Taming Her Triple Mates

Meredith's POV.

Meredith Rutherford pulled her hood tighter around her face as the wind whispered through the nearby trees. The narrow pathway before her was illuminated only by the pale glow of the moon.

She knew she shouldn’t be out tonight, of all nights. The Annual Purge—the werewolves’ brutal celebration of their supremacy over humans—was about to begin.

Her heart raced as she recalled her conversation with her neighbor earlier that day.

Lorelei, a kind-hearted woman who had always treated Meredith like a daughter, had pulled her aside.

“You shouldn’t be out tonight,” the woman had said, her voice low. “It’s the Purge. Go home, Meredith. Lock your doors, hide… whatever you have to do. Just stay safe.”

Meredith had nodded, appreciating the concern, but deep down, she knew that hiding wouldn’t change anything.

She was just a human in Colossus—where humans were little more than prey.

As she walked, memories of past Purges flooded her mind: tales of families torn apart, of innocent lives taken without mercy. The werewolves claimed it was their right, but to Meredith, it was a reminder of how powerless her kind truly was.

She could have stayed home, but something within her refused. Perhaps it was that if the werewolves decided her fate tonight, there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Meredith reached the edge of town, where the pathway ahead led into the darkened forest. She paused, her breath catching in her throat.

The sounds of celebration—growls, laughter, the distant baying of wolves—grew louder.

Still, Meredith felt an unexpected calm. She was here now, and if this was her fate, so be it. Besides, she was already an orphan, alone, and broke. She had nothing else to lose.

The massage parlor was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting shadows that danced on the walls as she moved from one client to the next.

It was the last shift of the week, and Meredith could feel exhaustion creeping into her bones. Hopefully, Carrick, the owner, noticed her weariness and gently suggested she take over as a waitress for the evening, giving her a break from the more physically demanding work.

She took up her new role, balancing trays and serving drinks, her mind drifting as the hours passed.

Meredith’s heart pounded in her chest as she served drinks to the men at the far end of the table. Their eyes followed her every move, making her feel like a mouse cornered by a pack of wolves.

One of the men leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “You look tired, girl. Long night?” His voice was rough.

Meredith forced a polite smile, her hands trembling slightly as she set down their drinks. “It’s been a busy week,” she replied, trying to keep her tone even. “Lots of work, not much rest.”

The man’s gaze didn’t waver. “Not many humans around here would dare to work this late, especially tonight. Do you know what happens during the Purge?”

She hesitated, unsure how to respond. She could sense the other men watching her intently.

“I know enough,” she said quietly, meeting his gaze with as much courage as she could muster. “But work doesn’t stop just because it’s dangerous.”

The man chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Brave words for someone like you. Or foolish. Which is it?”

“Maybe a bit of both,” she answered, feeling their eyes boring into her, searching for any sign of weakness.

She knew better than to show it.

Another man, older with graying hair and a scar that ran down the side of his face, leaned forward. “You ever heard of the Moon Goddess?” he asked.

Meredith nodded, her throat dry. “Everyone here knows of the Moon Goddess. She’s…”

The man smirked. “She’s everything. And tonight, we honor her with the hunt. You should be careful, girl. The hunt doesn’t end just because the night does.”

She swallowed hard, her hands clutching the tray for support. “I appreciate the warning,” she said, backing away slightly. “But I should get back to work.”

As she turned to leave, the first man called out to her. “What’s your name, girl?”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder. “Meredith.”

“Meredith,” he repeated, as if tasting the name. “We’ll be seeing you again, Meredith. Don’t wander too far.”

She didn’t respond, hurrying away as quickly as she could without drawing more attention.

The hours dragged on, and by the time Carrick announced the end of the shift, she was fully exhausted.

As the others left, Carrick approached her, concern etched on his face. “You should go home now, Meredith. Lock the doors and stay hidden. Tonight isn’t safe.”

Meredith shook her head, forcing a tired smile. “I’ll be fine, Carrick. Just need to finish up here.”

Carrick sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re strong, Meredith. But strength doesn’t always keep you safe. Remember that.”

“I will,” she promised, watching him leave before turning back to clean.

When she finally stepped outside, the moonlight was casting long shadows across the empty streets.

She pulled her hood up, ready to make her way home. But before she could take a step, a rough hand grabbed her shoulder.

“Leaving so soon?” a familiar voice rasped.

When she turned around, she saw the men she had spoken to earlier.

Meredith’s feet pounded against the cobblestone streets as she ran aimlessly, the cold air burning her lungs. She ducked into every alley she could find, hoping to lose them.

She tried to think of a way out, but there was nowhere to hide.

