Their Little Wolf

Chapter One

I ignored the snickering laughter that echoed behind me as I crumpled the exam results detailing next month's placement suggestions. The sound grated on my nerves, but I did my best to block it out, focusing instead on the wrinkled paper in my hand.

Every semester, students whose birthdays fell within the coming month were required to sit for the Placement Exams at Twin Moon Academy—a name that cleverly masked the reality of an institution teeming with werewolves. It also reflected our connection to the realm from which we all hailed: Homeworld.

These exams weren’t just trivial events; they were pivotal, determining the positions we would hold if we transferred to Homeworld the moment we underwent our first Shift. To hear the professors tell it, Homeworld was a realm filled with magic, ancient traditions, and endless wonder. However, if you caught a conversation with anyone who had ventured there and somehow returned, the narrative changed dramatically. Homeworld was depicted as a chaotic place ruled by a madman, riddled with danger and uncertainty.

For those without a diplomatic exemption or those who hadn't experienced its tumultuous environment firsthand, what we knew about Homeworld consisted solely of rumors and cautionary tales: it was both perilous and wild, the birthplace of all supernatural lineages.

Honestly, I didn’t care much about either world; neither offered much promise for me anyway. However, among humans, I at least stood a chance—however slim that might be.

As an Omega, I was already relegated to the bottom rung of Twin Moon’s social hierarchy, so it was hardly surprising when my exam results indicated that my recommended placement in Homeworld was 'Maid' for the illustrious Silver Moon palace. The word “Maid” echoed in my mind like a bitter aftertaste.

I scoffed in disbelief and tossed the crumpled paper into the cleaning cart I was pushing toward the elevator. Earlier, someone had graciously pinned my results to my bedroom door—a door nestled in the midst of a common walkway near the Pack House kitchen, which was shared among the four Packs of Otherworld: Grey Fang, Golden Dawn, Black Wing, and Silver Moon.

While Packs roamed across the globe, the path to attending Twin Moon Academy or securing a position within Homeworld's elite ranks demanded lineage tracing back to one of the four original houses. I had been less fortunate in that area; as an orphan, my lineage remained shrouded in mystery—no one knew who my parents were. The Beta, Zane, took me in, allowing me to join the Silver Moon Pack, but my status as an Omega was carved in stone.

I finally reached the top floor, the designated living quarters for the Alphas of each Pack. I left my cart outside their assigned rooms, preparing to clean and change the sheets for the six ruling Alphas. The air was thicker up here, filled with a mix of authority and an underlying tension that made my heart race.

I couldn't shake my anticipation for the impending full moon tonight—my birthday. The prospect of turning twenty filled me with equal parts excitement and dread. As an Omega, my Lycan hormones and physical strength matured slower than those of the higher-ranked members, but now, I would be stepping into my power.

As I finished smoothing out the blankets, I heard the unmistakable sound of a door opening behind me. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of Heath standing in the doorway, with his brothers Warrick and Sebastian flanking him like a pack of wolves surveying their territory.

Their gazes landed on me, filled with amusement and an unsettling curiosity that made my breath hitch. Warrick held my crumpled exam results, his expression unreadable as if trying to mask a smile.

They embodied the definition of Alphas: strong, imposing, and astoundingly intelligent. They were at the apex of both their theoretical and practical classes—Tactics, Combat, and Warfare were mere games to them. Each stood tall at six-foot-four, their muscular frames emphasized by tailored clothes they wore, chiseled features offset by varying lengths of dark, raven hair framing their faces, and piercing green eyes that seemed to see through any facade.

Sebastian scanned the paper in Warrick’s hand, then glanced my way, noticing the flash of anger that crossed my face. “Oh, Cinderella,” he purred, his voice laced with mock sympathy. The playful tone dripped with condescension. “Didn’t like your exam results?” He pouted, theatrically slipping his hands into his pockets, a smirk dancing on his lips.

I gritted my teeth, feeling the familiar sting of resentment. My name was Ariella, yet everyone took delight in comparing me to the soot-covered princess because of the similarities in our names and my appearance: petite, blonde, and with wide blue eyes that betrayed my emotions.

I instinctively ducked my gaze, assuming a submissive stance as I pulled myself away from the bed, inching toward the center of the room before lifting my chin to meet their gazes, trying to project a modicum of defiance.

