Sera's POV
Dawn breaks over the Forbidden Forest, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold that should be beautiful but feel ominous. I've been running all night, my massive silver wolf form eating up miles with effortless grace. The transformation has changed everything my speed, my stamina, my senses. I can smell individual wolves from miles away, can hear heartbeats and whispered conversations, can see in perfect clarity even in the darkest shadows.
I'm no longer the weak girl who couldn't defend herself. I'm something ancient and powerful and absolutely terrifying.
And I'm going home.
Not home, I correct myself. Back to the place that was never home. Back to the people who made my life hell. Back to show them what they created when they broke me.
The forest thins as I approach Silverclaw territory. I can feel the boundary ahead, that invisible line that separates pack lands from neutral ground. Once I cross it, I'll be trespassing. A rogue on pack territory. Fair game for any wolf to attack.
Let them try.
I shift back to human form at the forest edge, standing naked in the predawn light. I need clothes, but more than that, I need to make an entrance. Need them to see what I've become.
I spot a clothesline behind one of the outer pack houses servants' quarters, probably. I steal a simple dress, dark blue and too small, but it covers me. My silver hair flows down my back, impossible to hide. My violet eyes glow even in daylight.
I look like something from a fairy tale. A goddess. A nightmare.
Perfect.
I walk toward the mansion, my bare feet silent on the path I've walked a thousand times as a servant. The sun rises behind me, casting my shadow long and dark ahead. Symbolic, somehow.
Two patrol wolves spot me first. They're on the morning shift, checking the boundaries like they do every day. They freeze when they catch my scent.
But it's not my scent anymore. Not the powerless human girl they knew. This is something else. Something that makes their wolves whine and cower, that triggers every submission instinct they possess.
They shift to human form, confusion written across their faces. Identify yourself! one demands, trying to sound authoritative but failing. His voice shakes.
I don't speak. Just let my power wash over them like a wave, like a physical force they can't resist.
Both wolves drop to their knees, heads bowed, unable to resist the pull. It's instinctive Celestial Wolves command instant submission from regular shifters. It's written into their DNA, into the very foundation of what they are.
Alpha, one whispers in awe and terror, though I'm not an Alpha. I'm something more.
Not Alpha, I say softly, testing my voice, testing this power. Something more. Take me to Marcus Blackwood.
They obey without question. Cannot do anything else. Their wolves won't let them.
The walk through Silverclaw territory is surreal. Word spreads fast in a pack. Wolves emerge from houses, drawn by the commotion, by the strange powerful scent. They see me coming silver hair, violet eyes, power radiating from every pore like visible light.
Whispers follow me like a chorus:
Who is she?
What is she?
Look at her eyes...
Is that... is that Sera?
Impossible. Sera was wolfless.
The prophecy...
By the time I reach the mansion, a crowd has gathered. Hundreds of wolves, drawn by curiosity and something deeper. The pull of Celestial power that demands acknowledgment.
The massive front doors stand open. Someone must have alerted the household. Good. I wanted an audience.
Father storms out onto the front steps, fury written across his face. Alpha Marcus Blackwood, tall and imposing in his authority. Behind him, Victoria appears, her face a mask of shock that quickly morphs into fear. Lyra peers from behind her mother, eyes wide.
Who dares enter my territory without permission? Father roars, his Alpha voice rolling over the assembled wolves.
Except it doesn't touch me. Bounces off like water on stone.
I climb the steps slowly, deliberately. Each step a choice. Each movement calculated.
Hello, Father, I say, my voice carrying to every wolf present. Clear. Strong. Unafraid.
He stops mid step, staring. Really looking at me for the first time in... ever, probably. Sera?
In the flesh. Did you miss me? It's been all of twelve hours since you exiled me to die in the Forbidden Forest. I smile. Not nice. Surprise. I survived.
Impossible. Victoria's voice cuts through the murmurs. You're... different. What happened to you?
I found what Mother left me. What you tried to steal. I turn my violet eyes on her, and she actually flinches. Your curse broke, Victoria. And what was caged inside is very, very angry.
