"Aria," he said softly. "Today is your birthday."
It wasn't a question, but I nodded nevertheless.
"The moon is full tonight," he added, his voice quiet. "You will attend the ceremony."
"Of course, Elder," I replied, puzzled. All eighteen-year-olds attended the ceremony. It was essential.
He leaned in, smelling gently. "You already feel it, don't you? "The change."
My heartbeat skipped. "What change?"
Elder Malin's eyes narrowed. "Interesting. "Very interesting." He reached inside his pocket and retrieved a little pouch. "Wear this tonight."
I accepted it hesitantly. Inside was a simple moonstone pendant with a leather cord.
"But this is for—"
"Wear it," he interjected. "Hide it under your clothes if you must, but wear it."
Moonstones were precious. They aided our connection to the Moon Goddess during ceremonies. However, they were only given to wolves from influential families (Alphas and Betas). Not Omegas like me.
"Why?" I questioned.
Elder Malin glanced at Mira before returning his attention to me. "Because someone is harboring secrets about you, child. And tonight, those secrets may be revealed."

~

I never mattered in our pack. Omegas like me serve, submit, and survive. We don't dream of love. We don't dream of power.

She was the future Luna. I was just the girl who watched from the shadows.

But everything changed on my 18th birthday.

I felt the bond. I met my mate.

One of the Alpha's sons.

But the Alpha has triplets, and I felt the mate bond with all three and it seems the three of them felt it too — three perfect warriors, three powerful Alphas, three secrets buried beneath the surface.

One of them is my destiny.

One of them is lying.

And one of them might be the death of me.

The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes... but this time, I think she might've given me too much to handle.

"Drop your weapon or the healer dies first," Alpha Darius growled, pushing the Blade of Severing against Lucien's throat.


I froze. My fingers tightened around the Moon Chamber key. Every part of me wanted to fight, but Lucien's eyes met mine with quiet warning. Behind Darius, Elira and the guards blocked the only route.


"You wouldn't kill your own son," I said, trying to sound brave despite my racing heart.


Alpha Darius laughed, a cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. "To save our bloodline? To protect our pack from the evil you've awakened? I would sacrifice much more."


Kael stepped forward, his face stone-cold. "Father, this has gone too far."


"Silence!" Darius roared. "You've been charmed by her. All of you. The Blackwood line has stood strong for centuries because we've made the hard decisions."


Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: The Ultimatum