“You can’t run forever! Come quietly, and we might make it quick.”

She ignored him, forcing her legs to move faster. She stumbled into a narrow alleyway, hoping it might lead to safety, but found herself trapped.

The walls loomed high on either side, and as she reached the end, her heart sank as she heard the footsteps behind her slow, then stop.

“End of the line, girl,” the lead hunter said, his silhouette blocking the only exit. The others emerged behind him, their eyes glowing in the dim light.

“Please,” Meredith begged, backing up until she was pressed against the cold brick wall. “I don’t want any trouble. Just let me go.”

The hunter shook his head, his smile darkening. “It’s not about what you don’t want…”

Before she could react, two of the men lunged forward, grabbing her arms and pinning her against the wall. Meredith screamed, struggling against them with all her might, but they were too strong.

Her breath came in ragged gasps.

“Shh,” the lead hunter whispered, stepping closer until his face was inches from hers. “There’s no point in fighting. It’ll only make it worse.”

Tears welled in Meredith’s eyes. “Why me?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “What did I do?”

The hunter’s expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained cold. “I assure you, it's nothing personal, Meredith…”

With a swift motion, he pulled a cloth from his pocket and pressed it over her mouth and nose.

Meredith struggled, but the sharp, pungent scent of chemicals overwhelmed her senses. Her vision blurred, the alleyway spinning around her.

“Sleep now, Meredith,” the hunter murmured as her body began to go limp. “You’re coming with us.”

The last thing she felt was the rough hands lifting her off the ground, carrying her away from the only life she had ever known.

And then, there was nothing but darkness.

Damien's POV.

Damien Ravenscroft stood in front of the large windows of the Pack House, the soft glow of the full moon casting shadows on the floor beneath him.

The Moonlit Pack had called this place home for generations, and as its Alpha, it was his duty to ensure their legacy continued.

But to do that, he needed a mate—a strong Luna, born a wolf, who would stand by his side and lead the pack into the future.

It had been pressing on him for weeks, and tonight, it all came to an end.

The Annual Purge was more than just a tradition. It was a rite of passage, a time for the strongest wolves to claim their mates and secure the future of their packs.

Damien knew the stakes were high, not just for him but for the entire Moonlit Pack.

He took a deep breath. It was time.

Damien made his way through the Pack House, his footsteps echoing in the silent halls. The other pack members had already gathered outside, awaiting his arrival.

As he stepped out into the wide clearing, the full moon illuminated the waiting figures of Beta Xavier Caldwell, and his third-in-command, Gamma Magnus Langley.

Both men were as muscular and imposing as Damien himself, their eyes gleaming with the anticipation of the hunt.

This year, they too would join him in the Purge, each seeking a mate to strengthen the pack.

"Ready?" Damien asked.

Xavier nodded, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Always, Damien. The pack needs strong blood, and tonight, we’ll find it."

Magnus clenched his fists, his gaze focused on the horizon. "The Moon Goddess will guide us to our mates. For the pack’s future."

Damien gave them a curt nod, the fire in his chest mirroring the blaze of the full moon above. "Then let’s not keep them waiting, shall we?"

Without another word, the three men began to shift, their bodies transforming into their wolf forms.

Damien felt the familiar rush of power as his senses sharpened, his muscles expanding beneath his fur.

The ground seemed to tremble beneath them as they completed the transformation, three massive wolves standing where men had been only moments before.

The thrill of the hunt coursed through their veins.

Damien glanced at Xavier and Magnus, their forms large and undeniably ready. The time had come to claim what was rightfully theirs.

With a powerful kick, Damien launched himself forward, his paws digging into the earth as he surged ahead.

Xavier and Magnus followed close behind, their howls cutting through the night air. The forest blurred around them as they ran, the thrill of the chase igniting their instincts.

Tonight, Damien would find his Luna, claim her, and mark her as solely his.

The three massive wolves raced through the dense forest, the rhythm of their powerful strides matching the beating of their hearts.

Their minds were linked by the Pack Link, a telepathic connection that allowed them to communicate even in their wolf forms.

"But what if she isn’t here?" Xavier’s voice echoed in Damien’s mind, tinged with rare doubt. "What if your Luna isn’t among the harvest?"

Damien pushed himself harder. "She’s out there," he replied. "She has to be."

Magnus, ever the realist, chimed in. "And if she isn’t? What if she’s dead? Or worse—claimed by someone else?"

The thought sent a cold chill through Damien. The possibility that his Luna might already be lost, or that she had never existed at all, was one he couldn’t bear to consider.

At twenty-five, he knew time was slipping through his fingers. Xavier was only a year younger, and even Magnus, at twenty-two, could feel the weight of it.