“I’m not applying for a place in Homewor—” My voice faltered, my face heating as the words caught in my throat when they moved in, surrounding me with an intensity that left me feeling like prey surrounded by predators.

Warrick stepped directly in front of me, moving deliberately closer, his presence exuding dominance. I instinctively shrank back, only to find myself pressed against the solid chests of Sebastian and Heath.

“Oh?” Warrick raised a dark brow, amusement glinting in his eyes, disbelief coloring his tone. “Are you sure you can handle us for the long run, little one? We’ll be your Alphas, after all.” A slight smirk played on his lips—devilish and undeniably handsome, full of wicked charm.

The weight of his words hung in the air, and the way his green eyes darkened sent a shiver down my spine. My breath caught in my throat, and my stomach fluttered with a mix of dread and an inexplicable thrill.

There was a palpable weight to his words, a gravity that seemed to pull the air from my lungs. His green eyes, vibrant and lively just moments before, now darkened slightly, taking on a serious hue that sent another shiver down my spine. I could feel my stomach fluttering nervously at the intensity of his gaze.

Behind me, Sebastian—the self-proclaimed bad boy with a devil-may-care attitude—let out a snicker. I turned to glance at him, and his eyes roamed over me slowly, taking me in with a deliberate appraisal that made my heart race. His grin was wicked, with a hint of mischief that made my cheeks flush hot with embarrassment.

Heath stood a bit closer, giving a soft chuckle that lingered in the air. His voice was gentle, yet it carried an undercurrent of something more complex. "We're not so bad, are we, princess?" he mused, tilting his head slightly as if daring me to disagree. The stupid nickname he used felt like a spark, igniting something deep within me. His teasing smirk battled with my annoyance, twisting my stomach into knots.

Ever since their return from Homeworld when they were sixteen and I was merely thirteen, they had always played this absurd game with me. It was a dance of sorts, infused with unspoken rules, societal hierarchy, and a palpable tension that pulsed between the four of us. Whatever had transpired during their time away lingered in the air when we were together—a magnetic force that pulled us closer while keeping us at arm's length. The complexities of our interactions felt both thrilling and dangerous, as if we were teetering on the edge of something monumental yet undefined.

Sebastian tutted, his thick fingers suddenly weaving into my silver hair, tugging at the roots. "You didn't answer your Alphas, little Omega," he pulled me back into his hard chest then, baring my neck in a forced submission I didn't wholly fight.

Even if I had my Wolf, I was no match for an Alpha, let alone three. And his hands on my skin made my heart race with fear and excitement.

Heath twitched beside us, glancing at his brothers for a moment, as if he was going to disagree with what was happening.

Sebastian wrapped his strong arm around my waist, effortlessly lifting me off the ground as if I weighed nothing. My heart raced, a mix of fear and a strange thrill surging through me. Trying to regain my composure, I finally found the words that spilled from my lips, masking my tumultuous emotions with a deep-rooted instinct I could never resist—especially not in front of them.

"I submit," I breathed, feeling a rush of vulnerability as I tilted my head to the side, exposing my neck fully to them, a gesture laden with both submission and trust.

Warrick's fingers brushed my chin, a gentle yet commanding touch that made a whimper escape my throat as he compelled me to meet his gaze. His voice, low and tinged with curiosity, held an undercurrent of something almost painful as he asked, "Why do you always submit instead of talking to us?" There was a flicker of hurt in his eyes, a raw honesty that unsettled me.

He traced his knuckle along my jawline, his eyes intensely searching mine, seeking answers that felt elusive. For a brief moment, the hard facade he often wore slipped away, revealing a softer, gentler side that made my heart ache.

With all the seriousness I could muster, I held his gaze, challenging him with my own. "Would you even care what I had to say?" I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended, cutting through the palpable tension in the air.

For a moment, his eyes darkened, the warmth fading as his hand dropped from my skin. "Fine, if that's how you see me," he replied, his tone hardening again. He leaned back, directing a look at Sebastian, and nodded slightly, a silent communication passing between them.

Sebastian tightened his grip momentarily before letting me go, a gasp escaping my lips as he unceremoniously dropped me back onto my feet, his fingers tangling roughly in my hair before releasing me.

