Divided Loyalties

Chaos erupted across the pack grounds. Warriors rushed to defend their borders while flames licked at the buildings. The triplets moved as one, herding Aria away from the broken window.

"Get her to safety," Riven ordered Kade. "Silas and I will help Father."

"No," Aria protested. "I can help fight!"

Silas pressed his hand to his wounded side. "Your power feeds the Blood Hunters. The best way to help is to stay hidden."

Reluctantly, Aria let Kade pull her toward the door. Before leaving, she turned back to Silas. "Be careful."

His eyes softened. "Read the book."

Kade led her through back passages, avoiding the main halls where warriors gathered weapons. "We need to get you to the underground shelters," he whispered.

They slipped outside, keeping to the shadows. The sounds of fighting grew distant as they crossed the training fields toward the forest edge.

A figure stepped into their path.

"Cira!" Aria gasped, recognizing her childhood friend.

Cira stood tall, her usual smile replaced by a determined look. Three other omegas flanked her, each wearing a silver armband—a symbol Aria had never seen before.

"I need to talk to Aria," Cira said to Kade. "Alone."

Kade stepped in front of Aria protectively. "Not happening. We're under attack."

"Not by us," Cira replied calmly. "The Blood Hunters are only targeting the main buildings—where your father and the Elders are."

"How do you know that?" Kade demanded.

Cira's smile was sharp. "Because we've been watching. While you Alphas were busy with your power games, we omegas have been paying attention."

Aria placed a hand on Kade's arm. "Give us five minutes."

"Aria, it's not safe—"

"Please," she insisted. "Cira's my oldest friend."

Kade looked between them, clearly torn. Finally, he nodded. "Five minutes. I'll watch from the treeline." He backed away, his eyes never leaving Cira's group.

When he was out of earshot, Cira relaxed slightly. "You look different," she said, studying Aria. "Power suits you."

"I don't have any power," Aria replied. "Everything's falling apart."

"That's not what we've heard." Cira gestured to her silver armband. "News travels fast among the forgotten ones."

"What's with the bands?"

"A sign of unity. There are thirty-seven of us now." Cira's voice filled with pride. "All omegas who are tired of living as servants and breeders."

Aria glanced nervously toward the pack house. Smoke billowed into the night sky. "This isn't the time, Cira. The pack is under attack."

"This is exactly the time." Cira stepped closer. "Come with me. Just for an hour. There's something you need to see."

Aria hesitated. The book from Silas weighed heavy in her jacket. She needed to read it before tomorrow night.

"It's about the curse," Cira added quietly. "We know things the Alphas don't."

That decided it. Aria turned and waved to Kade, signaling she was leaving with Cira. His body tensed visibly, but he stayed put, respecting her choice.

Cira led Aria and the other omegas through a rarely used path in the forest. They walked for twenty minutes before reaching a clearing. There, hidden by thick trees and magic—Aria could feel it tingling on her skin—stood a large cabin.

Inside, dozens of omegas gathered. They fell silent when Aria entered. Some looked at her with hope, others with suspicion.

"Welcome to Omega Rise," Cira announced proudly. "Our sanctuary."

Aria stood stunned. "How long has this been here?"

"Three years," an older omega woman answered. "Built by our hands, protected by our will."

The cabin was simple but sturdy. Maps covered one wall, marking pack territories and escape routes. A table held weapons—nothing fancy, but enough to defend themselves.

"You're preparing for war," Aria realized.

"We're preparing for freedom," Cira corrected. She gestured to a wooden chair at the center of the room. "Sit. We have much to discuss."

Aria sat, acutely aware of all eyes on her. "I don't understand what you want from me."

A young male omega stepped forward. "You're bonded to all three Alpha sons. You're the Moon Child from the prophecy. You have influence we can only dream of."

"And you're still one of us," Cira added. "Or have you forgotten your roots already?"

The accusation stung. "I haven't forgotten anything," Aria said firmly. "But there's more happening than you know. Tomorrow night—"

"The three moons align," an elderly omega interrupted. She limped forward, her eyes milky with age. "And the curse demands blood."

Aria stared at her. "You know about the curse?"

The old woman cackled. "Child, who do you think has borne the brunt of it for centuries? When Alpha pups go missing, they blame omegas. When crops fail, they blame omegas. When mates are barren, they blame omegas."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

Cira sat beside Aria. "We want to break the cycle. No more sacrifices. No more second-class treatment." Her eyes blazed. "We want seats on the council. We want the right to choose our own mates. We want our children to be trained as warriors if they wish."

"Those are big changes," Aria said carefully.

"Necessary changes," Cira corrected. "And you can help make them happen."

"How?"

"Tomorrow night, when you choose your mate, make them swear to our terms." Cira handed Aria a rolled parchment. "Our demands are simple but non-negotiable."

Aria unrolled it, scanning the list. Equal representation. Protection guarantees. Freedom to leave bad matches. Training for all pups regardless of rank. Most seemed reasonable, even necessary.

