Chapter 1
“Mom! Mom! We did it–we passed!!”
I was in the kitchen preparing dinner when two excited voices thundered from the study.
“Mom! Adrian and I both got into the Royal Warrior Academy!”
In the next instant, my twin sons barreled out of the room and wrapped me in a fierce embrace, their tall frames towering over mine.
I gazed up at them, pride swelling in my chest.
“You two are incredible. You’ll always be my greatest honor.”
My mate had been gone for many years.
As a lone mother, I had raised these twin boys on my own for eighteen long winters.
Now, they had finally earned what every young wolf in the kingdom dreamed of–the right to train at the Royal Warrior Academy, a place reserved for future Alphas and the strongest of our kind.
Long ago, my mate Edward and his first love, Vivian, had perished together during a Blood Moon Hunt, leaving behind two tiny pups.
Everyone in the pack had urged me to abandon them, sneering that they were nothing but “bastards.” But I had ignored their scorn and
raised the twins as my ownL
Eighteen years later, my sacrifice and devotion had borne fruit. The boys had become strong, disciplined warriors, the pride of the entire pack
“Mom, thank you…. for everything, you’ve done for us.”
“Yeah, Mom. Without you, we wouldn’t be here today.
Their voices trembled with sincerity. They had always been filial, always promising that once they graduated and made their mark, they would ensure I lived the rest of my life in peace.
My throat tightened with emotion. Watching them now, I could almost believe that promise.
And then I remembered their coming–of–age ceremony was only two days away.
But this tim
In past years, I had celebrated quietly, booking a small hall and preparing a simple feast. this time was different. This time they had been chosen by the Academy. This deserved more than a small dinner.
This deserved a true celebration–a Rising Ceremony worthy of future Alphas.
So I booked the grandest banquet hall in the city.
At the same time, I sent word of their achievement across the pack’s mental link, the network that bound us all together.
The moment the news spread, congratulations poured in.
“Adrian and Lucas have made the whole Stone family proud!”
“If only Edward could see his sons now…
w… he would rest easy at last.”
I scanned the flood of messages, then shared the banquet’s time and location with the entire pack.
After that, I put the communicator aside, quietly waiting for the day that would change everything
