Nicola sat curled up on the plush couch in the living room of the triplets’ apartment, sipping tea as the last rays of sunlight painted the forest outside in hues of amber and gold. The day had been overwhelming in the best way, and she couldn’t stop replaying the tour of their new home in her mind. It was still hard to wrap her head around the fact that this expansive, breathtaking space was now hers too.Her mates moved about the apartment, their presence grounding her. Damien was organizing her books on the shelves, Dean was placing freshly laundered towels in the bathroom, and Dylan - well, he was rummaging through a set of shopping bags, his grin as mischievous as ever.“What’s that?” Nicola asked, raising an eyebrow as she watched him pull out a delicate-looking black box tied with satin ribbon.“Just a little something we picked up for you,” Dylan said, sauntering over and dropping the box onto her lap with a flourish.Nicola narrowed her eyes playfully. “Do I even want to know
The morning after her unforgettable night with the triplets, Nicola was greeted by a soft knock on the door of their shared apartment. Damien answered it, his expression immediately turning serious as one of the patrol leaders handed him a sealed envelope.“What is it?” Nicola asked, concern knitting her brows as Damien stepped back into the room.He scanned the message, his jaw tightening. “Reports from the border. There’s been unusual movement - small groups of rogues testing the patrol routes, probing for weak spots.”Nicola’s stomach twisted. Though things had been quiet for the past few weeks, the lull had felt too good to last. She stood, her instincts already sharpening, but Damien’s hand shot out to stop her.“Don’t,” he said firmly.“I’m not just going to sit around,” Nicola replied, her voice rising.Dean appeared from the hallway, tugging a shirt over his head. “Nic, we agreed you’d stay off patrols until after your exams.”“I don’t need to be on patrol to help,” Nicola arg
Nicola woke the next morning with a dull ache in her muscles, a reminder of the battle on the eastern border. The triplets were already up and moving around the apartment, their voices low but urgent as they discussed the skirmish. She stretched, listening to their murmured conversation from the massive bed they now shared.Her mind was still on the rogues. The attack had been disorganized, almost reckless, but the underlying strategy was clear- they were testing the pack’s defenses. And if the rogues had learned anything from the skirmish, it wouldn’t be long before they tried again.Pushing herself out of bed, Nicola wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and padded out into the living area.“Morning,” Dylan greeted her, his grin a little forced. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee in his hand.“Morning,” Nicola replied, glancing at Damien and Dean, who were huddled over a map spread out on the dining table.“Anything new?” she asked, joining them.Damien loo
The following morning dawned crisp and cool, the scent of dew and pine hanging in the air. Nicola woke to the warmth of the triplets surrounding her, their steady breathing a soothing rhythm. The previous day’s tension still lingered, but for a brief moment, she allowed herself to savor the peace.She stretched lazily, careful not to wake them. Dylan stirred first, his arm tightening around her waist as his eyes fluttered open.“Morning, sunshine,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.“Morning,” she whispered back, her lips curving into a small smile.The quiet didn’t last long. Dean groaned from her other side, throwing an arm over his face to block the morning light streaming through the curtains.“Is it already morning?” he grumbled.“Unfortunately,” Nicola replied, unable to suppress a chuckle.Damien, ever the early riser, was already up and moving, his low voice carrying from the kitchen as he prepared coffee. The smell of freshly brewed beans wafted into the room, and Nicol
The dining room at the packhouse brimmed with warmth. The soft glow of the chandeliers cast golden hues over the polished wood table, laden with a feast fit for a royal banquet. Nicola sat between her mother and Damien, the smells of roasted meats and spiced vegetables mingling with the earthy scent of the triplets, grounding her in the moment. Yet, beneath the surface of the laughter and stories, a quiet anticipation simmered.Her mom, always quick to read a room, narrowed her eyes slightly. “Alright,” she said, setting down her fork. “This dinner feels too formal to just be about enjoying a good meal. Out with it. What’s going on?”Alpha Marcus chuckled, wiping the corner of his mouth with a linen napkin. “Mrs. Hart, you’re as sharp as ever. But tonight’s conversation isn’t one to worry you - it’s to reassure you.”Nicola winced, glancing nervously between her mom and the triplets. “Mom... there’s something we’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”Damien leaned forward, his tone ca
