Kaia's POV
The command explodes from my throat like thunder.
KNEEL!
Two hundred hunters freeze mid-charge. Their eyes go wide with shock as their bodies betray them, legs buckling, knees hitting stone. Every single one drops in perfect synchronization.
The Omega power flowing through me is intoxicating—amplified by three Alphas, unstoppable as a tidal wave. I can feel every wolf present, their wills bending under mine like grass in a storm.
Holy shit, Sienna breathes behind me.
Through the bond, my three Alphas pulse with savage satisfaction. They're still pouring their strength into me, making me more powerful than any single wolf has a right to be.
Who sent you? My voice echoes with divine authority. Speak!
Lady Moira Thornwood, a scarred hunter gasps, fighting my command but unable to resist. Paid us... fifty thousand gold... to bring you alive...
And if you couldn't take me alive?
His face twists with shame. Then... dead would do.
Rage burns through me. My stepmother didn't just want me captured. She wanted me erased.
Leave, I command, releasing them. All of you. Tell Moira that her stepdaughter isn't so easy to kill anymore.
The hunters scramble to their feet and run, tripping over each other in their desperation to escape. Within seconds, the temple is empty except for us.
The moment they're gone, my legs give out.
Darius catches me before I hit the ground, his massive arms steady and warm. Easy, little wolf. That much power has a cost.
Worth it, I gasp, my whole body shaking from the drain.
Definitely worth it, Theron agrees, his silver eyes gleaming with approval. Two hundred hunters sent running by a single command. That's going to make quite the reputation.
Which means Moira will escalate, Caelan warns quietly. She can't afford to let Kaia live now. Not after this display of power.
As if summoning her by speaking her name, commotion erupts outside the temple.
I demand to see the Council! NOW!
My stepmother's shrill voice carries through the stone walls. My whole body tenses.
She's here, I whisper.
Of course she is, Darius growls. Cowards always hide behind authority when direct attacks fail.
Heavy footsteps approach. The chamber doors open to reveal Elder Marcus flanked by the full Council—and behind them, Moira in expensive robes, her face a mask of false concern.
Beside her, Lyanna dabs at tears with a silk handkerchief.
My stomach churns with disgust.
Elder Marcus, Moira begins, her voice trembling with fake emotion. Thank you for seeing me so quickly. I come with grave accusations that cannot wait.
Speak, Marcus commands coldly.
Moira's eyes find mine, and for just a moment, I see the hatred beneath her performance. Then her mask slides back into place.
My stepdaughter, Kaia Thornwood, stands accused of dark magic and blood rituals. She gestures dramatically. The triple marking was not the Goddess's will—it was forced through forbidden sorcery!
That's a lie! I lunge forward, but Darius's hand on my shoulder holds me back.
Let her hang herself, he murmurs. She's got nothing.
I have evidence! Moira produces a wooden box, opening it to reveal strange items—black candles, dried herbs, a knife with strange symbols. These were found hidden in Kaia's room. Tools for blood magic. She used them to trick the Goddess, to force three Alphas to bond with her against their will!
The Council members lean forward, examining the items with grave expressions.
I've never seen those before in my life, I say desperately. She planted them—
Of course you'd deny it, Moira interrupts smoothly. But we have witnesses. Wolves who saw you practicing dark arts for months.
Three wolves step forward—pack members from my old territory. I recognize them as Moira's loyal followers, the ones who always did her dirty work.
We saw her, one testifies. Late at night, chanting in strange languages. Drawing symbols in blood.
She threatened us, another adds. Said she'd curse our families if we told anyone.
Lies. All lies. But they sound convincing, their fear seemingly genuine.
This is ridiculous, Theron cuts in smoothly, stepping forward. Elder Marcus, these accusations rely on planted evidence and convenient witnesses. I suggest we examine both more carefully.
You would defend her, Moira snaps. You're under her spell! All three Alphas are! Can't you see? She's a demon wearing wolf skin!
Actually, Caelan's quiet voice silences everyone. His purple eyes glow with vision-sight as he focuses on Moira's witnesses. I see the truth. And it's not what you claim.
He approaches the first witness, power radiating from him. You didn't see Kaia practicing dark magic. Moira paid you five hundred gold to lie. Promised to clear your gambling debts if you testified.
The witness goes pale.
Caelan moves to the second. You were threatened. Moira said she'd exile your family if you didn't cooperate.
