TRINITYThe air was thick with anticipation as the three of them—Nasir, Liam, and Xander—stepped forward, a united front against Xerxes. I could feel the tension building in my chest as I leaned against the doorframe, unable to tear my eyes away from what was unfolding in front of me. I had never seen anything like it.Nasir was the first to speak, his voice dripping with mischief and confidence.“Three against one, Xerxes. I’m curious to see how you handle it.”Xerxes didn’t respond immediately, his dark eyes flicking between each of the men. His lips twitched upward in the faintest of grins, his body still and ready for whatever came next.“I’ll take the challenge,” Xerxes said, his voice low and steady. My heart raced. How was he so calm? He wasn’t just facing one of them—he was facing all three. The three of them lined up, ready to go, and for a moment, all I could hear was the steady beat of my own heart.Then it began.And they were formidable, each of them possessing their o
TRINITYMy heart is pounding in my chest, each beat sending a tremor through my body. I take a shaky step back, the cold stone beneath my feet adding to the weight of what’s about to happen. The palace walls loom around me like silent witnesses to the cruel game Nasir has set in motion. I swallow hard, trying to steady myself, but the words that leave my mouth feel foreign, weak."Please, Nasir... don’t do this." My voice is a fragile whisper, barely louder than the breeze rustling through the courtyard.His grin widens, wicked and full of malice, as if he relishes every second of my fear. "If none of the recruits finds you in the next twenty minutes," he says slowly, letting the words hang in the air like a guillotine, "you’re free. And I’ll make sure they face punishment so excruciating, they’ll never forget it."My breath catches in my throat. My legs tremble with the sudden weight of his words. I can feel the pressure of all eyes on me, the other recruits waiting for my next mov
NASIR The night air is cool against my skin, the shadows of the palace stretching long across the courtyard as the last of the day’s light slips away. It’s been hours. Hours since I set the recruits loose to find Trinity, and not a single one of them has been able to track her down. The timer has long since expired, and still, she’s nowhere to be found. I can feel the irritation brewing inside me, a slow burn that’s growing into something far worse.Liam walks up to me, his fists clenched, face contorted with anger. Once the timer had expired, he too had joined the recruits in searching for Trinity. "You’ve scared her off, Nasir," he spits, his voice harsh. "This isn’t some damn game, you know. You can't be toying with our mate like this.”I roll my eyes at him. "You’re overreacting, Liam." My words are dismissive. I don’t care to hear his complaints. What does he know about training, about pushing people to their limits? Nothing. I did what I had to do.And besides, I didn't pla
MAIAI stood in the hallway, my eyes fixed on Nasir as he stepped out of Trinity's room. My heart sank, and a wave of anger washed over me. What was he doing with her? I demanded to know, my voice trembling with rage. That damn Trinity. How dare she just pop out of nowhere and threaten to steal what my sisters and I have worked so long to achieve. I would not let this happen, not under my watch.I could feel my pulse racing, and my palms grew sweaty as I tried to process what I had just seen."Nasir, what are you doing with her?" I asked, trying to keep my emotions in check. I took a step closer to him, my eyes blazing with intensity. I wanted to see the guilt written all over his face, but there was none. He didn't even have the decency to look away.Nasir turned to face me, his expression cold and detached. "I don't have time for an interrogation, Maia," he said, pushing me to the side. His touch was like a slap in the face, and I felt a sting of pain. I couldn't believe he was t
TRINITY I had wandered through the palace for what felt like hours, drawn by the sprawling, labyrinthine halls that seemed to stretch on forever. I still wasn't over the little hunt Nasir placed on me. I had no idea how I ended up in my room. I suppose it must have been Xerxes’ doing. He was the one who hid me under the berry Bush in the first place. I am just glad all that is over now.The scent of polished wood and aged stone mingled with the faint perfume of something ancient, as though the air itself held the stories of centuries past. Every step I took echoed in the silence, and I couldn’t help but feel that the palace was alive, watching me.I’d passed the same grand staircases, towering columns, and gilded doors so many times that I began to lose track of where I was. The place seemed to change every time I blinked—another hallway that turned into an open space, a door that led to somewhere unfamiliar. It was disorienting, but there was something exciting about it. Something
