"Something's wrong with me," Caden muttered as he and his brothers climbed the steep road to Moonhold fortress.
Caleb shot him a sharp look. "Because you helped that omega girl? Yes, that was foolish."
"No." Caden pressed his hand against his chest. "I feel strange. Like part of me is trying to pull away."
Cyrus laughed, hitting Caden's back. "Maybe you're hungry. We did miss lunch tracking that deer."
But Caden knew it wasn't hunger. Ever since he'd met that silver-haired omega in the main hall—Aria—something had changed inside him. Her violet eyes haunted him, and the strange pain in his chest wouldn't go away.
Moonhold loomed above them, ancient stone walls gleaming in the setting sun. Home to the Alpha family for generations. Prison to Caden, who often dreamed of a different life.
Caleb marched ahead, his broad shoulders straight with purpose. As the eldest triplet by seven minutes, he carried the weight of their father's demands. Future Alpha. Future leader. Future everything.
"Father will be waiting," Caleb told them. "Don't mention that omega incident."
Cyrus rolled his green eyes. "Heaven forbid we show kindness to the help."
"It's not about kindness," Caleb snapped. "It's about place. Respect. Order."
"Boring words from a boring wolf," Cyrus teased, dancing away before Caleb could swat him.
Of the three, Cyrus most resembled their mother with his blond hair and easy charm. Girls from every rank loved him, and he enjoyed the attention. Unlike Caleb, who scowled at anything that distracted from duty.
The fortress gates swung open as they neared. Beta guards bent their heads in respect. "Welcome home, young Alphas," they whispered.
Inside, Moonhold buzzed with activity. Servants rushed about preparing for the evening feast. The brothers crossed the main courtyard, their boots echoing on old stones.
"There you are!" A strong voice boomed. Alpha Magnus Draven stood at the top of the grand stairs, tall and imposing. His black hair showed streaks of gray, but nothing about him suggested weakness.
The brothers straightened their spines naturally. "Father," they said in agreement.
Magnus descended, his golden eyes—so like Caleb's—taking in every detail of his boys. "Your hunting trip ended early."
"We caught what we needed," Caleb answered. "Two deer and a wild boar."
Magnus nodded. "Good. Efficiency counts." His eyes shifted to Caden, who was rubbing his chest again. "Something wrong with you, boy?"
Caden dropped his hand. "No, sir. Just a strange feeling."
"He helped an omega pick up vegetables," Caleb reported, getting a betrayed glare from Caden.
Magnus's eyebrows shot up. "Did he now?"
"She dropped her tray," Caden explained, suddenly angry at having to defend simple kindness. "It was the right thing to do."
"The right thing," Magnus repeated slowly, "is to keep the order of our world. Alphas lead. Betas serve. Omegas work. The pack has survived for ages because everyone knows their place."
Cyrus leaned against a wall, looking bored. "Fascinating talk, Father. Never heard it before."
Magnus turned his stern look to his middle son. "Mock if you wish, Cyrus, but one of you will lead this pack someday. And a boss who doesn't understand order creates chaos."
A soft voice drifted down from above. "Perhaps a leader who shows compassion creates loyalty."
They all looked up to see Luna Seraphina moving down the stairs, elegant in a blue dress that matched her sapphire eyes. Despite the silver threading through her black hair, she stayed as beautiful as in her youth.
"Mother," the brothers said, their voices relaxing.
"My boys." She touched each of their faces in turn. "How was your hunt?"
"Successful," Caleb answered stiffly. "Dull," yawned Cyrus. "Thoughtful," added Caden, making his mother smile.
Magnus cleared his throat. "We have things to discuss before tonight's feast. My study. Now."
The brothers followed their parents through Moonhold's majestic halls. Portraits of past Alphas watched from the walls, their stern faces judging each passing generation.
In his study, Magnus closed the heavy wood doors and moved behind his massive desk. "It's time we discussed your future," he announced. "You're twenty-one now. Old enough to take mates."
Cyrus groaned loudly. "Please don't tell me you've arranged marriages for us."
"Not yet," Magnus answered with emphasis on 'yet.' "But soon, one of you must become the next Alpha. The choice will depend partly on who makes the best match."
Caleb stood taller. "I'm ready, Father."
"Are you?" Magnus challenged. "Being Alpha isn't just about power or birth order. It's about securing the pack's future."
Seraphina touched her husband's arm. "What your father means is that your mate will be as important as your own traits. A strong Luna makes a strong Alpha."
Caden frowned. "Shouldn't we find mates we actually care about?"
"Care?" Magnus scoffed. "Care is a luxury. Power is a necessity."
"Both matter," Seraphina stated quietly.
Magnus continued as if she hadn't spoken. "The Beta's daughter, Liana Voss, would make a great match for one of you. Her family is strong."
Cyrus made a choking sound. "She's as fake as those eyelashes she wears."
"And ambitious," Caleb commented, sounding almost impressed.
Caden said nothing, his mind going back to violet eyes and silver hair. The odd ache in his chest throbbed again.
"Are you listening, Caden?" Magnus demanded.
"Yes, Father. Mates. Power. Pack future."
Magnus narrowed his eyes. "Tonight's feast celebrates Liana's appointment to the youth council. All three of you will attend and show proper attention to suitable girls."
"Yes, Father," they answered, though only Caleb seemed excited.
"Go prepare yourselves," Magnus dismissed them. "And remember who you are—Draven Alphas, future leaders of this pack."
The brothers left the study, walking in silence until they reached the hallway that split toward their different rooms.
"This is stupid," Cyrus burst out. "I'm not ready to be tied down."
"It's not about being ready," Caleb lectured. "It's about duty."
"Always duty with you," Cyrus mocked. "Don't you ever want more?"
"More what?" "More life! Fun! Freedom!" Caleb's jaw tightened. "Freedom is for rogues. We have tasks."
Caden listened to his brothers argue, the familiar argument washing over him. But all he could think about was that strange pull he'd felt in the main hall. The way Aria Callen's voice had made his wolf stir inside him.
"What about you, dreamer?" Cyrus poked Caden's shoulder. "Ready to play mate-hunting games with Father's chosen candidates?"
Caden shook his head. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Nothing ever feels right to you," Caleb sighed. "Just do what's expected for once."
They parted ways, each going to his room.
Caden shut his door and went right to the window. From here, he could see the entire pack territory—the main buildings, the training grounds, and in the distance, the omega apartments.
The ache in his chest pulled him toward that direction. He pressed his face against the cool glass. "What's happening to me?" A knock heard at his door. "Come in," he called.
Luna Seraphina entered, her face worried. "You seemed troubled downstairs."
Caden couldn't lie to his mother. "I met someone today. An unstable girl. When I looked at her, something strange happened inside me."
His mother's face went very still. "What kind of strange?"
"Like my wolf wanted to break free and run to her."
Seraphina sat down slowly on the edge of his bed. "This omega... what did she look like?"
"Silver hair. Violet eyes." Caden frowned.
"Why?" His mother's face paled. "And how did you feel when you walked away from her?"
"Empty. Like I'd lost something important." Caden moved to sit beside her. "Mother, what's wrong? You look scared."
Seraphina took his hand. "Caden, what you're describing sounds like—"
A sudden howl cut through the air—not a warning, but a cry of pain. Caden jumped to his feet as the ache in his chest exploded into pain. He doubled over, gasping. Through the window, he saw a figure fall in the courtyard below. Silver hair caught the last rays of sunshine. Aria.