Three

Chapter Three

Liora’s POV

Kale spoke first, leaning back in his chair with a dark smirk. “It was hard to swallow food with a roach at a table.”

His words jabbed at me, but I kept my gaze on my plate, the grip on my fork unconsciously tightening.

Ronan chuckled, “Looks like our sweet little omega had connections after all.” He swirled his wine glass between his fingers, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Miracles happen.”

Kael pushed his plate away and stood abruptly. My heart thudded in my chest as he rounded the table to stand beside me.

My fingers trembled as I froze, my fork a few feet away from my lips.

He leaned dangerously close, close enough for me to feel his hot breath fanning my ear, causing goosebumps to litter my skin.

“Don’t think becoming Father’s charity case will change what you are.” He whispered, his voice dripping with malice. “And if you dare mention what happened in school to him, I will make sure you live to regret it.”

With that said, he turned on his heels and left. Ronan stood next, following his lead, not without sending me a conceding smile.

“Bye, little sis.” He mused, taunting me.

Once they were gone, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, glancing at Elias, who acted like I was invincible. He finished his food and left soon after, leaving me to myself.

I stared at my untouched food, Kael’s threat lingering in my mind, haunting me like a dark cloud.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

*****

The sun’s rays were blocked by thick grey clouds, matching the state of my heart as we gathered by the graveyard.

I fought back tears as my mother’s casket was lowered into the ground, my hands trembling as I clutched the crescent pendant around my neck, the last piece of her I had left.

Warm tears slipped down my cheeks, and soon I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“She was a kind and brave woman,” Alpha Alaric said quietly beside me, his voice thick with emotion. “May her soul find peace.”

I couldn’t bring myself to speak, for no words could explain how I truly felt.

Behind us, the brothers stood in silence. They wore crisp black suits and blank expressions. I couldn’t tell whether their silence stemmed from respect or fear of their father, but I was grateful for it.

When the funeral rites came to an end, I stayed back, ignoring the dirt on my dress as I sank to my knees by her grave.

“Mom…” My fingers traced her tomb, ghosting over her name carved in stone. “I promise to survive, even if it kills me.”

Alpha Alaric watched me with hooded eyes, worry etched in his features. Then he turned to his sons. “Stay with her until she is ready to leave. I have to handle some paperwork.”

They nod in unison, and the Alpha looks back at me before leaving, his guards trailing behind him.

I could feel their pointed stares. I didn’t care for their presence, too absorbed in my grief to do so.

The silence stretched on, then…

Click.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw a flicker of orange light.

Ronan lit a cigarette.

He inhaled deeply, smoke billowing from his mouth as he sighed. “Damn, I have a game to watch. How much longer do we have to be here?”

Ronan passed the cigarette to Kael. And he took a drag, exhaling with a quiet laugh. “You could at least pretend to care.”

Ronan shrugged his shoulders, “That’s too much energy.”

Soon, the sharp, bitter scent of smoke filled the air, making my stomach tighten. I gritted my teeth, every nerve in my body tensing.

Mom hated cigarettes. So the thought of it drifting near her grave felt like a betrayal.

“Don’t smoke here.” I blurted out on impulse.

Kael cocked his head to the side, his eyes twitching in annoyance. “What was that?” He asked, his voice lowering dangerously.

I gulped my spit, lowering my gaze. “I said…not to smoke here. My mother…didn’t like the smell of cigarettes.”

Ronan scoffed as Kael passed the cigarette to him. “She’s dead, isn’t she? I doubt she’ll mind.”

Kael snorted, clearly amused.

My eyes widened as their words bit deep into my wounds.

At that moment, something hot and wild surged inside me, a spark of anger filtering through grief.

When he ignored me and lifted the cigarette to his lips again, I sprang to my feet.

I stepped forward, my body moving on its own as I snatched the cigarette from his hand. I dropped it on the ground and crushed it beneath my boot, my chest heaving.

The world stilled.

Ronan’s eyes rounded, his lips slightly parted in awe.

Elias’s head snapped towards us, his brows furrowed.

Kael stared at me, his gaze flickering to my feet. His expression was stuck somewhere between disbelief and rage. Slowly, he lifted his gaze, his jaw tightening. “Did you just…”

I flinched as he took a menacing step forward. He raised his fist, and I instinctively squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself.

“Enough.”

My eyes shot open to see Elias between us, his broad frame blocking Kael’s view of me. He held Kael’s wrist, his gaze sharp. “Don’t act rashly, Father’s still nearby.”

Kael’s nostrils flared, his amber eyes glinting as his wolf surged beneath his skin. Both men faced off, a clash of dominance, but Elias didn’t waver.

