Chapter 4 004

The council room was quiet, and consumed with tension. The three Alphas sat across from the Elders, who looked stern and unsatisfied. The smell of burning wood filled the air, mixing with the thick silence that lingered between them.

Elder Rowan was the first to speak. “Alpha Lucien, Alpha Silas, Alpha Dante,” he began slowly. “The pack may have bowed today, but their hearts have not accepted this union.”

Lucien leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “They’ll come around. She’s their Luna now and there is nothing that they can do about it.”

The Elder shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Her father was a traitor and she aided him in killing the late Alph, and her wolf—” He paused, looking almost regretful. “Her wolf is weak. The people think she cannot protect the pack, nor stand by your side in battle.”

Silas frowned, his voice low. “So what are you suggesting?”

The Elder looked up, meeting their eyes one by one. “Let her prove her worth. If she truly wishes to be Luna, let her take part in the Luna Trials. If she wins, no one will question her again.”

The Three Alphas widened their gaze as they almost gasped.

“Luna's trial. Do you generate understand what you are asking her to do?” Dante gasped.

“That hasn't been done in a long time, you are sending her to her death” Silas chipped in.

“She doesn't have a choice. She is a traitor and just letting take up that position just because she is your mate, it's not fair to everyone at the pack.”

Another elder spike impatiently.

Lucien said nothing for a moment. His jaw tightened. He didn’t like the idea, but he couldn’t deny that the Elder had a point. Ria needed the pack’s approval. Without it, her rule beside them would always be fragile.

Finally, he nodded. “We’ll tell her.”

When the meeting ended, the brothers walked down the long hallway in silence. The bond between them pulsed faintly — but stronger still was the pull they all felt toward one woman.

Dante’s thoughts brushed through the mind link. She’ll hate us for this.

Lucien’s response came cold. She already does.

Then Silas added softly, And yet, I can’t stop thinking about her.

Lucien didn’t reply, though deep down, he knew Silas was right. But yet he knew that he still had to be cautious about her.

---

Later that night, the three of them stood outside Ria’s door. They were all dressed in their night rope, which happened to be a royal robe made only for the Alpha of the pack.

Lucien knocked lightly. “Ria, it’s us.”

Her voice came after a pause. “Come in.”

The scent that hit them as they entered made all three men stiffen — lavender and something faintly wild, something that stirred the Alpha inside each of them.

She sat near the window, wearing a soft, short nightgown that glowed faintly in the moonlight. Her hair fell freely over her shoulders, and her gaze was steady but cold.

She didn’t stand when they entered. “What do you want?” she asked, her tone calm but distant.

Lucien spoke first. “The Elders have made a decision. They said the pack will not accept you unless you prove your strength.”

Her brows drew together. “Prove myself?”

Silas nodded. “Through the Luna Trials. It’s a test — strength, spirit, and will. If you pass, the pack will bow to you completely.”

Ria let out a short laugh, bitter and tired. “So after everything, you want me to fight again? To bleed for a pack that once wanted me dead?”

“You don't have a choice, it's either that or we can send you back to the cell and you can stay there until we find a way to break the mate bond.”

Dante threatened, even though he knew his wolf wouldn't let him take such a decision.

Her eyes flicked between them. “You three once tried to kill me,” she said quietly. “And now you want me to fight to be your Luna? You have some nerve.”

Dante’s throat tightened. He looked away, guilt clawing at him, but the bond — that cursed bond — refused to let him stay still. Her scent wrapped around him like a chain. His body felt drawn to her, no matter how much his mind tried to resist.

Through the mind link, Silas’s voice came, rough and low. She smells like peace and war all at once.

Dante’s voice followed quickly. Don’t start, Silas.

You feel it too, Silas replied. Her scent, her heartbeat. It’s like she’s pulling us in.

Lucien’s voice cut through sharply. Enough. We’re not here for that.

But even he couldn’t deny the way his pulse raced. Her presence did something to them. it woke every instinct they had tried to bury.

Ria’s gaze shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing as if she could sense their unspoken exchange. “Mind-linking about me again?” she asked.

Dante’s breath caught. “You can feel it?”

Her tone softened, though her expression didn’t. “Unfortunately, yes.”

For a moment, none of them spoke. The air felt heavy, charged.

Then Ria turned her gaze away. “Tell the Elders I’ll do it,” she said quietly. “But don’t think I’m doing it to please you or your pack. I’ll do it for myself.”

She rose to her feet, walking past them with her chin held high. Her shoulder brushed Dante’s arm, and he stiffened. Heat rushed through his body, his wolf stirring restlessly.

Lucien clenched his fists, fighting the same pull. Through the link, his voice sounded tight. We need to leave. Now. Before this gets out of hand.

None of them argued. They turned and left the room, though none of them could shake the way her scent clung to them.

---

When the door closed behind them, Ria stood still for a long moment. Her heart was pounding too fast. She hated them, hated the things they’d done to her, the way they looked at her like she was both their sin and their salvation.

But the mate bond was cruel. It made her body betray her. Every time they were near, she could feel them, the warmth of their thoughts, the rhythm of their breathing, the tug that pulled at her soul.

She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to steady her breath. “Fate must really hate me,” she whispered.

Outside the door, the triplets lingered in the hall. None of them spoke out loud, but their minds were still connected.

I can still feel her, Silas said.

Same, Dante replied, running a hand through his hair. She’s everywhere. her scent, her voice… I can’t get her out of my head.

Lucien’s voice was firm, but even he sounded shaken. Get control of yourselves. She’s our mate, yes, but she’s also our enemy. Don’t forget that.

Yet deep down, none of them could deny the truth, the bond h

ad already begun its work.

And whether they liked it or not, Ria Hale was the one thing they couldn’t resist