~†~ Prologue ~†~

Once In A Blue Moon

~Five Years Ago~

~ Nayomie Akira Ohmsford ~

Music filled the air, its rhythm pulsing through the ground as my sisters and I approached the Blue Moon pack grounds. Two guards flanked the gate, their eyes sweeping constantly for threats despite Triple Moon being the safest region in Laycan.

As we reached the gate, both guards bowed deeply at the waist, their heads tilting slightly to the left in a show of submission. My younger sister Samantha giggled, shaking her head, while one of my identical sisters, Brielle, shot her a sharp look.

“Good evening, Princesses of Nahonia,” The guard on the left- I think his name was James- Spoke as they straightened. “Have you come to join us in celebrating Luna Tatiana’s birthday?”

“Duh,” Sam’s twin, Baylee, said, rolling her eyes.

Brielle immediately glared at her while Sam elbowed her in the ribs.

“Yes,” I interrupted quickly, slipping into my usual role as the eldest. “I have our invitations from Justin here.”

I pulled the stack of velvet invitations from my purse and held them out. James took them with a bright smile. He was middle aged, with onyx-black hair and cobalt-blue eyes. The woman beside him was somewhere in her late twenties, with fiery red hair and forest-green eyes. I didn’t recognize her.

“May I have your names for identification purposes?” She asked, stepping forward with a digital scanner.

“Excuse me?” Baylee scoffed. “Do you know who we are?”

“Shut up,” Brielle snapped warningly. “It’s protocol.”

“My apologies, Your Majesties,” James glanced nervously at the woman. “Anna is new and eager to do her job by the book.”

“It’s fine,” Ignoring my sisters, I held up my right wrist. The iridescent tiara tattoo marking my skin flashed beneath the light of the triple moons overhead. “Crown Princess Haylee De Areyos of Nahonia.”

Anna scanned my wrist and nodded before moving down the line. One by one, they gave their names and did the same. Ophelia went first, of course, followed by Brielle, then Penelope, Samantha, and finally Baylee.

“Thank you, Princesses,” Anna said as she and James bowed again. “Enjoy the party.”

“We will. Stay safe,” I nodded before leading my sisters through the gates. “Behave, Samantha and Baylee. This party is a big deal to the members of Blue Moon.”

“Whatever,” Baylee grumbled while Sam nodded enthusiastically.

It didn’t take us long to reach the town square, and the moment we did, we were swarmed by the beloved De Ceravyn Quads: Justin, Oleander, Jaxorin, and Daxton. All four were nearly identical and grinning like idiots, their expressions lit with excitement.

“You made it,” Justin immediately pulled me into a hug.

“Of course,” I laughed softly, my arms winding around him. “Why wouldn’t we?”

“Just nervous,” He stepped back without fully releasing me. His husky-blue eyes flicked toward something just over my shoulder. “And there go Sam and Baylee.”

I frowned first, then sighed in resignation. Of course they’re already taking off.

“Straight to the buffet table,” Daxton snorted, shaking his head. “Not that I blame them.”

“And here I was thinking I should head over there myself,” Blaise chuckled, watching them go. “They’ve been here all of five seconds and already descended on the sweets like starving pixies.”

“They might argue that they are,” Althea giggled, brushing a strand of honey blonde hair behind her ear.

“Did Justin tell you they’re setting off fireworks at midnight?” Zayne asked, intrigue lacing with his tone despite his otherwise neutral expression.

“Are they really?” Penelope gasped from where she was tucked against Daxton’s side. “Awesome!”

“I can’t wait!” Wren joined us, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Alpha Gabriel said he had a surprise for Luna Tatiana.”

“Mom’s going to love it,” Jaxorin stated confidently. “Come on, we should eat before the

real celebration begins.”

“I agree,” Melody, Althea’s sister, promptly stole Pen from Dax. “My stomach has begun shrivelling into a raisin.”

We turned and headed for the buffet tables, where an impressive spread had been laid out beneath the faerie lights. The pack’s Omegas moved behind them, replenishing dishes and serving the growing crowd.

Once our plates were full, we wandered through the gathering in search of the best seats for the fireworks. We claimed a spot with a clear view of the sky and settled in, eating and catching up while laughter and conversation drifted around us.

