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
The chatter in the Crescent Moon High cafeteria was louder than usual, a buzzing hive of gossip and speculation. Nicola walked in with Chloe and Theo, her tray balanced precariously in her hands. Despite their laughter and lighthearted conversation, she couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had followed her all morning.Everywhere she turned, eyes lingered on her for a fraction too long, whispers following her like a shadow. She knew what they were talking about - the rogue attack, her trials, and, of course, her connection to the Blackstone triplets.“Let them stare,” Chloe said as they slid into their usual seats at the far corner of the cafeteria. “They’re just jealous.”“Jealous?” Nicola raised an eyebrow, stabbing her fork into her salad. “Of what? The endless drama or the constant death threats?”Theo chuckled. “Probably both. You’re like a celebrity now.”Nicola groaned, resting her forehead on the cool surface of the table. “I didn’t ask for any of this.”“You don’t have to,
Nicola’s breathing was sharp and shallow, each inhale burning her lungs as she dodged the woman’s next strike. Her father’s dagger felt almost too heavy in her grip, its blade catching and reflecting the pale moonlight like a beacon in the shadows. The woman moved with an unnerving grace, her movements as fluid as water yet sharp as a predator on the hunt. Her glowing eyes seemed to pierce directly into Nicola’s soul with every step she took, their golden hue flickering like embers in the darkness.“You’re quicker than I expected,” the woman sneered, her tone dripping with mockery as her lips curled into a sinister smirk. “But you won’t last long, little girl. Not against me.”Nicola’s jaw tightened, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the dagger tighter. She ignored the taunt, forcing herself to focus on her opponent’s movements. Every shift of the woman’s weight, every flick of her wrist, told a story of deadly precision honed over centuries - or worse, through unholy means. What
The howl in the distance sent a shiver down Nicola’s spine. It wasn’t the familiar call of their pack but something darker, more feral. Her hand gripped the dagger tightly, her knuckles white as her gaze locked on Harwin.“What do you mean, they’re coming?” Dylan asked sharply, stepping toward the elder.Harwin’s shoulders sagged as if the weight of his betrayal had finally caught up to him. “The Shadowed Ones know you’re closing in. They won’t wait for you to find them. They’ll strike first, and they’ll do it tonight.”Damien growled low in his throat. “How do you know this?”“I sent the signal,” Harwin admitted, his voice trembling. “It was the only way to delay them. To give you more time.”Nicola’s stomach churned. “You brought them here?”“It was either that, or they would unleash chaos elsewhere - on innocent people,” Harwin said, his tone pleading. “I thought... maybe you’d be ready by now.”Dean stepped forward, his fists clenched. “Ready? You think we’re ready for an ambush i
The suite was quiet except for the faint scratching of pens and the rustle of pages. The weight of unanswered questions loomed heavy in the room, but Nicola refused to let it consume her. She was looking for anything that might help, her father’s books spread out before her like a labyrinth of cryptic riddles and fragmented truths.Damien, seated across from her, was methodically cataloging every symbol and phrase that seemed significant. His brow furrowed in concentration, though every so often, he would glance up at Nicola, his concern evident.“You should rest,” he said softly, breaking the silence.Nicola shook her head, her fingers running over the edge of a page. “I can’t. Not when we’re so close. There’s something here, Damien - I can feel it.”Before he could argue further, Nicola’s attention was caught by a folded piece of paper slipping out from between the pages of the book she was studying. She froze, staring at it as if it might vanish.“What is it?” Damien asked, his voi
The suite buzzed with urgency as the triplets and Nicola strategized their next move. The second note had left no room for misinterpretation: their enemies were closing in, and the clock was ticking.Nicola sat at the table, the leather-bound books spread out before her like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Each page she turned revealed fragments of knowledge - ancient rituals, the history of the pack’s lineage, and cryptic references to a “key” tied to bloodlines.“We need more answers,” Damien said, pacing the room like a caged animal. His frustration was palpable. “These books are a start, but we’re missing too many pieces.”Dylan leaned over Nicola, his eyes scanning the pages she was reading. “We’ve found plenty about the curse and the bloodline, but nothing about who’s orchestrating this or why. It’s like chasing shadows.”Dean, sitting by the door with his arms crossed, suddenly spoke. “We need to go on the offensive. Stop reacting and start acting. The notes, the beast, the rogu
