meet Malachi at the station’s entrance. After a quick exchange, Zak took some documents from him, then disappeared inside.

“Well, this could have gone better,” I muttered.

“You’re telling me. What the hell was Lyra thinking?” Star hissed, her frustration barely tempered. “Why didn’t she just have Scuzball take her?”

“You know, I asked myself that same question.” I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around it. “Did you know Lyra could drive?”

“She’d mentioned it, but I didn’t think much about it.” Star shrugged. “Growing up on the Autumn, I was usually flying—skycar, skyboard, whatever worked. Driving’s not my thing, honestly. No skycar? We’d just grab a cab.”

“Huh, fair point,” I conceded, glancing at her. “So, Lyra shared some of her past with you?”

“Yes. Once I saw the scars, I started asking questions.” Star’s voice softened, briefly edged with sadness. “She wasn’t exactly forthcoming, but she made it clear her father was responsible.”

“That explains why she ran away,” I said, piecing it all together.

“From what I’m gathering, there are deep-seated issues festering in werewolf hierarchy,” Star added quietly.

Curious, I turned to her. “What do you mean?”

She sighed, stretching out in the back seat. “Take the SkyTeam Pack, for example. When Director Staroko gave us that intro to werewolves, he said they’re practically all rogues. And then, the NAWC itself—Zak and Aura’s influence has shaken the foundation, leaving it divided. Some seem resistant to the changes they’re pushing. And then there’s Lyra. She’s the heiress to one of the most respected packs, yet she chose to give that up and run.” She let her gaze drift to the window.

I leaned back, meeting her eyes. “Good point. If you’re right, Zak and Aura are in for a hell of a challenge.”

“Yep, and I don’t envy them one bit,” she murmured, covering her eyes with her arm, clearly exhausted.

I smirked, her drowsiness reminding me of just how little sleep we’d had ourselves. She was out within seconds, and as I settled back, I shut my eyes too, letting the silence hang between us.

The sudden creak of the passenger door jolted me awake. I growled instinctively, blinking to find a tear-streaked, pissed-off Aura staring down at me. I snapped to attention, muttering a quick apology as I righted the seat and climbed out. Opening the back door, I found Star sprawled across the entire bench, tail swishing lazily in her sleep. One corner of my mouth lifted at the sight.

Carefully lifting Star’s legs, I slid under them, earning a half-hearted grunt from her before she resumed her snoring. Aura, still clearly fuming, glared over at Star and sniffed. Zak sighed as he climbed into the driver’s seat, the tension thick in the air.

“So? What’s the verdict?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Aura shot me a look of pure irritation, while Zak huffed. “Malachi pulled some strings with the judge. Thanks to our standing, he got a lenient judgment for Aura when she pled guilty.”

Aura’s eyes blazed. “That was some fucking bullshit!”

Zak shot her a warning glance. “It was either that or five years in prison. I’d rather pay a ten thousand dollar fine and serve forty hours of community service than have you locked up.”

“Wait, you have to do community service?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“We both do,” he muttered, his tone dark. “The judge wants to make it clear that not even the King of the Wolves is above the law.”

“Ouch,” I said, wincing. “Sounds like a long week of trash pick-up for you two.”

Aura rolled her eyes, scoffing. “Oh no, it’s not trash pick-up. We’re on display for the holidays.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, just as Star let out a loud snore, rolling over. Aura glared at her like she wanted to throw something heavy.

“They’re making us set up for the Thanksgiving Parade,” Zak grumbled, “and dress up for it.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.” I shrugged.

“As turkeys,” Aura snarked, her face turning sour.

My mouth snapped shut as I bit my cheek to keep from laughing, but a grin spread across my face anyway. The image was priceless.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Cayro. If you keep it up, I’ll rope you and Star into joining us. After all, it was your Beta who caused this entire mess.” Zak’s tone was pointed, and I quickly wiped the smile off my face.

He wasn’t wrong. As I thought about Lyra, I realized I had no clue how to handle this. This wasn’t some minor issue. I was her Alpha now, and I’d have to figure out how to address her actions.

“Zak,” I finally asked, breaking the silence. “What do Star and I do about Lyra? I have no idea how to handle this situation.”

Zak took a deep breath, pulling out of the station. “Let’s figure that out once we actually get her back from the Acosta Pack. Something tells me Alpha Acosta isn’t going to make this easy.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, frowning.

Zak’s gaze darkened. “Needless to say, Alpha Acosta isn’t exactly a fan of my rule. After my father disappeared, things turned to shit, and some of the higher-ups took advantage of his absence”

“Great…” I muttered, the frustration building.