The second witness trembles, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
And you, Caelan turns to the third. You actually believe your lies because Moira had a witch plant false memories in your mind three days ago.
That's... how did you... The third witness staggers backward, hand to his head. There was a woman... she gave me tea... I can't remember...
The Council murmurs in shock.
These accusations are fabricated, Darius snarls at Moira. Every single piece. You want her dead because she's powerful, and power threatens your control.
How dare you
How dare you, Theron interrupts coldly. Elder Marcus, I formally request an investigation into Lady Moira Thornwood. I have reason to believe she murdered her husband—Kaia's father—to seize pack leadership.
Moira's face goes white. That's slander!
Is it? Theron's smile is sharp as a blade. Because I have witness statements from wolves who saw you meeting with suspicious individuals before his 'hunting accident.' I've been investigating you since the moment I learned Kaia was my mate. You made enemies, Moira. And enemies talk.
This is outrageous! I demand
You demand nothing, Marcus's voice cuts through like a whip. He turns to Moira, disgust evident. False accusations. Bribed witnesses. Planted evidence. These are serious crimes, Lady Moira.
But she's dangerous! Moira's mask cracks, desperation showing through. She's an Omega! She could destroy us all!
Or she could be exactly what the Goddess intended, Caelan counters. Your fear doesn't justify murder attempts.
Marcus studies Moira for a long moment. You will return to your territory. Your accusations are dismissed. If you approach Kaia Thornwood again, you'll face Council judgment.
But—
Dismissed.
Moira's face twists with rage and fear. The Council escorts her witnesses away, and for a moment, I think it's over.
Then Moira leans close as she passes me, her voice dropping to a whisper only I can hear:
You should have died in the forest. I'll make sure you do before this is over. Her eyes burn with hatred. You're not my husband's daughter—you're a monster I should have drowned at birth.
The words freeze my blood.
She sweeps out, Lyanna trailing behind, both of them radiating fury.
The moment they're gone, I turn to my Alphas. What did she mean? 'Not my father's daughter'?
She's trying to rattle you, Darius says, but through the bond I feel his uncertainty.
No. I shake my head, pieces clicking together. She said it like... like she knows something about my birth. About my mother.
Caelan's eyes glow brighter. Your mother was the last known Omega before you. She died giving birth to you—at least, that's what the records say.
What are you suggesting? Theron asks sharply.
I'm suggesting we don't know the full story. Caelan focuses on me. Omegas are rare. Powerful. And Moira has been poisoning you for years—not to kill you, but to suppress something. What if your father wasn't your biological father? What if your mother had you with someone else? Someone whose bloodline Moira fears?
My mind reels. That's insane.
Is it? Your Omega awakening was unusually powerful. The triple marking chose you specifically. And Moira's terror seems personal, not just political.
She knows who your real father is, Darius concludes grimly. And she's been hiding it your entire life.
But why?
Because of what it would make you, Caelan says quietly. Not just an Omega. Not just a triple-marked mate. But something more. Something that would threaten every power structure in the werewolf world.
Horror and excitement war in my chest. How do we find out the truth?
Your mother's grave, Theron suggests. If there are answers, they'll start there.
And where exactly is that?
The Forsaken Wilds, Caelan answers. The lawless territory beyond pack lands. Where rogues and outcasts go to disappear.
Where your mother fled before she died, Theron adds. Interesting that your father found her there, isn't it? Almost like she was hiding from something—or someone.
My head spins with implications.
We need to go there, I say. To the Wilds. To find answers.
That's suicide, Darius growls. The Wilds are full of rogues, criminals, and things worse than wolves.
Then we go prepared, I counter. But I need to know the truth. I need to know who I really am.
Through the bond, my three Alphas war with concern and determination. They don't want me in danger, but they understand the need for answers.
Fine, Theron finally says. But first, we get you to the Haven. Secure. Safe. Then we plan an expedition to the Wilds.
Agreed, Darius and Caelan echo.
Sienna steps forward, face pale. Kaia, if Moira's right—if you're not who you think you are—what does that mean?
I don't know, I admit.
But through the bond, I feel Caelan's knowing certainty, like he's already seen this future.
It means, he says quietly, that the thirty-day deadline might be the least of our problems.
And in the shadows of the temple, I swear I hear Moira's whisper echoing:
Monster I should have drowned at birth.
What am I?
And why is everyone so terrified of the answer?