Alaric’s POV I watched her, her delicate fingers toying with the edge of her napkin. She was distracted—her mind miles away, likely tangled up in the mess of emotions I’d carefully laid before her. Elowen was so easy to read. That pathetic little Omega wore her heart on her sleeve, even when she tried to hide it. I almost pitied her... almost. Her eyes flicked up to mine, and I could see the faintest trace of doubt lingering there. It was like a whisper in her expression, barely audible but impossible for me to miss. My lips curved into a soft smile. “Elowen,” I said, my voice smooth, calculated. It pulled her attention back to me as I knew it would. “You’ve been quiet tonight. What’s on your mind?” She blinked, startled, as though I had caught her in a moment she thought was private. How amusing. Did she really think she could hide anything from me? “Nothing,” she said softly, offering me a small, forced smile. “Just... thinking about everything.” Her hesitation only fu
“You’re going to Ironfang Academy.” Liora’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Cold. Sharp. Cutting through the silence of the dining room as she stared at me from across the table. I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on the chipped edge of the plate in front of me. What was the point of arguing? I didn’t have any power here. Liora had seen to that. Ever since my father was paralyzed in that fight, she’d taken over the pack, taken over everything. She was Luna now, and I was just a problem she hadn’t quite solved yet.She continued, letting out a dramatic sigh. “I’ve had enough of the complaints. Do you really enjoy seducing Alphas like your mother? Is that why you cause so much trouble at school?”My blood ran cold at the mention of my mother. My chest tightened with anger, but I kept quiet. Liora had been waiting for this. She wanted me out of the way so her own daughter could take over when the time came. But she couldn’t do that while I was still here—the real daughter of the Alph
That night, lying in my bed, I cursed my luck. Of all the people in the world, why did he have to be my mate? The memory of his furious gaze burned in my mind, the way he’d looked at me with pure hatred. He knew. He must have known the way he fled after our eyes met. He didn’t want me. That much was clear.Good. I didn’t want a mate either.But then, why did it hurt so much to think like that? Why did my chest feel tight, and my heart ache at the thought of him rejecting me?‘He’s your mate,’ my wolf’s voice echoed in my head, her tone insistent. ‘Of course, he’ll want us. We’re his mate, after all.’I flinched, still not used to hearing her. She’d only appeared today, as if triggered by the shock of meeting Ronan. It felt strange, having someone else inside my mind, especially someone so…hopeful. My wolf had no idea what the world was really like, what Alphas like him were really like. She didn’t understand.“Alphas don’t care about their mates,” I whispered under my breath, feeling
Theron's lips curved into a sly smirk as our eyes locked, and I felt my stomach tighten with a mixture of fear and desire. My wolf howled inside my mind, urging me to go to him, to claim our mate.But I stood my ground, clenching my jaw in defiance. The mate bond may have been tugging at me, trying to connect us, but I refused to let it control me. I wouldn't fall for this Alpha's charm.As he started walking towards me, my body tensed and I instinctively took a step back, only to collide with Lisa who stood behind me. She gave me a concerned look, but my attention was focused entirely on the powerful figure advancing towards us. He stopped right in front of me, his aura suffocating and dominating, causing my heart rate to quicken."A newcomer," he drawled out in a low, menacing voice that sent shivers down my spine.I remained silent, unable to find my voice amidst the chaos of emotions swirling within me. His dark eyes bore into mine, seeming to pierce through all of my defenses. Th
Theron’s voice echoed in my mind, sharp and mocking: “Oh, I can't wait to see the look on his face when he finds out his precious mate is nothing but an Omega. You haven’t figured it out yet? Alaric. He’s your mate too.”The words sent shivers down my spine, cold and unrelenting. My heart pounded as I replayed them over and over, the truth of them sinking deeper into my bones. Alaric. The eldest of the infamous Alpha triplets. The most dangerous of them all. My knees buckled as I tried to steady myself against the wave of fear crashing through me. The bond between us had been growing stronger ever since Theron’s cruel revelation. Every passing second brought me closer to the moment I’d have to face him. And now, Theron stood in front of me, his grip like iron on my arms, his eyes blazing with contempt. “Do you have any idea what a joke this is?” he snarled, his lips curling back as if the very sight of me disgusted him. “You? You—a pathetic Omega—are our mate? The Moon must be la
The silence wasn’t helping. It gave my mind too much space to think, too much time to spiral. I stared at the cracks in the ceiling, trying to keep my breaths steady, but every inhale felt heavier than the last. “Three mates.” The words rattled around in my head, taunting me. Three mates. Three chances. Three rejections. “No, not rejections,” my wolf interrupted, her voice brimming with excitement. “Three bonds. Three blessings! Do you know how rare this is, Elowen? We’re chosen three times over!” Blessings. She actually called them blessings. My stomach churned, and I buried my face in my hands. “They don’t feel like blessings,” I whispered. “They feel like curses.” “Don’t say that!” my wolf snapped, her voice sharp. “Ranon and Theron—they weren’t worthy of us. The Moon didn’t make a mistake; it gave us stronger bonds to replace the weak ones. And now we have Alaric! He’s the strongest of all. Do you feel it? His power? His presence? He’s perfect for us.” “Perfect?” I let
