The grand ballroom of the vampire kingdom's palace pulsed with life, a vibrant tapestry of supernatural beings from across dimensions. Eighteen years to the day, and the air thrummed with expectation for me, Charlotte, and my triplet siblings, Asher and Ashrina.

"Happy Birthday, little sister and little brother. Can't believe you guys turned eighteen today," I teased, clinking my champagne glass with Ashrina's.

"Look who is speaking, the one who just turned eighteen with us, big sister," Ashrina shot back, a smirk playing on her lips. "And, two minutes doesn't make you my elder sister, Char."

"True, but it does make you my little sister," I retorted, then turned to Asher. "And you, my little brother, Asher."

Asher, ever the charmer, winked. "I don't mind being the youngest in the family because I enjoy all the perks of being an only son. Now, excuse me. I need to go and mingle at the party like our parents asked us to do."

As they dispersed into the crowd, I scanned the opulent hall, a flutter of anticipation in my chest. Tonight was the night. Tonight, I hoped to find him—my mate. Just like Asher, who, to our collective shock, had found his in our cousin, Eleanor, a revelation that still had me reeling.