TRINITYThe sun was beginning its slow descent, casting soft golden hues across the garden. I sank deeper into the plush grass, the scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth filling my senses. This was my haven, a secret space where no one could find me—away from everything, from the pressures of my role, from the expectations that weighed on me.In my hands, I held the book I had stolen from the secret library. It was bound in dark leather, and its pages crackled with age. I had barely managed to slip it from its hidden resting place without anyone noticing, and now I was finally going to read it. The title was unassuming, but the stories it held, the knowledge it promised, stirred something deep within me.It was about the wolves and their ancient connection to the moon goddess. My heart raced as I opened to the first page, my eyes scanning the words in the dimming light. The tales spoke of devotion, of how the wolves would howl to the moon to honor her, their goddess, who granted t
TRINITY I could still feel the warmth of Xerxes' lips against mine. It had been only hours since the kiss, but every moment replayed in my mind like an endless loop. The spark, the connection, the intensity of the moment... I’d never felt anything like it before. My fingers instinctively touched my lips as I walked beside him, the faintest trace of his presence still lingering on me. I swallowed hard, hoping the heat in my cheeks would cool off soon. There was no way I could act like it didn’t affect me.Xerxes must have noticed my silence because he glanced at me, but I couldn’t look him in the eyes. Not after what had happened. The last thing I needed was for him to see how flustered I felt.We entered the palace, the tall stone walls echoing our footsteps. As we made our way to the kitchen, a group of voices hit my ears. I could hear Liam’s booming laughter mixed with Nasir’s quieter chuckles. The chatter was light and easy, but as soon as I stepped inside, everything fell still
TRINITYI paced back and forth in front of the door, my fingers clutching at the sleeves of my sweater. The harsh, rhythmic sound of my boots against the stone floor echoed in the hallway, making it impossible to ignore the tension that thickened the air around me. Every second felt like a minute, every minute like an hour. Inside, I knew the Alpha triplets were with the pack doctor, working on Xander. I wanted to knock on the door, demand to see him, to make sure he was okay, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was afraid of what I might hear.My heart was pounding in my chest, the fear of what might have happened to Xander clawing at me. He was my friend, my protector, he couldn’t be gone.Amara's sharp gaze burned through me, her eyes narrowed in suspicion, her posture tense. Maia and Selene weren’t much better. The three of them exchanged silent looks, as though forming some unspoken alliance against me. My breath caught in my throat as I caught glimpses of their judgmental
TRINITYThe cool evening air nipped at my skin as I stepped out of the stables, saying a quick goodbye to Xander. Despite his earlier antics, I couldn’t help but feel lighter after our time together. For once, my mind had been free of fear and worry—if only for a little while.But my brief reprieve didn’t last long.As I walked back toward the palace, lost in thought, I nearly collided with someone coming around the corner. When I looked up, I was met with Luna Mira’s cold, piercing gaze.“Oh, it’s you,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain.I stiffened, taking a step back. “Excuse me, Luna Mira,” I said politely, attempting to move out of her way.She didn’t budge. Instead, she crossed her arms and stared me down, her expression twisted in something that could only be described as contempt.“You should watch where you’re going,” she snapped. “Though, I suppose someone like you is always in the way, aren’t they?”My stomach churned at her words, but I kept my expression neutral.
TRINITYThe cool evening air nipped at my skin as I stepped out of the stables, saying a quick goodbye to Xander. Despite his earlier antics, I couldn’t help but feel lighter after our time together. For once, my mind had been free of fear and worry—if only for a little while.But my brief reprieve didn’t last long.As I walked back toward the palace, lost in thought, I nearly collided with someone coming around the corner. When I looked up, I was met with Luna Mira’s cold, piercing gaze.“Oh, it’s you,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain.I stiffened, taking a step back. “Excuse me, Luna Mira,” I said politely, attempting to move out of her way.She didn’t budge. Instead, she crossed her arms and stared me down, her expression twisted in something that could only be described as contempt.“You should watch where you’re going,” she snapped. “Though, I suppose someone like you is always in the way, aren’t they?”My stomach churned at her words, but I kept my expression neutral.
