Bound to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 72: Hidden Powers

ARIA POV

I burst through the top of the raging river, gasping for air. The icy water clawed at me, trying to drag me back under. I fought against the water, my arms burning as I struggled toward the shore.

"There she is!" a voice yelled from the cliff above. Wolves were looking down, pointing at me in the water.

Just as my strength was going, strong hands grabbed me, pulling me onto the rocky bank. I blinked water from my eyes to see a lady with midnight-black hair and piercing blue eyes.

"You’re safe now, sister," she said. "They won’t cross into our territory."

The wolves above howled in anger but didn’t jump. I fell onto the stones, trembling from cold and fear.

"Who are you?" I managed to ask.

The woman pulled back her collar, showing a crescent moon mark on her neck—identical to the one that had appeared on my skin after the ritual.

"I’m Selene of the Shadow Waters Pack," she said. "And you’re the Luna who’s turning the old ways upside down. We’ve been waiting for you." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Three days later, I sat in our pack house with my mates and Elder Thea, still processing everything I’d learned.

"Seven marked ones," Kael repeated, his face grim. "Each with a different power."

I nodded, touching the silver circle on my neck. "Selene has water magic. There are six others: fire, earth, air, spirit, shadow, and light. Together, we form a circle of power that hasn’t been seen in ages."

"And they’re all female?" Lucien asked, his healer’s mind clearly interested.

"Yes. All born during different blood moons, all carrying the mark of their element," I explained. "Selene says it’s why the usual packs fear us so much. They know what we could become if we join."

Jaxon paced restlessly. "So where are the other five? We need them if we’re going to face six packs in..." he checked the time, "less than two days."

"That’s the problem," I said, spreading out the map Selene had given me. "They’re scattered across the land, hiding their powers. The usual Alphas have been hunting them for years."

Elder Thea leaned forward, her wrinkled finger tracing the marks on the map. "Selene has stayed hidden in Shadow Waters all this time? That’s why they rarely associate with other packs."

I nodded. "Their Alpha is her brother. He’s protected her, but they couldn’t publicly stand against the traditional alliance."

"Until now," Kael said.

"Until me," I corrected. "Until us. What we’ve created here has given them hope."

I put protective hands on my stomach, still in disbelief about the pregnancy. Multiple mates meant faster everything—including fertility. Lucien had confirmed it yesterday. Twins. Of course.

"We need to find the others," Lucien said. "But we can’t all leave when an attack is coming."

"I’ll go," Jaxon volunteered instantly. "I’m the fastest, and I know how to be persuasive."

I looked at him, surprised. Jaxon was usually the most unwilling to take responsibility. But something had changed in him since the practice.

"It’s dangerous," I warned. "The traditional packs will be watching the roads."

Jaxon smiled that wild smile I knew so well. "They’ll be watching for you or Kael or Lucien. Nobody expects the wild brother to be on a serious task."

I couldn’t argue with his reasoning. "You’ll need Selene’s help. Some of these wolves have been in hiding for years. They won’t trust easily."

"Then Selene comes with me," Jaxon said. "When do we leave?"

"Now," Kael answered for me. "Every minute counts."

An hour later, I stood at the pack border with Jaxon and Selene, my heart twisting with fear.

"The closest is Ember of the Ash Plains," Selene was saying. "Fire magic. Then Terra in the Stone Mountains—earth magic."

"Five marked ones in less than two days," Jaxon mumbled. "No pressure."

I took his face in my hands. "Be careful. The bond works both ways—if you’re hurt, we’ll all feel it."

"Especially you," he said, putting his hand gently on my stomach. "Take care of our little surprises."

I kissed him fiercely, then stepped back. "Go. Find them. Bring them home."

After they left, I returned to the pack house to find Kael organizing our troops and Lucien preparing healing supplies.

"I’ve sent messages to the progressive packs," Kael told me. "Silver Lake and Dawn Circle have already answered. They’re with us."

"And Timber Ridge?" I asked.

"Still waiting," he revealed. "They’re cautious."

I nodded, trying not to let fear overwhelm me. Even with three allied packs, we were overwhelmed. Without the marked ones, we might not escape the coming attack.

"You should rest," Lucien said gently, touching my arm. "For the babies."

"I can’t," I said. "Not yet. I need to look at the old books again. There must be something about how the marked ones use their powers together."

Elder Thea appeared with a heavy tome. "I found it. The rite of the seven elements. It hasn’t been played in eight hundred years."

I flipped through the old pages, my eyes widening. "This is it! The ritual forms a protective barrier around pack lands. No enemy can cross it without permission."

"But we need all seven marked ones," Lucien pointed out.

"Then we have to trust Jaxon will find them in time," I said.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The bond told me Jaxon was far away now, moving quickly. I felt his determination like a steady beat.

I stepped outside, needing fresh air. The night was quiet, strangely so. No bugs, no owls.

"Something’s wrong," I whispered to myself.

A twig snapped in the darkness. I whirled around, every sense on high alert.

"Who’s there?" I called.

A figure stepped from the shadows—Elira. My former rival looked different—harder, colder, with a jagged scar across her face.

"Hello, Aria," she said. "Or should I say, Luna?"

"Elira. You were expelled," I said, backing away. "You can’t be here."

"I’m not alone," she responded with a cruel smile.

From behind her emerged a face I’d hoped never to see again—the fake who had taken Lucien’s place during the ritual.

"We have something to show you," he said. "Someone, actually."

He pulled a bound and gagged figure into the moonlight. My blood turned to ice.

It was Jaxon.

"Impossible," I gasped. "I can feel him miles away. The bond—"

"Can be tricked," the imposter finished for me. "Just as I tricked you before. Your precious wild brother never left the area. We’ve had him since this morning."

"Then who..." I started, horrified understanding dawning.

"Is with Selene, collecting the marked ones?" Elira laughed. "Someone who knows exactly where to find them. Someone who will bring them straight to us."

The impostor’s face shimmered and changed, showing Elder Malin’s cold eyes. "The bond may be strong, Luna, but our magic is ancient."

"What do you want?" I demanded, fighting fear. If Jaxon had been taken this morning, then whoever was with Selene wasn’t looking for allies.

They were leading her into a trap.

"The same thing we’ve always wanted," Elder Malin said. "All seven marked ones, together. But not for your safety."

"For your sacrifice," Elira finished. "Tomorrow night, under the new moon."

Jaxon fought against his bonds, his eyes wild with warning. I reached for our bond, desperately trying to alert Kael and Lucien.

"Don’t bother," Elder Malin said. "The shield spell is already working. No messages in or out."

He raised his hand, and darkness surrounded us. "Now, Luna, you have a choice to make. Come quietly, or watch us kill him right here."

I looked at Jaxon, at the rage and fear in his eyes. This was no joke.

I stepped forward. "If I go with you, you let him go."

"Aria, no!" Jaxon managed to yell, getting free of his gag.

"Deal," Elder Malin said, ignoring Jaxon’s protests. "But remember, we only need one twin. The other is... optional."

My hands flew protectively to my stomach as I realized the full horror of what was happening. The usual packs hadn’t been planning a simple attack.

They’d been preparing a rite of their own.