Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 12

**Briony's POV**

The mood shifted so fast I could practically feel the temperature drop. The triplets exchanged looks that screamed "complicated."

"What rumors?" Layla asked.

"She's been telling everyone she's gonna be the future Luna," Noah said. "Claims she's got some special thing going with the triplets."

"That's bullshit," Layla frowned. "What makes her think she can just decide that?"

Awkward silence. Maxwell cleared his throat. "It's... complicated."

"We screwed up last summer," Christopher's voice got tight. "End of training party, we drank way too much..."

"Did some really stupid shit," Maxwell picked up where he left off. "Stuff we regret."

My face burned. I didn't need the details to know this was definitely not a conversation I wanted to be part of.

"I was there too, but I said no," Benjamin's voice could've cut glass. "Even drunk off my ass, I knew it was wrong."

"Exactly," Maxwell said firmly. "It was just... drunken stupidity. Didn't mean anything. But Victoria's acting like we're engaged or something."

"She's been dropping hints ever since," Christopher made a bitter face. "Already planning our 'future' together."

"Is that why she's been such a bitch lately?" I asked quietly.

"Part of it," Noah nodded. "She thinks that night gave her some kind of claim on us. She's dead wrong."

"Completely wrong," Benjamin emphasized. "The Moon Goddess picks our mates. Not some random hookup."

"Speaking of which," Layla jumped in, clearly wanting to change the subject, "I heard you guys have a mating ball here? When's that happen?"

The guys visibly relaxed, grateful for the shift.

"Every fall," Christopher explained. "Usually for eighteen-plus wolves who haven't found their mates yet. Though high schoolers can go now too."

"Sounds awesome!" Layla's eyes lit up. "Can we go?"

"Course you can," Ethan laughed. "Though you're still pretty young. Bri's what, fifteen?"

"Yeah, fifteen." I nodded. "Layla's a few months older."

"We're all sixteen," Maxwell said. "But you can't actually sense your mate until after your eighteenth birthday anyway."

"Still fun though," Benjamin added. "You learn the social stuff, see pack traditions. And..." he paused, "real mate bonds aren't about choices or random hookups. It's something deeper than that."

His words seemed to hit the triplets hard. They all got this thoughtful look.

"Plus you get to wear gorgeous dresses!" Layla said excitedly, totally missing the undercurrents. "Bri, we have to go!"

My stomach twisted. A ball meant being seen by everyone - exactly what I spent my life avoiding.

"I don't really know how to dance..." I said quietly.

"We can teach you," Christopher offered. "Basic steps aren't that hard."

"Yeah, and..." Layla suddenly jumped up. "Luna Isabella!"

We all turned toward the terrace entrance where Luna Isabella was walking over with a tray of desserts.

"What's got everyone so excited?" she asked warmly.

"We were talking about the mating ball," Layla said directly. "I was wondering what color would look best on Bri."

Luna Isabella studied me thoughtfully. "Blues would be perfect on her - they'd bring out her eyes and hair. Deep sapphire or silver-blue would both be stunning."

"I knew it!" Layla clapped her hands. "I can already picture it!"

Heat rushed to my face and I stared down at my hands.

"Bri, don't be shy," Luna isabella said gently. "You're beautiful tonight, and you'd be absolutely gorgeous in a gown."

"Okay, okay, stop," I waved my hands frantically. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here."

But they clearly had zero intention of stopping. Layla started describing her vision of the perfect dress, and the guys actually joined in with their own suggestions.

"Should be simple," Maxwell said. "Something too fancy would just distract from her."

"Agreed," Benjamin nodded. "Simple and elegant works best."

Watching them seriously discuss my appearance made something weird flutter in my chest. Nobody had ever cared about how I looked before.

"I can't take this anymore," I stood up, pretending to escape. "You guys keep planning - I'm gonna look at the moon."

"Oh no you don't!" Layla immediately chased after me.

I stopped at the edge of the terrace, and she caught me in a hug from behind. "Don't run away - we're just looking out for you."

"I know, it's just... I'm not used to it," I said softly.

That's when Layla playfully smacked my thigh. "Stop being so shy all the time!"

The sudden contact made me gasp and lean forward slightly.

But something weird happened.

The five guys who'd been chatting animatedly suddenly went dead silent. The whole atmosphere shifted in an instant.

I turned around to find them all staring at us, but their expressions were... off. Maxwell's ears had gone red, Christopher was clearing his throat like something was stuck, Benjamin's stare had gotten intense, Ethan was suddenly fascinated by the moon, and Noah looked pissed.

"What's wrong?" Layla asked, confused.

"Nothing... nothing," Maxwell stammered. "We should... we should head back."

"Yeah, it's getting late," Christopher was already standing, movements weirdly rushed.

"Dad's probably waiting," Benjamin said, already walking toward the exit.

Ethan and Maxwell quickly followed, leaving just Noah still sitting there.

"Noah?" I looked at him, totally lost.

"Yeah, we really should go home." He walked over. "Let me walk you guys back."

"But... what just happened?" I still had no clue what I'd missed.

"Nothing," Noah shook his head. "Just getting late."

Watching the four of them practically run away, I was even more confused.

"Boys are so weird," Layla shrugged. "They were fine two seconds ago, then suddenly they're all fleeing like the place is on fire."

"Yeah," I agreed. "Wonder what the hell that was about."

Noah walked us home after we said goodbye to Luna Isabella and the other adults. He was unusually quiet the whole way, like he was working through something in his head.