Maeve didn't sleep at all that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those glowing red eyes of the strange dog. And Raiden's face – worried and fierce – kept appearing in her mind. The morning sun finally peeked through her window blinds. Maeve touched her grandmother's ring. It looked normal now – no glow, no heat. Had she dreamed everything? Her phone buzzed. A message from Calla: Where did you go last night? Everyone was asking about the missing party girl. Maeve frowned. No one had noticed her at the party except Raiden, and he only saw her because she was alone in the woods. She typed back: Wasn't feeling well. Did you have fun? Calla's answer came quickly: Alpha Braden spoke to me about becoming Luna! And Cade danced with me TWICE! Call me later. Maeve put her phone down. Of course Calla was getting closer to her perfect future while Maeve was running from scary wolves in the dark. She got out of bed and looked in the mirror. Same brown hair, same green eyes, same Maeve. But something felt different inside her chest, like a tiny light had started burning there. "I need fresh air," she decided. Outside, the spring morning was bright and cool. Most pack members would be sleeping late after the bonfire, so Maeve had the paths to herself. Perfect. She went to Silver Creek, her favorite spot in pack territory. The water always calmed her thoughts. As she walked, birds sang in the trees.
Everything seemed normal – not like last night when the forest felt alive with danger. Her fingers touched the wolf charm on her bracelet. What had made it glow? The sound of rushing water got louder as she neared the creek. But as she rounded the bend in the trail, she stopped short. Someone was already there. A tall figure stood with his back to her, skipping stones across the water. Even from behind, she recognized him instantly. Ash – the most serious of the triplets. His black hair was slightly messy, as if he hadn't tried to brush it. Maeve paused. She should leave. Alphas didn't like being interrupted, especially by omegas. As she turned to go, her foot caught on a root. She stumbled forward with a small yelp. Ash spun around, aware and ready. His gray eyes locked onto her. "Sorry!" Maeve said quickly. "I didn't know anyone was here. I'll go." "Wait." His voice was deep but softer than she expected. "You're... Calla's friend, right?" Maeve nodded, shocked he knew who she was. "Maeve." Ash picked up another stone and skipped it across the water. It bounced seven times before sinking. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked, not looking at her. "No." She stepped closer to the water's edge, keeping space between them. "Too much thinking." He nodded like he understood exactly what she meant. "Same." They stood in silence for a minute. It wasn't as uncomfortable as Maeve expected. Ash had always seemed so serious and unapproachable from afar, but up close, there was something calming about him. "Want to try?" He held out a flat stone to her. Maeve paused, then reached for it. Their fingers brushed. A jolt of electricity shot up her arm. The feeling was both painful and wonderful at the same time – like being hit by lightning but somehow enjoying it. Ash yanked his hand back as if burned. The stone fell to the ground between them.
They stared at each other, both wide-eyed and breathing hard. "What was that?" Maeve whispered, rubbing her tingly fingers. Ash's face had gone pale. His eyes dropped to her wrist, where her bracelet now glowed softly blue, just like last night. "Where did you get that?" he asked, his voice suddenly harsh. "It was my grandmother's," Maeve explained, confused by the same question Raiden had asked. "Why does it matter?" Ash ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up even more. He looked worried, almost afraid. "Yesterday was your birthday?" he asked. "Yes." "Eighteenth?" "Yes, but how—" "Did you meet Raiden last night?" Ash interrupted, stepping closer. Maeve nodded, her heart racing. "In the woods. He told me to go back to the party." Ash grumbled something under his breath that sounded like a curse. "Did he touch you?" "No," Maeve said, feeling strange about this questioning. "Why are you asking me these things?" Instead of saying, Ash looked up at the sky. The morning sun was bright, but somehow the moon was still visible – a tiny white circle hanging in the blue. "Moon magic," he whispered. "What?" He shook his head. "Nothing." But he took another step backward, putting more space between them. "Look, just stay away from me and my brothers for a while, okay?" His voice was firm but not rude. Maeve felt a stab of hurt. What had she done wrong? "That shouldn't be hard," she said, trying to sound like she didn't care. "Omegas and Alphas don't exactly hang out." Something flashed in Ash's eyes – surprise, maybe, or something else she couldn't read. "You don't know, do you?" he asked quietly. "Know what?" He opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again. His eyes went to her bracelet once more. "Ask your mother about that bracelet," he finally said. "And whatever you do, don't go into the woods alone again." Before Maeve could ask why, a howl echoed through the woods – the same strange, unnatural howl from last night. Ash's head snapped toward the sound. His body tensed, ready for action. "Go home, Maeve," he ordered. "Now." He turned to leave but paused. "And don't tell anyone you saw me here. Especially not Calla." Then he was running, disappearing into the trees with Alpha speed and ease. Maeve stood frozen, her mind spinning with questions.
First Raiden, now Ash – both triplets had responded strangely to her bracelet and both had warned her about the woods. As she turned to head home, something caught her eye. On the ground where Ash had been standing was a small notebook. He must have dropped it when he ran. Maeve picked it up. Should she open it? It wasn't hers, but maybe it held solutions to all these strange questions. Before she could decide, she heard rustling in the woods behind her. She spun around, heart beating. Nothing was there. But the feeling of being watched crept over her skin. She clutched the notebook to her chest and ran, not slowing until her house came into view. Only when she was safely inside did she examine her find. The notebook was small and old, with a leather cover. No name, no marks. Maeve's fingers trembled as she opened it. Inside, written in neat handwriting, was a list of names. Her eyes scanned down the page until she froze at one particular entry: Maeve Graham – possible match – bloodline unconfirmed – watch for signs after 18th birthday Below that, in fresher ink, as if just added: Connection proven with R. Must test with A and C. R, A, and C. Raiden, Ash, and Cade? Maeve's hands shook harder. Why was her name in Ash's notebook? What did "potential match" mean? And what "connection" had been confirmed with Raiden? The last page of the notebook had a picture of a bracelet – her bracelet – with the wolf charm circled multiple times. Beside it were written three words that made Maeve's blood run cold: Find her first. Maeve closed the notebook and looked at her band again. It was shining brighter now, pulsing like a heartbeat. Who was trying to find her? And why did the Alpha's kids seem to know more about her than she knew about herself? One thing was clear – her regular life as an overlooked omega was over. Whether she wanted it or not, Maeve Graham had just become important to the most powerful dogs in the pack.