Father tries to use his Alpha aura, tries to push his dominance at me. I feel it like a gentle breeze present but ineffective. His power slides off mine like oil off water.
How? he breathes, sweat beading on his forehead from the effort.
I'm Celestial. I let the words hang in the air. Let them process. Let the implications sink in. The bloodline you thought was extinct. The wolves the Council murdered three hundred years ago. My mother was Celestial. She hid it to survive. And she passed it to me.
Gasps ripple through the crowd. The prophecy. The curse. It all makes sense now.
Victoria's face goes white. No. I blocked your wolf. I made sure
You made sure I suffered for twenty-three years. You tortured a child because of your fear. My power pulses, and several wolves in the crowd drop to their knees. Congratulations, Victoria. Your fear made the prophecy true.
I step past Father into the mansion. He's too shocked to stop me. The crowd parts before me like water, wolves instinctively making space for something they recognize as superior.
Inside the ballroom where just hours ago I was humiliated, I stop. Look around at the decorations still hanging, the tables still set. Evidence of last night's celebration.
The crowd follows me in. They can't help it. The pull is too strong.
Here's what's happening, I announce, my voice carrying to every corner. Marcus Blackwood, you're done as Alpha. You're a weak leader who allowed abuse under your roof. Who let your mate torture your daughter? Who chose cruelty over compassion.
You can't Father starts.
I touch the pack bonds. All of them. Every single connection that ties pack members to their Alpha. I don't break them not yet. Just... loosen them. Make them fragile. Show everyone that I could sever them with a thought.
Father gasps, clutching his chest. What are you doing?
Giving your pack a choice. They can stay loyal to you, or they can choose someone stronger. Someone better. I look at the assembled wolves. I'm not here to rule you. I'm here to free you from leaders who abuse their power.
Lyra pushes forward suddenly. You're insane! Father is the rightful Alpha! We'll never
Shut up, Lyra.
The command comes from Damien.
Everyone turns to stare at him. He looks haggard, like he ran all night to get back here. Which he probably did.
He approaches me, stops a respectful distance away. I'm sorry. For everything. You deserved better.
The crowd murmurs. Shock. Confusion. Damien Cross, who announced his mate bond to Lyra just last night, is apologizing to the exiled Omega?
I study him. His regret seems genuine. The mate bond to Lyra pulls at him I can see it, can sense pack bonds now but he's fighting it. Choosing to acknowledge his wrongs.
You're right, I tell him. I did deserve better. And now I'm taking it.
What do you want? Father demands, fear replacing fury in his voice.
Before I can answer, three massive power presences flood into the territory. So strong the air itself vibrates. So overwhelming that even I feel the pressure.
The mate bonds in my chest flare to life, burning bright.
They're here.
Three Alphas. Coming fast.
The crowd parts as three men stride through the mansion doors. Each one radiating enough power to command a pack of hundreds. Each one moving with predatory grace and barely contained violence.
Kade Nightshade enters first all, darkhaired, ice blue eyes that miss nothing. Cold and controlled and absolutely lethal. His wolves stand at perfect attention behind him.
Ryker Storm born follows massive, scarred, with amber eyes that seem barely civilized. Muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce. His warriors look battle hardened and fierce.
Asher Silverclaw comes last golden-haired, green eyes sparkling with intelligence despite obvious exhaustion. Charming smile that doesn't quite hide the tension. His pack appears disciplined but less aggressive.
All three stop when they see me. The mate bonds explode between us silver threads of connection visible to everyone with the sight to perceive them.
Three bonds. To three different Alphas.
The crowd goes silent. Impossible. One mate bond is sacred. Three is unheard of.
You, Kade breathes, voice rough. You're the one.
I don't know you, I say, keeping my voice steady despite the bonds pulling at my chest, despite my wolf wanting to run to them.
You're our mate, Ryker growls, taking a step forward.
Impossible, Asher says, but his eyes are locked on mine. The bond formed with all three of us.