A foot shot out in front of me, and before I could catch myself, I stumbled forward, crashing to the floor. My books scattered across the room, and a wave of humiliation washed over me. “What’s wrong with you?” Lisa yelled, spinning around to confront the culprit—Alisa, the queen of the cruel. I groaned, pushing myself up as Lisa bent down to help me. “Elowen, are you okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. But before I could answer, Alisa’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Look at her, tripping over herself like the pathetic little Omega she is.” Her words were laced with venom, and her group of sycophants giggled in response. I bit my lip, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill. “Leave me alone,” I muttered, reaching for my books. “Aw, the little mate is upset,” Alisa sneered, her voice mockingly sweet. “I mean, who would’ve thought? The Triplets’ mate? An Omega? What a joke.” She leaned closer, her eyes glittering with malice. “What did you do to earn t
Alaric’s POVThe encounter replayed in my mind, though I didn’t want it to. The weak, tear-streaked face of the Omega I had bumped into wouldn’t leave me alone. I clenched my fists, trying to push it out of my head. She was nothing. Just a weak, pathetic Omega. The fact that she was my mate didn’t change that. “She’s ours,” my wolf growled, his voice low and furious in my head. “She’s not worthy,” I snapped back, my own voice icy and unrelenting. “How dare you say that? She’s our mate!” My wolf’s voice thundered through my mind, his anger crashing against me like a tidal wave. He was pacing in my consciousness, restless and on edge. “Did you see her? She was hurting. She’s in pain because of us!” “Because she’s weak,” I shot back, my jaw tightening. “I don’t have time to deal with her tears and fragility. She’ll never survive in our world.” “She’s stronger than you think,” my wolf snarled, his golden eyes flashing in my mind. “You’re just too blind to see it. You keep pushi
Alaric’s POV I watched her, her delicate fingers toying with the edge of her napkin. She was distracted—her mind miles away, likely tangled up in the mess of emotions I’d carefully laid before her. Elowen was so easy to read. That pathetic little Omega wore her heart on her sleeve, even when she tried to hide it. I almost pitied her... almost. Her eyes flicked up to mine, and I could see the faintest trace of doubt lingering there. It was like a whisper in her expression, barely audible but impossible for me to miss. My lips curved into a soft smile. “Elowen,” I said, my voice smooth, calculated. It pulled her attention back to me as I knew it would. “You’ve been quiet tonight. What’s on your mind?” She blinked, startled, as though I had caught her in a moment she thought was private. How amusing. Did she really think she could hide anything from me? “Nothing,” she said softly, offering me a small, forced smile. “Just... thinking about everything.” Her hesitation only fu
Theron’s POVThe drive to the restaurant was quieter than I expected. Sarah sat beside me, looking out the window with a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She was clearly happy I’d agreed to this dinner, though my wolf was restless, pacing in my head.She’s not Elowen, my wolf growled.I know that, I snapped internally. This wasn’t about Elowen—or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I just needed a distraction, something to pull me out of this madness.When we pulled up to the restaurant, I stepped out and walked around to open Sarah’s door. She slipped her hand into mine as we entered, her fingers soft and warm against my calloused palm.“This place is beautiful,” she said, looking around at the elegant chandeliers and soft lighting.I grunted in response, not really caring. My mind was already elsewhere.The hostess led us to a table, and as we walked through the dining area, my entire body went rigid.There they were.Alaric and Elowen.They were seated at a tabl
Elowen's POVThe academy halls buzzed with the usual chaos, but my thoughts were miles away. The moments with Alaric felt surreal, yet every time I thought I could trust him completely, Ranon’s and Theron’s words crept back into my mind.Alaric was perfect—too perfect. It was almost unnerving.I shook the thought away, focusing on walking to my next class. As I rounded the corner, my steps faltered.There he was.Ranon stood by the lockers, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw clenched as if he were deep in thought. The sight of him sent a chill down my spine. I told myself to keep walking, to ignore him, but as if sensing my presence, his eyes snapped to mine.“Running away again, little Omega?” His voice was sharp, but there was something behind his tone—something that made me pause.I took a steadying breath and straightened my shoulders. “I’m not running, Ranon. I’m just trying to avoid unnecessary conversations.”He pushed off the locker and strode toward me with that predatory gra