The suite was heavy with tension after they discovered the ominous note. Nicola sat at the table, turning the parchment over and over in her hands. The triplets surrounded her, their expressions varying from anger to concern, their protective instincts evident in their stiff postures.“‘The truth lies in the blood,’” Dylan read the note aloud again, his tone clipped. He placed it back on the table, his fingers drumming against the polished wood. “What do they mean by that? Is this about your lineage?”Nicola shook her head, exhaling sharply. “It has to be. My father’s books might hold the answers, but I still don’t know where they are. I’m starting to think he hid them on purpose, knowing this day would come.”Damien leaned against the counter, arms crossed and his brow furrowed in deep thought. “We need to focus. First, securing the pack and making sure everyone is safe. Second, finding those books. Whoever’s behind this isn’t just playing games anymore.”Dean frowned, pacing near th
The council meeting had been tense, the air heavy with unspoken accusations and suspicions. As Nicola and the triplets made their way back to their suite, the discussion echoed in her mind. The elders had raised the possibility of a traitor within the pack, someone who might be working with the mysterious woman behind the beast transformations. It was a chilling thought, and the weight of it settled uneasily in her chest.When they reached their door, Nicola’s steps faltered. There, lying conspicuously on the floor, was a folded piece of parchment. Dylan was the first to notice her hesitation.“What is it?” he asked, stepping forward.Nicola pointed silently to the note, her pulse quickening. Damien bent down, picking it up carefully as if it might explode. His jaw clenched as he unfolded the parchment, and his expression darkened as he read aloud:“The truth lies in the blood. Stop searching, or more will bleed.”Dean growled low in his throat, his wolf barely contained. “They’re not
Nicola’s pulse pounded in her ears as she rushed through the halls of their shared suite. The note’s message repeated in her mind, a sinister echo that made her skin crawl. Someone was watching her every move, someone who knew she was digging too deep.She flung open the main door to the living area, where the triplets were lounging. Damien was nearest, standing by the kitchen counter with a glass of water. His golden eyes narrowed the moment he saw her pale face.“What happened?” Damien asked, his voice low and steady, though she could hear the tension in it.Nicola didn’t answer right away. She pushed past him and held up the folded parchment. Dylan, who was sprawled on the couch, straightened immediately, while Dean paused mid-step on his way to the bedroom.Nicola slapped the note onto the coffee table. “This,” she said, her voice trembling with both fear and anger. “Someone left it outside our door.”Dean snatched up the parchment, his carefree demeanor evaporating as he read the
Nicola stepped out of the dim, oppressive cell and into the cool night air, her chest heavy with failure. She couldn’t shake the image of the rogue disintegrating into ash, his anguished screams echoing in her ears. She had taken a risk, hoping to save him, but instead, she had lost the only lead they had.Damien was by her side in an instant, his hand brushing hers. “Nic,” he said softly, “you couldn’t have known. It wasn’t your fault.”Nicola nodded absently, her thoughts already turning to her father’s notebook. He had left her breadcrumbs of knowledge, scattered fragments of wisdom. Maybe there was something in his writings she had overlooked.Alpha Marcus and Cedric immediately called for a council meeting, while Nicola returned to her suite with the triplets. She barely felt the bruises forming on her arms or the exhaustion seeping into her muscles. Her mind was racing, a relentless storm of possibilities and threats.The rogue’s cryptic warnings still rang in her ears."They’re
The sun had fully risen by the time Nicola and her companions returned to the pack’s compound. The triplets walked close beside her, their protectiveness evident in the way they scanned their surroundings, even in the safety of their own territory. Cedric and Lucas trailed behind, their expressions somber.Nicola clutched the small box containing the vial to her chest, her thoughts a tangled mess. Her father’s notes swirled in her mind, the weight of his warnings pressing heavily on her.The rogue in the cells. The beasts in the forest. The vial of moonstone energy. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, but the picture it formed was far more sinister than she’d imagined.As soon as they reached the pack house, Nicola headed straight for the alpha’s study. Her mother and Cedric’s mating ceremony had been a rare reprieve, but the time for celebration was over.Alpha Marcus was already there, seated behind his desk. Clara sat beside him, her brow furrowed in concern. Elde