Fated Mate to the Triplet Alpha

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Moonlit Allies

Selene’s legs burned as she ran through the trees, Ivy close behind her. They’d been moving for hours since escaping the mine, putting as much space as possible between themselves and Elara. "We need to rest," Ivy panted, her newly restored human form straining to keep pace. Selene stopped, guilt washing over her. "I’m sorry. I forgot you’re still adjusting." They collapsed beneath a big oak tree. Overhead, clouds parted to show a full moon shining brightly in the night sky. Its light bathed the trees in silver. "The gateway," Ivy whispered, her eyes fixed on the moon. "Elara always said the full moon makes it strongest." Selene nodded grimly. "Which means she’ll be coming after us with everything she has." She looked back the way they had come. "And Dante is still back there." Ivy touched her sister’s hand. "He fought so we could escape. He’s strong, Selene." "But is he strong enough to face both Elara and Rowan?" Selene’s voice cracked. The image of Dante’s roar of pain haunted her. A howl cut through the night, making both sisters freeze. "Wolves," Ivy whispered, fear creeping into her voice. More howls joined the first, coming from all directions. Not wild wolves—werewolves. Selene identified the distinctive sound of a pack on the hunt. "It’s the full moon," Selene realized. "Dante’s pack must be running tonight." "Are they looking for us?" Ivy asked, pressing closer to her sister. Before Selene could answer, trees rustled nearby. A huge black wolf emerged from the shadows, golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

"Dante," Selene breathed, relief rushing through her. The wolf limped slightly, blood matting the fur on his left flank, but he was living. He approached slowly, his eyes never leaving Selene’s face. "You’re hurt," she said, reaching toward him. The wolf growled softly, stopping her hand. Then he looked sharply at the moon, back to her, and pawed at the ground. "He wants us to shift," Ivy guessed. Selene paused. "But you haven’t moved in years. And with everything Elara did to you—" "I can feel my wolf again," Ivy said with wonder. "When the crystal broke, she came back to me." Dante’s wolf huffed impatiently, looking over his shoulder. More wolves were gathering at the edge of the clearing, watching quietly. "The pack," Selene whispered. "They’ve come for a full moon run."

Decision made, she stood and began removing her torn jacket. "We’ll be safer as dogs. If Elara comes, we can move faster, and the pack can protect us." Ivy nodded, standing shakily. "I remember how. I think." Selene closed her eyes, feeling the pull of the moon on her skin. Her wolf surged forward eagerly, having been caged for too long. Bones cracked and reformed as fur grew across her body. The change was quick—her wolf had been waiting. Where Selene had stood, a sleek white wolf now crouched, her amber eyes bright in the darkness. She shook out her fur, feeling stronger than she had in years. Beside her, Ivy struggled.

Her shift was slower, more painful after years of Elara’s magic suppressing her true nature. Finally, a small silver wolf stood shaking in her place, her blue eyes wide with surprise.

Dante’s black wolf neared Ivy carefully, sniffing her, then gave a gentle nudge of approval. He turned to Selene’s wolf, their eyes locking. Something passed between them—an recognition, a promise. Then he threw back his head and howled. The sound was dominant, powerful—the call of an Alpha to his pack. Wolves emerged from all directions, filling the area. Selene recognized some from the pack house—Lyra’s brown form, Gideon’s gray coat.

Others were strangers, regarding the white wolf and her silver sister with interest and caution. A big brown wolf approached, his stance aggressive.

Jace, Selene realized. He had fled the mine too. His muzzle was scarred from the fight with Rowan, but his eyes burned with purpose as he positioned himself protectively near Ivy.

Dante barked sharply, then took off into the forest.

The pack followed, a river of fur and muscle running through the trees. Selene’s wolf paused only a moment before joining them, feeling the thrill of running with a pack again after so many years alone. Beside her, Ivy kept pace, her small form gradually gaining confidence with each step.

They ran for miles, climbing hills and leaping streams. The full moon bathed their way in silver light, guiding them through the darkness. For the first time in years, Selene felt truly free, her worries briefly forgotten in the joy of the run. But not all the dogs welcomed them. A group led by a sandy-colored female kept their distance, occasionally barking when Selene or Ivy came too close. "Elara’s supporters," Ivy’s voice whispered in Selene’s mind, their sisterly bond allowing contact even in wolf form. "I recognize them from the mine." Dante noticed too. His black wolf circled back, positioning himself between the aggressive wolves and the sisters. The sandy wolf lowered her head submissively but continued to watch Selene with undisguised hate. The pack reached a high cliff viewing the valley. Far below, lights from human towns twinkled like falling stars. Dante stood at the edge, his strong form silhouetted against the night sky.

One by one, the wolves crowded around him. Some approached Selene carefully, sniffing her white fur, accepting her presence with nods or gentle nudges. Others kept their distance, their loyalty split. Dante’s wolf moved to stand beside Selene’s, their fur touching. The word to the pack was clear—she was under his protection. Then he howled again, and this time Selene joined him. Their voices twined together, rising toward the moon. After a moment, Ivy’s higher pitch joined in, followed by Jace and the obedient wolves. Even some of the doubters added their voices, making a powerful chorus that echoed across the valley. For that beautiful moment, they were united. But when the howls faded, Selene noticed movement at the far edge of the cliff. A pure white wolf with strange blue spots stood watching them.

Not a pack member.

An outsider.

"Rowan," Ivy’s voice shook in Selene’s mind. The white wolf stared straight at Selene, then deliberately turned away, disappearing into the trees. Dante growled, several pack members moving instantly to follow the stranger. But before they could give chase, howls of alarm rose from the back of the pack. Selene spun around to see what had caused the commotion. Her heart froze. Where the sandy wolf had stood moments before, a woman now crouched naked on the ground, mid-shift. Her face contorted in pain as she fought against an unseen force pulling her human form back to wolf. "She can’t resist," Ivy whispered, fear in her voice. "Someone’s forcing her shift." The woman’s body twisted strangely, bones cracking as she was yanked back and forth between forms. Blood trickled from her nose and ears. Her screams turned to howls, then back to screams. Other wolves began to pace nervously, some whimpering in fear. Dante rushed to the suffering wolf, trying to help her, but as he approached, her body gave one final, violent twist—then went still. Silence fell over the pack. The sandy wolf lay motionless, her eyes staring sightlessly at the moon. "Elara," Selene growled in her mind. "She’s punishing her follower for failing." Dante’s wolf turned to Selene, his golden eyes filled with grim understanding. He nudged her urgently, then looked toward the faraway mountains. "He wants us to run," Ivy realized.

"Away from the pack."

"But they’ll be in danger too," Selene argued. Another wolf fell, writhing in pain as the same force took hold of it. Then another. Panic spread through the pack. Wolves scattered in all directions, their unity broken. Dante barked sharply at Jace, who instantly moved to Ivy’s side. Then the black wolf pressed his muzzle briefly against Selene’s neck—a gesture of love and farewell. "No," Selene’s wolf whined. "Don’t leave us again." But Dante had already turned away, racing back toward his suffering pack mates. His duty as Alpha came first. "Come on," Ivy urged, her silver form already retreating from the cliff. "We need to find the gateway before Elara kills more wolves to get to us." Selene hesitated, watching Dante organize the remaining healthy wolves to help their fallen packmates. Their eyes met one last time across the clearing. Then she turned and ran after her sister, the sounds of the pack’s concern fading behind them. The full moon watched silently overhead as three wolves—white, silver, and brown—raced through the forest toward the distant mountains where old magic waited. Behind them, a shadow separated itself from the trees. The strange white wolf with blue markings followed quietly, its purpose unknown. The night had only just started.