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The chaos in the Sacred Grove following the bond’s ignition was immediate. The pack’s shocked silence erupted into a cacophony of overlapping voices, arguing in disbelief.

“This cannot be real,” someone said loudly.

“Triple bonds do not happen to debt slaves!” another voice insisted. “The Moon Goddess would not…”

The speaker trailed off, but the implication hung heavy in the air. Elder Mara raised her arms, but the crowd was too agitated to heed her call for silence. Younger wolves surrounded Brielle, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and hostility. Through the newly formed bonds, she felt the triplets struggling with the same overwhelming sensations she was experiencing.

Alpha Matthias stepped forward, his powerful presence instantly commanding respect.

“Everyone will return to their homes,” he declared. “This situation will be addressed by the pack council tomorrow. Until then, nothing is decided.”

“But Alpha,” someone protested, “the bonds…” “I said nothing is decided.” Matthias’s voice carried an absolute authority that brooked no argument. “Dismissed.” The crowd dispersed reluctantly, but not before Brielle caught dozens of hostile stares. She stood frozen, unsure of what to do.

The triplets approached their father. Devereaux, recovering his composure first, spoke in a voice tight with barely controlled fury. “This is clearly an error. We need to consult the Elders about breaking it immediately.” “There is no way I am bound to her,” Thorne added, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Montrose remained silent, but Brielle felt his shock and confusion as if they were her own, a sensation somehow worse than his brothers’ open hostility. “We will discuss this at home,” Matthias said. He finally looked at Brielle, his gaze cold and calculating. “You will report to my office tomorrow at dawn. Do not speak to anyone about this until then.”

She nodded mutely and turned to leave. The moment she took a step away from the triplets, a sharp pain lanced through all four of them. Brielle gasped and stumbled. Behind her, she heard one of the brothers curse. The fresh bond was punishing them for the distance. Elder Mara appeared at her side, her hand a steadying presence on Brielle’s arm. “The bond is new and strong. Distance will hurt until it settles.” “How long?” Brielle managed to ask. “Days. Weeks. It depends.” Mara’s expression was grave. “Child, I know this is not what you wanted, but the Moon Goddess does not make mistakes.” Brielle wanted to laugh. If this was not a mistake, she did not know what was. She let Mara help her to the edge of the grove, where the pain finally eased enough for her to walk home alone, feeling their disgust and horror with every step.

The next morning came too soon. Brielle stood before the pack council in the great hall, exhausted and terrified. The council consisted of Alpha Matthias, Elder Mara, and five senior pack members, all of them old enough to remember when pack laws were even stricter. She stood in the center of the room while they discussed her fate as if she were not there. “The bonds appear genuine,” one council member said. “The Moon Goddess…” “The Moon Goddess pairs equals,” another interrupted sharply. “This girl is debt-bound and status-less. She cannot possibly be a suitable mate for our future Alpha.” “Nevertheless, the bonds exist. To reject them could be fatal.” “Some risks are acceptable for the good of the pack.”

Back and forth they argued, debating her life, her future, and her worth. Brielle’s nails dug into her palms as she fought to stay silent. The triplets stood to one side with their father, their faces carefully blank. Finally, after what felt like hours, Brielle could not take it anymore. “I have a voice,” she said loudly. The council fell silent. Matthias raised an eyebrow at her interruption but gestured for her to continue. “I did not ask for this bond,” Brielle said, her voice shaking but clear. “I do not want them any more than they want me. I have been nothing but a victim of this pack since my parents died. Why would I want to be tied to it forever?”

Her honesty shocked the room. Several council members exchanged glances. “I have endured years of bullying from them.” She looked directly at the triplets. “Years of cruelty and humiliation. The idea of being their mate is horrifying.” “You dare…” Devereaux started, but his father silenced him with a look. Elder Mara spoke into the heavy silence. “Your honesty is noted, child. But the bonds exist whether you desire them or not. They cannot simply be wished away.” “Then what do you propose?” Matthias asked the council.

They deliberated in hushed tones before Elder Mara spoke. “I propose a waiting period. Thirty days for the bonds to stabilize before any rejection attempt is made. Forcing a break now could kill all four of them.”

“During this time, Miss Marwood will reside on the estate grounds,” Matthias added. “She will be under pack protection and given time to adjust to the situation.”

“And if we all still want rejection after thirty days?” Brielle asked. “Then we attempt it with proper rituals,” Mara said, her expression sad. “Though I warn you all, rejection of bonds this strong may have permanent consequences.”

The council voted, and the decision was unanimous. Thirty days. As Brielle left the great hall, she overheard Devereaux’s cold, final words to his brothers. “Thirty days. Then we are done with her forever.”

She felt his absolute certainty through the bond. The feeling was mutual, but hearing it still hurt.