Aria and Dorian crashed through tree branches, falling hard on the ground below Liana's window.
"Run!" Dorian shouted, pulling Aria to her feet.
Her legs still felt heavy from the drugged tea. Behind them, guards jumped from the window.
Caleb's voice rang out in the night: "Find them!"
They ran into the dark forest surrounding Moonhold. Aria's heart hammered against her ribs. Her silver hair glowed slightly in the moonlight—a beacon for their hunters.
"Where are we going?" she gasped.
"My hiding spot," Dorian answered, ducking under a low branch. "Near the old creek."
Suddenly, a wolf's howl split the night—deep and authoritative. Alpha Magnus was calling the pack.
Dorian froze.
"That's the alarm howl. Everyone must gather." "They'll notice we're missing," Aria said.
Dorian's eyes darkened. "Or it's a trap to find us."
Aria's chest tightened. The mate bond with Caden tugged painfully, pushing her back toward Moonhold.
"I can feel Caden. He's worried."
"You can't trust any of them," Dorian declared. "Not even him."
A branch snapped nearby. They pressed against a tree trunk, hardly breathing. A large gray wolf stalked past, nose to the ground. The guard hadn't seen them yet, but would catch their smell soon.
"What did you mean about my real father?" Aria whispered once the wolf moved on.
Dorian's eyes darted nervously. "Not now. We need to—"
Another howl cut through the forest—different from Magnus's call. This one was familiar, making Aria's skin tingle.
"Caden," she breathed.
"He's tracking you through the bond," Dorian said quickly. "We need to move."
But before they could run, wolves circled them—guards with glowing eyes and bared teeth.
From behind a huge oak stepped Caleb, his face hard as stone. "Did you really think you could escape?" he asked coldly.
Dorian stepped in front of Aria. "She doesn't belong to you."
"She belongs with the pack," Caleb said, his golden eyes flashing. "Father has called a meeting. Everyone must attend."
Guards grabbed them both. Aria fought, but her drugged body betrayed her.
"Let go!" she ordered.
Caleb came closer, his voice low. "Stop fighting. I'm trying to protect you."
Aria stared at him in disbelief. "By hunting me down?"
"By keeping you from the rogues," he growled. "Your friend here has been meeting with them for weeks."
Dorian snarled. "You don't know anything!"
Back at Moonhold, the great hall buzzed with anxiety. The entire pack had gathered—alphas at the front, betas in the middle, omegas standing in the back.
Guards marched Aria and Dorian through the crowd. Whispers followed them like snakes.
"The omega who chose..."
"Rejected two alphas..."
"Her mother's a rogue..."
Alpha Magnus stood on a raised platform, his massive body tense with anger. Luna Seraphina sat beside him, her face carefully blank.
Cyrus lounged against a wall, trying to look bored but his eyes followed Aria's every move.
And Caden—Caden pushed through the crowd when he saw her. His face was tight with worry.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, reaching for her.
Caleb stepped between them. "Save it for later. Father's about to speak."
The guards pushed Aria and Dorian to the front.
Liana stood close, her sweet smile hiding the poison underneath. "You almost got away," she whispered to Aria. "Next time, drink faster."
Alpha Magnus raised his hand, and silence fell immediately. "Last night, our pack was attacked," his voice boomed. "Rogues invaded our territory during the sacred Moon Ceremony."
Angry murmurs spread through the crowd.
"They came for this girl," Magnus pointed at Aria. "A supposed Moon Wolf who has formed a mate bond with my sons."
All eyes turned to Aria. She stood taller, refusing to look afraid despite her shaking hands.
"The rogues were led by Selene Callen," Magnus continued. "A woman thought dead for twelve years. She claims to be this girl's mother."
Gasps and whispers emerged.
A leader stepped forward. "Moon Wolves are dangerous! The old stories say they bring destruction!"
"Exile her!" someone yelled from the back.
"Give her to the rogues!" called another.
