The packโs leadership was gathered in the main hall, their expressions somber. Alpha Marcus stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding as always. To his right were the triplets, their gazes locked on Nicola as she entered the room.โThank you for joining us,โ Marcus said, his tone formal but kind.Nicola took her seat beside the triplets, her curiosity piqued.โWeโve been reviewing the attack,โ Marcus began, his eyes scanning the room. โAnd thereโs one thing thatโs clear: this wasnโt a random act of aggression. The rogues were organized, coordinated. They knew our territory and our weaknesses.โLayla, one of the senior warriors, frowned. โDo you think they had inside information?โโItโs possible,โ Marcus admitted, his voice heavy. โBut the real concern is their leader. Heโs dangerous, and heโs targeting Nicola.โAll eyes turned to her, and Nicola fought the urge to shrink under their gazes.โI donโt know why heโs targeting me,โ she said, her voice steady. โBut whatever hi
Nicola paced in the Alphaโs office, the heavy oak desk separating her from Alpha Marcus. His usually calm demeanor had shifted into one of concern. The triplets stood nearby, their expressions tense as Nicola recounted her motherโs story.Marcus leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. โA man who showed unusual interest in you as a childโฆโ he murmured, his eyes narrowing. โAnd you say your father confronted him?โNicola nodded. โThatโs what my mom told me. She didnโt remember much about him, but she said his presence always feltโฆ wrong.โDamien crossed his arms, his wolf close to the surface. โIf this rogue leader is the same man, then heโs been watching Nicola for years. Thatโs not just wrong - itโs dangerous.โMarcus nodded, his gaze darkening. โWe need to figure out who he is and why heโs targeting you. Did your mother give you anything else to work with? A name, a description?โโShe couldnโt remember much,โ Nicola admitted. โJust that he spoke in a strange, taunting way. Li
The tension in Crescent Moon territory was palpable the next morning. The howl from the night before had put everyone on edge, and the pack was mobilizing, preparing for whatever threat might be looming. Nicola, however, couldnโt shake a feeling that something deeper was at play.As she walked to the training grounds with the triplets, her thoughts were interrupted by Lucas approaching. His gait was hesitant, and his usual friendly demeanor was replaced with something more guarded.โNicola,โ he said, his voice quieter than usual. โCan we talk?โThe triplets tensed at his presence, their protective instincts kicking in immediately.โAbout what?โ Nicola asked, her tone cautious.Lucas glanced at the triplets, then back at her. โItโsโฆ private.โDamien growled softly, stepping forward. โIf it concerns Nicola, it concerns us.โLucas raised his hands in mock surrender. โIโm not here to cause trouble. But this is important.โNicola sighed, her curiosity outweighing her caution. โItโs fine. L
The air was thick with tension as the pack gathered near the edge of the forest. The howls that had sent chills down Nicolaโs spine had faded, but their impact lingered. Every wolf in the Crescent Moon pack stood at the ready, their senses sharp, waiting for a sign of movement.Nicola stood in the middle of the formation, flanked by Damien, Dean and Dylan. Her wolf was restless, pacing within her, demanding action. But her human mind was focused and razor-sharp. This wasnโt just a random skirmish; it felt calculated, deliberate. Elias was testing them, probing for weaknesses.The silence was deafening. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig made the wolves flinch, their eyes scanning the shadows. Finally, a low growl emerged from the treeline, and Nicolaโs heart sank.A group of rogues stepped into view, their forms lit by the faint glow of the crescent moon. They moved with a predatory grace, their eyes glowing with malice. At the center of the group was Elias.Nicolaโs breath caug
The sight of Elias holding her mother captive froze Nicola to the spot. Her heart thundered in her chest as her wolf pushed against her control, desperate to tear him apart. The triplets surrounded her, forming a protective barrier, but she couldnโt focus on anything except the sharp glint of Eliasโs claws resting against her motherโs throat.โElias!โ Nicolaโs voice rang through the trees, her fury barely contained. โLet her go!โHe tilted his head, his smirk growing. โAh, Nicola. Always so quick to jump to commands. But tonight, Iโm the one calling the shots.โThe triplets growled in unison, their wolves shimmering just beneath the surface. Damienโs voice was low and dangerous. โYouโve made your last mistake, rogue.โElias chuckled, his grip tightening on her motherโs arm. โNow, now. Letโs not make hasty decisions. Iโm sure Nicola wouldnโt want to see any harm come to her dear mother.โNicolaโs mother, though visibly shaken, met her daughterโs gaze with a steadiness that spoke volume
The packhouse was alive with activity the morning after the attack. Wolves bustled about, tending to wounds, fortifying defenses, and whispering about Eliasโs audacity. Nicola, however, found herself deep in thought. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on her, especially the haunting howl that lingered in her ears.The triplets stayed close, their protective instincts stronger than ever. At breakfast, they ate in near silence, though Dylan made a few attempts to lighten the mood with his usual humor.โI think weโve officially earned the title of โWorst Graduation Party Planners,โโ he said, nudging Nicolaโs shoulder.She managed a small smile. โIโd say so. Next time, no rogue invasions allowed.โDean grinned faintly, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed his worry. Damien, as always, was the first to cut to the heart of the matter.โElias is too fixated on you, Nic,โ he said, his voice low but steady. โThereโs more to this than weโre seeing.โNicola nodded. โI know. An
