Aria ducked behind a tree as wolves rushed past her. The rogue attack had thrown the whole pack into confusion. Warriors charged toward the border while others rushed the children to safety. Through the confusion, she spotted Mira waving wildly from the edge of the forest.
"Aria! This way!" Mira called.
She sprinted toward her adopted mother, heart pounding. Just as she reached Mira, a bone-chilling howl cut through the air. This wasn't the sound of rogues. It was something bigger, more powerful.
"Alpha wolves," Mira whispered, her face going pale. "They're coming."
"The triplets?" Aria asked.
Mira nodded. "They must have felt the pack's danger. Go home and stay there. Don't let anyone see your eyes."
Before Aria could answer, three huge wolves burst from the trees behind them. They were larger than any wolves Aria had ever seen, their muscles rippling as they charged past toward the fight. The first was dark gold, the second pitch black, and the third rich brown. The Alpha's kids had returned.
"Go now!" Mira pushed Aria toward their cabin.
Aria ran, but couldn't help looking back at the magnificent wolves racing into battle. Something strange happened as she watched them – a warm tingling feeling spread through her chest. She shook it off and hurried home.
The next morning, the entire pack gathered in the main clearing to properly welcome the triplets home. The rogue attack had been driven off easily once they arrived. Now everyone wanted to celebrate their return.
Aria stayed at the very back of the crowd, wearing a hat to shadow her face. Mira had made her drink a bitter tea that morning, saying it would "keep the silver at bay." Whatever that meant, Aria didn't like how it made her feel – slightly dizzy and distant.
Alpha Darius stood on the ceremonial rock, his proud smile obvious to all as he raised his hands for silence.
"SilverClaw Pack! Today we celebrate the return of my sons, who have completed their Alpha training in the Northern Mountains. They return to us as men, ready to lead."
The crowd burst in cheers. Aria stood on tiptoes, trying to see better.
"First, my eldest son by seven minutes – Kade!"
A tall young man with dark blonde hair stepped forward. His face was serious, his green eyes scanning the crowd like he was looking for threats instead of rejoicing. He nodded once, accepting the pack's cheers with a stern look.
"My second son – Lucian!"
The black-haired triplet moved like a ghost. His ice-blue eyes seemed to see everything at once, calculating and cold. Where Kade looked strong, Lucian looked dangerous. He didn't smile, just observed everyone with a small tilt to his head.
"And my youngest – Jaxon!"
The third brother bounded forward with a wild grin. His chestnut hair was messy, and he winked at the crowd, causing several young female wolves to laugh. Unlike his boys, Jaxon seemed to be enjoying the attention.
Alpha Darius put his hands on Kade's shoulders. "In one month, Kade will face the Alpha's Challenge. If he succeeds, he will begin his path to becoming the next Alpha of SilverClaw Pack!"
More cheers erupted. Aria noticed how differently the brothers responded – Kade stood straighter, Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly, and Jaxon's smile faltered for just a moment.
"And now," Alpha Darius added, "let the welcome feast begin!"
As the party started, Aria slipped behind a table of food, grabbing a tray to look like she was working. She was supposed to stay hidden, but interest burned inside her. She'd heard stories about the triplets her whole life but had never seen them up close.
"Aria!" Mira appeared beside her. "What are you doing? I told you to stay home today."
"I just wanted to see them," Aria whispered. "No one notices me anyway."
Mira's eyes filled with worry. "The herb tea is wearing off. Your eyes—"
Before she could finish, someone bumped into Aria from behind. She stumbled forward, nearly falling. A strong hand caught her arm, steadying her.
"Careful there," said a warm voice.
Aria looked up into honey-brown eyes. Jaxon, the youngest triplet, stood inches away, looking down at her. Her heart skipped a beat.
"I—I'm sorry," she stammered.
Jaxon's smile faltered as he looked into her eyes. His head tilted curiously. "Your eyes are—"
"Nothing!" Mira cut in, pulling Aria away. "Thank you for helping her, but we need to get back to work."
