Chapter 1"Raven, Ryker, and Rebel! Get your tails down here NOW for breakfast and to finalize the details for your Turning ceremony!"
Our Luna mother, Celeste Blackthorne, howled from the kitchen. Oh right, I should mention - we're triplets and tomorrow marks our 18th birthday!
The day we'll discover our fated mates and undergo our first shift at exactly 11:47 PM. The moment we entered this world.
"Triple Threat, move your asses or you'll be late for the academy!"
Alpha Dad's command echoed through the packhouse. That's what Alpha Dante calls us when we're dragging our feet and he needs all three of us at once.
As I pull on my oversized hoodie, let me paint you a picture of the Triple Threat.
First up is Ryker, our eldest by mere minutes.
Standing at 6'10" with bronze skin inherited from Luna Mom and the powerful build of our Alpha Dad. His storm-gray eyes have an intensity that makes even seasoned warriors submit.
Despite having she-wolves constantly throwing themselves at him, Ryker remains loyal to the mate bond.
My brother is devastatingly handsome and my closest confidant. He's our future Alpha, born to lead the Shadow Ridge Pack.
Then there's me - the middle pup.
I have honey-kissed skin and amber eyes that mirror Dad's wolf form.
I'm in phenomenal shape thanks to secret training sessions with Alpha Dad. The Moon Goddess whispered to my parents that my wolf would be... exceptional.
But nobody knows what lies beneath these baggy clothes I armor myself with. I refuse to let anyone see my true form.
I also wear thick-rimmed glasses, so the academy wolves have branded me as "ugly," "fat," and "four-eyes." If only they knew the truth.
Last comes my sister Rebel - and yes, I'm rolling my eyes.
She's blessed with rich mocha skin, chocolate-brown eyes, and waist-length auburn hair.
Rebel is undeniably beautiful, but she's also the pack's biggest attention-seeker. She's constantly throwing herself at the future Alpha of the neighboring Midnight Fang Pack.
We share the Thornfield Academy with their pack after their school was destroyed in a rogue attack.
We finally descend to the kitchen. Ryker's wearing fitted dark jeans, a charcoal V-neck that shows off his Alpha build, and the latest designer boots.
Even though it's blazing hot in Colorado right now, I'm bundled in an oversized hoodie and baggy joggers with my favorite sneakers.
Leave it to Rebel to be wearing a barely-there skirt, tight low-cut shirt, and five-inch designer heels.
Now, it's time to head to the academy. I hate going but it's our final year and I have straight A's.
"Mom and Dad, I don't want to ride with Raven. She's embarrassing," my sister whines.
"Yes you do because your brother already left and you've totaled your last three vehicles," Dad growls.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME AT SCHOOL, NERD!" she yells at me.
Huh, Clearly, this is going to be a long day.
Thank the Moon Goddess it's Friday!
Chapter 2
Raven's POV
We make it to the academy with Rebel complaining the whole way.
I parked my 2025 black Challenger in my spot designated for the Alpha's offspring.
Next to me, I see my brother's black 2025 Charger already in his spot.
Yes, our parents are wealthy. In the human world, Dad is a successful businessman.
On the other side of my brother's car sits a midnight blue Corvette. By the way my sister just squealed, I know that belongs to the Midnight Fang's future Alpha, Axel Sterling.
I try to stay clear of him because for some reason he despises me. He leads the pack in name-calling and cruelty.
His twin sister, Lyra, is my best friend. Their birthdays are tomorrow too, and my dad and her dad thought it would be brilliant to combine our ceremonies since Rebel is so convinced Axel is her fated mate.
Although he's absolutely vicious towards me, he's still gorgeous to look at. He's about 6'10" like my brother Ryker.
He has piercing blue eyes. Yes, this stunning wolf has gorgeous blue eyes that you could get lost in.
He has perfectly styled dark hair that I would love to run my hands through. And those abs that are always visible in those fitted tees he wears.
Wait a minute. Snap out of it, Raven. I hate him as much as he hates me.
As soon as I walk to my locker, the name-calling begins. "Hey fatso, nerd, loser, ugly, four-eyes" are only a few of the many.
They only do this when Ryker isn't around. Rebel, her shallow friends, and Axel are the ringleaders.
I don't say anything because they always threaten that "snitches get stitches." I'm not afraid of them though. Dad says I can beat anyone, including an Alpha.
I've even mastered getting him to submit when we spar.
Axel hates me but his twin sister Lyra is always attached to my hip.
She always tries to make me dress more feminine. She also wants me to ditch the thick glasses.
She walks up to me and slings her arm over my shoulder.
"Raven, why do you let them treat you like this? I know you could destroy them! Why hold back?"
I don't give her an answer to that. Instead I grab my books from my locker and sigh.
"Let's just go to class."
Lyra and I have all of our classes together. My brother's best friend and future Beta, Knox, and his future Gamma, Zane, are in my first couple of classes.
They report back to my super protective brother anything that happens. So at least those classes are uneventful and I have a brief reprieve from the harsh treatment.
The bell rings and finally it's lunch time. I'm really looking forward to seeing all of my wonderful friends at Thornfield Academy. (Note the sarcasm.)
Here come the fat jokes!
I say to myself, "Just ignore it, Raven, because you know none of it's true."
I know this but it still hurts that these jerks can be so cruel. It hurts even more that my sister joins in.
Chapter 3
Raven's POV
Lyra and I walk into the lunch cafeteria.
"Lyra, why are you hanging with that loser?"
"Hey fatty, you should skip lunch."
"Lyra, sit over here with us and let the loser eat alone."
Everyone is pointing and laughing.
My eyes tear up but I won't give them the satisfaction of letting one fall.
I break free from Lyra's grip and turn to run out , but crash straight into someone, landing hard on my ass.
"Watch where you're going, ugly bitch!" Axel shouts as he kicks me in the ribs.
"I feel sorry for whoever will be tied to you as a mate. He's probably going to reject your pathetic ass as soon as he lays eyes on you."
His words cut deep, but he's not done.
"After all, who would want a weak, pathetic, fat four-eyed bitch as a mate? I bet you'll be alone for the rest of your miserable life."
"Look at how you dress. Who would want to be seen with you?"
Axel continued his verbal assault, then finally walked off after kicking me in the face. I know that will leave a nasty bruise.
I stayed there for a moment wondering why people could be so cruel. Ryker walks in and sees me lying on the hallway floor crying.
He sits beside me and wraps his arm around me.
"Who the fuck did this to you, Raven?"
Knox and Zane walk up and they're just as furious as Ryker. They see me as their little sister too.
I don't answer. I just lean into Ryker and cry.
"Raven, answer me damn it! Who did this to you?"
I cry even harder. He kisses my forehead.
"I'll leave it alone for now, but if I find out who it is, they have a beat down coming!"
I mind-link Mom and tell her I don't feel well and want to come home. Dad is at the academy in a meeting with the Headmaster about some rogue sightings at the edge of the woods.
I didn't want him to see me like this because it would be hell to pay. As much as I hate Axel, I didn't want him to die today if Ryker or Dad found out.
My Dad is an Alpha you don't want to mess with. Cross him and only get your neck snapped.
Dad does not play about his princess. Yes, I'm a Daddy's girl in case you haven't figured that out yet.
Mom told me I can come home. So I'm out of this hell hole.
Maybe she'll let me skip the ceremony tomorrow night. Alpha Kai, Luna Seraphina, Axel, Lyra, his future Beta Cole, and future Gamma Ren will all be staying in our pack to help prepare.
FML... Why can't they have their own ceremony at the Midnight Fang Pack?
