"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.

I threw the vase against the wall, watching it break into a thousand pieces.


"Tell me again," I ordered, my voice shaking with rage. "Tell me exactly what happened."


The young scout shook before me, his eyes fixed on the floor. "They attacked us at dawn, Luna. Twenty warriors from River Creek pack. We lost... we lost everyone except me."


Another border patrol taken out. Fifteen more of our wolves dead. Just hours after we'd fought off Elira and Elder Malin at the tomb.


"Why were you spared?" Lucien asked quietly from the corner of the room.


The scout's eyes filled with tears. "They told me to send a message. They said, 'Tell your pregnant Luna she can save her pack by surrendering herself. One life for hundreds.'"


My hand moved protectively to my swollen belly. The twins kicked as if they felt my distress.


Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: The Alpha's Burden