Jaxon's gaze followed them as Mira dragged Aria toward the kitchen. "Wait," he called. "What's your name?"
But they were already through the door.
"That was close," Mira whispered, checking Aria's eyes. "The tea is definitely wearing off. Stay in here until I come back with more."
Aria nodded, but her mind was racing. Jaxon had noticed her. Had actually seen her. The warm feeling in her chest had returned when he touched her arm. What was happening to her?
From the kitchen window, she watched the party. Talia had positioned herself near the triplets, looking beautiful in a blue dress that matched her eyes. Everyone watched as she approached Kade, offering him a special cup of welcome mead.
"The Beta's daughter knows what she wants," said one of the cooking workers with a laugh. "Ten silver says she'll be Luna within the year."
Aria turned away from the window, a strange heaviness in her chest. Why should she care if Talia became Luna? It didn't matter to her. She was just an omega. Invisible. Forgettable.
She slipped out the back door of the kitchen, needing fresh air. The herb tea was making her feel worse – now her head pounded and her skin felt hot. She made her way to the small stream behind the pack buildings where she often went to be alone.
As she knelt by the water, splashing her face, she heard voices coming. Male sounds. She quickly ducked behind a big rock.
"—can't believe father expects me to choose a mate so quickly." It was Kade's deep voice, sounding annoyed.
"You know the rules," came Lucian's cooler tone. "An Alpha needs a Luna. The Beta's daughter seems eager enough."
"Talia?" Jaxon laughed. "She's been practicing her Luna wave since we were pups. Did you see how she practically threw herself at Kade?"
"She's appropriate," Kade replied. "Strong bloodline. Well trained. The pack would accept her."
"Sounds like you're choosing a hunting dog, not a mate," Jaxon said.
The brothers came into view, stopping at the edge of the stream. From her hiding spot, Aria could see them clearly. Up close, they looked even more strong.
"This isn't about love," Kade said strongly. "It's about what's best for the pack."
"Always so serious," Jaxon sighed, skipping a stone across the water. "Did you see that omega girl? The one with the strange eyes?"
Aria's heart stopped. They were talking about her.
"What omega girl?" Lucian asked, suddenly interested.
"In the feast hall. She had the most unusual eyes—almost silver." Jaxon frowned. "There was something about her..."
"Silver eyes?" Kade turned sharply to his brother. "Are you sure?"
Jaxon nodded. "Never seen anything like them. She disappeared before I could ask her name."
"Find her," Kade demanded, his voice turning harsh. "If there's an omega with silver eyes in our pack, father needs to know immediately."
"Why?" Jaxon asked. "What's the big deal about eye color?"
Lucian's face darkened. "The prophecy, idiot. Silver eyes mark the return of the—"
"Don't say it," Kade cut him off. "We need to find her first. Then we'll decide what to do."
Aria's breath caught in her throat. They were looking for her. And from Kade's tone, it wasn't for a good reason. She started to back away slowly, trying not to make a sound.
A twig snapped under her foot.
Three heads whipped in her direction.
"Who's there?" Kade asked.
Aria ran. She raced through the trees, heart pounding, fear giving her speed. But these weren't everyday wolves behind her. These were Alphas, born to hunt. She heard them giving chase, their footsteps gaining on her quickly.
"Stop!" Jaxon called. "We just want to talk!"
She didn't believe him. The look in Kade's eyes had been too focused, too dangerous.
Just as she felt a hand about to grab her shoulder, the ground suddenly vanished beneath her feet. She'd run straight off the edge of a cliff. Aria fell down the steep slope, rolling over rocks and roots until she slammed into a tree at the bottom.
Pain shot through her body. She tried to move, but her leg was stuck under a fallen branch. Looking up, she saw three forms at the top of the ravine. The triplets stared down at her, their faces unreadable in the fading light.
Then her vision blurred, and the world went black.