For the next twenty minutes, we rode in silence. Star’s soft snoring filled the cab as she slept off the exhaustion from last night. I didn’t blame her; after everything we’d been through, rest was a luxury. Zak drove with a steady hand, heading further from the city and deeper into the countryside instead of back toward the mansion.

“Where exactly are we headed?” I asked, sensing a shift in the mood.

“Acosta Pack Territory,” Zak grumbled. “Time to retrieve Lyra.”

I swallowed, glancing around at the unfamiliar stretch of road. “Is it really wise for you to confront Acosta on his own turf?”

Zak barked a humorless laugh. “Who said I was retrieving her? I’m not her Alpha. You are.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. He’s throwing me out to the wolves—literally—without any training. “What the hell, Zak?” I blurted, disbelief coloring my words.

Star jerked awake at my tone, groggy but instantly alert. “What’s going on?”

I glanced at her, still stunned. “Zak’s throwing me into the deep end of werewolf politics to get Lyra back.”

A wicked grin crept across Star’s face, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Great, just what I need. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was planning something devious.

“Zak…” I muttered in a low, warning tone, eyeing him with suspicion.

He chuckled, climbing out of the truck. “Star, shift back. No need to reveal all our cards just yet.”

Without hesitation, Star returned to her human form and stepped out of the truck. I followed suit, meeting Zak at the front, Aura close behind. I shot Zak a look of thinly veiled worry.

“How exactly do I negotiate with Alpha Acosta?” I asked, cautious.

Zak’s grin was almost wolfish. “Establish dominance. That’s the only language he’ll respect.”

“Fantastic…” I muttered, a low curse escaping me just as I caught Star’s gleeful expression. Before I could stop her, she stepped forward, took a deep breath, and shouted:

“HEY! YOU DUMBASS, FUR-COVERED FLEA BAG! GIVE ME BACK MY BETA!”

I pressed a hand to my face, groaning, as Aura bent over, cackling, while Zak snorted with barely concealed laughter. The front door of the house burst open, and a massive silver wolf stormed out, dragging a heavy chain, fury gleaming in its eyes. The wolf towered at least eight feet tall, muscles rippling under its thick fur. It let out a howl that shook the trees around us.

Within moments, more wolves materialized from the shadows—wolves of every size, shape, and color. Some stood on all fours, others upright on hind legs, eyes locked on us with feral intensity. A chill went down my spine as I realized just how outnumbered we were.

“Uh, Zak?” I whispered.

Zak grinned, taking a step back with Aura, leaving Star and me alone in the clearing. “Establish dominance,” he repeated with a smirk.

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?” I snapped.

“Your mate has the right idea. Follow her lead,” he said, casually leaning against the truck as if this were just another day.

Just great, I thought. My best friend was out to get me killed, my mate had a death wish, and I was flying blind. But fine. If establishing dominance was what I needed to do, then I’d give it a shot.

“Oye! Alpha Acosta! Give me back my wolf!” I shouted, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

A deep, guttural laugh rumbled from Alpha Acosta. “Is that the best you’ve got, Son of Bracton?” He yanked hard on the chain, and my blood ran cold as I watched Lyra stumble forward, her wrists bound, a thick metal collar digging into her neck. The skin around it was raw, blood seeping through.

A surge of rage roared to life inside me. The sight of Lyra, beaten and chained, pushed me over the edge. I felt my inner beast—the Alpha—rise up, clawing its way to the surface. For the first time, I let it take control. My fangs lengthened, nails sharpened to claws, and my muscles tensed, filled with a primal strength. I locked my gaze on Acosta, my voice vibrating with an authority I didn’t know I possessed.

“You have what belongs to me,” I snarled, my voice laced with raw power as I pointed at Lyra.

For a moment, Alpha Acosta looked stunned, the power I’d unleashed hitting him like a blow. But he shook it off, sneering. “Well, it seems our ruler wasn’t wrong—you really are of his blood,” he replied, brushing off my command with an air of disdain. “But you’re untrained, lacking the authority he commands. Nice try, though…”

I glanced at Zak, hoping for some support. He shrugged, his expression amused. “Keep going. It takes practice.”

Acosta’s gaze shifted to Zak. “You realize, Lord Lycotonu, that as her father and Alpha, it’s my right to protect my bloodline. Lyra’s the heiress to my pack. She belongs here; it’s her duty to step into her place.” The bitterness in his tone was unmistakable as he leveled his gaze at Zak.

