Chapter 164: Lya’s Speech

Lya gently ran her fingers through Loric’s hair as he sat on her bed, absentmindedly playing with the edge of her blanket. His big, innocent eyes gazed at her with curiosity and adoration, warming her heart. She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before lifting her head to look at Caleb, Elora, and Drake in turn. The brief moment of rest she’d had at the hospital had been appreciated, but she knew her duty awaited her now.

Taking a deep breath, she placed a hand on her still-flat stomach and declared with quiet determination, “It’s time for me to step out of this room and make my own announcement, love. I want to speak to the entire pack, if possible.”

Caleb, who had been watching her with open pride, smirked slightly before turning toward his Beta. He didn’t even have to say Drake’s name—just one look was enough to make Drake straighten up, instantly understanding what was expected of him.

“Beta, you know what to do,” Caleb ordered firmly. “I want every available pack member gathered in the central square. We’ll broadcast the speech over Sacred Moon’s internal channel for those who can’t leave their posts.”

For once, Drake set aside his usual carefree attitude and adopted a completely serious demeanor. His eyes gleamed with enthusiasm and respect.

“I’ll take care of it immediately with Malick and Darrien, Alpha!” Then, flashing a mischievous grin at Lya, he added, “Luna, I can’t wait to hear your speech.”

Lya returned his smile, knowing full well that Drake would undoubtedly exaggerate everyone’s reactions once it was over. “I have no doubt about that. Make sure the remaining guests who haven’t left yet join as well.”

Caleb, already relishing the situation, couldn’t suppress the triumphant gleam in his eyes. A predatory smile stretched across his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I believe Soren is still here. This is going to be another blow to his morale. I can’t wait to see it.”

Lya immediately rolled her eyes, shaking her head in mock exasperation. She knew her mate all too well—he took a particular kind of pleasure in seeing Soren suffer. But she couldn’t deny he was right.

“Caleb, this is starting to feel like cruelty.”

The Alpha, unfazed, grinned even wider, his blue eyes shimmering with pride.

“Babe, cruelty is in my DNA.”

Elora, who had been watching their exchange with a mix of amusement and exasperation, let out an audible sigh before shaking her head.

“My son, sometimes I wonder how Lya puts up with you.”

But the warmth in her smile betrayed the deep emotion she felt witnessing the unbreakable bond between Caleb and his mate. No matter what, they were an unstoppable duo, and that was all that mattered.

Meanwhile, a shift had been taking place within the pack—a transformation that reflected the deep changes Caleb and Lya had brought to Sacred Moon. For years, the Elders had expressed a desire to be more integrated into the pack, to play an active role rather than simply remaining in the background. And Lya had listened.

Now, they were more involved in passing down knowledge, guiding the younger generations through the traditions and values of Sacred Moon.

As part of this vision, the pack’s nursery had been moved closer to the Elders’ residence, creating a bond between youth and experience. Wolf pups now ran between the feet of the old sages, much to their delight, eagerly listening to tales of past battles and absorbing their wisdom like sponges. This change had breathed new energy into the Elders, giving them a real, tangible role in the daily life of the territory. It wasn’t just a shift in authority—it was a true alliance between the old and the new, a natural passing of the torch.

And in this atmosphere of renewal and stability, the pack prepared to hear the words of their Queen.

The grand square of Sacred Moon’s territory was packed to the brim. The pack members had gathered in complete silence, all eyes locked on the platform, waiting for their Queen’s official announcement. They had heard the rumors, they had already celebrated the news, but now it was time for Lya to speak for herself.

Drake, Malick, and Darrien stood to the side, observing the crowd with satisfaction. Malick, usually the quiet one, was still stunned by the news but felt more than ready to dedicate himself to the future of this new generation.

Caleb and Lya stood side by side, hand in hand, more united than ever. In front of them, Loric stood tall, his little chest puffed out as he observed the gathering with a childlike solemnity. His bright eyes betrayed his pride—he was standing here with his mother and father, ready to hear what they had to say.

Lya took a deep breath and stepped forward slightly, her golden eyes sweeping over the faces of those who made up her pack.

“Sacred Moon,” she began, her voice clear and powerful. “Today, I stand before you with an announcement that fills me with immense joy, but also with deep humility.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd, a mix of emotion and excitement.

“As many of you have already heard,” she continued with a warm smile, “Caleb and I are expecting a child. A child who is growing within me as we speak.”

A thunderous wave of cheers and wolf howls erupted into the air, but Lya raised a hand slightly, calling for silence. Her expression was serious, yet gentle.

“But before anything else, I want to make something clear.”

She paused, lowering her gaze toward Loric, who looked up at her with unwavering trust. She placed a loving hand on his head, her expression softening even more.

“This is not the first time I have become a mother.”