"Do it properly," Warrick commanded, his eyes flashing with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

With my pulse pounding in my ears, I sank to my knees, the weight of his aura pressing down on me—powerful, suffocating, yet oddly intoxicating. Panic clawed at my throat, making it tight and constricted as I braced myself against the tide of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.

"I submit, my Alphas," I choked out, each word trembling with unrestrained emotion, my voice nearly breaking under the weight of it all.

“Good girl,” Warrick purred, the satisfaction flowing through his words like honey, smooth and intoxicating. An involuntary shiver darted through me at his praise, igniting a fire deep within that I couldn’t fully comprehend as our eyes locked. In that moment, I felt a connection, a ripple of something powerful and profound, a mixture of fear and excitement intertwining deep within me.

Sebastian's chuckle broke the tension, drawing my attention; his eyes gleamed with amusement. "You always end up on your knees around us, don't you, little doctor?"

Heath's gaze appeared almost apologetic, but he remained silent, his silence felt like a betrayal. I felt my cheeks flush at Seb's insinuation, my eyes fixed on the deep red carpet.

Warrick's hand closed firmly around my chin, tilting my head upward to meet his intense gaze. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I let out a small whimper, the sound slipping from my lips before I could catch it.

His eyes flashed a deep, midnight black at the noise, and for a brief moment, his mocking smile twisted into something more dangerous. "Oh, little wolf," he whispered, the term of endearment unexpected and disorienting, like a sudden chill sweeping through a warm room.

I clenched my jaw, steeling my resolve, the sparks of defiance igniting within me. "Don't belittle me," I snapped, the words coming out sharper than I intended as I met his gaze with a fierce glare. In an instant, his expression transformed—his amusement slipped away, replaced by a hard, unyielding look that sent a ripple of something charged between us.

Before I knew what happened, I was on my back on the floor, Warrick's hard body pressed between my thighs as he pinned me down and his teeth were at my neck.

"If I were truly belittling you, I would call you 'the help,' not use words meant for someone I consider my mate," he growled, his voice low and intimate as it brushed against my throat. A shiver of fear raced through my entire body, mingling awkwardly with a thrilling sense of excitement. Words meant for his mate? That caught me off guard.

Warrick didn’t have a mate—none of the triplet brothers did. Yet, the territory was buzzing with a multitude of She-Wolves, each vying for the position, eager to be chosen as one, or all, of their destined partners.

The word slipped from me, "Alpha,"

The weight of his presence loomed over me, I felt the muscles in his body tense, a storm brewing within him at my voice. His eyes flickered to a vibrant green, a color fraught with intensity and an untamed wildness that made my heart race. In an instant, he was on his feet, his gaze locked onto mine with an electrifying ferocity.

Without warning, he grabbed me, lifting me effortlessly off the ground and, in a decisive motion, hurled me toward the door. The swift, unexpected movement left me breathless, a swirl of emotions crashing over me as I tried to process the dizzying mix of fear and undeniable attraction.

"Get out," he snapped, a harsh edge to his voice that sent a shiver down my spine. As he spoke, his teeth elongated unnaturally into sharp canines, a clear display of his barely-contained anger. I opened my mouth to respond, but the worry swirling within me drowned out any semblance of fear I might have felt in the presence of such a powerful man.

His brothers, standing just behind him, exchanged a glance laden with unspoken tension, their expressions difficult to interpret. It was as if they were caught in a silent struggle—concern for me mingling with their loyalty to their brother. Meanwhile, his eyes ignited with a flash of black, and he snarled my name, an unmistakable command ringing in the air.

"Ariella, leave. Your day is over."

I felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over me as I turned on my heel, my heart racing. My hand lingered on the door handle, an instinctive hesitation taking hold as I fought the urge to look back at him. Just before I stepped out, I heard his voice again, softer, but laced with a bitterness that pained my heart.

"Happy birthday."

The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected, forcing me to pause. I gripped the door tightly, a mix of gratitude and sadness swirling within me. "T-thank you, Alpha Warrick," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper, before I fled the room, urgency propelling me forward.

I didn’t stop until I burst out of the Packhouse, the chill of the night air striking me like a reminder of my surroundings. My feet pounded against the cold pavement, each step a desperate push away from the chaos behind me. I dashed toward the distant glow of the library lights.