I glanced back at Zak, who looked as nonchalant as ever, examining his nails like this was just another day. But when he looked up, there was steel in his eyes. “That would be true, Acosta, if not for two key reasons,” he said, standing to his full height, his tone commanding. “You see, I’m not the naive little boy you think I am.”

Aura joined him, and in perfect sync, they shifted. Zak stood tall, his form nearly as massive as Acosta’s, his black fur sleek and his eyes burning with an eerie amber glow. Aura, a striking counterpoint beside him, was white as snow, her crystal-blue eyes fierce. Power rippled off them in waves, cresting over Star and me. For the other wolves, it was enough to make them take a step back.

“Neither am I blind to what’s going on with my family,” Zak continued, his voice low and steady.

“So, you’ve finally come to put me in my place?” Acosta chuckled, but his gaze held an edge of wariness.

Zak’s lips curled into a grin. “Oh, I’m not here to do anything to you, Acosta. They are.” He nodded toward Star and me. “You crossed the line by taking their Beta. I’m simply here to make sure this ends fairly.”

Acosta snarled, his anger flaring. “I told you, Lyra is rightfully mine!”

“Bullshit!” Star spat, stepping forward. “You tried to marry her off to some pack in Maryland before she ran away. And now you’ve got her chained up like an animal, like she’s your property.”

Acosta’s face twisted in anger. “Who the hell do you think you are to speak to me?” He sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re nothing but an abomination. I don’t answer to the likes of you, bitch.”

The moment he said it, I felt my inner beast snort, almost amused, before settling back into me, its confidence a dark undercurrent in my veins. I felt my body shift back to my more human form, muscles relaxing. Turning my back to Acosta, I leaned casually against the truck’s grill, arms crossed. His confusion was priceless as he looked to Zak for an explanation.

Zak gave him a wicked grin. “You missed a few things, Acosta. First, you gave up any claim to Lyra when you tried to marry her off to the Cross Pack.” His tone turned cold, piercing. “Oh yes, I know about that. Second, Lyra responded to the Call of the Hunt and bound herself to Alpha Bracton, who, I might add, is also a Lyconotu. That makes him her rightful Alpha, superseding your claim. And lastly…” Zak’s voice dropped to a dangerous tone. “You just called the one person here whom I have zero control over an abomination and a bitch.”

I glanced at Star, catching the wicked glint in her eyes. If there was one thing I knew about my mate, it was that she thrived on teaching people harsh lessons, and Acosta had just painted a target on his back. After watching Dr. Zaraki take down my father, I had no doubts Star could do the same.

Acosta scoffed, dismissive. “You think I’m afraid of some little hybrid girl? I’ve faced far greater threats than her.”

Zak shook his head, disbelief and something close to pity in his expression. He rubbed his temples with two fingers, his deep voice rolling out in a low chuckle. “Clearly, you weren’t paying attention at the last council meeting. This so-called ‘girl’ is the heiress of Dr. H. M. Zaraki… the Master of Death. The one person even my father respects and fears.”

The silence that fell over the gathered wolves was thick, and Acosta’s face showed a flicker of hesitation. I caught Star’s eye, her grin widening into something feral, a thrill in her gaze. She tilted her head slightly, looking more wicked and fearsome than I’d ever seen her, and I knew Acosta had just made things personal for her.

The silence thickened as Zak’s words settled over the crowd. Acosta’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of unease betraying him as he looked at Star with newfound respect—and maybe a touch of fear. Star’s eyes sparkled, her body tensing with barely contained excitement, the thrill of the challenge coursing through our bond. Her head tilted, that wicked smile stretching across her face, casting an almost maniacal gleam. She lifted her hand, pointing straight at Alpha Acosta, and when she spoke, her voice rolled out like a creeping mist in a midnight forest, her power wrapping around us in a dark, chilling embrace. Goosebumps prickled along my arms.

“I challenge you, Alpha Acosta, for the right to Lyra Kamilia Acosta, Beta of the Bracton Zaraki Pack.”

Her words rang through the air like a siren’s call, a dark melody that left no room for retreat. Acosta’s jaw dropped as he registered just how thoroughly we had cornered him. His pack looked on, witnesses to Star’s formal challenge, and even he couldn’t back out without losing face. To his wolves, Star might appear an easy target, but they could all feel the weight of the power she had just released, and none dared to underestimate it.

“Fine…” Acosta snarled, eyes flashing. “But when I win, your mate will walk away, and Lyra stays—with no retribution.”