A deep, respectful silence settled as she turned her gaze back to the crowd.

“When Caleb and I adopted Loric, we became his parents. I am already a mother. And nothing—not even the arrival of a biological child—will change that. He is my son, just as this unborn child will be my child. And I want everyone here to know and acknowledge that.”

Caleb nodded with pride and conviction, while Loric’s smile widened, beaming with happiness at her words.

“But now, let’s talk about what this child represents for all of us,” she continued, her voice taking on a weight that commanded full attention.

“This child will be the first of their kind.”

Murmurs spread again, some more hesitant this time.

“A wolf and a dragon have united their blood, and from this union, an heir will be born. But we have no idea what this means. Will this child be a werewolf like their father? A dragon like me? Or something entirely new—something that has never existed before?”

A ripple of unease swept through the crowd.

“It’s possible this child will be different. That their gifts will be unknown, their transformations unpredictable. We have no precedent, no guide, no certainty.”

She let her words settle for a moment before continuing.

“This is a journey into the unknown.”

She squeezed Caleb’s hand slightly, drawing strength from him.

“But this journey is not mine alone. It is not just Caleb and me welcoming this child. It is not just our family that is growing.”

Her gaze swept across the pack.

“This child will be the heir of Sacred Moon. They will be part of this pack, part of our people. And I will need all of you—your patience, your support, your strength, and most of all, your love.”

The initial murmurs of doubt slowly transformed into nods of agreement, faces shifting to ones of determination and protectiveness.

“No matter the trials ahead, no matter the challenges this child may bring. We will not let them stand alone. This child will not be an anomaly—they will be a symbol of hope, a promise of a new future, for wolves and dragons alike.”

She took one final deep breath.

“So I ask you—are you ready to welcome this child with me?”

For a moment, silence.

Then—

A single howl rang out. Then another. And another. Within seconds, hundreds of voices, hundreds of wolves, howled into the Sacred Moon sky.

A unanimous answer. A pack’s oath.

Lya closed her eyes, absorbing the raw intensity of the moment. When she reopened them, Caleb was looking at her with immense pride, while Loric, grinning ear to ear, clasped her hand in his.

She would not be alone. They would not be alone.

They were a family. A pack.

And this pack had just embraced the destiny of the heir to come.

Soren, standing in the front row, took a deep breath before stepping forward to join Caleb and Lya. He had remained silent during Caleb’s announcement, but now the lycan knew it was time to offer his congratulations—no matter how much it cost him.

He moved with the regal presence of a king, yet his gaze, darker than usual, betrayed the storm of emotions raging within him. His heart clenched at the thought that Lya—the woman he had once wanted so desperately—was now carrying another man’s child. But it was too late for regrets. Now, he had to honor his role, his status, and, above all, his word.

Caleb and Lya watched him approach. The Alpha’s stare was cautious, his protective instincts still on high alert around the man who had once been his rival. Lya’s expression, however, was calmer, tinged with a quiet understanding. She knew what this moment meant for Soren.

But it was Loric who caught everyone’s attention. Unconsciously mimicking his father, the young boy straightened his posture, lifted his chin slightly, and let his bright eyes shine with fierce yet innocent determination.

Handres growled in approval inside Caleb’s mind. “I like this little pup. He’s going to be just as proud and dangerous as you—I can feel it.”

Caleb couldn’t help but agree with his wolf’s words, placing a reassuring hand on Loric’s shoulder—a silent sign of support and affection.

Soren stopped at a respectful distance. He inclined his head in a formal bow, marking the official end of any rivalry and the beginning of true acceptance.

“A new era is upon the werewolves with the birth of this child,” he declared. “As King of the Lycans, I will remain your ally, and I am ready to welcome this new generation with confidence.”

Silence fell over the gathering. Everyone watched the scene with an almost reverent attention. This was a symbolic moment—a testament to unity and renewal after months of tension.

Lya, with the gentle grace that defined her, offered him a sincere smile. “Thank you, Soren. That means a lot.”

Caleb, for his part, gave a slow nod. His instincts told him that Soren wasn’t lying, that this wasn’t just a political gesture. He could see the flicker of pain in his eyes—the kind he knew all too well—but also a genuine determination.

“Then we trust you to keep that promise,” Caleb said, his voice firm.

Soren held his gaze for a moment before his eyes flickered briefly to Lya’s still-flat stomach. “I will.”

With a final nod, he stepped back, allowing the other Alphas waiting behind him to approach and offer their respects.

But even as Soren walked away, Caleb felt Handres murmur in his mind, wary. “He’s accepted her as Queen. But has he truly let go of her as a woman?”

Caleb clenched his jaw slightly.

Only time would answer that question.

**Author's Note:** I hope you're ready because it's time for more dragons in this story. I hope a dragon fight tempts you!