"What if they refuse?" she asked.

The mood in the cabin darkened. "Then we have other options," Cira said quietly.

"What options?"

Instead of answering, Cira clapped her hands. The omegas parted, revealing a door at the back of the cabin. "There's someone who wants to meet you."

Aria followed Cira through the door into a smaller room. A figure sat by the window, staring out at the night sky. When they turned, Aria gasped.

"Elian Blackthorn?"

The mysterious warrior from the neighboring pack stood and bowed slightly. "Moon Child. We meet at last."

"But—you were just at the pack house with Elder Varyn," Aria stammered. "The attack—"

"That wasn't me," Elian said. "That was my twin brother, Evran."

Aria's head spun. "Twin? No one mentioned a twin."

"Few know of us both. It's how we gather information." Elian's eyes—silver like moonlight—studied her face. "You have her eyes."

"Whose eyes?"

"Your mother's," he said softly. "I knew her well."

A chill ran through Aria. "You knew my mother?"

Elian nodded. "She was my sister."

The room seemed to tilt. "That would make you—"

"Your uncle, yes." Elian gestured to a chair. "Sit, niece. We have much to discuss before the moons align."

Aria remained standing. "Why are you here, with the omegas?"

"Because like them, I seek to break chains." Elian rolled up his sleeve, revealing a crescent birthmark identical to Aria's. "Our bloodline has been used and abused for centuries. The curse that binds your pack also binds ours."

Cira touched Aria's shoulder. "Elian has been helping us. The Blackthorn Pack will support our demands."

Aria looked between them, pieces clicking into place. "You're planning a rebellion. Tomorrow night, during the ritual."

"We're planning freedom," Cira insisted. "For all of us."

Elian stepped closer. "There's something you should know about the triplets. About your bond with them."

Aria's heart raced. First Silas, now Elian—everyone seemed to know secrets about her life.

"One of the three brothers is my son," Elian said. "Taken from his mother's arms at birth and given to the Alpha's mate to raise as her own."

"Which one?" Aria whispered.

Elian's face hardened. "The quiet one. The thinker. Silas."

The book in Aria's jacket felt heavier now. Silas—not a true Thorn. The curse suddenly made terrible sense.

"If what you say is true," Aria said slowly, "then Silas is my cousin."

Elian nodded. "Blood of my blood. And that's why your mate bond with him feels different. It's not a mate bond at all—it's family recognition."

Aria's mind raced back to every interaction with Silas. The ease between them, the lack of romantic tension, the way he protected her... not as a lover, but as kin.

"I need to go back," she said urgently. "I need to read Silas's book."

"It's not safe," Cira protested. "The Blood Hunters—"

"Will follow me anywhere," Aria finished. "At least at the pack house, there are warriors to fight them."

Elian nodded in understanding. "Before you go, there's one more thing." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver pendant. "This was your mother's. It will help focus your power when the time comes."

As Aria took it, warmth spread up her arm. The crescent birthmark on her wrist glowed briefly.

"Tomorrow night," Elian continued, "you must make a choice. Not just between mates, but between worlds. Will you stand with the Alphas who've kept secrets and sacrificed innocents? Or with those who seek to build a new way?"

Cira's eyes pleaded silently. The weight of thirty-seven omegas' hopes pressed on Aria's shoulders.

"I'll make the right choice," she promised. "For everyone."

As she left the cabin, escorted by Cira and two omega guards, howls pierced the night—not wolf calls, but the bone-chilling cries of Blood Hunters on the move.

"They're tracking you," Cira realized. "We need to hurry."

They ran through the forest, the sounds of pursuit growing closer. When they reached the edge of the pack grounds, a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Aria!" Kade rushed toward her, relief and anger warring on his face. "Where have you—"

His words cut off as he spotted movement behind them. Three Blood Hunters, their red eyes glowing in the darkness, stalked toward the group.

"Run!" Aria shouted, pushing Cira toward safety.

But the Blood Hunters weren't targeting the omegas. They moved straight for Aria, their unnatural bodies rippling with power.

Kade shifted instantly, placing himself between Aria and danger. As he charged the creatures, a silver light burst from the pendant in Aria's hand, momentarily blinding everyone.

When her vision cleared, the Blood Hunters had vanished. Kade lay on the ground, unmoving.

"Kade!" Aria ran to him, heart pounding.

Cira stared at the pendant in Aria's hand. "What did you do?"

"I don't know," Aria whispered, checking Kade for wounds. He was breathing but unconscious.

In the distance, alarm bells rang from the pack house. Dawn was breaking, painting the sky pink. Only eighteen hours remained until the three moons would align.

Cira's face hardened as she looked down at Aria cradling Kade. "Remember your promise," she said. "Tomorrow night, you choose a side—not just a mate."

As Cira disappeared into the forest with her omega guards, Aria clutched both the book and the pendant, torn between worlds.

And somewhere in the trees, glowing red eyes watched, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.