"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.

The red circle of light burst into flames as I lunged at Alpha Darius, my newfound wolf strength propelling me forward. But instead of hitting him, I crashed through empty space.


I gasped awake, truly this time, my body soaked in sweat. The cabin walls around me were real—rough wood, a small window showing gray morning light. My heart hammered against my ribs as I tried to separate truth from dreams.


Kael and Lucien, Alpha Darius and Jaxon—none of them had been here. But the danger was still real.


"Aria?" A familiar voice called from outside. "Are you in there?"


I scrambled to my feet, checking that my mother's journal was still tucked safely in my jacket. How had Mira found me? The last time I'd seen her was before all this started—before the triplets, before learning I was a True Alpha.


I cracked open the door cautiously. Mira stood alone, her normal bright smile replaced with worry.


Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: Buried Secrets