Zak’s voice boomed out, steady and final. “The challenge is accepted and witnessed by the Lyconotu and Acosta packs. The stakes are set: if the Bracton Zaraki Pack wins, Lyra Kamilia Acosta is returned without retribution from the Acosta Pack. If the Acosta Pack wins, she remains, with no recourse from the Bracton Zaraki Pack. The challenger is Star T. Zaraki, Luna of the Bracton Zaraki Pack. The challenged is Castello Micheal Acosta, Alpha of the Acosta Pack. This challenge is to the death.”

The declaration hit like a thunderclap. My teeth clenched, every fiber in me rebelling against the thought, yet my inner Alpha held firm, a fierce pride swelling for Star. I could feel her confidence, her certainty in victory pouring through our bond, and for the first time, my inner Alpha didn’t question it. It agreed.

Acosta dropped the chain he held, stalking toward Star with murderous intent. Lyra whimpered, caught between relief and terror as she watched her father advance on Star. She tried to step forward, but I met her gaze and shook my head, pointing to an empty chair on the porch. Without a word, Lyra obeyed, though her eyes remained locked on Star, her fear for her Luna and friend evident.

Turning back to the battlefield between Star and Acosta, I could feel the tension humming through the air, almost electric. Acosta had a clear advantage in height and bulk, but Star had her own edge—agility and a knack for vanishing at precisely the right moment.

To my surprise, Star made the first move. She dove forward, tucking into a roll that carried her smoothly between Acosta’s legs as his claws sliced through the air, missing her by inches. She popped to her feet, and before he could react, she delivered a sharp kick to his lower back, sending him stumbling forward toward me, Zak, and Aura. He barely recovered before he crashed into us, whirling around with a furious snarl.

Star, now leaning casually against the silver Porsche that was parked in the driveway, inspected her nails as if entirely bored. The realization hit me—she was toying with him. Acosta, nearly trembling with rage, charged at her, desperate to catch her. But in the blink of an eye, she vanished, leaving him to slam into the car’s rear with a loud crunch of metal and plastic. The Porsche’s alarm blared loudly.

Acosta pushed himself up, his face contorted in fury, scanning wildly for her. I couldn’t help but snort as she reappeared, crouched on the car’s roof with a mocking grin. “Hey, furball! Over here!” she called, her tone light and taunting.

Acosta whirled around, claws clenching together to form a massive, deadly fist. He brought them down in a powerful slam meant for Star, but she vanished in an instant. The crunch of metal and plastic followed as he caved in the car roof, his frustrated roars filling the night. Star reappeared beside me, watching with a smirk as the enraged werewolf swore up a storm.

“I wonder how much that car cost him,” she muttered out of the corner of her mouth, barely hiding her amusement.

“Seriously? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I asked, incredulous.

Acosta spotted Star again, his face twisted with lethal fury. With a snarl, he reached down, grabbed the Porsche, and hoisted it clean off the ground, lifting it over his head like a weapon. My eyes went wide as he aimed.

“Oop! Time to go!” Star yelped, vanishing again as I dove out of the way with Zak and Aura. The Porsche sailed past us, smashing into the nose of Zak’s truck with a sickening crunch. I glanced over at Zak, whose face had darkened with sheer, unbridled fury. Acosta wouldn’t make it far, even if he somehow managed to win.

This time, Star reappeared on the edge of the roof above Acosta, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Hey, Stupid! Up here!” she taunted.

Acosta whipped around with a feral snarl, lunging up onto the roof to follow her. Star backpedaled, letting him get close, then took off running toward the other side, only to stop just before the edge. Acosta howled and leapt, closing the distance—but at the last second, Star sidestepped, letting him sail past her.

The roof groaned, then cracked under his weight, snapping loudly before collapsing altogether. He plunged down into the house with a deafening crash. His furious roar shook the walls. “So help me, I’m going to kill you! That was a fifteen-thousand-dollar table and a curio cabinet with twenty grand in bourbon!”

Star leaned over the hole, utterly unfazed. “Sucks, doesn’t it? Not so fun when it’s your things getting trashed, is it?”

“Fuck you!” Acosta’s voice echoed, punctuated by a massive piece of furniture hurtling out of the hole. Star sidestepped, watching as an upright piano slammed onto the roof, then crashed down to the ground floor.

“Son of a bitch!” Acosta bellowed, his rage now blistering.

“Babe!” I shouted up. “Is there a reason you’re deliberately pissing him off?”

She flashed me a wicked grin, and in that instant, I understood her plan perfectly. Aura sidled up, her gaze fixed on Star as more sounds of destruction erupted from the house.

