"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 hit the ground hard, my ears ringing as chunks of rock fell around me. Through the smoke and dust, I could hear screaming. Our sanctuary—the one place we thought was safe—was under attack.


"Zara!" My little sister Kira's voice cut through the noise. "Help me!"


I pushed myself up, ignoring the pain in my ribs. Kira was stuck under a fallen beam, her face pale with fear. Without thinking, I changed into my bear form and lifted the heavy wood off her.


"Are you hurt?" I asked, changing back to human form.


"I'm okay," she said, but I could see blood on her arm. "But Zara, they found us. The Shadow Lords found our home."


My stomach dropped. For three hundred years, our shapeshifter refuge had stayed hidden. We didn't take sides in the war between the magical races. We just wanted to live in peace.


"Where's Mom?" I asked, helping Kira to her feet.


Chapter 144 - Chapter 144: The Shapeshifter's Dilemma