The Flame-bound Wolf and Her Triplet Mates

19

Chapter Nineteen

The packhouse was alive with activity as preparations for the full moon ceremony got underway. Wolves bustled about, some carrying supplies while others strategized for security. It should have been a comforting sight, but I couldn’t shake the heavy weight pressing against my chest.

“This ceremony is turning into an entire festival,” Jessa said excitedly, nudging me as we watched the commotion from the edge of the packhouse steps. Between the two of us, Jessa had been the only one to enjoy all of the parts of planning a mating ceremony. “You’re about to be the center of it all. Excited?”

“More like terrified,” I admitted, rubbing my palms together. The thought of being marked by the triplets, not just as their mate but as the pack’s Luna, was daunting. The feeling was made worse by the thought of having everyone watch the triplets mark me.

That and the added threat of the rogue leader loomed over me like a storm cloud dampening any joy I should have felt from planning my mating ceremony.

Jessa looped her arm through mine. “You’ll be fine. But you do need the perfect dress. Come on.”

Before I could protest, she dragged me inside.

***

Jessa had commandeered a guest room as her "personal styling suite." It looked like a boutique exploded inside, with dresses of every style, color, and fabric spread across the furniture.

“How did you even find all of these?” I asked, holding up a crimson gown that shimmered in the light.

“Let’s just say my mom knows people and now I do too,” Jessa said with a wink. I didn't question it any further as Jessa's mom could make even the impossible possible, it was trait all of the women in her family shared, including out Luna. “Now, try this one. You need to look drop-dead gorgeous.”

I rolled my eyes but relented. Jessa had picked out the widest assortment of dresses I could think of. I wasn't one who usually wore dresses so finding one that I liked wasn't the easiest thing in the world.

I stepped into a white dress, Jessa telling me that it was the most traditional choice for a mating ceremony. It was a white strapless dress that flowed in soft fabric down my body. It felt nice but as soon as turned to face Jessa, she immediately scrunched up her nose. “Nope, that washes you out. Next!”

I chuckled but moved to take it off. I picked up a deep red dress that was so tight I thought Jessa had picked out the wrong sizd. I immediately didn't like it but Jessa seemed to be set on not taking what I thought into consideration as she said, “This one makes your hips look amazing. Let's put it in the maybe pile.”

"Jessa, this is a bit inappropriate. Don't you think?" I said. I tried tugging on the fabric but it would budge as if it has been glued to my body.

Jessa began to shake her head but stopped. "I see what you mean, but let's get this anyway for a date night outfit."

"Date night?" I said hesitantly.

Jessa chuckled. "Isn't it weird how you've never even been on a date with any one of them but you'll be wearing their mark on you next in less than 10 days?"

"If I were any other wolf, I probably wouldn't even have had 10 days." I replied. It was so normal for other wolves to mark each other as soon as they met.

"I didn't think my cousin's had the patience to wait." Jessa said. "They aren't known for having the most restraint."

"They've changed." I said simply. I was starting to believe in that with every fibre of my being.

I moved over to the far side of the room where a rack of dresses in various shades of green stood. My hands brushed over them before stopping on a deep emerald green coloured dress. I didn't even need to put it on to know that it was the one for me.

“You'll look like royalty,” Jessa said, clasping her hands together. "It's going to make your eyes pop."

I smiled, feeling a spark of confidence for the first time in days.

***

Later that afternoon, I found myself standing in the clearing behind the packhouse, facing the triplets. They’d insisted I train with them, both to sharpen my fighting skills and to help me harness my powers.

“We’ll start with basic maneuvers,” Orion said, tossing me a wooden staff. His authoritative tone made it clear this was serious.

“Let’s see if you can block this,” Flint said with a smirk, swinging his own staff toward me.

I barely managed to raise my weapon in time to deflect the blow, the impact reverberating through my arms. “Could you maybe not aim for my head?” I snapped.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Flint teased, circling me like a predator.

“Focus,” Orion barked, stepping in. He demonstrated a series of moves, his precision almost hypnotic. “You have to anticipate your opponent’s next move. Think two steps ahead.”

I tried to mimic his movements, but my frustration mounted as I tried to turn on my powers resulting in them flickered erratically. Flames danced along the edges of the staff one moment, then sputtered out the next.

Evan stepped closer, his calm presence soothing my frayed nerves. “You’re overthinking it. Just breathe and feel the connection. Pretend the staff is a part of you."

The connection, the invisible thread between me and the triplets seemed to hum inside of me. With Evan nearby, I felt steadier, more in control. When Orion joined my side, my confidence grew. But when Flint walked away to grab a drink, the flames wavered again.

“I need all of you,” I muttered under my breath, realising that I would need the triplets if I wanted my powers to be at the strongest.

“What was that?” Flint called, grinning.

“Nothing!” I said quickly, heat rushing to my cheeks. "I just said my powers are stronger with all 3 of you around."

"Maybe you are just able to better focus on your powers with us around you. Not that they are stronger." Evan said. "We'll have to figure out what that is."

***

After training, Orion pulled me aside, holding up a sketch he’d made of the wooden pendant I’d seen in my vision.

“I’ve seen this symbol before,” he said. “There’s a reference to it in the pack’s archive. Want to check it out?”

“Absolutely,” I said, eager for any clue about my past.

The archive was a hidden room beneath the packhouse, filled with ancient books, scrolls, and artifacts. Evan and Flint joined us as Orion carefully sifted through a stack of weathered tomes.

“Here it is,” he said, pointing to an illustration. The text described an ancient line of elemental wolves, their powers said to be derived from the Moon Goddess herself. Each elemental line had their own symbol and the mark on the pendant was the mark of the flame-bound elementals.

“It’s the same design as Tala’s trinket,” I said, my fingers brushing over the sketch.

Evan’s expression darkened. “If the rogue leader is connected knows about lineage of flame-bound wolves, it explains why he’s targeting you. Maybe your powers are stronger than other wolves.”

“Are there any other wolves in this that are still alive?” I asked softly. "We don't know what happened to my mom, what if I am the only one alive?"

Flint placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We won’t let anything happen to you, Plum. You’re stuck with us.”

"Is that supposed to be reassuring?" Orion asked.

Flint shrugged which cause me to chuckle. "That isn't a bad place to be."

***

As we emerged from the archive, the pack’s Beta approached us, his expression grim.

“You need to see this,” he said, leading us to the edge of the pack’s territory.

My stomach churned as we came upon the gruesome sight of a wolf carcass sprawled across the ground. Its fur was matted with blood, and a note was pinned to its chest with a dagger.

Orion ripped the note free, his jaw clenching as he read it aloud.

“‘Go through with the ceremony, and you’ll lose everything.’”

Flint growled low in his throat, his fists clenching. Evan’s calm facade cracked as his eyes flashed with anger.

“This is personal now,” Orion said, his voice like steel.

I stared at the lifeless wolf, bile rising in my throat. The rogue leader wasn’t just threatening me, he was sending a message to the entire pack.