Twenty minutes later, the speakers cut out.

Silence descended over the square as every head turned toward the stage that had been built at its center. Alpha Gabriel stood at about 6’5”, his imposing figure catching the audience’s attention immediately.

“Good evening, members of Blue Moon and esteemed guests,” His gaze swept across the crowd before landing on us, his grin brightening instantly. “As you all know, midnight marks the thirty-second birthday of my wonderful wife and our Luna, Tatiana.”

He smiled, turning toward where she stood beside him. I’d always admired the way she carried herself, and tonight was no exception.

“I wanted to show my gratitude for all she does, not only for my family, but for all of you…” His voice carried easily through the square, even with his back to us. “So I prepared a surprise.”

Alpha Gabriel dropped to one knee, pulling a small ring box from his pocket. I couldn’t see the jewel from where I stood, but Luna Tatiana’s gasp told me all I needed to know.

“Tatiana, light of my life,” Gabriel cleared his throat. “You have been by my side through every up and down, and you’ve sacrificed so much of your time and patience for the better of our family and people. I am honored to be your mate, and while we’re already bonded, I want nothing more than to reseal our vows again.”

He paused, and her expression softened at whatever she saw in his.

“I chose you once, and I would choose you through a thousand lifetimes,” His voice trembled slightly with emotion as his free hand caught her left. “Will you do me the honor of choosing me once more?”

Luna Tatiana didn’t answer for a long moment, though I suspected the tears streaming down her face had something to do with that. Finally, she simply nodded, slowly first, then vigorously as a grin spread across her lips.

“Of course,” Her voice came breathless, pale glass blue eyes gleaming with joy. “I will always, always choose you, my love. Always and forever.”

Alpha Gabriel slipped the ring onto her finger before rising and sweeping her into his arms. He brushed away her tears with his thumb, then kissed her as though he were falling in love with her all over again.

The town square exploded with cheers and high-pitched whistles. My face split into a

huge grin as I clapped, leaning against Justin’s shoulder. The cheering must have been the signal because, a moment later, the first set of fireworks detonated overhead, decorating the sky in brilliant bursts of red and blue.

That was the exact moment fate tore everything apart. Somewhere near the tables,

an Omega screamed, and all hell broke loose.

Time slowed around me as terrified cries tore through the celebration, but my body didn’t move. Alpha Gabriel shoved Luna Tatiana behind him, pushing her toward where the quads’ younger sister, Arleya, sat in a chair.

“Mom!” All four quads launched to their feet the instant howls split the air. “Dad!”

Luna Tatiana had taken all of two steps when a massive wolf pounced onto the stage from the opposite side. Around me, terrified screams abruptly cut off beneath the vicious rumble of snarls as the attack swallowed the square, but my gaze stayed locked on the quads.

Two more wolves joined the first. Their fur was matted. Their teeth were yellowed and broken. But their eyes were filled with a ferocity that made my heart drop into my stomach. My lungs locked.

Oh my gods. What is happening? Why won’t my muscles work?

The quads reached their parents and Arleya just as one of the wolves shot toward her. Arleya shrieked, toppling from her chair, and Tatiana wasted no time shifting into her magnificent pure-white wolf.

No… Not them. I thought desperately. Anyone but them.

She slammed into the rogue, and the two rolled away from Arleya, tearing viciously into each other. My eyes found Justin as he dove forward, sweeping his sister into his arms before rolling several times while a second wolf lunged for them. Alpha Gabriel met that one head-on.

Justin jumped to his feet and raced back toward his brothers- Too slow.

The first wolf pounced.

“JUSTIN! LOOK OUT!” Althea screeched from somewhere nearby.

I turned toward her at the sound of his name just as another rogue crashed into her, carrying her off her feet. My mouth opened, but the cry lodged somewhere in my throat. I tried to force myself forward- Tried to make my legs obey the orders pounding through my head, but nothing happened.

Althea let out an agonized cry as jagged teeth tore into her shoulder.

Move, you stupid bitch, gods dammit. I growled the command at myself through clenched teeth. Fucking move!

