Nicola awoke to the gentle glow of dawn spilling through her bedroom window. The morning air was cool, but the warmth surrounding her was undeniable. She was cocooned between the triplets, their bodies pressed protectively against hers. Damien’s arm draped over her waist, his steady breathing brushing against the back of her neck. Dylan’s fingers were laced with hers, his grin even in sleep a testament to his playful nature. Dean’s hand rested on her hip, grounding her with his quiet strength.The events of the night flooded back, a mixture of overwhelming emotions and sensations that made her heart race all over again. She’d given herself to them, body and soul, and in turn, they had claimed her as theirs. The mate bond hummed softly between them, a constant reminder of their connection.But now, as the first rays of sunlight painted the room, reality began to set in.Nicola carefully extracted herself from their embrace, her movements slow and deliberate so as not to wake them. She
The tension in the air was palpable as Alpha Blackstone stepped into Nicola’s home. His presence filled the small space, his imposing figure a stark contrast to the cozy warmth of the kitchen. The triplets flanked him protectively, their stances rigid, their eyes sharp. Nicola sat frozen at the table, her hands clutching her coffee mug as though it could anchor her to the moment.“Nicola,” Alpha Blackstone said, his deep voice steady but edged with authority. His gaze settled on her, not unkind but intensely scrutinizing. “I assume you understand why I’m here.”She swallowed hard and nodded, her voice escaping in a whisper. “The bond.”The Alpha nodded, stepping farther into the room. “The mate bond between you and my sons changes everything. For you, for them, and for this pack.”Nicola’s wolf stirred uneasily, sensing the weight of his words. She glanced at the triplets, who exchanged a look before Damien spoke.“With respect, Father,” Damien said, his voice firm, “this isn’t up for
Nicola’s life shifted in small, incremental ways over the next few days. It wasn’t just the bond - though that pulsed steadily in the background like a drumbeat - but the way the triplets had claimed her as theirs. The subtle way Damien’s hand would find hers in the hallway, how Dylan would throw an arm casually over her shoulders, or the lingering warmth of Dean’s protective presence by her side.It didn’t take long for the rumors to spread.By Monday morning, the entire school buzzed with the news. Whispers followed Nicola everywhere she went, weaving a tapestry of curiosity, envy, and, in some cases, outright hostility.“That’s her?” a girl murmured behind her in the hallway. “The Omega who thinks she can mate with the triplets?”“She must have bewitched them or something,” another sneered. “There’s no way they chose her.”Nicola kept her chin high, though her insides churned. Chloe and Theo flanked her protectively, their expressions daring anyone to say something louder. The trip
The morning dawned quiet and cold, the pale sunlight barely filtering through the thick curtains of Nicola’s room. She stirred, her body sore from the previous evening’s training but her mind surprisingly clear. The bond with the triplets hummed steadily, a comforting reminder of their presence even when they weren’t physically beside her.The peace didn’t last long.Her phone buzzed incessantly on the nightstand. Groaning, she reached for it, squinting at the screen. The pack group chat was in chaos.Maddie: Some Omega thinks she’s fit to stand beside our Alphas? Pathetic.Jordan: It’s a joke, right? The Blackstones would never choose someone so weak.Lila: Maybe it’s time someone put her in her place.Nicola’s stomach tightened. Maddie wasn’t just spreading rumors - she was inciting the pack against her. And judging by the number of likes and replies, she was succeeding.A sharp knock on her door startled her. “Nic, are you up?” Damien’s voice called.“Yeah, one second!” She scramb
The days following the confrontation with Jordan were tense. Nicola could feel the weight of the pack’s scrutiny wherever she went. Whispers followed her through the school hallways, and the air at every pack gathering was heavy with unspoken questions.But the triplets were her constant. Damien, Dylan, and Dean stayed close, their protective presence a reassurance that she wasn’t alone in this fight. And yet, Nicola couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was coming - something that would test her bond with the Alphas and her place in the pack.“Again,” Damien commanded, his voice firm but not unkind.Nicola braced herself, her body coiled tightly as Dean lunged at her. She ducked under his swipe, using her smaller frame to maneuver behind him. With a grunt, she delivered a quick jab to his side, earning an approving nod from Dylan, who observed from the sidelines.“That’s better,” Dylan said. “You’re getting faster.”“But not fast enough,” Nicola panted, wiping sweat from h
The day of the trial dawned with a chill in the air. The pack’s territory was blanketed by a layer of mist that clung to the ground, lending an almost surreal quality to the clearing where the trial would take place. Nicola stood in front of her mirror, her hands trembling slightly as she braided her hair. She barely recognized the girl staring back at her - there was a determination in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.A knock at her door startled her, and Dylan’s cheerful voice came through. “Are you decent? Or should I pretend I care?”“Come in,” Nicola called, rolling her eyes.Dylan sauntered in, his grin wide and mischievous. “Looking fierce, Nic. That braid screams, ‘Don’t mess with me, I know where to aim.’”“Thanks, I think?” Nicola replied, smoothing her shirt nervously. “Where are Damien and Dean?”“Strategizing downstairs,” Dylan said, leaning casually against her dresser. “Dean’s got that whole ‘stoic warrior’ vibe going, and Damien is, well, Damien. Commanding ever
The aftermath of the trials left Nicola in a whirlwind of emotions. As the pack members dispersed, some offering respectful nods and others begrudging glares, she stood surrounded by the triplets. Their protective presence shielded her from the weight of the gazes, but the undercurrent of tension was undeniable.The four of them walked back toward the Blackstone mansion, their steps falling into a natural rhythm. Nicola’s head buzzed with the events of the day, the adrenaline from the trials still coursing through her veins. She glanced at Damien, who walked closest to her, his hand brushing against hers.“You were incredible today,” Damien said, his voice soft but brimming with pride.Nicola felt her cheeks flush. “I don’t know if ‘incredible’ is the word. I was mostly terrified.”Dylan snorted from her other side. “Terrified, maybe, but you didn’t show it. Ryan looked like he’d been hit by a truck when you dropped him.”“Bet his ego’s in worse shape than his ribs,” Dean added with a
The aftermath of the rogue attack left a palpable tension in the air. Nicola sat in the living room, the crackling fireplace doing little to chase away the chill that had settled over her. The triplets were nearby, pacing or leaning against the walls, their sharp eyes scanning the room as if expecting danger to leap from the shadows.“Are you okay?” Dylan’s voice broke the silence as he crouched beside her chair. His usual playful grin was absent, replaced by a look of genuine concern.Nicola nodded slowly, though the tremor in her hands betrayed her. “I’m fine. Just… trying to process everything.”Dean crossed his arms, his expression dark. “That wasn’t a regular rogue. Whatever it was, it wasn’t here by accident.”Damien, who had been standing by the window with his arms crossed, turned to face the room. “It knew exactly what it was doing. It was testing us.”“Testing what?” Nicola asked, her voice quiet but steady.“You,” Damien said bluntly. “It’s not a coincidence that it showed
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