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."

pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before standing. "Get dressed and

Years ago, I had fantasized about this day—how I would get my wolf, how a ceremony would be held for me. For once, I used to have the silly thought of being mated to one of the triplets. I adored them so much, but that was five years ago,

bed. After a quick shower, I pulled out the dress my mother had bought for me. It wasn't luxurious,

a ponytail and studied my reflection in the cracked

was my birthday—wasn't it okay

lipstick, I slipped on my sandals and headed for the main

busy everyone was. Today was Anita's birthday—she might turn out

about, 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

that

where I knew my mother would be. She was probably busy helping with

furrowed in concentration. She looked up as she sensed

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

forced a small

imagined your eighteenth

Fate.

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

ceremony. As much as I hated being here, I didn't want to leave my mother to do all

feelings stirring inside me, the kitchen door swung open. A young maid stepped inside, her

called, hesitating slightly before stepping closer. "Anita wants to see you

only sighed and gave me a small

the louder the excitement in the air became. The halls were

took a deep

in," her voice rang

inside, and my eyes immediately spotted what

exquisite red beaded gown, a pair of elegant heels made with 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 bed with

gestured grandly toward the lavish gifts. "Aren't they beautiful? Each piece was personally picked out for

her fingers trailing

has such

remained silent, my

She knew.

much I had

she was rubbing it

the jewelry box, opening it to reveal

necklace, "is from Lennox. He said a Luna should only