The Flame-bound Wolf and Her Triplet Mates

6

Chapter Six

The next morning, I sat across from my dad at the breakfast table, stirring my cereal with little appetite. He looked normal—no sign of the pale complexion or glazed red eyes from last night. He laughed at something my sister said, but I could see his hands tremble slightly as he held his coffee cup.

“Dad,” I started, keeping my tone casual. “Are you feeling okay? You seemed... off last night.”

He glanced up, his smile faltering for just a second. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just tired. It’s been a rough few weeks with everything happening at the borders.”

“Right,” I replied, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest. “Do you remember anything about last night?”

He frowned, looking genuinely confused. “What do you mean?”

I hesitated, unsure if pushing him was a good idea. “Never mind,” I muttered, dropping my gaze.

He looked so normal now, so maybe he was okay, and I was worried about nothing. I watched my dad a bit longer; he was so unlike me. My brown skin and curls starkly contrasted his pale complexion and straight, sandy hair. My mom had been fair too, with soft features that also didn’t match mine. I’d always told myself that adoption didn’t matter—family wasn’t about blood. My parents had cared for me with everything they had, but now, as I reached another milestone in my life, I couldn’t help but wonder what my real parents had passed down to me.

Was I a spitting image of them or did we have nothing in common? Did I get my quirks from them and, more importantly, could they provide more answers about what is happening to me now?

***

At school, I found Jessa by her locker, her usual bright energy a welcome distraction.

“Please tell me you slept better than I did,” I said, leaning against the lockers.

“Define ‘better,’” she replied, closing the door with a snap. I took the lightness in her tone to mean that she hadn’t lost a wink of sleep. “What happened now?”

I recounted the strange incident with my dad, leaving out the part about the vision I had in the woods. That part still felt too confusing and I couldn’t tell her about it if I didn’t understand it myself.

Jessa frowned. “Your dad’s always been the steady rock type. I mean he is the best enforcer in the pack. This is... weird. Maybe you should tell the Alpha, especially if it’s something that could put the pack in danger.”

I immediately shook my head. My dad would kill me if I told people he was being possessed. After his family, his work was his greatest passion. “It might be nothing, besides there is already so much going on in the pack.”

“Fair,” Jessa said, linking her arm with mine. “But if your dad starts spouting cryptic warnings again, let me know. I’m dragging him to the pack doctor myself.”

***

After school, the triplets were waiting near the training grounds, leaning casually against the fence as if they hadn’t encountered trouble last night. How could they be so nonchalant? Flint’s grin widened as I approached.

“Plum,” he greeted, tipping an imaginary hat. “Ready for another thrilling patrol with your favorite wolves?”

I glared at him. “Don’t call me that.”

“You’ve been saying that for years, and yet, here we are,” he teased.

Before I could retort, Orion stepped forward, his expression more serious. “We need to talk.”

I crossed my arms, meeting his stormy gaze. “What now?”

“It’s about last night,” he said. “And the tree you touched.”

“And the part where you freaked out on me?” I shot back.

“Because you don’t know what you’re dealing with,” Orion snapped. “You think this is just about rogues? It’s bigger than that.”

“Then tell me what’s going on,” I demanded.

Orion hesitated, his jaw tightening. Evan stepped in, his calm voice cutting through the tension. “Milli, you remember what I told you yesterday, right? If we find anything, we will let you know.”

“Why?” My voice wavered despite my attempt to sound defiant. “Am I a part of whatever is going on?”

Flint sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “Plum, I am going to be honest with you since my brothers seem to think hiding things is the way to go. We don’t really know what we are dealing with yet. But a scout followed that rogue and there was a big spot of land in the north of our territory that was burnt to a crisp. The spot was a perfect circle which is super weird. We think we might be dealing with an elemental wolf.”

“What is that?” I asked.

“We’ve only ever read about them since no one in recent history has ever met them. They are apparently wolves with abilities tied to the elements—fire, earth, air, water. They’re rare, powerful, and, well... targeted which is why they don’t associate with us often.”

I stared at them, my mind spinning with images of fire. “You think I’m one of them? That’s ridiculous.”

“We didn’t say you were.” Orion challenged, stepping closer. “But our dad seems to think there is a chance.”

“How would he even know? Nobody knows who my birth parents are.”

“You practically spent your whole childhood around us. I guess he saw some things that left him rattled.” Orion said. “And last night? The tree? The partial shift? You felt it, didn’t you? Even Alpha’s can’t partially shift. It’s getting harder to explain why you aren’t more than why you are.”

I wanted to argue, but the memory of that surge of power stopped me.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice cracking. I took a step further back from the triplets.

Flint threw up his hands. “Great, let’s all just ignore the glaringly obvious signs. That’ll solve everything.”

Before the argument could start, Jessa arrived with Chelsy in tow. “What’s going on here?”

“Nothing,” I muttered, turning away.

Orion looked like he wanted to press the issue, but Evan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Leave it for now,” he said.

***

That night on patrol, the woods felt more heavy than usual. The sour, burned scent lingered, setting my wolf on edge.

We moved cautiously, the triplets leading, with Jessa, Chelsy, and me forming the rear. My thoughts churned with everything the triplets had said. If they were right, what did that mean for me? What would my life look like?

I noticed something sparkle on the floor. And immediately bent down to pick it up but as soon as my hand made contact with the piece of metal, a heat surged through me, leaving words lingering in my head as if they had been implanted.

“The fire awakens tomorrow.”

I immediately dropped the object and let out a deep breath. My pulse thundered in my ears, and I clutched my chest, trying to steady my breathing. When Chelsy’s concerned gaze met mine, I quickly shook my head and forced a weak smile. I immediately continued walking, promising myself that I would not touch another object in the woods.

Something wasn’t right.

***

When I returned home, I was exhausted but couldn’t shake the warning. Tomorrow was my birthday, and I’d always looked forward to it, hoping for a mate who would love me unconditionally.

Now, all I could think about was what was happening. I didn’t even know elemental wolves existed before today so I wasn’t sure if my birthday was linked to something significant.

I barely had time to process when my dad appeared at my bedroom door.

“Dad?” I asked cautiously, afraid that he had been possessed once again.

“Almost birthday girl.” He said with a smile. “I had almost forgotten but Maddie reminded me that her big sister is celebrating something big tomorrow. Are you excited?” He asked.

I shook my head. “My head feels like it's going to explode.”

“Finding your mate isn’t bad.” My dad said, chuckling. Clearly oblivious that my turmoil was caused by so much more than finding my mate.

“It’s not that.” I said. I hesitated before continuing, “Did you know my birth parents?” I asked.

“No. The former Alpha gave you to us. You couldn't have been more than a few days old when we first met.” My dad said. He moved to join me on my bed and took my hand in his when he saw me fidgeting with them. “We know that your birth parents weren’t from this pack and no one ever showed up for you but your mom and I loved you since we laid eyes on you.” My dad said. I nodded quietly and stewed in my thoughts before my dad asked, “Why?”

“It’s nothing. I am just getting older so I am wondering about them.” I replied, trying to swallow down whatever unease I felt. Tomorrow was a big day, maybe my questions would be answered then.