All Chapters of The Triplets' Silent Mate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

Ayla’s POVSnow falls in a slow, quiet drift all around me—not in the kind of way that makes it look magical.It just looks endless, a dull color of white and cold. It settles over everything—the trees, the ground, rooftops—as if trying to cover things up. As if, if it piles high enough, no one will remember what’s buried underneath. As if blood has never soaked into the ground beneath my feet or screams don’t still echo in my mind when I close my eyes.The cold bites through my thin, worn-out hoodie. I tug it tighter around me, more out of habit than anything else. It’s not nearly enough to keep me warm on nights like this; the cold in me is bone-deep.I try to shake off the cold and turn my attention to something else; it’s the only way I survive it.The faint scent of pine trees fills my lungs, and I focus on that as I inhale deeply, taking in the fresh, clean air.The smell of woodsmoke is there too, drifting from the packhouse, yet there’s always this sharp metallic undertone that

Ayla’s POVAlpha Jack and Luna Ria don’t stand in my way when I get up and head toward the door a second time. They know it’s time for me to leave.With one last silent nod, I exit the packhouse and slip into the cold.It’s dark now, the wind howling through the trees in the distance.I head toward the clearing, where all coming-of-age wolves take our first shift.I can feel my wolf stirring more and more, urging me on toward the clearing.My surroundings are quiet; I can hear my old winter boots crunching into the soft, white snow, louder than they should be.The trees close in as I go deeper, and my nostrils flare as I take in the earthy scent of pine and birch covered in ice.I stop to look back at the packhouse; no one is following me. Everyone is inside, enjoying the festivities. The sound of laughter fades the farther I go.I sigh as I step into the clearing. Usually, the pack would gather around to witness the first shift, and after, everyone would run together.I’ll be all alon

Ryker’s POVI’m awake before I should be and groan out loud as my eyes flicker open. My head still spins from too much eggnog last night.I press my hand against my head, trying to stop the feeling. I lie there for a second, staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out what pulled me out of a soundless sleep.My attention immediately turns to my wolf, Duke. He’s pacing like a caged animal—worse than his usual restless self.I drag a hand over my face, pushing myself up.“What now?” I groan under my breath. “Why are you not asleep? It’s not even time for training.”Duke doesn’t answer; his attention is set on something else.My gaze travels over my room—nothing is out of place. The room’s quiet, the bed’s a mess, my boots are still by the door, and my glass of eggnog is half-finished on the dresser from last night. Nothing seems out of order.“Seriously, mutt,” I groan. “Go back to sleep... there’s nothing—”My voice dies in my throat the moment I catch the scent, and my nostrils flare.