The howl Nicola had heard was unlike any other - a sound that burrowed deep into her bones and sent a chill down her spine. She stood at the edge of the packhouse grounds, her eyes fixed on the darkening horizon. The wind whipped through the trees, carrying an ominous energy that made her wolf restless.Damien, Dean and Dylan were at her side in moments, their faces set with determination.โYou felt that too?โ Dean asked, his voice low.Nicola nodded. โIt wasnโt Elias, but whoever it wasโฆ theyโre close.โThe triplets exchanged glances, their instincts kicking into high gear. Damien placed a hand on Nicolaโs shoulder. โLetโs head back inside. If thereโs a threat, we need to strategize, not charge in blindly.โThough reluctant, Nicola agreed. Together, they made their way back to the packhouse, where Alpha Marcus was waiting for them in his office.Alpha Marcusโs expression was grim as Nicola recounted the howl and the unease it had stirred. He listened intently, his hands folded on his
Cedric POVThe forest was alive with the soft sounds of the night - leaves rustling in the wind, the distant call of an owl, and the muted whispers of nocturnal creatures. Among these sounds, a lone figure moved with purpose, his steps careful yet swift, as though each one carried the weight of the world. His name was Cedric, and he was the last surviving member of a lineage most thought was only a myth.Until now.He paused beneath an ancient oak, his sharp eyes scanning the shadows around him. Though the woods were quiet, his senses told him otherwise. Someone was near.โCome out,โ he called, his voice a low growl that carried authority.A small figure emerged from the underbrush - a young wolf from a neighboring pack. He had been the messenger whoโd delivered the impossible news.โSheโs real?โ Cedric asked, his tone carefully neutral.The young wolf nodded. โYes, sir. Nicola, they call her. Sheโs part of the pack near here. Everyone says sheโs powerful. Like... really powerful.โCe
When with a deep groan, the far wall shifted. Stone scraped against stone, and slowly, an ancient engraving peeled away, revealing a hidden passage cloaked in shadow.A hush fell over the room.Nicolaโs heartbeat thundered in her ears as she stepped forward, drawn by something deeper than curiosity - something primal, something written in her soul. The sanctuary was speaking. And it was time to listen.Lucas was at her side in an instant, his golden eyes locked onto the revealed passage. The triplets werenโt far behind, their wolves stirred by the shift in energy. Elias, ever composed, stood still for a long moment before exhaling quietly."Listen," her wolf whispered.A deep voice, not of this world, echoed through the chamber."The bonded protectors have been chosen. The path ahead is fraught with darkness, but you shall stand as one. The Moonโs power flows through you, but it is not enough. You must unlock the final truth of the sanctuary."Nicola swallowed hard, her fingers tighten
Nicola and Lucas came back inside and sat in one of the common rooms. The air in the sanctuary felt charged, expectant, as if the ancient walls were listening, waiting.Neither of them spoke for a long moment. Then, Lucas let out a slow breath."So... this is it, then," he murmured, his voice quiet but steady. "Weโre not breaking the bond."Nicola met his gaze, searching for any doubt in his storm-gray eyes. But she found none. Only quiet acceptance.โNo,โ she said, her voice stronger than she expected. โWeโre not.โThe words left her lips, and the moment they did, something shifted.A sudden, invisible force rippled through the room, like the very air was inhaling. The flames in the fireplace flared high, throwing long shadows across the stone walls. A deep hum vibrated beneath them, resonating through the sanctuary itself, as if the ancient structure had awakened.Lucas tensed beside her, his fingers curling into fists. โWhat the hell...โThen the power hit.A surge of something - v
The sanctuary was vast, stretching beyond what Nicola had initially thought. The deeper they explored, the more she realized this place held more than just history - it held purpose.The morning air was crisp as she wandered through the ancient corridors, sunlight streaming in through arched windows. Despite the newfound knowledge of their bonds, the weight of it still pressed against her chest.Lucas.Even though she had spent the last night discussing the truth with the triplets and him, she couldnโt shake the feeling that something about this arrangement was wrong.Not for her. For him.The triplets had each been chosen as her mates in a way that made sense. The connection between them was unshakable. But Lucasโฆ he hadnโt been given a choice.Fated mates were meant to be everything to each other. They were supposed to build a life together, to love without hesitation.And yet, Lucas had been given a fate that denied him that chance.Nicola ran a hand through her hair, frustration b
