"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 broken glass bottle exploded across the floor as I dodged Elira's attack. Her wolf was half-shifted, teeth bared, eyes burning with hate.


"You stole everything from me!" she screamed, lunging again.


I rolled behind an old table, sending dried herbs flying. Mira had already fled through the window, hopefully running for help.


"I didn't steal anything!" I shouted back, my own wolf rising in answer to the threat. "The Moon Goddess chose this path!"


"Lies!" Elira snarled. "You're nothing but a fake. You think knowing you're some lost Alpha changes anything? You're still the same useless girl who doesn't belong here."


I felt my claws lengthen, my vision sharpening with silver light. "I know who I am now."


"Do you?" Elira laughed sadly. "Beta Marcus didn't tell you everything. The curse isn't just about the triplets—it's about you too."


A sudden crash stopped us as the cabin door burst open. Lucien stood there, breathing hard, eyes glowing gold.


Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Blood Ties