Elowen’s POV The morning light streamed through the curtains, warming the room with its golden glow. I stirred in bed, the faint sound of birds chirping outside pulling me from my dreams. A gentle hand brushed a strand of hair away from my face, and I opened my eyes to see Alaric leaning over me, his expression soft and tender.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.“Morning,” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.Before I could fully process, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. It was warm and unhurried, the kind of kiss that made me momentarily forget everything else in the world.“Stay here,” he said, pulling back just enough to speak. “I’ll bring you coffee.”I blinked up at him, my heart swelling at the simple gesture. “No, I’ll make coffee for us,” I insisted, sitting up and brushing the sleep from my eyes.He smirked, his hands slipping under the covers to grip my waist. “You? Make coffee? I’m not sure I trust you
Alaric’s POVHer soft whisper reached my ears, and it sent a shiver down my spine. Alaric. The way she said my name, laced with vulnerability and trust, made my wolf stir with satisfaction.I turned to her, my eyes locking onto hers. Her lips trembled slightly, her breath uneven. She was so close, and the mate bond pulsed between us like a living thing, demanding attention.“Elowen,” I murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She didn’t pull away; instead, her eyes fluttered shut.I couldn’t resist any longer. Leaning in, I captured her lips in a kiss, pouring everything into it—passion, possession, and something softer I barely understood myself. She gasped against my mouth, and I took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, my hand cupping her cheek as I tilted her head slightly.She melted into me, her arms wrapping hesitantly around my neck as the kiss grew more fervent. My wolf growled in approval, satisfied that our mate was responding to us.When we finally pulled a
Theron’s POV The night stretched endlessly as I sat in the shadows of my room, the scent of rain still lingering in the air. My wolf was restless, snarling and pacing within me. He had been furious ever since I’d seen Elowen with Alaric. She had looked so... content. I clenched my fists, the image of her smiling at him, leaning into his touch, searing itself into my mind. My wolf howled in protest. She’s ours. Not his. Not Ranon’s.But she didn’t see it. She didn’t feel the bond the way I did. Ranon’s words echoed in my mind, taunting me. She’s his mate now... maybe she deserves whatever Alaric has planned.A low growl escaped me. No. She didn’t deserve that, no matter how much she hated me, no matter how broken our bond had become. I stormed out of my room, grabbing my jacket as I made my way to the garage. The mansion was quiet, everyone lost in their own schemes and lies. As I climbed into my car and sped into the night, my thoughts were consumed by one name: Elowen. -
Elowen’s POV The next day, the Academy halls buzzed with their usual energy, but for me, it felt different. I walked beside Alaric, his presence a steady comfort. He didn’t say much, but his hand lightly brushed against mine as we walked, a silent reassurance. We entered the courtyard, where students were scattered around—some chatting in groups, others rushing to their classes. As much as I tried to ignore it, I could feel their stares, their whispers following us like shadows. “Look at her,” one girl murmured to her friend, her voice just loud enough for me to hear. “First, she’s the rejected Omega, and now she’s latched onto him?” Her words stung, but Alaric’s hand found the small of my back, grounding me. He leaned closer, his voice low but firm. “Ignore them. They don’t matter.” I nodded, though my chest tightened. It wasn’t easy to brush off the judgmental glares and biting comments, but Alaric’s presence made it a little easier. As we entered the building, I spotted Ranon
Elowen's POVThe kiss lingered between us, soft and tender, but with an intensity that was undeniable. Alaric’s presence seemed to engulf me completely, and for a moment, I forgot about everything—about the tension with Ranon and Theron, about the doubts and fears swirling in my head. There was only him and me, and it felt like a sanctuary in his arms.I leaned into him, needing the comfort of his touch, the warmth of his body pressed against mine. His hands gently cupped my face, his thumb tracing the outline of my cheek as if memorizing every inch of me.“Elowen…” His voice was a low murmur, filled with raw emotion. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ll never hurt you. I’ll protect you.”I closed my eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over me, grounding me. But as much as I wanted to believe his words, the doubts still lingered in the back of my mind. The warning from Ranon, the way Theron’s anger had felt so real—could I really trust him? Could I trust anyone, after everything t
Alaric's POVThe tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating. Ranon’s words hung heavily in the air, and I could see the doubt flicker in Elowen’s eyes. That seed of uncertainty he had planted had taken root, and it tore at me. I hated that he was able to get to her, even just a little. She was mine, and I would do anything to make her believe in that.Her gaze shifted from the door where Ranon had left to me. The vulnerability in her eyes cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I hated the feeling of not being able to fix it instantly, to make her see that I was everything she needed. “Elowen…” I whispered, my voice soft but firm, urging her to look at me.She turned slowly, but there was still a wariness in her expression, something I hadn’t seen before. It hurt more than I was willing to admit, but I couldn’t let it show. I had to be strong for both of us now.I reached for her hand, gently pulling her closer. The moment she was within arm’s reach, I wrapped my arms around her wa