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Alora’s POV:

After slipping into the bathroom, I let the warm water cascade over my skin, washing away the remnants of sleep and fatigue. The scent of lavender soap filled the small, steamy space as I lathered it across my body, the bubbles glistening like tiny pearls. 

I spent a few extra moments enjoying the sensation, letting the gentle steam soothe my thoughts. After rinsing off, I wrapped myself in a fluffy white towel, patting my skin dry as I stepped out.  

I walked over to my wardrobe, scanning the neatly arranged clothes. After a moment of deliberation, I picked a soft, pastel blue sundress. It hugged my figure lightly, the flowing fabric brushing against my knees.

 The neckline wasn’t too revealing, but it still had a touch of elegance to it. I brushed my hair, letting it cascade in loose waves around my shoulders. Once satisfied with my appearance, I gazed into the mirror.  

Looking at my reflection, I smiled faintly. I looked presentable enough, or at least as composed as I could feel today. With that thought, I left my room and headed to the dining room.  

The hallways were alive with the soft hum of activity. Workers and maids bustled about, each engrossed in their tasks. I greeted them with polite nods and small smiles, acknowledging their efforts as I walked past. 

They bowed slightly, murmuring their “Good mornings” in return. It was a routine interaction, but one that always left me feeling a little lighter.  

When I arrived at the dining room, the atmosphere shifted. Everyone was already seated, their attention turning toward me the moment I stepped in.

 My gaze quickly swept across the faces at the table: Kade, Keziah, Thorne, and Alpha Mathias. Each of them looked at me with varying degrees of intensity, and it made my stomach twist uncomfortably.  

“Good morning,” I greeted softly, my voice steady despite the weight of their stares. I moved toward my seat, but before I could sit, Alpha Mathias was suddenly beside me.  

He took my hand gently, and I froze for a moment, unsure of his intentions. His deep brown eyes met mine, his expression unreadable, though the slight curl of his lips hinted at something softer.  

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth. Before I could respond, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand. His touch was warm, but the gesture felt far too intimate.  

“Thank you,” I replied, managing a weak smile.  

He pulled out the chair for me, an old-fashioned chivalrous move that only added to the awkwardness. “You’re welcome, love,” he said warmly, before returning to his seat.  

As silence settled over the table, I focused on the plate in front of me. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel the triplets’ eyes burning into me.

 Their gazes were heavy, each carrying its own weight of scrutiny. Even though I refused to meet their eyes, my skin prickled under their watch. Goosebumps erupted along my arms despite the warmth of the room.  

To distract myself, I picked up a glass of orange juice, taking a long sip in an attempt to drown the discomfort swelling in my chest.  

“Dad, aren’t you too old to be playing gentleman?” Kade’s voice cut through the silence, his tone laced with mockery.  

Alpha Mathias chuckled lightly, unbothered by the jab. “Old? I’m just 65,” he replied.  

“Yeah, you’re so young,” Thorne added, his sarcasm evident.  

“You must love her,” Keziah chimed in, his voice carrying a bitter edge. “I’ve never seen you act that way with Mother.”  

I glanced up at Alpha Mathias, catching his crooked smile. It was a strange expression, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.  

“Yes, I do,” he said simply, his words hanging in the air. “She makes me feel alive and young unlike Sabrina, your mother.”  

The mention of Luna Sabrina caused a visible reaction in Keziah. His grip on his fork tightened, his knuckles turning white.

 I couldn’t blame him. No matter what their family dynamic was, hearing Alpha Mathias disrespect their mother so openly must have stung.  

Keziah’s glare shifted to me, and for a moment, I felt like I was the source of his anger. He dropped his cutlery with a loud clatter, the sound startling everyone at the table.  

“I’ve suddenly lost my appetite,” he announced coldly before pushing his chair back and storming out of the room. He didn’t so much as glance back.  

An uncomfortable knot formed in my chest, a mix of guilt and unease. I shifted in my seat, trying to ignore the ache spreading through me.  

“Don’t mind him,” Alpha Mathias said dismissively, waving a hand. “He’s just being a baby. He’s always been like that.”  

I didn’t respond, instead cutting into my pancakes with deliberate precision. My appetite had waned, but I forced myself to take small bites.  

When my gaze flickered up, it met Kade’s. He was smiling, no, smirking, his expression almost playful. He didn’t seem fazed by the tension in the room. Thorne, on the other hand, had an unreadable look on his face as he sipped his wine slowly.  

“How are you boys doing?” Alpha Mathias asked, breaking the silence.  

“Good,” Thorne replied shortly, his tone indifferent.  

Just then, I felt a slight nudge against my leg. At first, I thought it was accidental, but the pressure continued. My eyes darted to Kade, who winked at me mischievously. My heart skipped a beat, and I swallowed hard, trying to ignore him.  

But he didn’t stop. His leg brushed against mine, creeping higher until it grazed my thigh. A sharp jolt of electricity shot through me, making me instinctively part my legs. I hated how my body reacted without my permission.  

Then, his foot pressed against me in a way that sent a flush of heat to my cheeks. I choked on my food, coughing violently as I grabbed my glass of juice to steady myself.  

“Are you okay?” Alpha Mathias asked, concern etched on his face as he handed me a napkin.  

“I’m fine,” I managed, my voice hoarse. “Thank you.”  

My gaze snapped to Kade, who looked far too pleased with himself. His smirk was infuriating, and I clenched my fists under the table, resisting the urge to say something.  

Breakfast ended soon after, and Alpha Mathias left, leaving the rest of us alone. Thorne left without a word. Kade followed suit, but I wasn’t about to let him get away so easily.  

“Kade,” I called, my voice sharp.  

He paused, turning to face me with a look of feigned innocence.  

“What was that about?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes at him.  

“What are you talking about?” he replied, tilting his head as if he genuinely didn’t know.  

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I hissed, my frustration bubbling over.  

His lips curled into that infuriating smirk again. “Oh, you mean when my leg accidentally touched yours?”  

“Accidentally?” I repeated, my voice rising slightly in disbelief.  

“You clearly enjoyed it,” he said, his tone almost teasing.  

“What?” I spluttered, utterly taken aback by his audacity.  

“Talk to you later, Alora,” he said casually, brushing past me. “I’m busy.”  

And just like that, he was gone, leaving me standing there, speechless.