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."

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

she left, I remained on the bed, staring at the ceiling of my room. 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

I pulled out the dress my mother had bought for me. It wasn't luxurious, but it was a gift from her, and that

dressed, I tied my black hair into a ponytail and studied my reflection in the cracked mirror on the

it okay to

bit of lipstick, I slipped on my sandals and headed for the

at the mansion, I could see how busy everyone was. Today was

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 only reminded me

that today was

kept my head low as I walked toward the kitchen, where I knew my mother would be. She was

slightly furrowed in concentration. She looked up as she sensed my presence and

wiping her hands on her apron before reaching out to cup

forced a small smile.

this isn't how you imagined your eighteenth birthday, but don't let it ruin your day. Who knows what fate has in store

Fate.

had stopped believing in fate the day our lives fell apart. The only thing that excites me today is that I will

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

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

closer. "Anita wants to see

a glance with my mother, who only sighed and gave me a small nod. "Go on, darling. I'll handle

louder the excitement in the air became. The halls were filled with pack members chatting about the upcoming

took a deep

in," her

eyes immediately spotted what was displayed

red beaded gown, a pair of elegant heels made with crystals, and a velvet-lined box filled with dazzling jewelry. The sight of them

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

the dress first. "Levi got me this," she said, her fingers trailing over the delicate beading. "He said it would make me look like

lips curling in amusement. "And these? Louis picked them out. He has such

remained silent,

She knew.

much I had

she was rubbing it in my

reached for the jewelry box, opening it

she purred, lifting the necklace, "is from Lennox. He said a Luna should only