Chapter 2: A Scent Like No Other
"You want me to do WHAT?" Liana's voice came out louder than she meant it to.
Elder Mira, the oldest and smartest wolf in the pack, didn't even blink. Her wrinkled face stayed calm as she gave Liana a small bundle of folded clothes.
"Take these training clothes to the field. The Alpha wants you close to his sons today while I figure out what's happening with this... unusual situation."
Liana's stomach curled into knots. After yesterday's disaster at breakfast, she'd been whisked away to Elder Mira's house for hours of questions and tests. No one would tell her anything for sure, except that she needed to stay away from the boys until today.
"But what if Celeste sees me? She already hates me because of what happened."
Elder Mira patted her hand. "Don't worry about Celeste. Just take these clothes, drop them at the edge of the training field, and come straight back. Try to stay downwind of the young Alphas."
Liana nodded, taking the box. As she left Elder Mira's cozy home, her wolf stirred again inside her. It had been restless all night, pacing and crying in a way it never had before.
"What's happening to us?" she whispered, but her wolf didn't answer.
The morning air was cool as she walked, making her way past the main pack houses toward the training fields. Most wolves were busy with their daily work, but a few stopped to stare at her. Word had spread fast about yesterday's event.
"That's her," she heard someone whisper. "The omega who made all three Alpha sons go crazy at breakfast."
"No way an omega could be mated to an Alpha," another voice responded. "Especially not the triplets."
Liana walked faster, holding the bundle of clothes tighter. She just wanted to drop them off and get back to the safety of the kitchens, where at least she knew what she was doing.
As she got closer to the training fields, that strange smell hit her again - but stronger this time, making her head swim. Pine trees, rain, and something wild and scary. Her steps slowed as she tried to clear her head.
The exercise field came into view. It was a big open space where the pack warriors practiced fighting and hunting. In the middle, three shirtless figures were sparring, moving so fast they were almost blurs.
The twins.
Liana tried to stay at the edge of the field like Elder Mira had told her. She would just leave the clothes on the bench and—
The wind moved.
All three brothers froze mid-fight, their heads snapping in her direction like they'd been pulled by strings. Three pairs of eyes locked onto her.
Kael, the oldest, with storm-gray eyes that narrowed at the sight of her. His face hardened, chin tight.
Jace, with forest-green eyes that widened in surprise before a slow smile spread across his face.
Rowan, with calm blue eyes that studied her carefully, his head tilted slightly.
Liana couldn't move. The smell was overwhelming now, a mix of all three of them washing over her. Her wolf howled inside, trying to get out, to run toward them.
"What are you doing here?" Kael's words cut through the air as he started walking toward her. The other two followed close behind.
"I—I was just bringing these." Liana held up the bundle of clothes, her hands shaking. "Elder Mira told me to."
Jace laughed, a sound that made her wolf perk up its ears. "The old woman is testing us. Seeing how we react to you."
"Are you okay?" Rowan asked quietly. "You look pale."
Before Liana could answer, another voice cut through the air, sharp as a knife.
"What is SHE doing here?"
Celeste marched across the field, her blonde hair bouncing with each angry step. She was wearing workout clothes, looking perfect even covered in sweat. Her cold blue eyes fixed on Liana like she was looking at dirt.
"Celeste," Kael warned, but she ignored him.
"This is warriors' training. No omegas allowed." Celeste stopped directly in front of Liana. "Especially not omegas who don't know their place."
"I was just delivering something," Liana said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm leaving now."
She turned to go, but Celeste grabbed her arm, nails digging in.
"You think you're special because of some weird mistake yesterday?" Celeste hissed. "Let me tell you something. I've been promised to one of these Alphas since I was born. My father and Alpha Henderson have an agreement."
"I didn't ask for any of this," Liana whispered.
"Celeste, that's enough," Rowan said, stepping forward.
Something dangerous flashed in Celeste's eyes. "Oh, defending her already? How sweet."
Before anyone could stop her, Celeste shoved Liana hard. Liana stumbled backward, arms windmilling, and fell into a dirty puddle left from morning training. The clothes she was carrying spread across the wet ground.
Laughter erupted from some of the watching fighters. Liana felt mud soaking through her clothes, cold and sticky. Humiliation burned through her as hot as fire.
"Look at her," Celeste laughed. "THIS is supposed to be a mate for an Alpha? She can't even stay on her feet!"
Liana's eyes filled with tears she refused to let fall. This was what her life had always been - being pushed around, laughed at, treated like she was nothing.
Then something strange happened.
A low growl rumbled through the air. It didn't come from just one way, but three. Liana looked up to see all three triplets with their eyes glowing - Kael's silver, Jace's green, Rowan's deep blue.
"Back. Off." Kael's voice was so full of Alpha power that several nearby fighters dropped to their knees.
Celeste's smile faltered. "Kael, I was just—"
"You don't touch her," Jace growled, moving forward.
Rowan didn't speak, but the look on his face made even Celeste step back.
Then, to Liana's total shock, Kael walked over and extended his hand to her. After a moment of doubt, she took it. His skin was hot against hers, sending a jolt up her arm. He pulled her to her feet easily, as if she weighed nothing.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice gruff but not cruel.
"No," she whispered, too stunned to say more.
"Everyone back to training," Kael ordered, not letting go of her hand. "Celeste, report to your father. Now."
Celeste's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. "This isn't over," she hissed at Liana before stomping off.
The training field slowly returned to normal, though many warriors kept stealing looks at them.
"I should go," Liana said, trying to pull her hand away. But Kael didn't let go.
"No," he said. "Elder Mira sent you here for a reason. You're staying."
"But I'm covered in mud," she complained.
Jace's grin returned. "I think you look cute all dirty."
Rowan rolled his eyes at his brother. "We have spare clothes in the cabin. You can clean up there."
Liana's heart beat. Being alone with the three of them seemed like a very bad idea. "I should really get back to—"
"It wasn't a request," Kael said strongly, finally releasing her hand.
As the triplets led her toward a small house at the edge of the training grounds, Liana felt the stares of everyone burning into her back. What was happening? Why were they suddenly protecting her?
Inside the simple wooden cabin, Rowan gave her a clean shirt and pants. "They'll be too big, but better than mud."
"Why are you helping me?" Liana asked, holding the clothes.
The brothers traded looks.
"Because," Kael said slowly, "whether we like it or not, something is happening between us. And we need to figure out what it is."
"The bathroom's through there," Jace pointed. "Don't worry, we won't peek. Much." He winked, getting a smack from Rowan.
Liana locked herself in the tiny bathroom and quickly changed, her mind rushing. When she looked in the mirror, she gasped. Her eyes, usually golden-brown, had flecks of silver in them now.
When she came out, all three brothers were ready. Kael paced like a caged animal, Jace lounged on a chair, and Rowan stood quietly by the window.
"Your eyes," Rowan noticed instantly. "They're changing."
Liana swallowed hard. "What's happening to me?"
"To us," Kael amended. "It's happening to all of us."
Jace leaned forward. "Elder Mira thinks you might be—"
The door burst open. Alpha Henderson stood there, his face grim.
"Dad," Kael straightened. "We were just—"
"Silence," the Alpha ordered. His eyes fixed on Liana. "The Council has called an emergency meeting. All four of you need to come. Now."
"What's wrong?" Rowan asked.
The Alpha's next words made Liana's blood run cold.
"There's an ancient prophecy about a silver-eyed omega and three alpha brothers. If it's true..." He paused, looking straight at Liana. "Then the girl isn't just a mate. She's the beginning of the end of our pack as we know it."