Three marks, one mate

Fifteen

Desiree POV

I looked at my mates, and the expressions on their faces told me everything I needed to know. The playful mood from training had completely disappeared. Brandon’s face had turned dark and serious, his jaw clenched tightly as he stared toward the forest. Grayson’s usual smirk was gone, replaced by a cold and calculating look, while Zachary stood alert, his body tense like a bow pulled tight, ready to strike.

“I thought you had it under control” Grayson mocked Brandon.

“They shouldn’t be this close to the territory,” Zachary said quietly, his voice heavy with concern.

Grayson ran a hand through his hair, clearly irritated. “Either they’re getting bold… or someone is letting them in.”

The words made my stomach twist.

Someone letting them in?

“Who dares do that, why risk the safety of everyone" I asked in disbelief.

“I will investigate that later but right now, I have to protect my pack” Brandon growled

He wasn't the cheerful person playing earlier.

Grayson looked at me “What are we going to do about her” he asked like I was a child.

Brandon stepped forward, his powerful Alpha aura filling the arena as he looked toward the forest again. “Stay here,” he ordered firmly.

Immediately, I shook my head. “No.”

All three men turned to look at me.

“I’m not staying behind while you go fight,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though fear was creeping through me.

Brandon’s eyes softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. “Desiree, this isn’t a training fight. Rogues are unpredictable, they kill without thinking.”

“And you think I don’t know that?” I asked quietly. “If they are coming here because of me, then I should face it too.”

The mate bond pulsed between us, carrying my determination to them.

For a moment, none of them spoke.

Then Grayson chuckled softly. “I like her courage.”

“This is why we fight, stop encouraging her” Brandon yelled at him.

Zachary sighed, though there was a hint of pride in his eyes. “You’re not making this easy for us.”

Brandon stared at me for several seconds before finally running a hand over his face in frustration. “Fine,” he muttered. “But you stay behind us at all times.”

I nodded quickly.

Even though something deep inside me told me that tonight wasn’t going to go the way any of us expected.

We left the training arena together and moved toward the northern edge of the pack territory where the howls had come from. The night air had grown colder, and the forest ahead looked darker than usual, its shadows stretching across the ground like silent threats waiting to strike.

Several warriors had already gathered near the border.

They straightened immediately when they saw Brandon approaching.

“Alpha,” one of them said quickly. “We heard movement in the trees. It sounded like a large group.”

Brandon’s expression darkened even further. “How many?”

“We’re not sure yet,” the warrior admitted. “But it didn’t sound small.”

Grayson stepped forward beside Brandon, his eyes scanning the forest carefully. “They’re testing the borders,” he muttered. “Trying to see how strong the pack defenses are.”

Zachary crossed his arms as he studied the trees. “Or they’re looking for something.”

My heart skipped nervously.

Looking for someone..

A sudden crack of a branch echoed from the forest.

Every warrior immediately tensed.

The silence that followed was terrifying.

Then a low growl came from the darkness.

Another one followed.

And another.

My breath caught in my throat as glowing eyes slowly began to appear between the trees.

One pair.

Then two.

Then ten.

Dozens of rogue wolves stepped out from the shadows, their bodies thin and scarred, their eyes filled with wild hunger. They looked nothing like the disciplined wolves of a pack. These were creatures that had survived only through violence.

A large wolf stepped forward from the group.

His fur was dark and matted, his body covered in old battle scars.

The Rogue Alpha.

Even in wolf form, his presence was overwhelming.

My wolf stirred uneasily inside me.

The rogue’s eyes slowly moved across the warriors before stopping on me.

A strange smile seemed to form in his expression.

He knew exactly who I was.

Brandon stepped forward protectively, placing himself between me and the rogues. His wolf growled deep in his chest as his eyes turned golden.

“You are trespassing on pack territory,” he said coldly. “Leave now or die.”

The rogue wolves growled in response, but their Alpha remained calm.

Slowly, the Rogue Alpha shifted into human form.

Gasps spread through the warriors.

He was tall… taller even than Brandon, his body built like a weapon forged for war. His dark hair fell around his face as he studied me with unsettling interest.

“I’m not here for your territory,” he said smoothly.

“Why are you here then” Grayson shielded me away seeing he was staring at me too much but that didn't stop him.

His gaze never left mine.

“I came for her.”

Every muscle in Brandon’s body went rigid. “My mate?”

“Just give her to me and I promise not to kill anyone today” he gave a wicked grin that sent fear to me.

Grayson stepped forward beside him, his voice deadly. “You picked the wrong pack to threaten.”

The Rogue Alpha smirked.

“I’m not threatening anyone,” he replied calmly. “I’m simply collecting what belongs to me.”

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

“What belongs to you?” Brandon growled.

The rogue’s dark eyes gleamed with something dangerous. “Her or are you deaf now.”

A low growl rippled through my three mates instantly.

The bond between us flared with anger and protectiveness.

Grayson’s voice turned deadly. “You must have a death wish.”

The Rogue Alpha chuckled softly. “You really don’t know who she is, do you?”

The question made the air between us grow heavy.

Brandon’s eyes narrowed. “Explain yourself.”

The Rogue Alpha tilted his head slightly as he looked at me again.

Then he smiled.

A slow, knowing smile that made my blood run cold.

“She doesn’t belong to your pack,” he said.

“She belongs to destiny, she belongs to me”

Before anyone could react, he suddenly lifted his hand.

The rogues behind him began to move forward.

And then he said something that made my entire world freeze.

“Bring the Moon-Born to me.”