"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 dragon's roar shook the entire mountain as I sprinted through the cave opening, my heart hammering against my chest.


"Wait!" I shouted at the huge black beast that was spreading its wings, ready to take flight. "I volunteer!"


The dragon turned its huge head toward me, golden eyes blazing like molten fire. Behind me, I could hear Kael and Lucien running to catch up, probably thinking I'd lost my mind.


But when Elder Malin had explained that someone needed to bond with the old dragon to stop the Shadow Lords from destroying everything we loved, I knew it had to be me. Not Kael, who was needed to lead the pack. Not Lucien, who had Aria and a future to protect.


Me. The middle brother who never quite fit anywhere.


"You wish to offer yourself as my bonded warrior?" the dragon asked, its voice rumbling through my bones like thunder.


"Yes," I said, trying to sound stronger than I felt. "I do."


Chapter 134 - Chapter 134: Jaxon's Choice