Lily Carter POV
I ducked as the snowball flew past my head and smashed against the nursery wall.
"Sorry, omega!" a young wolf pup called out, not sounding sorry at all. His friends laughed as they ran off to play elsewhere, already forgetting I existed.
That's how it always was in Silver Peak Pack. As an omega – the lowest rank – I was either invisible or a subject for jokes. Never anything in between.
I sighed and picked up the fallen basket of supplies I'd been bringing to the nursery. Another day, another chance to be ignored by everyone who counted.
My name is Lily Carter, and today is my eighteenth birthday. Not that anyone remembered. Oh, and it's also the first day of the Winter Moon Festival – the biggest party of the year when wolves find their true mates under the special winter moon.
"Careful with those blankets, Lily!" Mrs. Reed called from inside the nursery. "We need them clean for the pups' nap time."
"Yes, ma'am," I answered, brushing off the snow and running inside.
The nursery was warm and smelled like wood and milk. Five wolf pups were playing on the floor, their little faces lighting up when they saw me.
"Lily!" the smallest one named Max ran over and hugged my legs. "Will you tell us a story?"
At least someone was happy to see me. I smiled and ruffled his hair. "After you've had your lunch, I promise."
Unlike the rest of the pack, the pups didn't care that I was just an omega. They liked my stories and the special way I could calm them when they had bad dreams. It was the one place I felt useful.
I had just finished setting up the lunch table when loud laughing came from outside. I couldn't help myself – I peeked through the window.
There she was. Luna Morrison. The Beta's daughter, with her perfect hair and perfect smile. She stood in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by admirers. And right beside her were the three most important wolves in our pack – the Alpha's triplet kids.
Aiden, Brock, and Caleb Silver. Eighteen years old and already more powerful than most adult wolves. They would lead our pack someday, and everyone knew Luna would be the next Luna – our pack's female boss – by mating with one of them.
I watched as Luna touched Aiden's arm, laughing at something he said. Even from here, I could see how her eyes sparkled when she looked at him. Everyone expected her to choose him – the future Alpha.
"Daydreaming again, omega?" Mrs. Reed's sharp voice made me jump. "Those lunch plates won't fill themselves."
"Sorry," I mumbled, turning back to my work.
That's how my morning went. Feeding pups, cleaning up messes, and trying not to think about the festival celebration tonight – a party where I'd sit alone in the corner while everyone else had fun.
By afternoon, I was tired. The pups were napping, and I finally had a moment to myself. I slipped outside for some fresh air, trying to avoid running into anyone.
The pack grounds were beautiful, covered in fresh snow with bright lanterns being hung between cabins. Wolves were busy setting up for tonight's opening ceremony.
I took a path behind the supply shed, only to freeze when I heard voices.
"Are you nervous about tonight?" a girl asked. Luna's voice.
"Why would I be nervous?" That was Aiden's deep voice.
"Because tonight starts the festival where you'll find your mate," Luna responded. "Though we all know who that will be."
I should have walked away. Instead, I peeked around the corner. Luna stood close to Aiden, smiling up at him. Brock and Caleb stood nearby, looking bored.
"Nothing's decided yet," Aiden said carefully.
Luna's smile faltered. "But everyone expects—"
"My brothers and I will follow the moon's choice," Aiden cut her off.
I must have made a noise because suddenly Caleb's head turned in my direction. His eyes – silver-blue like his brothers' – met mine for a split second.
I panicked and spun around, crashing right into a pile of firewood. The logs fell down with a loud crash.
"Who's there?" Brock called out.
I scrambled to my feet and ran, cheeks burning with shame. Great job, Lily. Now they'll think you were watching.
Later that evening, I returned to my tiny cabin at the edge of pack area where omegas lived. A small package wrapped in leaves sat on my bed – plants from Elder Iris, the only person who remembered my birthday.
The message read: "Happy 18th, dear one. The full moon brings changes. Be ready."
Elder Iris always said strange things like that. She was our oldest omega and knew more about pack history than anyone.
I changed into my cleanest dress for the wedding. Nothing fancy like what Luna would wear, but at least it wasn't covered in pup food.
The meeting hall was packed when I arrived. I slipped in through the side door, finding a spot against the wall where nobody would notice me. The room buzzed with excitement about the event and which wolves might find their mates.
Alpha Marcus stood at the front with his three boys. Even though they were triplets, you could tell them apart if you paid attention. Aiden stood tall and strong in the middle. Brock crossed his arms, looking tough and serious. Caleb seemed distracted, possibly thinking about some book.
Luna arrived wearing a stunning blue dress that matched the triplets' eyes. Everyone turned to watch her as she walked to the front row, exactly where I'd never be allowed to sit.
"Welcome to the Winter Moon Festival!" Alpha Marcus called out, his deep voice quiet the room. "For three days, we party under the winter moon. Tomorrow night, the mating ceremony will begin. May the moon bless our pack with strong unions."
He looked proudly at his kids. "This year is special as my boys will find their mates. The future of Silver Peak depends on these groups."
Luna turned to smile at her friends, as if she already wore the Luna crown.
I felt someone sit beside me and turned to find Elder Iris. Her kind eyes crinkled as she smiled.
"Happy birthday, Lily," she whispered. "How does it feel to be eighteen?"
"The same as seventeen," I shrugged. "Still just an omega."
She patted my hand. "The moon has plans for all of us, even omegas."
I nodded nicely, though I didn't believe her. My future was already set – I'd probably mate with another lost omega and keep working in the nursery forever.
As the ceremony finished, everyone moved outside for food and dancing. I chose to slip away. Parties weren't fun when you're unseen.
On my way out, I passed the pack's holy Moon Pool – a small pond that glowed silver under the moonlight. Legend said it was related to moon magic and mating bonds.
No one was around, so I knelt beside it. The water mirrored the rising moon, making it sparkle like magic. On instinct, I whispered my birthday wish to the water.
"Just once, I wish someone would see me – really see me."
My wrist suddenly burned like fire. I gasped and pulled back my sleeve. There on my skin, something impossible was happening.
A mark was appearing – three crescent moons making a circle, surrounded by tiny stars. It glowed silver in the moonlight.
I couldn't move. This was a mate mark. But not just any mate mark – I'd seen pictures of this in Elder Iris's old books.
The Triple Moon Mark.
My heart hammered against my ribs as the message hit me. This mark meant my mate was one of the Alpha's triplets.
"Well, well. What are you doing out here all alone, omega?"
I spun around to find Luna standing behind me, her eyes cold as ice.
"Nothing," I said quickly, pulling my sleeve down to hide the mark. "Just getting some air."
She stepped closer, looking at my arm suspiciously. "What's that on your wrist?"
My guts dropped as I realized – the mark was glowing right through my sleeve.