Nicola wandered through the vast halls of the sanctuary, searching for the triplets and Lucas. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows along the ancient stone walls, and the faint echoes of her footsteps were the only sounds accompanying her. She had expected to find them in one of the training halls or perhaps in the great hall, but each room she checked was empty. The night was growing late, and an odd sense of urgency pressed against her chest.Finally, a muffled laugh drifted through the corridor, drawing her toward a heavy wooden door reinforced with iron. Raising an eyebrow, she pushed it open and descended into the cool, dimly lit space of the wine cellar. The scent of oak barrels and aged liquor filled the air, and there, gathered around an old wooden table, were the triplets and Lucas.The sight nearly made her laugh. Damien leaned back in his chair, a dark bottle of wine in his grip, smirking at something Dylan had just said. Dylan, ever the troublemaker, was in the midd
Nicola POV The moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver glow over the sanctuary gardens. Nicola sat on a smooth stone bench, the ancient book resting on her lap. The scent of night-blooming flowers filled the air, blending with the crisp freshness of the restored sanctuary. Here, beneath the vast sky, she could breathe - yet her thoughts felt tangled.She traced her fingers over the runes on the bookโs cover, feeling the pulse of ancient magic beneath her touch. The pages were filled with knowledge lost to time, wisdom hidden from those who had been caged by fate. Somewhere in these words was the answer to the bond with Lucas, and she was determined to find it.She flipped through the delicate pages, her eyes skimming over old scripts detailing the history of mate bonds. Most were simple - sacred connections meant to strengthen wolves and their packs. But then she found something different, something that sent a shiver down her spine."There are bonds woven by the gods themselve
Lucas POV The air inside the sanctuary still carried the lingering scent of roasted meat and warm bread, but outside, the crisp night air held a different kind of energy - charged, restless. The stone corridors stretched in quiet elegance, their once-faded carvings now sharp and defined, almost humming with life.Lucas walked alongside the triplets, feeling the weight of their unspoken thoughts pressing against his back like a tangible force. The tension between them had not dissipated, despite the shared meal and the Moon Goddessโs blessing. If anything, it had thickened, an undercurrent of possessiveness laced with grudging acceptance.Dean was the first to break the silence. "You realize you still havenโt answered our question."Lucas kept his pace even. "Which one?"Dylan scoffed. "Donโt play dumb." He glanced at his brothers before turning his sharp gaze back to Lucas. "Why were you here? When Nicola and Elias arrived at the sanctuary, you were already waiting. Thatโs one hell o
Steam curled through the air as Nicola stepped out of the bath, wrapping herself in a thick, soft robe. The sanctuary provided everything they needed, and the water had been soothing, washing away the exhaustion and tension in her muscles.She had bathed quickly, knowing the triplets were waiting to talk. They had settled in their rooms, but the interconnected living space gave them an easy way to gather. As she stepped into the common area, she found them already lounging - Dean stretched out on one of the furs, Damien seated near the fire, and Dylan, as usual, restless, flipping a small dagger between his fingers.Nicola took a seat across from them, exhaling. โAlright. Whatโs on your minds?โDamien was the first to speak. โYou, mostly.โ His golden eyes studied her carefully. โYouโve had a lot thrown at you, and yet you keep pushing forward. We just want to make sure youโre actually processing all of it.โShe gave a small, tired smile. โI donโt think Iโve had the luxury of processin
The warmth of the meal still lingered in Nicolaโs chest, but the weight of everything that had happened pressed down on her shoulders. The Moon Goddess had spoken to her. Blessed her. Given her a purpose greater than she had ever imagined.Now, standing in the vast, ancient halls of the restored sanctuary, she felt something she hadn't dared to in a long time. Safety.Dylan stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied groan. "I donโt know about the rest of you, but Iโm about two bites away from passing out."Dean smirked. "Two? Youโve already eaten enough to put a normal man into a food coma."Dylan shrugged unapologetically. "What can I say? Near-death experiences and divine encounters work up an appetite."Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. โThat meal was good, but what I really need is a real bed.โDamien shot a glance down the corridor. "Then let's find one. This place seems... aware of us. It wouldnโt surprise me if it already had rooms waiting."Nicola nodded, finge
Nicolaโs fingers brushed over the bookโs leather cover, the runes on it glowing faintly beneath her touch. She exhaled slowly, trying to steady her racing heart.A presence gathered around her, unseen yet impossibly close. Her wolf pressed forward, drawn to the call of something greater. Nicolaโs breath hitched as a soft, silvery mist curled around her feet. It swirled, moving with a purpose, until it coalesced into a radiant figure before them.The Moon Goddess.She stood in a form both ethereal and solid, her gown woven from the very fabric of the cosmos, shimmering with shifting constellations. Her silver eyes, endless and knowing, settled on Nicola. A profound warmth washed over her, reverent and overwhelming all at once.Nicola sank to her knees instinctively, head bowed. The others followed, their expressions a mix of awe and quiet reverence.โRise, my child,โ the Moon Goddessโs voice resonated, neither loud nor soft, but carrying the weight of eternity.Nicola obeyed, swallowin