Caden growled, his eyes flashing blue. "She's my friend! Anyone who touches her deals with me!"
"Enough!" Magnus roared.
The room fell silent again.
He paced the stage, his heavy steps echoing. "I have made my decision."
Aria held her breath. Would he hand her over to the rogues? Exile her? Kill her?
"The girl will stay at Moonhold," Magnus declared. "Under guard. If she is truly linked to my son, then she belongs here where we can watch her."
Relief washed over Aria, quickly followed by doubt. Why would he protect her?
Magnus wasn't finished. "As for the boy," he pointed at Dorian, "he has been caught communicating with rogues. He will be imprisoned until we determine his sentence."
"No!" Aria cried as guards dragged Dorian away. "He was trying to help me!"
"Silence!" Magnus thundered. "You are not Luna yet, girl. You do not speak unless spoken to."
Luna Seraphina rose, her graceful moves contrasting with her husband's rage. "Perhaps we should hear what the girl has to say."
Magnus glared at his wife. "You coddle her because she reminds you of yourself. But an omega becoming Luna is trouble enough without her being a Moon Wolf with rogue ties."
The pack shifted uncomfortably at the tension between their masters.
"The prophecy speaks of three brothers and one Moon Wolf," Luna Seraphina said softly. "It cannot be ignored."
"Prophecies!" Magnus spat. "I rule by strength, not ancient words!"
He turned to the triplets. "The girl has picked Caden. But the bond with all three of you stays, weakened but present. We must understand this link before the rogues return."
Caleb stepped forward. "Father, I request permission to lead the investigation into the rogues' hideout."
"Granted," Magnus nodded. "Take a team at dawn."
Cyrus stretched lazily. "And what about me? Third wheel to the happy couple?"
"You will help guard the girl," Magnus ordered. "Your bond, however weak, may prove useful."
Cyrus's eyes flashed dangerously. "Babysitting job. Perfect."
Magnus faced the pack again. "Return to your chores. Double the border guards. Any rogue found on our land is to be killed on sight."
As the crowd scattered, Liana brushed past Aria. "Enjoy your stay at Moonhold," she whispered. "I've arranged a special welcome gift in your room."
Before Aria could answer, Caden was beside her, his warm hand taking hers. The mate bond hummed between them, comfortable and strong.
"I'll show you to your room," he said.
"What about Dorian?" Aria asked. "He knows something about my father—my real father."
Caden frowned. "We'll deal with that later. For now, you need rest."
As they walked through Moonhold's grand halls, Aria felt eyes on her back. She turned to find Caleb watching them, his face unreadable. When their eyes met, he didn't look away.
"Your brother hates me," she said to Caden.
"He hates that you chose me," Caden corrected. "There's a difference."
The room they entered was beautiful—far nicer than any omega quarters. Large windows viewed the forest, and a soft bed waited in the corner.
"You'll be safe here," Caden promised. "I'll post guards outside."
"Prisoners get guards too," Aria pointed out.
Caden touched her face gently. "You're not a prisoner. You're my mate."
After he left, Aria explored the room. On the cabinet sat a small wooden box with her name carved on top. 'Liana's welcome gift.'
Carefully, Aria opened it. Inside lay a silver necklace with a crescent moon pendant... and a note written in beautiful script:
Not all Lunas survive their first year. Especially not omegas playing at being alphas. Ask Seraphina what happened to the last one.
Aria's hands trembled as she read the threat.
A soft knock made her jump. "Come in," she called, quickly hiding the note.
The door opened, showing not Caden or Liana, but Luna Seraphina herself.
"We need to talk," she said quickly. "About your mother. About the prophecy."
She closed the door and dropped her voice.
"And about why Magnus is really keeping you here."
Her eyes darted to the window, then back to Aria.
"He doesn't want a mate for his son. He wants a tool against the rogues. Against your mother."
"What do you mean?" Aria asked.
Luna Seraphina's eyes filled with tears. "Because Selene isn't just your mother. She's mine too."