A black panther materialized from nowhere, colliding with the wolf and sending both of them rolling into the crowd, where most of the pack had already shifted to fight back.

My foot jerked forward half a step in the same instant that a familiar cry broke through the chaos.

Sam.

I whipped around. She was clutching Baylee beneath a tall oak, their backs pressed hard against the trunk.

A growl crawled up my throat before I realized I was making it. My weight shifted forward, muscles coiling to run, when a massive white, twin-tailed tiger with golden stripes sailed through the air and crashed into the wolf stalking them.

What the… I stumbled backward in surprise. First a black panther, then a twin-tailed tiger? What’s next, a giant tortoise?

Another howl ripped through the square. This time, my body reacted before my mind did.

“Dumb questions don’t deserve the dignity of answers,” A voice drawled through my

mind. “You’re embarrassing me.”

“What?” I gasped, turning in a circle. “Who the fuck-?”

“Duck and roll left,” The voice commanded, completely ignoring me. “NOW!”

Without a second thought, I dropped to the ground and rolled left. When I straightened, my eyes widened in horror. The biggest wolf I had ever seen stood directly in front of me.

Matted grey fur clung to its gaunt frame, broken by bald patches scattered across its body. Flax-yellow eyes filled with hunger glinted at me through the darkness. Saliva and white foam dripped from its scarred muzzle, coating its fractured teeth.

“Fuck,” I hissed.

“Run!” The voice snapped. “Run, Haylee. I can’t save you yet!”

I stumbled backward, then spun and ran as the wolf leapt. The snap of its jaws inches from the back of my neck tore a yelp from my throat.

“Haylee!”

I turned my head at the sound of my name- Which might have been my greatest mistake yet. The toe of my boot caught on something, and I face-planted.

Pain shot through my nose as tears blurred my vision. I lifted my head, trying to force myself back up. Justin passed Arleya to Oliver before sprinting in my direction.

That was the last thing I saw before my eyes slammed shut and white-hot pain flared along my spine. Then, immense pressure crushed the air from my lungs. It vanished seconds later.

“Fuck,” Justin hissed as he hauled me to my feet. He pulled his hand back looking at it in horror. Bright crimson coated his fingers. “Gods dammit. That looks bad.”

“I’m fine. Justin-” I cut off as another cry echoed across the square.

We both whipped toward the sound and froze.

Five rogues had surrounded Wren and Althea, cutting them off from the rest of the pack. Brielle lay unconscious on the ground nearby. Wren’s head snapped in every direction, arms locked around Althea, who lay just as limp as my sister.

“Save them!” I screeched, my nails digging into Justin’s arm. “Someone!”

But it was too late…

A man appeared behind Wren. A silver masquerade mask obscured the upper half of his face.

Her eyes widened as she whirled toward him, but before she could react, he plunged a needle into her neck. She collapsed into his arms immediately, unmoving, Althea slipped from

her arms and crumpled to the ground.

“Wren!” Zayne yelled, panic and fury twisting together in his voice.

The man in the silver mask smirked at him.

Fire surged through my veins, flooding my meridians as rage consumed me. Zayne and Blaise raced towards the wolves surrounding them, and time came to a standstill once more- Or at least, it felt like it had.

“Kill them all,” The man drawled, almost as though he were bored. “It makes no

difference.”

The instant Blaise and Zayne rushed toward him, he vanished, taking Wren with him. Every rogue wolf turned, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

“Wren!” I screeched.

“NO!” Justin cried, throwing out his hand as though that alone could somehow stop them.

The fire inside me erupted. It burned through me until it consumed everything I was, had been, or could ever become.

And then the power building in the deepest parts of my soul finally broke free… And the world went black.

~†~ Author’s Note ~†~

This is only the beginning.

The Trybrid Chronicles is part of a much larger story we’re creating together, with our books, characters, histories, and worlds intertwining in ways that may not always be obvious at first. Some connections will reveal themselves quickly. Others are buried a little deeper, waiting for the right moment to surface.

As The Legends Of Starfall Abyss unfold, you may recognize familiar faces, shared histories, overlapping mysteries, and moments that suddenly mean something entirely different when seen from another perspective.

So keep an eye out. Pay attention to the little things.

There’s much more to come. ;)