Hazel’s POV
I was wrong... so very wrong.
It wasn’t a wolf...at least, not yet. But my stomach churned like it was the first ti I was seeing a man that gorgeous. I thought I could just sit quietly in the back corner of the ceremony hall, unnoticed, letting the day unfold like it was ant for soone else. But what I felt inside wasn’t ordinary.
My cheeks burned as Cayden’s gaze slowly dragged away from mine. His eyes were so intense, so piercing, and left breathless. Then he spoke, and the entire crowd imdiately fell into a tense, reverent silence.
He was the most feared.
Today should’ve been the day they crowned one of the infamous triplets—the heirs to the Blue Moon Pack—the new Alpha. The decision was to be made only after the Moon Goddess revealed their mate. But him... Cayden... he wasn’t bound by ordinary rules. Rumor had it that a powerful witch coven had cursed the entire Blue Moon pack years ago, binding the triplets in their wolf forms trapping their power, their destiny.
Cayden was the first to break it. No one knew how, only that once he did, the curse began to unravel for the others too. And for that alone, he was made Alpha crowned ahead of his two brothers without question.
Since then, his power had spread across the packs like wildfire. He made New Orleans untouchable. He tad the witches who once cursed us. Every other pack rogue or royal bowed under his reign. The Blue Moon Pack had beco the pinnacle of strength, and Cayden, its dark, revered king.
Then he moved.
I watched as he walked toward my sister, Natasha. She stood with grace, her perfectly curled blonde hair cascading over her silk gown. Without hesitation, she stretched her hand to him. He kissed it..elegant and commanding, like so fairytale prince—but I knew better.
Everyone had known for years that they would be mates, just as Father planned. It had always been the Beta’s child that mated the Alpha, a long-standing tradition no one dared question.
And Natasha... well, she fit the role perfectly. They danced in the center of the massive, glittering hall, spinning like they were born for it, while Caspian danced with Sophia. Lillian, the third sister, sat beside Father and her mother, whispering about how tragic it was the third brother didn’t survive to see this day. I didn’t say anything. I just watched jealousy chewing at the insides of like acid.
The crowd cheered as Natasha and Cayden’s dance ended, and she smiled back at them, radiant, delicate... angelic. The light seed to love her, casting her in a golden glow as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Cayden’s cheek. Father looked at her with such pride in his eyes, and I.
I hated it.
She had everything I wanted. Father’s love. A healthy, wealthy life. A perfect future. I was the leftover daughter, tucked away in the shadows like a shaful secret. And just when the envy beca unbearable, the lights dimd and silence swept the hall again. The ritual was about to begin.
They brought forward a chained witch.
My breath caught. She was the leader of the very coven that had cursed the Blue Moon Pack years ago...now a prisoner, tad and forced to serve us. Today, she would be the one to confirm the Gilbert sisters’ fate. To confirm if they were truly the Moon-Chosen mates.
But first... we needed to wolf out.
Cayden’s voice bood across the room. "All who co of age today, follow our steps. Awaken your wolf."
My stomach twisted violently.
Even in the sea of faces, Father’s eyes found mine like a laser. I was seated in a secluded corner, hoping to go unnoticed but there was no escaping his gaze. He nodded once. Cold. Commanding. I hesitated... then nodded back. My heart beat against my ribs like it wanted out.
Please, Moon Goddess. Please don’t let be the disgrace I fear I am.
The witch approached the brothers first. She sliced their palms, letting the blood drip into a ceremonial silver bowl. They didn’t even flinch. Then she passed the bowl to the rest of us those of age. One by one, we cut our hands, letting our blood join theirs. The air pulsed with power as she lifted the bowl and began to chant. The language was old and ancient, and it made the hairs on my neck rise.
This was the mont.
They said the spell would trigger our first shift. That we’d finally et our wolf.
She finished the chant and handed the bowl to the brothers. Cayden and Caspian drank. Almost instantly, their eyes changed. Their irises turned to molten gold and their bones began to crack beneath their skin. We followed and bodies started contorting, glowing, shifting. Groans echoed around the room as everyone began to wolf out. Power surged like lightning.
Except .
I just sat there.
Still.
Empty.
My eyes stayed the sa. My bones didn’t shift. My heartbeat beca the only sound I could hear. Devastation sank into my chest like a lead weight.
No....No, this can’t be.
This was my last shot. My last chance at mattering. At being seen. I’m human. A full human.
My father will kill .
I trembled. My hands were cold and useless. The ritual ended and silence reclaid the hall. Now it was ti for the brothers to find their mates.
The she-wolves who hadn’t been claid were released outside—blindfolded and waiting like offerings.
Natasha and her fellow beauties rushed out with excitent, along with the other maidens. The guards released the brothers next—blindfolded too..They should sniff out their mates and the crowd inside turned to watch from the windows and glass walls, murmuring.
Everyone left behind was already mated.
Except .
And my father. Oh, my father...
His gaze t mine again.
This ti it wasn’t cold—it was lethal.
He shook his head slowly and then reached into his coat pocket.
A glint of tal. A knife. He’s going to do it. He’s really going to kill .
Ariel’s eyes widened as she saw him stand.
Then she scread, "Run, Hazel! RUN!"
She didn’t need to tell twice.
I grabbed the small bag I’d hidden under the table, kicked off my heels, and bolted for the side door. Behind , I heard Father shout. Then guards. Footsteps. Chaos.
But I didn’t stop.
Couldn’t stop.
Because if he caught ... I was dead.
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