The Night Fate Begins

Draven’s POV

“Bro… how many times are you gonna change your tie?”

I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching my twin for what felt like the tenth damn time as he adjusted, loosened, then redid the same black tie like it personally offended him.

Elias shot me a sharp look in the mirror, jaw tight. “As many times as I fucking want to. Stop rushing me. We’ve got time.”

I pushed off the doorframe with a scoff. “Yeah? We’ve got two hours. It takes an hour to get there. You do the math.”

His eyes flicked to mine, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. “Then go downstairs. Wait for Caden and Kael. I’ll be down when I’m ready.”

I rolled my eyes and turned away, muttering under my breath as I walked out. “Perfectionist ass wolf…”

I didn’t know what the hell was up with him tonight, but something was definitely off.

Then again… it wasn’t just him.

Something in the air felt different.

Heavy.

Like a storm sitting just beneath the surface, waiting to break.

As I made my way down the hall, Lucian stepped out of his room, already dressed, running a hand through his hair.

“Are we ready to go?” he asked.

I stopped and gave him a look. “Do we look like we’re ready to go? Your brother is still upstairs fighting with his damn tie.”

Lucian sighed, shaking his head like he expected nothing less. “You know how he is. Gotta look the part.” He smirked slightly. “Man thinks he’s meeting his mate tonight.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “Well, if he meets his mate tonight, then I meet mine too. That’s how this works.”

Lucian chuckled, leaning casually against the wall. “Not necessarily. You know it’s possible for twins to have separate mates.”

I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down my face. “Yeah… but let’s be real. The Moon Goddess isn’t that generous. If anything, we’re getting one mate between us.”

And that thought…

Didn’t sit as easy as I pretended it did.

I shrugged it off. “Either way, we’re ready for it. You know we are.”

Lucian raised a brow. “Ready? Y’all have never even touched a female, except those girls yall kissed in the pack winter solstice play.”

I shot him a glare. “First of all, shut the hell up. And second, that little kiss back in fifth grade at that pack play does not count.”

He laughed outright now. “Right. The purest Alphas in existence. That’s what y’all are.”

I growled low under my breath as I pushed past him. “Keep talking. See what happens.”

We made our way downstairs, the sound of voices already filling the lower level. Caden and Kael were posted up in the activity room near the front door, leaning back like they owned the place.

We greeted each other with quick hand slaps and shoulder bumps, the usual.

Caden shook his head immediately. “Man, I don’t understand what the hell we’re waiting for. Where is Elias?”

Before I could answer, my father stepped into the room.

Alpha Rowan Blackwood.

His presence alone shifted the energy to calm and controlled, but heavy with authority.

“You boys ready for this ball?” he asked, eyes scanning each of us.

We all gave a half-hearted mix of nods and shrugs.

“Yeah,” I muttered, dropping onto the couch. “If we ever fucking get there. We’re still waiting on Elias.”

My dad's gaze snapped to me, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “You cursing at me now?”

I groaned, scrubbing my face. “That’s not what I meant, Dad.”

His eyes held mine a second longer before he exhaled slowly.

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “My wolf’s been on edge all day. Feels like we need to be there, yesterday… like something’s about to happen. You know how it is when the Moon Goddess starts pulling strings.”

That got his attention.

He studied me more carefully now.

“Yeah,” I added quietly. “I think we’re meeting our mate tonight.”

A beat of silence passed.

Then a slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Well… if that’s the case,” he said, voice lighter now, “then tonight’s a good night.”

Lucian walked over a second later, all six-foot-two inches of him at sixteen, built like a damn wall.

He dropped beside me with a grin. “Man… I wish I had my wolf already. I’d be out there finding my mate too.”

I huffed. “Relax. Your time’s coming.”

He leaned back, smirking. “Yeah, well… I’ve already got my eye on someone or should I say someones.”

That caught my attention.

“Oh yeah?” I turned toward him. “Who?”

He didn’t even hesitate.

“The Silvercrest twins. Sloane and Nova.”

I frowned slightly. “The Silvercrest twins?”

Lucian let out a low whistle. “Yeah. When I tell you they’re beautiful… they’re beyond that. I’m just hoping they’re my mates when they turn eighteen.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah… or they could already be someone else’s.”

He waved me off immediately. “Nah. I’m Alpha-blooded. I could take over that pack easy. They’d be mine.”

Caden barked out a laugh from across the room. “Man, I’ve seen those twins. I don’t think they’re yours.”

Lucian sat up straighter. “And why the hell not?”

Caden just smirked. “Just a feeling, plus they got too much body for you to handle.”

Lucian shook his head, muttering under his breath as they started going back and forth.

I leaned back, letting their voices fade into the background.

Waiting on my twin.

Finally we hear footsteps.

That are measured and controlled.

Elias.

He came down the stairs looking exactly how he wanted sharp and composed with every detail in place.

My father stepped forward immediately, pulling him into a quick embrace. “You look good.”

Elias nodded once. “My wolf’s been restless. Apollo won’t shut up about it. Says something important is happening tonight.”

Dad smiled knowingly. “Then listen to him.”

He looked between the two of us. “When you find your mate… bring her home. We’ll welcome her properly.”

Then he smirked. “And maybe I can finally retire.”

We all laughed at that.

Mom appeared from the hallway, her presence soft but grounding.

Luna Elara Blackwood.

She went straight to Lucian first, pulling him into a hug like he was still a little kid.

Then me.

Then Elias.

“Let me look at you boys,” she said, stepping back with a smile. “All grown up… about to meet your mates, hopefully.”

She pulled out her phone. “Stand together. I need a picture.”

We all groaned, but we did it anyway.

Because that’s what you do when your mom asks.

A week ago, we’d turned eighteen.

All of us.

Me, Elias, Caden, and Kael.

We’d survived everything together.

Even the attack when we were two years old from the bloodshed of the rogue attack to the rebuilding of the pack.

Now this, this was supposed to be the start of something new.

“Be good,” Mom said as she lowered the phone. “And if you find your mate… bring her home.”

Caden grinned. “Yes, Luna.”

We headed out, climbing into the SUV while a security truck full of warriors followed behind us.

It was standard protocol.

Even now.

Even after all these years.

As we pulled off, Caden leaned back in his seat with a grin.

“Man… I can’t wait to find some new pussy tonight. I’m tired of fucking the same chicks in this pack.”

I shot him a look. “You should probably stop fucking everything that breathes before your dick falls off.”

He laughed. “Y’all are boring. There are some fine ass she-wolves in this pack, and you two just ignore them.”

Elias didn’t even look at him. “We’re not interested.”

Caden smirked. “That girl Lauren said she wanted both of you at the same time.”

I rolled my eyes, looking out the window. “She can keep wanting.”

The car fell into a comfortable silence after that.

But inside me...

Nothing felt calm.

Ares stirred beneath my skin.

He was restless, focused, and waiting.

And as the Blackwood convoy crossed into Stone Mountain territory,

One thought echoed louder than everything else.

Tonight changes everything.