~Nyra

"Why do werewolves always like to get in our way?" the lead vampire demanded.

"You're in our territory. Hand over the girl and you get to walk away alive," the golden-eyed brother stated.

There was authority in his voice, and I figured the triplets had to be men of high status in the pack. I never really paid attention to the hierarchy of this pack since it had only been a month since we moved, and I had been more interested in feeding my mother and I than sightseeing.

Rufus laughed as his grip tightened against my neck. "She's ours to take."

With that, two of the vampires leaped forward at the triplets while Rufus kept holding me in place.

Sudden and strange fog scattered across the space, and I was in time to see the triplets' eyes change color. Each of their left eyes morphed into a crimson glow, just like the vampires, and they released animalistic roars.

In that instant, I knew the vampires were no longer the predators but the prey-and the triplets had become the monsters to be feared the most.

The fog around us thickened, and it became impossible for me to see what was happening. Rufus had to join in at one point because the screams were only coming from the vampires.

My body shook with fear, and I was too scared to even move an inch. I was so close to wetting myself when all the noise suddenly died down and I was left alone, standing in the fog.

My tremors intensified as I shakily looked around, waiting for my own doom to come for me. Those monster triplets were probably going to kill me next, just like the vampires.

To me, they were even worse than Eryndor, whom I had spent the past years running from.

The fog began to clear, and I saw them-the monsters-staring back at me from where they stood.

They were shirtless now, their clothes obviously torn from their murderous activities. Their strange fangs were out as they assessed me.

The one with golden eyes stepped forward and I gasped.

"Stay back!"

He chuckled as his fangs went back into his mouth. "It will be morning soon. I guess we'll just have to continue this some other day, don't you think so too, brothers?"

He slowly licked his lips as if he were already imagining savoring me as his prey.

His brothers nodded in response and, just like that, they vanished into thin air-like they never existed in the first place.

That was when I released the breath I didn't know I had been holding. The tears from the fear I had just experienced started flowing down my cheeks and I sobbed quietly.

It took a while before I regained my composure. I tried not to look at the corpse of the fallen vampires that lay on the floor as I started to run down the streets.

There was only one way to avoid my impending doom from Eryndor's vampires-who had already caught up to me-and this new target I had on my back from those strange triplet brothers...

It was time to run away again.

I released a shaky breath as our small house came into view. I ran to the front door and tried to push it open when I realized that it was locked from the inside.

The sun was already beginning to rise; I had stayed out too long and I knew that my mother was going to make a fuss. I didn't care-the plan was to walk in and start packing immediately.

So I started banging hard on the door, not caring that I would wake the neighbors. We were leaving anyway.

"Gods! Who the fuck is banging at my door so early in the morning?" my mother's voice resonated from behind the door.

I heard her unlock it, and when she saw me and the state I was in, she gasped.

"What happened to you? Where have you been? I waited forever for you!" she cried, her hazel-brown eyes twinkling with worry.

I released a shaky breath as I walked into the house and locked the door behind me twice. I couldn't have any more unexpected visitors.

"Mom, we need to leave," I whispered shakily as I walked to my room.

"What? Leave? Why? We just got here and I'm already getting comfortable," she complained.

I shook my head at her as I entered our only room and pulled out my luggage. "Mom, it's no longer safe for us here. I almost got kidnapped."

She gasped. "Eryndor has found us." Her voice grew cold with fear instantly, and I looked up to see that she had become pale.

"Yes, he has. We need to leave now before he sends more vampires after us. It's a miracle I'm still here." I began to throw my clothes into my bag.

"There's something I need to tell you, Nyra." I saw her fidgeting, but I pushed it aside.

Whatever it was couldn't be as serious as us getting away from here.

"Mom, I'll listen to whatever you have to say after we have left this place. You need to start packing now. We don't have much time. I can't afford to go back to Eryndor again, not after what we went through together at that place."

I turned to the wardrobe and decided at the last minute that it was better to travel light. All these luggages were going to hold us back.

"You know what-no need to pack. Just take what is necessary." I grabbed a small bag and threw in a few clothes.

I released a satisfied breath, only to turn around and see that my mother was still standing behind me, idle.

"Mom! Didn't you hear a word I said? Why aren't you packing? We need to leave!" I yelled in disbelief.

But she shook her head at me. "That's what I'm trying to talk to you about, Nyra. We're not leaving."

I gaped at her in shock as if she had grown a second head. "Why not?"

She showed me her left hand and I caught sight of a bracelet I didn't recognize. Then I saw a ring with an emerald gem on it. "We don't have to run anymore."

"I don't understand-what are you trying to say, Mom?"

She sighed heavily. "I got married yesterday, Nyra. I got married to the most powerful man in the world."

I kept staring at her as if she had lost her mind.

"I got married to Lycan Reid Thornevale, King and Alpha of Blood Hollow Pack."

