Chapter 53 All I Ever Needed

Chapter 53 All I Ever Needed
Lyra

Morning light pours in through the window of  the small yellow house, as I rise and stretch, feeling the tension in my muscles loosen. I glance over at Bram, already sitting at the tiny table, knife in hand, slicing the jerky we managed to salvage. The berries in the bowl look bright and cheerful compared to the rest of the meager breakfast.

“Good morning,” he says, his voice rough with sleep. “I grabbed some berries from a nearby bush before you woke, but I’m afraid this is all we have.” 

“Good morning,” I reply, taking a piece of jerky. “Are you super hungry? I’m starving.” 

“Always.” He bites into the jerky, chewing slowly, savoring it, and I can’t help but grin at him. There’s something comforting about this quiet moment, just the two of us, the world outside still waiting.

When we finish the last of our food, Bram wipes his hands on a cloth and leans back in his chair, stretching.

“You think we should go on a hunt today?” I ask.

He nods. “Yeah. We need food, and it’ll keep us sharp.”

Outside, the clearing is bustling. Elders start breakfast fires, children run through the trees calling after one another in playful glee, and a few of the teenagers and young women bring buckets of water from the stream. 

“Anyone want to come on a hunt with us?” Bram calls.

Rain shakes his head, leaning against a post. “Serena, Asher, and Mitch already took some of the younger warriors hunting.”

I frown. “They didn’t wait for us? Why not?”

Rain shrugs. “They knew we needed our rest. We’ve been through a lot the last few days. Especially the two of you.” 

I glance at Bram, who’s nodding, and feel a warmth in my chest. These people put care into even the smallest gestures. 

Bram and I go to Serena’s house to check on Tessa who stayed with them last night. Asher and Serena offered to help with the baby, and since they already have little Reed, it seemed like a perfect set up. 

Tessa and little baby Lyra are rocking in a chair on the porch when we arrive. “How are the two of you this morning?” I ask. 

“We are both so much better now. It’s a lot easier to take care of her with the help of a pack.” Tessa smiles. 

I wink at Bram. “Did you hear that? She said it was easy… maybe we should try for one?” 

Bram laughs. “Of course we should. We can try as many times as you like.” 

I laugh and give his bicep a playful punch. 

By mid-afternoon, the hunters return, laughter and chatter echoing through the clearing. Fires are re-lit quickly, smoke billowing into the sky, and tables are set up for a large meal. The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread fills the air, blending with the earthy aroma of the forest.

I wander among the tents, helping where I can, when I catch Serena’s eye. She grins, motioning me over.

“Lyra,” she says, her voice edged with excitement. “Do you know what we’re celebrating?”

I’m confused. “Celebrating? Are we celebrating?” 

“Yes, tonight will be your coronation! That is, of course, if you accept the position of our Luna.” 

A shiver runs down my spine, the gravity of their trust and their belief in me hitting all at once. I meet Bram’s gaze, and he squeezes my hand. 

“Absolutely, I accept.” 

When the sun dips lower, painting the clearing in shades of amber, the pack gathers, forming a circle, faces expectant. Serena and I step forward to begin the ceremony. 

“Lyra, daughter of Song Pack,” Serena’s voice carries through the clearing. “Do you accept our invitation to become our Luna?”

I take a deep breath. “I do,” I say, my voice even despite the flutter of nerves. “I accept, and I swear to protect this pack with every ounce of my strength. I promise to lead with fairness, courage, and loyalty. No one will be left behind, and no one will face danger alone. Song Pack will be safe, and we will rebuild, restore, and thrive together. We’ll  repair the houses that have fallen,  replenish the shops that supply us, and strengthen the village itself. Every wall we rebuild, every roof we raise, will be a testament to our unity and our determination.”

I pause and look at the crowd. People are nodding in agreement. I continue.  “The young ones will train beside the warriors, learning the skills they need to defend and sustain us, and our numbers will grow stronger with each passing season. We will hunt with precision and care, ensuring that no elder and no baby goes hungry, that every member of this pack has what they need to thrive. And in time, when those babies grow into warriors themselves, our army will be greater than ever before, fierce and loyal to Song. I don’t know if the Blood Moon Pack or Blue Raven Pack will challenge us, or if they will approach at all, but we will be ready. Together, we will stand, strong and unshakable, no matter what comes. I swear this to you, my pack, my family, my home.”

The pack cheers. Clapping and laughter wash over me, a feeling of belonging that settles deep within. 

“So, Luna Lyra,” Serena says, mock-bowing dramatically, “your first decree?”

I laugh. “First, we eat,” I say, gesturing to the tables lined with the fruits of our warrior’s hunt. “Then, we celebrate like never before.”

Bram leans close, whispering in my ear. “You’re incredible, and you’ll lead them beautifully. I’m so proud of you, Lyra.”

My chest tightens with a mix of gratitude and love, and I press a quick kiss to his cheek. “I couldn’t do it without you,” I whisper.

The pack begins to gather around the tables, filling plates with food. Tessa is fussing over the baby, when she glances up at me, eyes bright. “You’re going to be amazing, Lyra. They’re lucky to have you.”

I nod, my heart swelling. “We’ll all make this pack stronger–together.”

As the night stretches on, fires burn bright, and food is shared freely. Stories are swapped, laughter spills into the forest, and I realize, for the first time in so long, I feel rooted, happy, and fiercely proud of the family we’ve become.

Yet, as I glance toward the shadows at the edge of the clearing, anxiety floods my veins. Kiayara’s absence is a question lingering in the dark. Will she send her army? Will she challenge us?

I don’t know, but Song Pack will be ready, and with Bram at my side, with our people all around us, I know that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together.