For once, Lilith Thorne didn't immediately snap back with a biting remark. Instead, her perfectly painted face contorted with an emotion I hadn't seen her display in years—vulnerability.
"What did you do wrong?" she repeated, her voice suddenly hollow. "You existed, Seraphina. You were perfect. The Gamma's beautiful daughter with your natural talent and charm."
I blinked, genuinely confused. "Perfect? Lilith, I was just a normal girl."
"Normal?" She laughed, the sound brittle and harsh. "You had everything I wanted. Everyone loved you. The pack adored you. Your father was respected. And the triplets..."
Her voice trailed off, and I saw raw pain flash across her face.
"The triplets followed you around like lovesick puppies. Always Seraphina this, Seraphina that. Do you know what it's like to stand in someone's shadow your entire life?"
I remained silent, stunned by her unexpected honesty.
"Then your father got caught stealing from the pack treasury and planning to betray Alpha Richardson to a rival pack." Her lips curled into a satisfied smile. "And suddenly, perfect Seraphina was nothing. An Omega. And I could finally rise."
The truth hit me like a physical blow. All these years of torment—not because of something I'd done, but because of who I was. Because she'd been jealous of a life I'd never even recognized as special.
"You ruined my life because you were jealous?" I whispered.
Lilith shrugged, her momentary vulnerability disappearing behind her usual mask of disdain. "Life isn't fair, Seraphina. You had your time on top. Now it's mine." She gestured to the door. "You can go now. I just wanted you to see what awaits me tonight at the ceremony."
I turned to leave, but paused at the door. "You know what the sad thing is, Lilith? I never saw myself as being above you. You were my best friend."
Her expression flickered briefly before hardening again. "Well, that's all in the past now, isn't it? Tonight, I become the Luna of the Silver Crescent Pack. And you'll remain exactly what you are—nothing."
I closed the door behind me, oddly relieved. The truth of Lilith's hatred was actually simpler and pettier than I'd imagined. And somehow knowing made it hurt less. Her cruelty wasn't about me—it was about her own insecurities. I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of freedom walking away.
When I returned to our quarters, my mother was waiting anxiously.
"What happened? Did she hurt you?" she asked, checking me for injuries.
I shook my head. "No. She just wanted to show off her gifts from the triplets and gloat about becoming Luna tonight."
My mother's face softened with sympathy. "Oh, Sera."
"It's fine," I said, surprised to find I meant it. "Actually, it helped. She finally admitted why she hates me—pure jealousy. Nothing more complicated than that."
My mother stroked my hair. "That poor, bitter girl. To spend her life coveting what others have instead of valuing her own blessings."
I leaned into her touch, grateful for her wisdom. "The mating ceremony is tonight. Will you help me get ready?"
She looked surprised. "You've changed your mind about going?"
I nodded. "I need to go—to see this through. After tonight, I can finally start moving on."
The afternoon passed quickly as my mother helped me prepare with our limited resources. We couldn't afford fine gowns or expensive jewelry, but my mother's skilled hands worked magic with the simple dress we had. She even managed to style my blonde hair in an elegant twist.
"You look beautiful," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Like starlight."
I hugged her tightly. "Thank you for everything, Mom."
The Great Hall was already packed when we arrived. As Omegas, we were relegated to standing at the very back of the room, but I could still see the elaborate decorations and ceremonial altar at the front. Alpha Richardson—Lord Alaric Nightwing, father of the triplets—stood proudly beside the ritual moon stone, which glowed with a soft blue light.
The triplets entered from a side door, each of them dressed in formal black attire that emphasized their powerful builds and commanding presence. My heart squeezed painfully despite myself. Kaelen stood tallest in the center, his green eyes scanning the crowd with authority. Ronan was on his left, his sea-blue eyes dancing with mischief even in this formal setting. And Orion, the youngest by minutes, stood on Kaelen's right, his cool brown eyes serious and focused.
My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, but I pushed her down. Not tonight. Tonight was about closure.
A hush fell over the crowd as Lilith made her grand entrance in the midnight blue gown Ronan had given her. She looked stunning, I had to admit, as she glided toward the altar where the triplets waited.
Alpha Richardson raised his hands for silence. "Tonight, we gather under the light of the approaching full moon to witness a sacred bond. The mating ceremony is one of our most cherished traditions, when the Goddess Moon herself guides compatible wolves to one another."
He gestured for Lilith to approach, and she stepped forward, practically glowing with triumph.
"Lilith Thorne, daughter of Beta Malachi Thorne, has been chosen by my sons as their Luna-to-be. Tonight, we shall see if the Goddess Moon confirms this match."
My stomach knotted as I watched Lilith extend her wrist toward the moon stone. This was it—the moment that would formalize the triplets' choice and seal my fate as an outsider forever.
Alpha Richardson continued the ritual words. "As the moon stone touches her skin, if a mating cord appears, it will be the sign of the Goddess Moon's blessing."
He pressed the stone to Lilith's wrist.
Nothing happened.
A murmur of confusion rippled through the crowd. Lilith's confident smile faltered.
Alpha Richardson tried again, pressing the stone more firmly against her skin. Still, no mating cord appeared.
"This is impossible," Lilith hissed loudly enough for many to hear. "They chose me!"
I felt a sudden, intense pressure building in my chest. My wolf, normally so docile, was clawing to break free. I clutched at my heart, gasping as heat flooded my veins.
"Seraphina? What's wrong?" my mother whispered urgently.
I couldn't answer. Something was happening—something beyond my control. My vision blurred, and I felt my wolf surge forward.
A collective gasp rippled through the hall. I blinked, trying to focus, only to discover that a glowing silver cord had materialized around my wrist. It pulsed with ethereal light, stretching out before me like a luminous thread.
"A cord has appeared!" someone shouted, pointing at me. "From the Omega!"
All eyes turned to me. I stood frozen in shock, watching as the silver cord extended across the room, bypassing everyone else in its path.
The triplets stared in equal shock, their expressions morphing from confusion to disbelief as the mating cord split into three separate strands, each one connecting to one of them.
Kaelen's face paled, his green eyes wide.
Ronan's mouth fell open, his easy confidence shattered.
Orion took a physical step back, as if trying to escape the connection.
"This can't be happening," Lilith shrieked, her perfect composure cracking.
But it was. The cords pulsed brighter, tugging me forward through the crowd. People parted automatically, their faces showing everything from awe to disgust.
My wolf howled inside me with a primitive joy I couldn't contain, and the truth burst from my lips in a stunned whisper:
"Mates."