Unwanted Attention

Lily Carter POV

I barely dodged the knife that whizzed past my head, embedding itself in the wooden wall behind me. It had missed by inches.

"That omega is a liar!" yelled a wolf from the back of the crowded hall. "She can't be mate to an Alpha's son!"

My heart raced as I pressed myself against the wall of the pack house. What should have been a safe place had turned into a trap. Someone had been waiting for us, just as Caleb had tried to warn us before the doors closed.

"Everyone calm down!" Aiden's voice boomed through the hall. He stepped in front of me, protecting me from the angry crowd. "This is pack business, not a mob trial!"

Faces I'd known my whole life looked back at me with anger and disbelief. Some even showed disgust. All because of the mark on my wrist that I'd tried to hide.

Alpha Marcus pushed through the crowd, his strong presence making wolves step back. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked.

"The omega claims to have the Triple Moon Mark," someone called out. "She's trying to trick her way into power!"

"I never claimed anything," I said, my voice shaking. "I tried to hide it."

Alpha Marcus's eyes landed on my bound wrist. "Show me," he ordered.

With shaking fingers, I unwrapped the cloth Caleb had carefully tied just minutes ago. The three crescent moons glowed silver in the dim light of the hall. Gasps spread through the crowd.

"It's true," Alpha Marcus whispered, his eyes wide. "The Triple Moon Mark returns to Silver Peak."

"It can't be real," came a familiar voice. Luna pushed her way to the front, her usually perfect hair wild around her face. A small cut showed on her face. "She must have found a way to fake it."

"Moon marks cannot be faked," Alpha Marcus stated clearly. "You know this, Luna."

Luna's face twisted with rage. "But she's nothing! Just an omega nursemaid! The mark is meant for me!"

Something about her words sparked a bravery I didn't know I had. "The moon picks, Luna. Not you. Not me. Not even the Alpha."

The crowd fell silent at my words. No omega had ever spoken so freely in public before.

Alpha Marcus studied my face. "Where did you learn that saying, omega?"

"From Elder Iris," I answered. "And my name is Lily."

"Elder Iris who was just attacked," Aiden added thoughtfully. "By someone who doesn't want the truth about this mark known."

The main doors burst open, and Caleb rushed in, his bandaged hand holding something small. His eyes found mine instantly, filled with alarm.

"Father," he called to Alpha Marcus. "We have proof of treachery."

He held up a small bag and a bloody silver hair clip. I recognized both instantly - my healing herbs and Luna's favorite clip.

Luna's face went white. "That's not mine," she said quickly. "Someone is framing me!"

"Then why does it smell like you?" Brock growled, appearing behind Caleb. "And why does it have Elder Iris's blood on it?"

"I was collecting herbs in the forest," Luna stammered. "I must have dropped it. Someone else could have found it."

"Enough!" Alpha Marcus's words silenced the hall. "Luna Morrison, you will be questioned about Elder Iris's attack. Until then, you are confined to your cell under guard."

Two strong beta wolves moved to Luna's sides. She looked around wildly, like a trapped animal.

"This isn't right!" she screamed. "That omega is destroying everything! She'll ruin the pack!"

As they dragged Luna away, her final words echoed through the hall: "You'll regret this, Lily Carter! The rogues will make sure of it!"

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Alpha Marcus turned to address the crowd, his face grave.

"The Triple Moon Mark has appeared for a reason," he stated. "Our pack has lost old traditions. The mark is a sign that change must come."

The Alpha turned to face me. "According to ancient law, when the Triple Moon Mark appears, the bearer must spend time with each possible mate. The mark will show the true mate when the time is right."

Whispers broke out among the pack members. I felt my face burn with embarrassment as everyone stared at me.

"The Winter Moon Festival will continue," Alpha Marcus stated. "Tonight, at the Scenting Ceremony, Lily Carter will take her place as the Triple Moon Bearer."

He turned to his kids. "Aiden, Brock, and Caleb - by pack law, each of you will court Lily until the mark reveals which of you is her true mate."

The brothers traded looks I couldn't read. Did they hate this idea? Were they disgusted at the thought of dating an omega?

"What about Luna?" someone called out. "She was supposed to be the next Luna!"

"The moon has chosen differently," Alpha Marcus said firmly. "And we must respect that choice."

As the crowd slowly dispersed, still muttering about the shocking turn of events, I found myself circled by the three Silver brothers. My knees felt weak. This couldn't be happening.

"You'll move to the guest room in our house," Aiden said politely. "For your safety."

"I can keep working in the nursery, right?" I asked, terrified at the thought of losing my one safe place.

"Of course," Caleb replied before his brother could speak. "But one of us will escort you at all times."

"The rogues still want her," Brock reminded them. "And Luna might have allies."

"You think Luna is working with rogues?" I asked in shock.

"The evidence points that way," Caleb said, showing me the bloodied hair clip again. "But something doesn't feel right about it."

"It's too obvious," Aiden agreed.

"Either way, you're in danger," Brock stated frankly. "Someone wants to stop this mark from doing whatever it's meant to do."

Alpha Marcus neared us, looking tired suddenly. "Lily, there's something you should know about the Triple Moon Mark. It's not just about finding a mate. It shows in times of great danger to the pack."

"What danger?" I asked, my mouth dry with fear.

"That's what we need to discover," he answered. "Tonight's Scenting Ceremony might show more. The triple moon magic is strongest during events."

As they led me to my new room in the Alpha's house, I felt like I was walking in a dream. Yesterday I was unseen. Today, everyone saw me - and some wanted me dead because of it.

The extra room was bigger than my entire cabin. The three brothers lingered uncomfortably at the door.

"We'll pick you up for the ceremony tonight," Aiden said stiffly.

"Thank you," I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

After they left, I sat on the big bed, looking at my mark. The three moons pulsed gently, like they were living.

"What do you want from me?" I asked the mark. "Why me?"

A soft knock on my window made me jump. When I rushed over and pulled back the curtain, I gasped.

Luna stood outside, her face streaked with tears, a pup from the nursery clutched in her arms.

"Let me in," she mouthed. "They'll kill him if you don't help me."

Behind her in the darkness, a pair of glowing yellow eyes watched us both.

I had seconds to decide - open the window to my enemy or let the pup suffer.

The mark on my wrist burned like fire as I reached for the latch.