Bound to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 52: Moon Alpha Rising

ARIA POV

A scream tore through my mind, jolting me awake. I sat up gasping, my heart beating like a drum. The triplets stirred beside me, but they hadn’t heard what I had.

"Someone’s in trouble," I said, already jumping out of bed. I didn’t know how I knew, but I was certain.

"What? Where?" Lucien asked, instantly alert.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the strange pull in my chest. "The eastern line. A pup went too far."

Without waiting for the others, I ran to the balcony and jumped off, shifting mid-air. My silver and gold wolf form landed smoothly on the ground below. I took off running, faster than I’d ever moved before.

The forest blurred around me as I raced toward the feeling. Trees whipped past, but somehow I knew exactly where to go without slowing down. I could feel the pup’s fear getting stronger with each step.

I burst into a small opening just as a mountain lion prepared to pounce on a small, trembling wolf pup huddled against a rock.

The big cat froze when it saw me. My silver fur shimmered in the moonlight as I bared my teeth and let out a warning growl that seemed to shake the very ground. The mountain lion’s ears flattened, and it backed away slowly before turning and fleeing into the trees.

The pup stared at me with wide, scared eyes.

It’s okay, I thought, not expecting an answer. You’re safe now.

Moon Alpha? The pup’s thoughts touched my mind clearly. You heard me?

I blinked in surprise. I had never been able to converse telepathically with anyone except the triplets before.

I heard you, I confirmed gently. Let’s get you home.

By the time we returned to the pack grounds, the triplets were waiting eagerly. The pup’s parents rushed forward, thanking me with tears in their eyes.

"How did you know?" Kael asked after the family had gone.

"I heard her," I said simply. "In my head. She was scared and called out, and somehow I heard her."

Jaxon whistled. "Moon Alpha powers are no joke."

Back in our rooms, I paced the floor, too wired to sleep. "I need to understand what’s happening to me. What I can do now."

"The old texts might help," Lucien offered. "There are scrolls about the Moon Alpha bloodline in the archives."

The next morning, I sat cross-legged in the middle of a circle of candles in the pack’s sacred cave. The old scrolls Lucien had found lay open before me.

"Focus on the bond to the Goddess," Elder Malin directed. "Your blood carries her essence."

I closed my eyes and reached for that golden warmth I’d felt during my change. At first, nothing happened. Then, as I focused harder, the warmth spread through my body.

Daughter, a voice like silver bells chimed in my mind.

My eyes flew open. "She spoke to me!"

Elder Malin nodded, her eyes wide. "What did she say?"

"She called me daughter. " I closed my eyes again, eager to hear more.

You carry my light now, the Goddess continued. With it comes great power and bigger responsibility.

"How do I use this power?" I asked aloud.

Feel the ties that connect all wolves. Your pack is a part of yourself now. Their pain is yours, their joy yours to share.

I focused on this new awareness, suddenly feeling hundreds of tiny threads linking me to every member of the pack. Each one felt different—some bright and strong, others faint and frail.

When I opened my eyes again, Elder Malin was looking at me with awe.

"Your eyes," she whispered. "They’re glowing silver."

I spent the rest of the day testing my new skills. I could sense pack members anywhere in our territory. I could feel their emotions—joy, fear, anger—and even glimpse their thoughts if I focused hard enough.

"It’s overwhelming," I admitted to the boys that evening. "Feeling everyone at once."

"You’ll learn to control it," Kael said confidently.

That night, as the full moon rose, I stood on the ceremonial rock viewing the pack grounds. It was time for my first pack meeting as Moon Alpha.

As the wolves gathered below, I felt their curiosity, their hope, and their fear through our new bond. Some still doubted me. Others worried about what changes I would bring.

"Tonight, we begin a new Chapter," I called out, my voice going farther than seemed possible. "The old ways of power through fear are over. We will build power through unity."

I raised my hands to the moon, and silver light bathed the crowd. Gasps ran through the crowd as everyone felt the touch of the Goddess through me.

"From this day forward, no wolf will be judged by their rank at birth, but by their character and contributions to the pack."

One by one, I called forward wolves who had been labeled as omegas—like I once was—and restored their dignity with places of honor. Mira became my first counselor. Others took on jobs that matched their true talents, not their supposed rank.

As the ceremony finished, I felt a wave of acceptance wash through the pack bonds. Not everyone was satisfied, but it was a start.

Later that night, I stood alone on the balcony, soaking in the moonlight. I reached out through the pack ties, checking on everyone as they settled in for the night.

Suddenly, a sharp pain lanced through my mind. A bond I hadn’t noticed before flared to life—dark and twisted, pulsing with hate. It wasn’t from within our area.

I gasped and gripped the railing as unfamiliar thoughts entered my mind.

We see you, fake Alpha. The true owner lives. Your rule will be short.

My vision swam with images of red-eyed wolves gathered in a dark cave. At their center stood a figure that made my blood turn to ice—a woman who looked exactly like me, but with eyes black as night and lines of darkness spreading across her skin.

Hello, sister, the thought slithered into my mind. Mother had twins, not just you. And I’ve come to take what’s mine.

The black crystal in my pocket burned against my skin as the link snapped shut. I fell to my knees, shaking.

The triplets burst onto the balcony, drawn by our bond.

"Aria!" Lucien knelt beside me. "What happened?"

I looked up at them, fear gripping my heart.

"I’m not the only Moon Alpha heir," I whispered. "I have a twin sister. And she’s coming for us all."