"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.

A howl cut through the night, sending chills down my spine. I nearly dropped the map I was studying.


"They're getting closer," I whispered, running to the window. The blood moon hung like a big red eye in the sky, watching our every move.


Scouts burst through the door, their clothes torn and bloody. "Luna Aria! The eastern line has been broken! Those... those things... they're not stopping!"


"At least fifty things, moving fast. Alpha Kael is holding them back, but they're stronger than before."


Lucien appeared beside me, his face grim. "Your children are safe in the bunker with Elder Malin. Jaxon is watching them personally."


Relief washed over me, but only for a moment. Our whole pack—no, the entire werewolf world—still hung in the balance.


"Any word from the other packs?" I asked, strapping the knife to my thigh.


Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Blood Moon Rising