The guards dragged Aria back to Moonhold like a prisoner. Her wrists burned from the silver chains Magnus had ordered—chains that stopped her growing Moon Wolf powers.
The triplets walked behind her, their looks grim.
"This is wrong," Caden whispered to his brothers.
"Shut up," Caleb hissed back. "Father will hear you."
But Cyrus looked worried too. "What if the omega woman was saying the truth? What if we're helping kill Aria?"
Magnus's words cut through their quiet talk. "My sons seem confused about loyalty."
They reached the castle as storm clouds gathered overhead. Magnus led them right to the dungeon—a place Aria had never seen before. Stone walls dripped with moisture. Iron bars cast long shadows.
"Put her in the Moon Chamber," Magnus ordered the guards.
Aria's blood froze. She'd heard tales about the Moon Chamber—where pack criminals waited for execution.
"Father, please," Caden stepped forward. "She hasn't done anything wrong."
Magnus backhanded his youngest son so hard Caden tripped. "Questioning me again? Perhaps you need to join her."
"No," Aria said quickly. "I'll go gladly. Just don't hurt him."
Magnus smiled coldly. "How sweet. The omega guards her Alpha. Soon you'll understand—protection means loss."
They locked Aria in a cell slightly bigger than a closet. Moonlight streamed through a tiny window, making the silver chains glow. She could feel her powers trapped inside her, desperate to break free.
Hours passed.
Finally, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
"Aria?" Liana's voice called softly. "Are you awake?"
Aria looked up, shocked. Liana stood outside the bars, carrying a water bucket and clean clothes.
"I brought supplies," Liana said, opening the cell. "Magnus wants you cleaned up for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"The ritual begins at dawn." Liana's honey-colored eyes showed false pity. "I'm so sorry this happened to you."
But something felt wrong. Liana's scent held traces of the forest—and something else. Something familiar.
"You were with the rogues," Aria realized.
Liana's mask slipped for just a second. Then she smiled sweetly. "Don't be stupid. I was caught, remember?"
"Your bonds were loose. You escaped too easily."
"You're imagining things." Liana stepped closer. "The stress is affecting your mind."
"No." Aria stood slowly. "You planned this whole thing."
Liana's laugh was sharp as broken glass. "Finally figured it out? I wondered how long it would take."
"Why?"
"Because you stole my life!" Liana's careful calm cracked completely. "I was going to be Luna. I spent years preparing, learning, making myself perfect for Caleb. Then you came and ruined everything."
"I never wanted any of this."
"But you took it anyway." Liana circled like a hunting cat. "Poor little omega, suddenly important. Do you know what it's like watching everyone fawn over someone who doesn't deserve it?"
Aria felt the mate bond pulling at her heart. Even through the metal chains, she could sense the triplets somewhere above—worried, angry, planning.
"The rogues are working for you," she said.
"Smart girl. Too bad it won't save you." Liana pulled out a small silver knife. "This blade is dipped in wolfsbane. One cut, and your Moon Wolf skills will be gone forever."
"Magnus needs those powers for his ritual."
"Magnus is a fool who thinks he can control ancient magic." Liana's eyes blazed with hate. "I have a better plan."
"Which is?"
"Simple. You die. The mate tie breaks. The triplets are free to choose normal mates—starting with Caleb choosing me."
Aria backed against the wall. "They'll never forgive you."
"They'll never know it was me." Liana raised the knife. "Everyone will think you died trying to escape. So sad. So convenient."
The blade flashed toward Aria's throat— A hand caught Liana's wrist. "I don't think so," Caden said quietly.
Liana spun, shocked. "How did you get down here?"
"Secret passages," Caden answered, twisting the knife from her grip. "This castle is full of them."
"You don't understand," Liana said desperately. "She's dangerous. The Moon Wolf power will corrupt her."
"The only corruption I see is you." Caden's blue eyes burned with disgust. "How long have you been planning this?"
"Since the day she arrived," Liana spat. "Since everyone started treating a worthless omega like a princess."
"She's not worthless."
"She's nothing special!" Liana screamed. "I'm pretty, I'm smart, I'm from a good family. Why does everyone choose her over me?"
"Because she has something you'll never have," Caden said softly.
"What?"
"A good heart."
Liana's face twisted with rage. She lunged at Aria with her bare hands, claws extended— And froze mid-attack.
Aria's eyes glowed silver, power swirling around her despite the chains. "Don't. Move."
"Impossible," Liana whispered. "The chains should block your magic."
"Maybe I'm stronger than you thought."
"How are you doing this?" Caden asked in amazement.
"I don't know." Aria felt energy coursing through her veins like liquid stars. "It's like the chains can't hold all of it anymore."
Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway. Magnus appeared with a dozen guards, his face black with anger. "What is this?"
"Liana tried to kill Aria," Caden reported.
"Liar!" Liana screamed, but her guilt was written across her face.
Magnus studied the scene—the dropped knife, Liana's defensive stance, Aria glowing with barely controlled power.
"Interesting," he said slowly. "It seems our Moon Wolf is maturing faster than expected."
"I was trying to help," Liana complained. "She's dangerous."
"Yes," Magnus agreed. "She is. Guard, arrest Beta Voss's daughter for betrayal."
As they dragged Liana away, she screamed back at Aria: "This isn't over! I have friends you haven't met yet!"
Magnus watched her go with cold satisfaction. "One problem solved. Now for the bigger issue."
He gestured to Aria, whose power was getting stronger by the minute. The silver chains were starting to crack.
"The ritual must happen tonight," Magnus decided. "She's too powerful to contain much longer."
"Father, please," Caden begged. "There has to be another way."
"There is no other way." Magnus's voice was final. "Gather your brothers. The Moon Wolf transformation begins in one hour."
He left with most of the guards, but three stayed to watch Aria. She could feel her strength building like a storm about to break.
"Caden," she whispered quickly. "The secret passages you mentioned—can they get us out of here?"
"Not all of us. And not with those guards watching."
"Then we need a distraction."
"What kind of distraction?"
Aria looked at the cracking silver chains around her wrists. Power pulsed beneath her skin, begging to be released. "The kind that brings down the castle."
Before Caden could stop her, Aria closed her eyes and let her Moon Wolf power explode outward. The chains snapped. The stone walls shook.
And somewhere far above them, Magnus Draven smiled as he felt the old ritual finally begin.