Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 8: Eighteenth Birthday

Chapter 8: Eighteenth Birthday

Two days later.

Olivia's POV

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Olivia... happy birthday to you."

My mother's soft singing pulled me from my sleep. Slowly, I forced my heavy eyelids open, meeting her warm gaze as she sat beside me on the bed. A bright smile lit up her face as she held a tiny cupcake with a single candle on top.

A matching smile spread across my face as I sat up.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, my love," she said cheerfully. "Now, make a wish and blow out the candle."

Sucking in a deep breath, I hesitated. It wasn't that I didn't know what to wish for—I had too many wishes. I wished for my father's release, for him to be proven innocent because I knew in my heart he was. I wished for our old life to be restored, for the respect we had lost to return. And maybe, just maybe, I wished to find a mate who would love me.

So many wishes, but in the end, I summed them up into one.

Closing my eyes, I whispered, "I wish to be happy again," before blowing out the candle.

When I opened my eyes, my mother's warm smile remained.

Are you ready for the mating ceremony?" she asked.

I hesitated. The mating ceremony was a tradition for every wolf who turned eighteen. It was a grand event where one's wolf would emerge, and if their mate was present and of age, they would find each other.

But there would be no ceremony for me.

The only mating ceremony happening today was Anita's. She was convinced that at least one of the triplets—Levi, Louis, or Lennox—would turn out to be her mate.

"Mother, I don't feel like going. Besides, the ceremony is for Anita," I murmured.

She sighed and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Just attend, darling. Who knows? You might meet your mate."

I scoffed. "A mate who will probably reject me? Or worse, an omega like me?"

Mom offered me a reassuring smile. "The Moon Goddess has something planned for you. Just trust in her."

leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before standing. "Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. We have a lot to

how a ceremony would be held for me. For once, I used to have the silly thought of

pushed myself out of bed, murmured a short prayer, and made my bed. After a quick shower, I pulled out the dress my

tied my black hair into a ponytail and studied my reflection

was my birthday—wasn't it okay to

on my sandals

Today was Anita's birthday—she might turn out

arranging decorations, preparing food, and ensuring everything was perfect for Anita's big day. The scent of fresh flowers and baked goods filled the air, but instead of making me feel excited, it

that today was my

walked toward the kitchen, where I knew my mother

her brows slightly furrowed in concentration. She looked up as she sensed

look beautiful, my love," she said, wiping her hands on her apron

forced a small

how you imagined your eighteenth birthday, but

Fate.

in fate the day our lives fell apart. The only thing that excites me today

apron and began helping her prepare the pastries for the ceremony. As much as I hated being here, I didn't want to leave my mother

I focused on kneading the dough, trying to push aside the bitter feelings stirring inside me, the kitchen door swung open. A young maid stepped inside, her

slightly before stepping closer. "Anita wants to see you in

mother, who only sighed and gave me a small

my hands on my apron, I removed it and walked out of the kitchen, making my way toward Anita's room. The closer I got, the louder the excitement in the air became. The halls

took a deep breath

her voice rang

my eyes immediately

crystals, and a velvet-lined box filled with dazzling jewelry. The sight of them alone was overwhelming, but what made it worse was Anita herself, standing beside the

said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. She gestured grandly toward the lavish gifts. "Aren't they beautiful? Each piece was personally picked out for me by

got me this," she said, her fingers trailing over

Louis picked them out. He has such good taste, don't you think? He said they were meant

remained silent, my frown

She knew.

knew how much I

rubbing it in my

she reached for the jewelry box, opening it to reveal

the necklace, "is from Lennox. He said a