“What exactly is she hoping to accomplish?” Aura asked, wide-eyed.

I chuckled. “This is payback for calling her an abomination and a bitch.”

Aura’s eyes widened as another loud crash sounded from inside, followed by a sleek French-door fridge being tossed through one of the gaping holes in the roof. Star vanished as it landed, reappearing beside it, where she gave it a sharp kick. The fridge plummeted back through the hole, followed by Acosta’s yelp of pain.

“Ouch. That sounded like it hurt!” Star shouted, laughing down after him.

But before she could react, the roof exploded beneath her as Acosta hurled the fridge right back. She lost her footing with a startled shriek, tumbling down through the jagged opening. My stomach twisted as I heard Acosta’s sinister laughter.

“Finally got you! No more of this vanishing crap!” he growled.

I tensed, straining to listen. A furious scuffle sounded from inside, punctuated by a yelp and a startled curse from Acosta. “What the hell are you?!”

Then, with a thunderous crash, Star came flying out through a wall, hitting the grass in a shower of debris and glass. She rose slowly, brushing herself off, and I stared, stunned.

Gone was her usual form, replaced by something far more terrifying. Her skin shimmered with black, iridescent scales that glinted under the sun’s gleam. Her hair, once brown, now shined with an amethyst hue, her horns extended and curving back in a fierce arc. She looked like a force of nature, a female version of her father in his most fearsome form. I could only watch, caught between awe and pride.

Star looked terrifying, a vision of unrestrained power with her reptilian features and talon-tipped claws. In one smooth motion, she summoned a massive amethyst-colored wrench into her grasp, its edges gleaming ominously. Her tail swished with a lethal grace as she strode toward the wreckage that was once Acosta’s house.

What happened next could only be described as an all-out smackdown. Star didn’t just enter the house—she kicked the door off its hinges, calling Acosta a “worthless shit stain” loud enough to shake the walls. His answering roar only fueled her, and the chaos that followed was enough to make the ground tremble beneath our feet.

It was clear Star had one mission: leave nothing standing. The sounds of clashing metal, wood splintering, and bodies crashing into walls echoed from inside. For five relentless minutes, the sounds of destruction poured from the house. Finally, something smashed against the garage door, warping it outwards until the imprint of a wolf was visible. A second later, a dark ball crashed through the door, flying across the driveway.

Star tumbled, rolling across the pavement before springing to her feet. The wrench had vanished, but she merely tilted her head, cracking her neck as though she hadn’t just torn apart half a house. Meanwhile, what remained of Acosta stumbled out of the ruins, ripping open the mangled door. He looked like he’d gone a round with a blender—one eye swollen shut, blood dripping from his mouth, limping heavily on one leg, his body riddled with gashes and bruises.

I let out a low whistle, taking in the carnage. Acosta was a wreck, but sheer fury kept him moving. He didn’t growl or snarl this time; he simply charged at her, head lowered. Star held her ground, unmoved. Then, with a sudden flash, the amethyst wrench reappeared in her hand. She swung upward, the wrench catching him clean under the chin, sending him flying backward to land flat on his back.

The impact of Star’s strike reverberated through the ground, a pulse of raw power that chilled me to my core. Acosta groaned, trying to push himself to his knees, but Star moved with a predator’s grace, closing the distance between them. She gripped his neck, lifting him just enough to meet her blazing amethyst gaze.

She drew her fist back, and instead of striking his chest, her arm and body phased through him, just as I’d seen Dr. Zaraki do before to my father. But this time, it was Star who reached beyond the physical, her taloned hand wrapping around something deep within him. With a single, brutal yank, she tore free his very essence. His body fell forward, lifeless, as she held his soul in her grasp, gazing at it with an unsettling hunger.

“Lyra. Belongs. To. Me…” Her voice was a low, throaty growl, each word pointed and dripping with malicious satisfaction.

I could only stare, transfixed by the sight of her holding Acosta’s essence, as if unsure what to do with it now that she had it. She hesitated, her expression shifting from confusion to something darker, almost primal. Her eyes flared, and slowly, she licked her lips, as though some part of her was savoring the soul’s power.

A hand on my shoulder jolted me, and I turned to find Dr. Zaraki beside me in his Draconian form, his face etched with concern as he took in the scene before him. He moved toward Star, stopping just before her, and whispered something I couldn’t hear.

I swallowed hard, watching as my mate and her father exchanged quiet words. My mind struggled to process everything that had just happened, caught between awe and a lingering sense of dread.