I jolted awake to the gentle touch of my mother's hand on my shoulder. Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of our small room, casting a warm glow across the worn floorboards.
"Happy birthday, my sweet girl," she whispered, her smile tired but genuine.
She held a small cupcake with a single lit candle. Even in our poverty, she'd found a way to make this day special. The gesture made my heart ache.
"Make a wish, Sera," she urged, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
I closed my eyes and blew out the candle, knowing exactly what to wish for – escape from this pack, freedom from the triplets, and justice for my father. When I opened my eyes, my mother was watching me with a mixture of love and sadness.
"Eighteen," she said softly, brushing a strand of my dyed blonde hair behind my ear. "I remember when you were born like it was yesterday. Your father was so proud."
The mention of my father sent a familiar pang through my chest. "I miss him," I admitted.
"He would be so proud of the strong woman you've become." She handed me the cupcake. "It's vanilla. I traded an extra shift for the ingredients."
I took a small bite, savoring the sweetness. "You shouldn't have—"
"Nonsense. It's not every day my daughter turns eighteen." She sat on the edge of my small bed. "The mating ceremony is tonight."
I nearly choked on the cupcake. "I'm not going."
My mother's expression turned pleading. "Sera, you must. All unmated wolves of age are required to attend."
"We both know it's just for show. It's Lilith's ceremony." I couldn't keep the bitterness from my voice. "The triplets have made their choice clear."
"Still, there will be other unmated wolves there. You never know—"
I cut her off with a shake of my head. "No one wants an Omega for a mate, Mom. Especially not the daughter of a supposed traitor."
She gripped my hand tightly. "Don't say that. Your father was innocent. And you are worth more than what they've reduced you to."
I squeezed her hand back, not having the heart to argue further. We both knew the reality of our situation all too well.
"Come on," I said, changing the subject. "We should get to the kitchen before Mrs. Collins sends someone looking for us."
The kitchen was already bustling when we arrived. As Omegas, we were assigned the most menial tasks – peeling vegetables, scrubbing pots, and cleaning up after the higher-ranking pack members cooked the actual meals.
I had just finished peeling a mountain of potatoes when Elina, one of the Beta maids, approached me.
"Seraphina," she said quietly, "Lilith is asking for you in her quarters."
My stomach twisted. Of course Lilith would want to see me today of all days. "Did she say what she wanted?"
Elina shook her head. "No, but she seemed... pleased about something. That's never good."
I dried my hands on a dish towel and glanced at my mother, who gave me a worried look. "I'll be fine," I assured her, though we both knew it was likely a lie.
The walk to Lilith's quarters felt like a march to my execution. Each step up the grand staircase reminded me of how far I'd fallen in the pack hierarchy. Once, I had been welcomed in these halls as a friend. Now, I was summoned like a servant.
I knocked on Lilith's door, bracing myself for whatever torment she had planned.
"Enter," came her smug voice from within.
I stepped into her lavishly decorated room, keeping my eyes downcast as was expected of an Omega. "You asked to see me?"
"Seraphina! Yes, come in." Lilith's voice dripped with false sweetness. She lounged on her plush bed, surrounded by beautifully wrapped packages. "I wanted to share my exciting news with you."
I remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
"Today is your birthday, isn't it?" She tilted her head, her perfectly styled hair cascading over one shoulder.
"It is," I answered flatly.
Her smile widened. "How lovely. Mine's next week, as you know. And look what my future mates have already given me."
She gestured grandly to the packages around her. "Would you like to see?"
It wasn't really a question. We both knew I had no choice but to stand there and witness whatever display she had planned.
"This," she said, holding up a stunning midnight blue gown that shimmered in the light, "is from Ronan. Isn't it divine? He said the color reminded him of starlight on water."
The dress was exquisite, clearly custom-made and undoubtedly expensive. I forced my expression to remain neutral, even as my heart twisted.
"And these," she continued, lifting a pair of designer heels with red soles, "are from Orion. He said only the best would do for his Luna's feet."
I swallowed hard, remembering how once, years ago, Orion had carried me home after I twisted my ankle during a pack run. Now, he was buying luxury footwear for Lilith.
"But this," Lilith's voice dropped to a reverent whisper as she opened a velvet box, "this is from Kaelen."
Inside lay a stunning diamond necklace with a crescent moon pendant, the symbol of the pack. It was more than just jewelry – it was a declaration of intent, a promise of the Luna position.
"He had it specially made," she boasted, holding it up to her throat. "The diamonds represent the stars that guide our pack, and the crescent..."
"The mark of the Luna," I finished quietly.
Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "Exactly. They've each given me gifts worthy of their future Luna. Isn't that touching?"
Each word was a carefully placed knife, designed to cut me where I was most vulnerable. The worst part was that her strategy was working. Despite everything the triplets had done to me, seeing such clear evidence that they had chosen her felt like a fresh wound.
"I'm happy for you," I lied, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.
Lilith laughed, the sound sharp and mocking. "No, you're not. But that's what makes this so delicious, Seraphina. You can stand there and pretend all you want, but we both know the truth."
She rose from the bed, coming to stand directly in front of me. "You wanted them for yourself. You always did. But they chose me. They will always choose me."
Something inside me shifted at her words. Maybe it was because it was my eighteenth birthday, or maybe I was simply tired of bowing my head. Whatever the reason, I found myself looking directly into her eyes.
"We were friends once, Lilith. Best friends."
Her smile faltered slightly. "That was a long time ago."
"Not that long," I countered. "Before my father was accused, you spent every day at my house. We shared everything."
"Things change," she said dismissively, turning away to admire her necklace in the mirror.
"Yes, they do. But I've never understood why." I took a step closer to her, feeling a strange new courage. "My father was accused of stealing from the pack and betraying the Alphas. But what did I do to deserve your hatred?"
Lilith's reflection stared back at me, her expression hardening. "You really don't know?"
"No," I said honestly. "One day we were inseparable, and the next, you were leading the charge to make my life miserable. All because my father was accused of something he didn't do."
"Didn't do?" She spun around, eyes flashing with anger. "Your father was a thief and a traitor. The evidence was clear."
"Evidence that your father provided," I reminded her, a fact that had always seemed suspicious to me.
A flash of something – guilt? unease? – crossed her face before she masked it with contempt. "My father did his duty to the pack. Just as I'm doing mine by becoming Luna."
"Is that what this is about? You wanted to be Luna so badly that you destroyed our friendship over it?"
"You're delusional," she snapped. "I'm going to be Luna because the triplets chose me. Because I'm worthy of them."
I studied her face, seeing beyond the perfect makeup and calculated cruelty to the insecure girl beneath. "You were jealous," I realized aloud. "Even back then."
Her cheeks flushed red. "Get out."
But I couldn't stop now. Years of questions demanded answers. "Tell me, Lilith, what did I do wrong?"
The words hung in the air between us, a challenge that couldn't be ignored.