Sage's POV
I don't sleep.
How can I, knowing Marcus expects an answer in three days? Knowing that if I don't surrender, he'll torture and kill Kael, Damon, and Ryder while I watch?
By dawn, I've made a decision. A terrible one.
I'm going to tell the three Alphas about Marcus's ultimatum. Let them decide if my life is worth theirs.
But when I open my door at sunrise, Nova is waiting.
We need to talk, she says. Before you do something stupid.
My stomach drops. You knew about the message.
I know everything that happens in this fortress. Nova walks past me into my room uninvited. And I know you're planning to sacrifice yourself. Don't.
You don't understand
I understand perfectly. Her ageless eyes pin me. Marcus is a liar. Even if you surrender, he'll still kill your Alphas. He wants revenge on everyone, Sage. Giving yourself to him won't save anyone.
The hope I didn't know I was holding crumbles. Then what do I do?
You get stronger. Fast. Nova sits on my bed. Which is why I'm here. You need to understand what you are and what you can do. Starting with the mate bond.
Despite everything, curiosity wins. I sit across from her. The bond is why I feel pulled to all three of them?
Yes. But it's more than attraction. Nova's hands glow softly. The mate bond has three stages. First recognition. What you felt when you met them at the diner. Your wolf recognizing its perfect match.
But I have three matches. How is that possible?
It shouldn't be. In all of history, Omegas have only ever bonded with one Alpha. You're unique. Nova's smile is mysterious. Maybe fate is trying to tell you something.
Or fate is trying to kill me, I mutter. What's stage two?
Partial bonding. It happens through time, trust, and intimacy. The more you connect with an Alpha emotionally or physically the stronger the bond becomes. You'll start sharing emotions. Feeling their pain. Hearing their thoughts.
My eyes widen. They can read my mind?
Not yet. But if you complete stage three, yes. Nova stands and moves to the window. Complete bonding is a ritual. Ancient magic that permanently fuses an Alpha and Omega's souls and powers. Once bonded, you're connected forever. You amplify each other's strength, share lifespans, become one being in two bodies.
That sounds...
Intense? Terrifying? Permanent? Nova turns back. It is. But it's also the most powerful magic in our world. A bonded pair is nearly unstoppable.
And I'm supposed to do this with one of them before the lunar eclipse.
Or attempt it with all three and probably die in the process. Nova's face is grave. Your mother tried the Trial of Three. She loved three Alphas equally and couldn't choose. The ritual killed all four of them.
Pain lances through my chest. Then why tell me about it? Why give me false hope?
Because you're not your mother. Nova kneels in front of me. She was powerful, yes. But she was also desperate and rushed the ritual without preparation. You have something she didn't time to train, and three Alphas who actually trust each other.
They hate each other, I point out.
They did. But they fought together to save you from Marcus. That's a start. Nova stands. The choice is yours, Sage. One Alpha and safety. Or three Alphas and the possibility of either saving the world or destroying it.
She leaves before I can ask more questions.
I sit alone, my head spinning with information and impossible choices.
A knock at the door. All three Alphas enter, and I can feel the tension radiating from them.
We need to talk, Kael says.
My heart races. Do they know about Marcus's message?
We've decided on a new plan, Damon continues. To help you choose.
Oh. This is about the mate bond, not the ultimatum.
Each of us gets one week with you, Ryder explains. Separate territories. You'll learn about our packs, our lives, who we are when we're not fighting over you.
You're still fighting over me, I point out.
Yes, Kael admits bluntly. But we're trying to do it honorably. Give you real choice instead of pressure.
I study each of them. Yesterday they were my captors. Today they're offering me something that almost looks like respect.
I have conditions, I say.
Name them, Damon responds.
I want to learn to fight. Really fight, not just basic self-defense. I want to understand my Omega powers and how to control them. And I want complete honesty no more hiding parts of prophecies or secrets.
The three Alphas exchange looks.
Deal, Kael says finally. He extends his hand. This week, you're in my territory. I'll teach you everything I know about combat and survival.
I take his hand.
The moment our skin touches, fire shoots up my arm. Not painful perfect. Like every nerve ending just woke up for the first time. The mate bond flares to life, singing in my blood.
Kael's breath catches. His ice blue eyes flash gold for a second, and I feel something that isn't mine his wolf, recognizing me. Wanting me. Needing me with an intensity that steals my breath.
I yank my hand away, but the warmth remains.
That's stage two beginning, Nova's voice says from the doorway. The partial bond forming. The more time you spend together, the stronger it gets. Eventually, you won't be able to tell where you end and they begin.
That's terrifying, I whisper.
That's love, Ryder corrects softly.
I'm not ready for this. For any of this.
But I don't have a choice. Not with Marcus's deadline looming. Not with millions of lives depending on my decision.
When do we start? I ask Kael.
Now. His smile is sharp. Hope you're ready for pain, because I don't train gently.
He leads me out of the room. Damon and Ryder follow, and I feel their eyes on me three predators watching their prey.
Except I'm not prey anymore.
I'm becoming something else. Something powerful.
I just hope I survive long enough to figure out what.
We're halfway to the training grounds when alarm bells shatter the morning.
Kael's entire body goes rigid. That's the perimeter warning. Someone breached our defenses.
Impossible, Damon snarls. This fortress is warded against
An explosion rocks the building. Stone rains from the ceiling. I'm thrown sideways, but Ryder catches me.
Through the smoke and chaos, I see them.
Dozens of wolves pouring through a massive hole blown in the fortress wall. Silver and black fur. Red glowing eyes.
Marcus's army.
But they shouldn't be able to get through the wards. Unless
Someone let them in, Kael says grimly. We have a traitor.
Another explosion. Closer this time.
And through the smoke walks Marcus himself, in human form, smiling like this is the best day of his life.
Hello, daughter, he calls out. I got tired of waiting three days. So I'm taking you now.
He snaps his fingers.
A wolf tackles Kael from behind. Another goes for Damon. Three more surround Ryder.
My three Alphas shift and fight, but they're outnumbered ten to one.
Marcus walks straight toward me, ignoring the battle. Nothing touches his wolves have created a clear path.
You can come willingly, he says, or I can knock you unconscious and drag you. Either way, you're leaving with me.
I look at my three Alphas bleeding, fighting desperately, being overwhelmed.
I could run. Try to escape in the chaos.
Or I could surrender to save them.
Before I can decide, Marcus's hand shoots out and grabs my wrist.
Pain explodes through me worse than shifting, worse than anything. It feels like my soul is being ripped apart.
what are you doing? I gasp.
Marcus's smile is vicious. Starting the forced bond, daughter. It won't be complete until the ritual, but this will make sure you can't run from me. You're mine now.
His mark burns into my wrist black and twisted, nothing like the beautiful bonds I've seen.
Through the pain, I hear Kael roar with rage. Feel Damon's fury through our partial bond. Sense Ryder's desperate fear.
And I realize the truth.
Marcus isn't just trying to kidnap me.
He's trying to bond with me before the three Alphas can.
And if he succeeds, I'll be his weapon forever.