Selene felt the moment her life split in two.
One half was the past she had fought tooth and claw to protect—quiet mornings, careful routines, three small hands gripping hers as they crossed the street. A fragile illusion of safety she had built piece by piece.
The other half stood before her now.
Alpha Silas Blackclaw.
Power radiated from him unchecked, rolling through the small office like a living thing. The walls creaked softly under the pressure. Even the humans in the hallway had gone silent, instinctively sensing the predator at the center of the storm.
Selene's body reacted before her mind could catch up. Her wolf pressed forward, aching, terrified, torn between fear and recognition.
Mate.
She hated that word.
She tightened her grip on Lyra, her fingers trembling as Silas straightened to his full height. He was enormous up close—broad shoulders, sharp jaw, silver eyes that missed nothing. His gaze flicked briefly to the door, calculating, then back to her.
"This place is compromised," he said flatly. "You and the children are leaving."
"No," Selene said immediately.
Her voice shook, but she didn't back down.
Silas's eyes narrowed. "That wasn't a request."
Selene laughed weakly. "It never is with Alphas like you."
Kai bristled at that, stepping forward before Selene could stop him. "Don't talk to my mom like that."
Silas froze.
Slowly, his gaze dropped to the boy.
Kai stood stiffly, fists clenched at his sides, silver eyes burning with defiance. He looked so much like Silas had at that age it stole the breath from his lungs.
Silas crouched slightly, lowering himself without losing dominance. "You're brave," he said quietly. "But you don't understand what's happening."
"I understand enough," Kai snapped. "You scare her."
Silas inhaled sharply.
Selene pulled Kai back instinctively. "Enough. All of you, stay behind me."
Rowan didn't move.
He stood his ground, chin lifted, watching Silas with unsettling intensity. "If we go with you," Rowan said calmly, "will you hurt her?"
The question cut deeper than any insult.
Silas straightened slowly. "No."
Rowan studied him, eyes narrowing. "Promise."
Silas didn't hesitate. "On my life."
The bond surged violently at the vow.
Selene felt it too—felt the truth ring through it, undeniable and terrifying.
She shook her head. "Promises from Alphas mean nothing."
Silas's gaze snapped back to her. "You think I wanted this?" he demanded quietly. "You think I planned to find my children exposed in a human school?"
Selene flinched.
"You made that choice," he continued. "And now every pack within a hundred miles will feel the ripple."
As if summoned by his words, the bond tightened again—urgent, warning.
Silas swore under his breath.
"They're coming," he said. "Scouts. Rivals. Anyone who sensed the shift."
Selene's blood ran cold. "Then let us go."
Silas stepped closer. "You wouldn't make it ten miles."
The truth of that settled like a weight on her chest.
Sirens wailed faintly in the distance.
Silas made a decision.
"We leave now."
Before Selene could protest, he pulled a phone from his pocket and issued rapid orders. Within minutes, the air outside the school changed—wolves arrived silently, efficiently, securing exits, blocking human access.
Selene watched in horror as her worst nightmare unfolded.
"This is kidnapping," she whispered.
Silas met her gaze steadily. "This is protection."
He turned to the children. "You'll ride with me."
"No," Selene said fiercely. "They stay with me."
Silas hesitated—just for a second—then nodded. "Fine. But you don't leave my sight."
The drive was a blur.
Selene sat rigid in the back seat, Lyra curled into her side, Kai staring out the window, Rowan silent as stone. The city fell away behind them, replaced by forests and mountains.
Territory.
Silas's land.
The moment they crossed the boundary, Selene felt it—power thickening, ancient and absolute. The pack's presence wrapped around them like a net.
The compound emerged from the trees like a fortress.
Stone walls. Iron gates. Wolves everywhere.
The gates opened at Silas's approach.
Selene's heart sank.
They were trapped.
As soon as the car stopped, wolves gathered—Alphas, Betas, warriors. Their gazes snapped to the children instantly, shock rippling through the crowd.
Triplets.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
Silas exited the vehicle first, dominance flaring.
"Anyone who looks at them without permission loses their eyes," he said coldly.
Silence fell.
Selene stepped out slowly, her legs weak.
This was enemy territory.
She felt it in every breath.
Inside the main hall, the pack assembled quickly. Silas took his place at the head, Selene and the children beside him like unwilling royalty.
"This is my mate," Silas announced.
Selene stiffened. "I am not—"
"And these," he continued, cutting her off, "are my heirs."
Gasps echoed.
Selene's vision blurred.
Heirs.
Ownership.
The children reacted instantly.
Kai's eyes widened. Rowan went completely still. Lyra pressed closer to Selene, whimpering softly.
"No," Selene whispered. "You don't get to claim them like that."
Silas leaned close, voice low. "They already are."
The room trembled.
Selene realized then that the war she had feared had already begun.
And she was standing at the center of it