~Nyra

"What?" I exclaimed, glaring at her in shock.

None of this made sense to me anymore.

"H–how?" I blinked multiple times at her. "You're a human and he's a werewolf. Not just any kind, but a Lycan-and the King, too."

She folded her arms and waited for me to finish ranting.

"You're not of the same status or species. He's not even in your league. Where did you even meet him? When did you fall in love? When did you get married?" I screamed.

Mother smiled. "I told you I still had charm, but you never believed me. I'm not that old, Nyra. I gave birth to you. I know my worth-even as a human. No man can resist me. Not even a Lycan King."

I parted my lips, baffled by the fact that she chose now, of all times, to brag.

"Mom, do you even realize what you're walking into? It means you're automatically his Luna, and that pulls you into his world of supernatural beings. Do you think the other werewolves here will welcome a human Luna?"

She sighed. "You worry too much. The werewolves here respect their king. They won't dare do anything that could anger me. And since we're in love, they'll accept me."

I scoffed at the word. "In love? Mom, I've never seen you interested in a man before. Sometimes I wonder how you even charmed my father-may his soul rest in peace."

She waved me off. "Believe what you want. It won't change the fact that I'm already married, and we're moving in with him immediately."

"We?" I shrieked.

"Shut up. Don't scream at your mother!" she snapped. "I'm doing this for us. How long do you plan on running from Eryndor? Aren't you tired of moving from place to place? We can't keep doing this forever. Eventually, they'll catch up to us."

I released a shaky breath, an involuntary shiver running down my spine. I was no longer just afraid of Eryndor- but also the triplets I'd encountered the night before.

"Mom, it's not safe here. I didn't escape those vampires on my own. Some werewolves showed up-and they wanted to claim me." I paused, giving her the most terrified look I could muster. "I've never been so scared in my life. They were worse than Eryndor, and they promised they'd come back for me."

Mother clenched her jaw before sighing-something we both did when we were overwhelmed.

"The fact that they let you go means they don't intend to hurt you... Besides, once we move in with Reid, he'll make sure no one lays a hand on you. He's ready to accept you as his daughter, Nyra."

I swallowed hard. "But Mom, we don't know what we're walking into. You're tying us to Blood Hollow with this marriage. Once we move in, there's no going back."

"Don't you want to feel protected for once? Don't you want to sleep peacefully at night?" she pressed.

"I'm scared, Mom. I don't want to be trapped again..."

She hugged me then. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you the protection you deserved as a child. But I promise this is the best path for us. Reid will protect us from Eryndor. We can finally stop running."

In the end, I gave in. I had to go with the flow and let her handle things this time.

By evening, a luxurious black car came to pick us up.

Cars were almost extinct now, and only the elite had access to them. Never in my life did I think I'd ride in one-until now.

"I told you things would get better, didn't I?" Mom said, wiggling her brows.

A man stepped out and bowed. "I am Kelvin. I will be your driver to the Thornevale Estate. Please, allow me to carry your luggage."

For the first time in my life, a man of higher status was speaking to me with respect. It felt like a dream.

"Mom, pinch me."

"You're not dreaming, Nyra. It's real." She smiled at Kelvin. "Our luggage is over there."

She pointed to the door where we had stacked everything. He nodded and lifted them two at a time.

I blinked as he loaded our bags and opened the car door.

It wasn't until we started driving that everything truly hit me. I began trembling-a strange mix of fear, nerves, and excitement swirling inside me.

I stayed silent the entire ride, gasping only when Thornevale Estate came into view. My breath caught. My nerves spiked.

"We're here," Mom whispered as the enormous mansion emerged from the trees.

It sat on vast land, surrounded by beautiful landscape-and yet, it gave off an unsettling feeling. I couldn't shake the sense of dread.

Kelvin parked in front of the grand entrance, where a tall man stood flanked by maids and guards.

"Reid!" Mom called as we stepped out.

"Lyora, my beloved. I almost thought you wouldn't come," he said, his voice heavy with authority.

"Why would I stay away from you? You're my husband now. You're stuck with me," she giggled.

Reid turned to me. "You must be Nyra. I've heard a lot about you from your mother. You're just as beautiful as she said."

He took my hand and kissed the back of my palm. "It's an honor to have you as a daughter."

I widened my eyes. Mom wasn't lying-he was really ready to accept me.

"Nyra, meet my sons- Sylver, Cassian, and Rylan," he said, stepping aside. "Boys, come out and welcome your new sister."

My breath caught in my throat. My mother had forgotten to mention one very important detail.

He had children.

And those "children"...

Were the exact triplets I'd run into last night.

"What a small world..." the green-eyed one whispered.

My blood ran cold. My mind blanked out. The world tilted beneath me.

I had walked right into the hands of the monsters I thought I'd escaped.