The library was an imposing mansion in itself, spiraling up several floors and holding walls filled with thousands of texts. The collection was a wide mix, ranging from modern How-To guides that promised to teach you everything from cooking to basic crafting, to ancient tomes from Homeworld, many of which were locked away, accessible only to the staff and high-ranked members.

I barely paid attention as I climbed to the fourth floor - Anatomy and Medcines.

I stayed until the lights were dimmed, signalling midnight was approaching, packing up my dissection books and the book on Lunar Madness I'd looked into.

Maybe it was why Warrick and his brothers were being weird.

I made my way down the spiralling staircase, finding the dim lights that clung to the walls barely flickering, an odd scent in the air I didn't recognise and Berta, the librarian, was nowhere to be seen.

As I approached the bottom of the stairs, the back office door that sat between was closed, catching my attention.

Without my Wolf, I couldn't be sure - but I was sure the smell was coming from there... a scent like sweet metal, the description of magic.

A voice echoed behind the door, my feet stopping as I recognised the voices of Doctor Alexa, the head of Emergency Response and Medicine, and Professor Emmett, head of Diplomacy and Relations.

"-We can't take anymore!" Alexa growled out, sounding exhausted and frustrated.

Emmett's voice snapped back, desperate. "We have to! If we say no, it could cause a myriad of problems."

Alexa's voice shook the walls, making me stumbled back. "Send them back - or I'll put them down as they come through!"

Who the hell were they talking about?

I went to step closer to the door, to hear them better - when a hand fell on my shoulder.

Before I could scream, the hand moved, clamping over my mouth and I was pulled back against a hard chest I knew too well.

"Ease dropping, are we, sweet girl?" Seb purred, dipping so his lips were next to my ear.

A flash of fear at being caught went through me. "No-" I snapped, the rest of my argument cut off when he suddenly picked me up and slung me over his shoulder, his large hands clamping down on my thighs making me squeak at the flash of pleasure I felt.

Seb glided effortlessly across the dimly lit hall, his confident strides bringing him closer to the front door. A playful smile danced on his lips as he spoke, "Oh good, you won't mind if I borrow you, then." His voice was smooth, tinged with a hint of mischief that piqued my curiosity.

I grasped the back of his oversized sweatshirt, pulling myself up slightly to peer over his broad shoulder. My heart raced as I caught a glimpse of his handsome features, illuminated by the soft glow of the moonlight that spilled through the window, casting a silver hue around us.

“I wanted to show you something,” he continued, his tone light, almost teasing.

“Show me something?” I echoed incredulously, my voice edged with disbelief. The idea of him wanting to reveal something felt absurd, but intrigue bubbled beneath my skepticism.

Before I could fully grasp what was happening, Seb gently lifted me off his shoulder and set me down on my feet with a playful grin spreading across his face. His expression was captivating, a mix of amusement and an indefinable emotion that sparked a flicker of unease within me.

What was that look in his eyes? Excitement? Anticipation? I didn’t have the energy to decode it. “What?” I snapped, my words coming out sharper than I intended.

He just laughed, acting as though he were completely oblivious to the undeniable tension. “Alpha Sebastian, what could you possibly need me for?” I asked, my voice losing some of its edge, betraying the breathless vibe that lingered at the back of my throat. Goddess, did I sound hopeful?

Seb let out a warm, infectious laugh that reverberated through me, causing my heart to flutter in my chest. “Honestly, I have no idea,” he admitted, catching me off guard. He shrugged nonchalantly, his playful demeanor unchanging. “Heath told me to come get you-”

“Oh, really?” I interrupted, crossing my arms stubbornly, a defensive posture against the confusion coursing through me. Seb’s grin widened, and then he pointed dramatically towards the sky.

My eyes instinctively shot upward, captivated by whatever he found beneath the expansive night.

Just then, a voice echoed from behind me, smooth and familiar. “Happy birthday, little wolf.”

The moment those words hit my ears, the full moon broke free from behind a cloud, its light bathing everything in a radiant glow. A primal howl tore from my throat, the sound raw and powerful as my Wolf stirred to life within me. In that instant, I felt an incredible surge ignite deep in my core, awakening instincts I never fully understood.