They were strong, but strength meant little without a future.

“We can’t let that happen," Damien growled through the Pack Link. "I need an heir, and I need one soon. The pack needs a Luna—someone to stand beside me and bear pups who will continue our line."

Xavier’s voice was quieter now, almost resigned. "But what if none of us find our mates tonight? What then? We’re not getting any younger, Damien."

The words hung heavy between them. The years had passed quickly, each hunt ending in disappointment, each season slipping away without the promise of a mate.

They feared that their pack’s legacy might fade with them.

"We don’t have a choice," Magnus said firmly. "We have to keep searching. The pack depends on us to find our mates. If we fail…"

Damien didn’t let him finish. "We won’t fail," he snapped, though doubt still twisted in his gut. "Not tonight. The Moon Goddess has guided us this far—she won’t abandon us now."

But even as he said it, Damien knew the uncertainty that gripped them all.

They had to find their mates, not just for themselves, but for the entire Moonlit Pack. Without a Luna, without heirs, their pack’s future was at risk. He couldn’t let his pack down. He wouldn’t.

"Keep your eyes open," Damien urged, his pace quickening as the scent of something unfamiliar caught his attention. "We won’t return empty-handed. We can’t."

The forest seemed to close in around them as they ran, the shadows deepening under the full moon’s light. The hunt was on, and failure was not an option.

“Damien," Xavier’s voice cut through the silence in their minds. "You've always hated these Annual Purges. You refused to participate for years. Why now?"

Damien’s growl rumbled through the link, a mix of frustration and resignation. "You know why, Xavier. This isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about a legacy that spans centuries, a line of pure-bloods that goes back to the very beginning.”

Magnus kept silent, but Damien could feel the weight of his younger comrade’s curiosity and concern.

Xavier, however, was never one to back down from pressing matters, especially when it came to Damien.

"You always said you were destined to find your mate," Xavier continued. "That you wouldn’t need to participate in these hunts, wouldn’t need to seek elsewhere or settle for less. Besides, you’re the Alpha. Why should you compromise?"

Damien pushed harder, the wind whipping through his fur.

"Because destiny isn’t something you wait around for, Xavier," he replied. “I was taught to believe that when the time was right, the Moon Goddess would bring my mate to me. But the years have passed, and nothing has changed. I’m tired of waiting."

There was a brief silence. Then Xavier spoke again, softer this time. “You know, Damien, I’ve known you since we were pups. We grew up together. I’ve seen how much this weighs on you, how much you’ve sacrificed for the pack. But I also know you were taught not to settle, to honor the Moon Goddess and wait for the perfect time."

Damien’s heart clenched at Xavier’s words. "I was taught that," he admitted. “But I was also taught to protect my pack, to ensure its survival at all costs. And every year that goes by without a Luna, without an heir, that survival becomes less certain."

Magnus, who had been listening intently, finally spoke up. "But Xavier’s right, Alpha. You’ve always been above these hunts, above the need to prove yourself. You’ve said it yourself—our bloodline is pure, strong. Why now?"

Damien’s eyes narrowed as he considered their words. "Because the pack can’t wait forever," he said. "I’ve always believed in the Moon Goddess, in her timing. But what if her timing is now? What if this is the night where everything changes?"

Xavier hesitated, then spoke. It was something Damien hadn’t heard from him in a long time—hope. "Or what if you were right all along, Damien? What if your mate is out there, waiting for you? Not in the hunt, but somewhere you’ve never thought to look?"

Damien sighed, frustration building in his chest. "And what if she isn’t? What if I’ve been wrong all these years, waiting for a sign that will never come? I can’t let the pack suffer for my beliefs. I can’t let them down."

Xavier was silent for a moment. After all, he was the son of a human-turned-werewolf, a fact that had always set him apart. His mother’s transformation had been a constant reminder that destiny wasn’t always pure, wasn’t always clean.

"You know," Xavier began. "I’ve never had the luxury of waiting for destiny to come to me. My mother was human before she turned, and because of that, I’ve always known that sometimes you have to make your own path. Maybe that’s what you need to do, Damien."

"Maybe," Damien admitted. "Maybe it’s time I stop waiting. But I’ll be damned if I settle for less. If I find her, she’ll be everything the Moonlit Pack needs. Strong. Pure. A true Luna."

Magnus’s voice was firm as he echoed the sentiment. "Then let’s find her, Alpha. Tonight. No more waiting."

Damien pushed forward once more, leading his pack through the forest. He would honor the Moon Goddess, but he would also honor the Moonlit Pack.

Tonight would be the night, one way or another.