TRINITY The warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen as I stood beside Lily, who was patiently showing me how to perfect a new recipe. Her instructions were clear, her movements practiced, and for the first time in what felt like ages, I found myself smiling at something so simple. My hands were covered in flour, and I had managed to get some on my cheek without realizing it.Lily chuckled, brushing her own hands on her apron. “You’re a natural, Trinity. Just a little more kneading, and you’ve got it.”“I don’t know about nature,” I replied, laughing softly. “But this is fun. I didn’t think baking could be so relaxing.”“It’s therapeutic,” she said with a wink. “And it’s good to know how to feed people. You never know when you might need to charm someone with a home-cooked meal.”Before I could respond, the kitchen door swung open, and in walked Xander.I stiffened immediately.“Smells good in here,” he said casually, his hands stuffed into his pockets. His sharp
LIAMThe grandeur of the Northern Kingdom’s palace was undeniable. The towering arches, shimmering chandeliers, and opulent tapestries whispered of a wealth and history that rivaled even our own. We arrived to the sound of ceremonial drums and the welcoming smiles of the northern alphas, their warriors flanking the long hall in stoic formation.It was all very formal, too formal for my liking, but I played my part. As one of the three alphas of the Crimson Moon Pack, it was my duty to present strength and unity, even if my thoughts were elsewhere.“Welcome, Alpha Xerxes, Alpha Nasir, Alpha Liam,” the host said, bowing low. His voice carried the weight of respect and expectation.Xerxes, as always, took the lead, speaking in the deep, commanding tone that seemed to silence every room he entered. Nasir and I stood just behind him, nodding at the appropriate times, though my mind drifted to the one person who wasn’t here.Trinity.She should’ve been here. Not just because she belonged by
TRINITYThe morning air was crisp, carrying a light chill that made me pull my sweater tighter around me as I stood on the front steps of the palace. A sleek black car, not sure what brand it is But it does look quite expensive. It idled on the circular driveway below, its engine humming softly. I watched as the guards loaded the triplets bags into the trunk, my heart sinking with each passing second.The sun was just beginning to rise, bathing the palace grounds in soft golden light, but it did little to chase away the sense of dread that clung to me. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to find some semblance of comfort, but the growing distance between me and the triplets felt unbearable.Xerxes, Nasir, and Liam moved with the kind of efficiency I’d come to expect from them, but even they seemed slower than usual, as if they were reluctant to leave. Xerxes caught my eye first, his sharp features softened by an expression I couldn’t quite place. He gave me a small nod, and I no
NASIRThe air felt heavier as my brothers and I walked toward our mother’s chambers. Each step echoed in the silent hallway, a reminder of the weight of the responsibilities we carried. Liam glanced at me, his brows furrowed with unease. Xerxes strode ahead, his usual confident stride stiff with tension. We all knew this wasn’t going to be a conversation—it was going to be a command.This was The Luna Mira we are talking about here. She never asks, always orders and commands.When Xerxes pushed open the ornate doors, we were met with our mother’s piercing gaze. She sat behind her massive oak desk, her regal demeanor as commanding as ever. Her fragrance infiltrated my nostrils the second we stepped into the room. It was a sweet mix of lavender and vanilla.Scrolls and parchments littered the surface of her desk, each likely detailing some diplomatic affair or pack tradition. She was always fascinated with those.“Ah, you’re here,” she said, setting down a quill. Her voice was cool and
TRINITYThe training room stretched wide before me, its walls lined with racks of weapons ranging from gleaming swords to well-worn staves. The faint scent of sweat and steel lingered in the air, and the floor bore the scuffs and marks of countless sparring sessions. Standing at the center with a staff clutched tightly in my hands, I felt a bead of sweat roll down my back as the triplets circled me like predators sizing up their prey.“Loosen your grip,” Liam instructed, stepping forward. His voice was calm and encouraging, but his stance was firm. “If you hold it too tight, your movements will be stiff, and you’ll tire out quickly.”I glanced down at my hands, my fingers wrapped tightly around the smooth wood. Slowly, I adjusted my grip, loosening it as he’d said. When I looked back up, he nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.“Better. Now, let’s see if you can block.”Before I could prepare, Liam lunged forward, his movements fluid and precise. My heart raced as I instinctively
TRINITYThe sunlight filtering through the curtains woke me gently, but as my eyes fluttered open, a wave of confusion rolled over me. I was back in my room, tucked into my bed. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep by the creek, Xerxes by my side. Had he carried me back?I sat up slowly, my mind clouded with questions. The quiet of the palace felt heavy, almost foreboding. Pushing the thoughts aside, I got out of bed, dressed, and wandered into the halls.The corridors stretched before me, silent and empty, until I heard voices coming from the throne room. Curious, I followed the sound. The door was slightly ajar, and when I peeked in, I saw Xerxes, Nasir, and Liam standing in a tight circle, deep in conversation.I hesitated. Their conversation came to a halt and their eyes fell on me. It felt like I was intruding on something important. “Pardon me, I didn't mean to intrude,” I murmured, turning to leave.“Wait. Actually, we’ve been waiting for you,” Nasir called out, stop
XERXES The night was still and peaceful, the soft babble of the creek the only sound as I watched Trinity sleep. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting a silvery glow over her face. Her features were delicate, relaxed in sleep, a stark contrast to the guarded expression she wore during the day. She looked... serene, almost otherworldly, as though the chaos of her world couldn’t touch her in this moment.So this is what she looked like when she wasn't looking over her shoulder. I felt this strange sensation at the thought.Could it be guilt? I don't know. What I do know is that I should be able to protect her. She should feel safe here with me, not constantly threatened.I leaned back on my elbows, studying her. There was something about her that was quietly captivating—like a puzzle I didn’t quite know how to solve. She wasn’t what I had expected from the woman I thought would be my mate, and certainly not what I had wanted at first. But now... now I wasn’t so sure