"Nyra? Are you okay?" Mom's voice came from somewhere distant.

My legs gave out beneath me. I started to fall-

And just before darkness claimed me, I felt warm arms catch me.

The last thing I saw were glowing green eyes.

And the last thing I heard-

"Welcome into my territory, sister..."

~Nyra

I stirred awake, and my surroundings felt unfamiliar.

The room was larger than our entire house back home, and the walls were painted a soft lavender purple. The bed I was lying on was massive- a luxury my mother and I could never have afforded.

Sunlight flooded in from the balcony to my left. Judging by its angle, the sun was already setting. I wondered how long I'd been asleep.

"Where am I?" I whispered as I slowly sat up.

That's when flashes of what happened before I blacked out rushed back. My eyes widened in horror.

"Oh fuck! No!" I cried as the weight of my predicament dawned on me. "This can't be happening. My luck can't be this bad!"

I began trembling, pacing the room in panic. I couldn't stay here. This was the monsters' lair-the very ones who saved me from vampires only to haunt me themselves. They could barge in at any moment.

My nails dug into my skin as I bit them nervously. I nearly started chewing through flesh when it suddenly hit me-

"I need to see my mother."

Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes, trying to brace myself for whatever awaited on the other side of the door. When I felt ready, I threw it open-nearly yanking it off its hinges.

Big mistake.

I collided into a solid, warm wall of muscle.

Gasping, I looked up-and met those forest green eyes. An involuntary shiver ran through me as I backed away.

"I-I'm sorry- I didn't mean to-"

"I'm beginning to think you enjoy running into me," he said quietly, his voice deep and velvety enough to weaken my knees.

He wore all black: a long coat, a dark shirt underneath, and loose-fitting pants. His dark hair was parted down the middle, some strands falling over his forehead.

He radiated dominance, and I suddenly couldn't find my voice. I couldn't even defend myself.

"Sylver... cut the girl some slack. She's our little sister now," a more playful voice chimed in from my left.

I turned to see golden eyes, warm like desert sand. His hair was longer than Sylver's and tied in a low ponytail. A few loose strands framed his face, and I found myself oddly drawn to them- wanting to touch them.

He wore a white shirt and loose dark pants. He grinned, revealing perfect teeth.

Sylver chuckled. "I haven't done anything to her, Cassian- not yet."

I looked back at Sylver in time to catch the smirk playing on his lips.

"When you two are done with your little show, bring Nyra downstairs," a voice said from the staircase, cool and unbothered.

I turned to see ocean blue eyes-eyes I recognized from last night. He looked calm, aloof, as if nothing about this situation fazed him.

His dark hair was tousled, and he wore a loose white shirt beneath an unbuttoned brown vest with matching brown pants. He had an arrogant glint in his eyes, like the world bored him. Yet, there was something else in those eyes-something mysterious.

Something I suddenly wanted to understand.

Before anyone could say more, he turned and disappeared down the stairs.

Cassian chuckled. "Classic Rylan, always popping in and vanishing like smoke."

"You heard him," Sylver said to me. "Let's go downstairs."

I swallowed hard, still unsure what to say. I didn't know how I was supposed to act around them. Accepting them as my brothers was out of the question. Especially when their intentions weren't clear.

Sylver pointed ahead, and Cassian led the way, pausing only to give me a charming smile before heading down the stairs.

I followed, fully aware that Sylver trailed behind me like a shadow. I felt like a caged animal. That was how I'd always feel if I remained here- trapped. These boys would torment me forever.

At the bottom of the stairs, we entered a large hall. King Reid stood beside my mother. Rylan leaned against the far wall, looking disinterested, as if even his father bored him.

"There you are," Mother said. "I told Reid you only fainted from exhaustion, but he insisted we take you to the hospital."

She turned to the king again. "There's no cause for alarm. She's fine. She's been overworking herself to take care of us, and she barely slept last night."

The king nodded, then gestured for me to approach. I hesitated, then slowly obeyed.

It still felt unreal to be standing before a Lycan King. I couldn't wrap my head around how my mother had pulled this off.

Reid took my hand and stared at me with something startlingly close to kindness. His obsidian eyes felt like they could see into my soul. I was too overwhelmed to respond.

"Lyora has told me how hard you've worked," he said. "You are now under my protection. Whatever you wish- ask. Anything you want, I'll give it. You are now my daughter... and a sister to my sons."

My chest tightened as a strange warmth bloomed inside me- until Rylan scoffed in the corner.

Reid shot him a warning glare before turning to his sons. "Promise me you'll all protect her."

Sylver locked eyes with me. "Consider yourself under our protection now, little sister..."

Something in the way he said it didn't sound comforting at all. My skin crawled, and another shiver ran down my spine.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"Mom, we need to leave. Now!" I blurted, turning sharply to her.

Her expression twisted with alarm. She stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

"Nyra!"