Father finds his voice. Who are you? How dare you enter my territory without
Kade doesn't even look at him. Move. Now.
His Alpha voice makes Father stumble back. The difference in power is staggering.
The three Alphas move toward me, forming a protective triangle. Their combined presence is overwhelming. The crowd backs away, giving them space.
You're hurt, Ryker says, scanning for injuries even though I'm completely healed.
Who hurt you? Kade's voice is deadly quiet, dangerous.
Everyone, Asher finishes, understanding already.
Through the bonds, they feel everything. My pain. My rage. My broken heart. My newly awakened power.
They're furious.
These wolves hurt our mate, Kade says, voice lethal. That's a death sentence.
No, I say quickly, firmly. They're mine to deal with. Not yours.
All three turn, surprised.
You're our mate, Ryker argues. Your pain is ours.
I don't even know you. The words come out harsher than I intend. I didn't ask for this bond. Didn't ask for any of you.
All three flinch like I struck them.
The bond pulls at my chest, wanting me to take it back, wanting me to accept them. But I learned my lesson about trusting people who claim to care.
I don't need saving, I tell them, forcing steel into my voice. Don't need mates. This is my fight. Stay out of my way.
Hurt crosses Asher's face. Anger flashes in Kade's eyes. Understanding dawns in Ryker's.
We're not going anywhere, Kade says firmly, voice leaving no room for argument. The bond is real. We felt you awaken. We had to come.
Then watch, I say. Don't interfere.
I turn back to Father, to Victoria, to Lyra sobbing. To every wolf who made my life hell.
But before I can speak, before I can deliver the judgment I've been planning, a massive explosion of power interrupts.
The mansion shakes. Windows shatter. Wolves scream and scatter.
An old woman with silver eyes like mine stands in the ruined doorway. She radiates ancient power that makes even the three Alphas tense, makes my newly awakened instincts scream danger.
Celestial Wolf, she says, voice echoing with magic. I am Elder Thorne, representative of the Moon Council. You've been summoned to answer for your awakening.
My heart sinks. The Moon Council. The organization that governs all packs. That executes rogues. That enforces ancient laws.
That murdered every Celestial three hundred years ago.
Answer for what? I demand, letting my power rise to meet hers. For surviving?
For existing, Elder Thorne says simply, brutally honest. Celestial Wolves were hunted to extinction for a reason. Too powerful. Too dangerous. The Council must determine if you're a threat to eliminate or a tool to control.
The three Alphas move closer, flanking me, protective instincts overriding caution.
She's not going anywhere, Kade says, voice hard as stone.
Try to take her, Ryker adds, muscles coiling, and we'll war with the Council.
She stays with us, Asher finishes, green eyes flashing with determination.
Elder Thorne's ancient eyes sweep over them, over me, over the assembled crowd. Then she smiles a knowing, almost amused expression.
A Celestial Wolf with three Alpha mates, she says softly, wonder in her voice. The prophecy is more interesting than I thought.
She raises her hand. Magic pulses through the air, crackling like lightning.
The Council summons you in three days, Sera Blackwood. Come willingly, or we send Enforcers. And Enforcers don't take prisoners. They don't ask questions. They simply eliminate threats.
The old woman vanishes in a flash of silver light, leaving behind the scent of ozone and old magic.
Silence.
I stand surrounded by three mates I don't trust, facing my pack who fears me, with a Council death sentence hanging over my head.
And in my mind, a voice my mother's voice whispers:
The hardest battles are yet to come, daughter. Choose your allies carefully. Trust no one completely. But know this you're stronger than you think. The prophecy said you would unite or destroy. Perhaps you'll do both.
I look at the three Alphas standing protectively around me. At Father, pale and shaking. At Victoria, terrified. At the pack, confused and afraid.
Three days until the Council decides if I live or die.
Three mates who claim they want to help but might just want to control me.
And power I barely understand coursing through my veins.
This is just the beginning.
The blood moon has set. The sun has risen.
And the real war is about to start.