Nova jolted awake as Cook banged a wooden spoon against her door. "Up! Birthday or not, those breakfast pots won't scrub themselves!" Groaning, Nova rolled out of bed. Her muscles ached from last night's adventure with Zane. The blue book—The Luna Curse—was safely hidden beneath her thin mattress. Nova splashed cold water on her face and stared at her image in the cracked mirror. Eighteen today. Most girls dreamed of their Mate Reveal Ceremony, but Nova just felt sick. "Move it, omega!" Cook shouted. In the kitchen, Nova attacked the breakfast pots while other wolves bustled around preparing for the event. Nobody wished her happy birthday. "There's our little pot-scrubber," a smooth voice purred. Nova turned to find Selene leaning against the doorway, flaunting her formal dress—a flowing silver gown that sparkled like moonlight. "Excited for my big moment tonight?" Selene spun, making the dress shimmer. "Alpha Cyrus practically confirmed I'll be matched with Kai." She leaned close, whispering, "Though I wouldn't mind Rune either. At least they're real wolves, not pathetic omegas." Nova scrubbed harder, saying nothing. "Aww, speechless?" Selene smirked. "Don't worry, I'll let you serve at my table when I'm Luna." She noticed Nova's wrist, where the faint blue mark pulsed. "What's that?" Nova quickly plunged her arm into the soapy water. "Nothing." Selene's eyes narrowed. "I saw you with Zane last night." Nova's heart stopped. "I don't know what you're talking about." "Don't play dumb. I followed you both." Selene grabbed Nova's arm, yanking it from the water. "If you think an omega has any chance with an Alpha's son, you're delusional." "Let go!" Nova pulled away, knocking over a pot. Water splashed across Selene's beautiful dress. Selene gasped as the silky fabric soaked through. "You—you did that on purpose!" "No, I—" CRACK! Selene's palm struck Nova's cheek so hard she stumbled backward. "Selene!" a deep voice barked. Both girls turned to find Kai in the doorway, his gray eyes cold with anger. Selene's demeanor instantly changed. "Kai! I was just checking on the wedding preparations when this clumsy omega ruined my dress." Kai's gaze moved to Nova's reddening cheek. "And that required hitting her?" "She needs to learn respect," Selene huffed, straightening her posture. "Leave." Kai's words left no room for argument. Selene blinked in surprise but quickly covered it with a sweet smile. "Of course. I need to change anyway." She brushed past him, shooting Nova a venomous look. When she was gone, Kai studied Nova. "Are you hurt?" "I'm fine," Nova mumbled, confused by his worry. "You're Zane's library friend." It wasn't a question. Nova froze. Did everyone know about her midnight visits? "My brother thinks you're special," Kai continued. "I don't see it myself, but Zane rarely takes interest in anything besides his books." Nova stared at the floor, unsure how to reply. "The moon makes strange choices sometimes," Kai said cryptically. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch. "Happy birthday, omega. Zane asked me to give you this." He tossed it to her and walked away before she could reply. Nova opened the pouch with shaky fingers. Inside was a silver hair clip shaped like three crescent moons. At sunset, Nova stood at the back of the crowd as wolves gathered in the ritual circle. She'd washed her one good dress—a simple blue gown that had belonged to her mother—and fastened Zane's hair clip above her ear. Alpha Cyrus stood on the raised stone platform, looking strong despite his weakened state. His three sons stood beside him—Kai rigid and proud, Rune grinning at female wolves in the crowd, and Zane slightly apart, searching the gathering until his eyes found Nova. Her wrist burned. "Wolves of Shadowclaw!" Alpha Cyrus roared. "Tonight, the Moon Goddess blesses us with her choice! Who among our girls will rise as the next Luna?" The crowd howled in excitement. Selene preened in her new silver dress, positioned front and center. "Step forward, maidens of age," the Alpha ordered. Twelve girls, including Selene, walked to the stage. When no one looked, Nova slipped into line at the back. The Alpha raised a ritual dagger. "Blood calls to blood. Moon binds to moon." He pricked his finger, letting three drops fall into a silver bowl. Each of his kids did the same. "Let the Moon Goddess reveal her choice!" Moonlight suddenly increased, bathing the circle in silver. One by one, each girl stepped forward to offer her hand over the bowl. Nothing happened for the first girl. Or the second. The crowd muttered anxiously. When Selene's turn came, she flashed a confident smile. "I'm ready to serve as Luna, Alpha Cyrus." She held her hand over the bowl. Everyone leaned forward, expecting magic. Nothing. Selene's smile faltered. "I... perhaps I need to—" "Next," the Alpha growled, disappointment clear on his face. One by one, the remaining girls approached. None got the sign. Finally, only Nova remained. "You're not supposed to be here," hissed a Beta guard. "Let her try," came Zane's quiet voice. The crowd split as Nova walked forward, heart hammering. She felt Selene's hate burning holes into her back. As she approached the bowl, the three brothers reacted differently: Kai frowned, Rune smirked, and Zane watched closely, hope in his eyes. Nova held her shaking hand over the blood bowl. For a moment, nothing happened. Then moonlight burst around her. A blue glow exploded from her wrist, shooting upward in a brilliant column of light. The crowd gasped. Nova's body lifted slightly off the ground as strength surged through her. The mark on her wrist burned bright—three interlocking moons making a perfect circle. "The Triple Moon sign!" someone yelled. "Impossible!" Selene screamed. "She's just an omega!" Alpha Cyrus stumbled backward, clutching his chest. "The prophecy..." Nova floated back to earth as the light faded. She felt different—stronger, more alive. The wolf inside her, always so small and weak, suddenly felt strong. The triplets stared at her with varied expressions: Kai with suspicious surprise, Rune with hungry interest, and Zane with knowing relief. "The Moon Goddess has chosen!" Elder Thora announced. "The Triple Moon mark appears only for true Luna blood!" "But which son is her mate?" someone called out. The crowd looked at the triplets. Usually, a mate mark would appear on both partners, but none of the brothers showed an obvious sign. Rune stepped forward first, grinning wickedly. "I claim her." "The Goddess decides, not you," Kai snapped, though his eyes remained fixed on Nova. Zane said nothing, but Nova caught his small smile. Alpha Cyrus finally recovered enough to speak. "This is... unexpected." He looked at Nova with new eyes. "The Triple Moon hasn't appeared in generations. Our laws are clear—she must live in the Alpha house until her true mate is revealed at the Moon Choosing Ceremony." Selene pushed through the crowd. "This is a trick! She's bewitched the moon!" "Silence!" Alpha Cyrus thundered. "The Goddess has spoken." As guards led Nova toward the Alpha's mansion—a place no omega had ever entered—she passed Selene, who grabbed her arm. "This isn't over," Selene whispered, putting something into Nova's pocket. "I've left you a welcome gift in your new room." Nova pulled away, stumbling forward between the guards. As she approached the house, a bone-chilling howl echoed from the forest—not a wolf from their pack. The guards tensed. Nova's new mark burned brighter. Something was coming. Something frozen. Something angry. And it was calling her name.