The morning sunlight streamed through the massive windows of their new suite, casting golden rays across the living room floor. Nicola woke slowly, the warmth of the sun mingling with the heat of the bodies around her. One of the triplets - Dean, by the feel of his steady heartbeat - had an arm draped possessively around her waist, while Damien and Dylan were sprawled nearby, a tangle of limbs and blankets.She blinked away sleep, marveling for a moment at how quickly this place already felt like home. The sheer luxury of the suite was overwhelming at times, but it wasn’t the marble, the high ceilings, or the expansive windows that made it special. It was the way the triplets filled every inch of it with their laughter, teasing, and protectiveness.Dean stirred, his breath brushing against her neck. “Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.“Morning,” Nicola whispered back, feeling a warm blush creep up her cheeks as his lips brushed her shoulder.Before she could
The days following the council meeting were a blur of preparation and training. Tensions in the pack were palpable as the scouts’ warnings about rogue activity echoed through Crescent Moon. Despite the unease, life within the packhouse continued, albeit with a sharper edge to every interaction.Nicola found herself juggling responsibilities like never before. Between her involvement in pack affairs and settling into the triplets’ suite, her days were packed. Though the transition was smoother than she had anticipated, there was an undercurrent of tension she couldn’t shake.One morning, Nicola stood by the suite’s massive windows, sipping a cup of tea. The forest stretched out before her, its dense canopy bathed in the soft light of dawn. She leaned against the glass, her thoughts racing.She heard a soft shuffle behind her, followed by Damien’s voice. “Couldn’t sleep?”Nicola turned to see him, his dark hair mussed from sleep and a concerned look in his eyes.“Too much on my mind,” s
The sun streamed through the suite’s massive windows as Nicola prepared for the day ahead. Her schedule was simple, but it carried emotional weight: she needed to collect the rest of her belongings from her mom’s house and have a serious conversation with her about the changes happening in their lives.Her mom had been supportive of her moving into the packhouse with the triplets, but Nicola could sense an unspoken worry lingering in her eyes during their last conversation. Today, she intended to address that, not just as her daughter but as the future Luna of Crescent Moon.When Nicola arrived at her mom’s house, it felt smaller than she remembered, though it still carried the warmth and comfort she associated with home. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as her mom stood in the kitchen, her movements quick and practiced as she prepared breakfast.“Hey, sweetheart,” her mom greeted with a warm smile, though her eyes immediately flicked to the bags Nicola carried. “Here
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.Nicola’s 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 weren’t 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 Moon’s 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. "We’re not breaking the bond."Nicola met his gaze, searching for any doubt in his storm-gray eyes. But she found none. Only quiet acceptance.“No,” she said, her voice stronger than she expected. “We’re not.”The 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. “What the hell...”Then 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 couldn’t 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 Lucas… he hadn’t 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 book’s 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 Goddess’s 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 haven’t answered our question."Lucas kept his pace even. "Which one?"Dylan scoffed. "Don’t 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. That’s 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. “Alright. What’s on your minds?”Damien was the first to speak. “You, mostly.” His golden eyes studied her carefully. “You’ve had a lot thrown at you, and yet you keep pushing forward. We just want to make sure you’re actually processing all of it.”She gave a small, tired smile. “I don’t think I’ve had the luxury of processin
The warmth of the meal still lingered in Nicola’s 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 don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m about two bites away from passing out."Dean smirked. "Two? You’ve 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. “That meal was good, but what I really need is a real bed.”Damien shot a glance down the corridor. "Then let's find one. This place seems... aware of us. It wouldn’t surprise me if it already had rooms waiting."Nicola nodded, finge
Nicola’s fingers brushed over the book’s 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. Nicola’s 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.“Rise, my child,” the Moon Goddess’s voice resonated, neither loud nor soft, but carrying the weight of eternity.Nicola obeyed, swallowin