"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 arrow whizzed past my ear, missing me by inches. I dropped to the ground, pulling Lucien down with me.


"We're surrounded!" I whispered, my heart beating so hard I thought it might burst from my chest.


Lucien's eyes darted to the trees around us. "Stay low. When I say run, head for that cluster of rocks."


We had left the safety of our pack lands three days ago. After the attack and Elira's betrayal, we needed to find the healing waters of Moonfall Spring—fast. Selene was still trapped, and the light marked one was now our enemy. Jaxon had been badly wounded in the fight, and only the legendary healing waters could save him.


"Run!" Lucien hissed, grabbing my hand.


We sprinted through the trees as more arrows flew past us. My big belly slowed me down, but fear gave me wings. I couldn't lose another person I loved.


We dived behind the rocks, breathing hard.


Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: The Healing Waters