Chapter 1: The Pull
ARIA POV
The kitchen door crashed open, and I dropped the heavy tray of food. Everyone turned to gaze at me as plates fell to the floor.
"Can’t you do anything right?" Cook exclaimed, her face crimson with rage. "That was for the Beta’s table!"
My cheeks burned as I knelt to clear up the mess. It’s just another day for Aria, the clumsy omega that no one notices—unless I mess up.
"Sorry," I muttered, picking up broken plates while the other kitchen workers walked around me as if I were invisible.
The entire group was busy preparing for tonight’s huge celebration. The Alpha’s three kids, the famous triplets, were returning home after two years away. Everyone was excited except me. Tomorrow was my 18th birthday, but no one remembered or cared.
"Need help?" A friendly voice inquired. My best friend Mira knelt alongside me, her compassionate eyes the only ones that had ever seen me.
"Thanks," I replied. "I was thinking about tomorrow and wasn’t paying attention."
Mira nodded immediately, indicating comprehension. "It’s your birthday. Don’t worry; I remembered."
We immediately cleaned up the mess before Cook could yell again. Through the kitchen window, I could see the pack’s central clearing, where wolves were running back and forth hanging lights and setting up tables. In the midst of it all stood Elira, the Beta’s daughter, delivering commands with a flawless smile.
"Look at her," I muttered. "Acting like she’s already the Luna."