MARKED BY THREE

Chapter One: The Night That Changed Everything The night air was heavy, thick with the scent of rain and something… else. Aria Blackthorne’s heart hammered as she ran through the forest, branches clawing at her arms, her breaths ragged. Something was chasing her—or maybe it was waiting. Then he appeared. Lucian. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Eyes that burned silver in the moonlight. Every instinct screamed danger, but every nerve in her body screamed something else—something electric, primal. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said, his voice low, rough, carrying a threat that made her shiver. “I… I don’t even know what this is,” Aria whispered, her voice trembling. He stepped closer, and the scent hit her—wild, intoxicating, like fire and iron. Her pulse raced. “You’re mine,” he growled, and she felt it—not fear. Desire. A pull she couldn’t fight. Before she could step back, a shadow brushed past the trees behind her. Another presence, colder, darker, and even more impossible. Aria turned—and her breath caught. Draven. Pale as moonlight, black hair falling over piercing crimson eyes, lips curved in a smirk that promised sin. “You’ve been claimed,” he said smoothly, stepping toward her. Every word slid under her skin. Before she could respond, a low, guttural growl shook the ground. Aria’s head whipped toward the third figure emerging from the shadows. Kaelen. Muscles rippling, fur bristling at his shoulders in partial transformation, eyes gold and wild. He didn’t speak—he didn’t need to. Every movement screamed possessiveness, and every inch of his body radiated a heat that made her knees weak. Three mates. One girl. Bound by fate, by prophecy, by something older than the moon itself. Aria’s chest tightened. She shouldn’t want any of them. And yet… she did. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting. And in that moment, Aria realized her life—her heart, her body, her very soul—would never be hers again. The three of them circled her like predators, each presence pressing into her from a different direction. Her breath came fast, her chest tight, and her mind swirled with confusion… and something else. Something dangerous. Lucian’s hand brushed hers—deliberately, just barely grazing her skin—and a spark shot straight to her core. His silver eyes darkened, hunger burning in their depths. “Don’t think of running,” he whispered, his voice low enough to make her shiver. “Not from me. Not from any of us.” Draven stepped closer, close enough that the warmth from his pale skin brushed her arm. His lips curled into that devilish, teasing smile. “You feel that?” he murmured, voice silky. “It’s your bond. You’re ours… and we’re already inside you.” Kaelen growled softly, low and possessive, circling to block her escape. He leaned down, gold eyes locking onto hers. “And I don’t share,” he said, every word a warning and a promise all at once. Aria’s knees threatened to give out. Every nerve in her body screamed, and she didn’t know whether it was fear, desire, or something deeper she’d never felt before. She had no choice. She couldn’t run. She wanted… something. Something she didn’t understand yet, but it made her pulse roar and her stomach twist in heat. Lucian’s hand found her waist, pulling her just enough to feel his strength. Draven’s fingers brushed the back of her neck, his touch almost teasing. Kaelen hovered close enough that she could feel his feral energy, raw and alive. She swallowed, heart hammering. One thing was certain: she would never be ordinary again. And for the first time, part of her didn’t want to be. The forest held its breath, the night thick with scent, shadow, and something darker. Something irresistible. Aria closed her eyes, knowing she had stepped into a world where nothing would ever be safe… and yet, she was already addicted.