It looked like Kael was going to challenge him, but then he jerked out of his grip and stepped back.

“Whatever.” He spat, shoving his hands in his pockets as he turned on his heels. “She’s not worth it.”

I heaved a sigh of relief, but it was cut short by Ronan’s laughter.

“That was a bold move, Omega. We’ll see how long your bravado lasts.” He winked at me and lit another cigarette, still laughing as he walked away.

Elias heaved out a sigh, and for a moment, I thought he might say something, maybe a warning, or an insult, anything at all. But he only looked at me with something unreadable in his eyes.

I averted his gaze, then he wordlessly trailed behind his brothers.

The wind carried the lingering scent of smoke, and for the first time, I didn’t feel weak. Just tired.

And that was enough for now.

*****

The hall was filled with influential personalities and werewolves from different regions, all dressed in elegant attire to honor the occasion.

Tonight. I was going to be officially introduced as the daughter of the Durban pack. The preparations were made a few days after my mother’s funeral, and now I stood on the podium, my arms linked with Alpha Alaric as he made the announcement.

I swallowed hard, holding my head high despite everything. The brothers stood beside me, sporting practiced smiles to curry favor from their father.

“Thank you all for gathering tonight,” Alpha Alaric started, his voice cutting through the hum of conversation. “It’s an honor to introduce the newest member of our family and pack. My daughter, Liora Durban.”

A soft round of applause followed, and with a shaky breath, I forced a slight bow, my knees trembling under my gown.

Alpha Alaric turns to me, his eyes shining with pride as he raises his glass. Everyone in the hall did the same, offering a toast. “And as she adds a new year to her age today, treat her with loyalty and respect.”

My lips parted in awe at his words. I hadn’t told anyone that today was my birthday. I wanted it to pass quietly, but it seems my mother told him.

Under the bundle of nerves, my heart softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

After the announcement, I was told to mingle and associate myself with the guests. But it was easier said than done. No matter how I dressed in the best clothes, I couldn’t hide my scent. And sure enough, there were whispers.

“She’s an omega.”

“What was Alpha Alaric thinking?”

“She can’t be his biological daughter,”

I stood frozen in place, the grip on my wine glass tightening. The hall seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on me. Heat prickled my skin, and my vision swam slightly for a second.

What was happening to me?

I shook my head, blaming it on my nerves.

“Liora.”

A sickly sweet voice called from behind me.

Bracing myself, I slowly turned to see Seirra.

I knew she would attend, being the daughter of one of the Durban pack’s allies. And I honestly hoped she ignored me, but her lips twisted into a poisonous smile as she eyed me from head to toe.

“You’re really something,” she mused, flicking her manicured fingers. “I never imagined you’d crawl your way into the Alpha’s family. It’s so touching I would cry.”

I averted my gaze from her, blinking back the dizziness that washed over me. I could barely hear her taunts, too busy looking for the nearest exit.

“Are you ignoring me?” She sneered, her blue eyes darkening with contempt. “Don’t think anything has changed, omega. You know what they say: You can dress a pig in pearls, but it’ll roll in the mud eventually.”

“Whatever you say,” I muttered, genuinely tired.

Her eyes widened momentarily, her satisfied expression faltering

I brushed past her, then her hand accidentally tipped her drink. I sucked in a sharp breath, taking a step back, but the damage had already been done.

“Oh my, how clumsy of me.” Sierra feigned ignorance, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Miss Liora!” Celine rushed to my side. “We need to get you changed.”

“It’s fine, Celine.” I managed a small smile, glancing at Sierra. “I’ll handle it. Let me head to my room first.”

Before anyone could stop me, I turned and slipped away.

By the time I reached the hallway, the fever had worsened. Cold sweat trickled down my temple, my vision blurred, and my knees trembled as I climbed the stairs.

Something inside me felt….wrong.

I staggered towards my room and pushed the door open.

The scent that hit me was faintly masculine, clean, smoky, and intoxicating.

But I was too dizzy to notice.

Wanting some relief, I began to strip, fumbling with the straps of my gown. My body felt too hot and way too sensitive.

The moment my dress pooled at my feet, the door burst open.

“What the hell?”

I stilled. Recognizing the voice.

My stomach dropped as I turned sharply, my eyes widening in horror.

Because standing by the door were Kael, Ronan, and Elias, all three staring at me with varying degrees of shock and something darker, something that made my skin tingle.

For a heartbeat, no one spoke.

The air grew heavier. And I swore I could hear their breathing. It was fast, uneven, and just as strained as mine.

Then…

Mate.

A voice echoed in my head. One that wasn’t mine.

Mates

My heart skipped a beat.

No…no, it couldn’t be.

I staggered back, but I heard the voice again—My wolf—faintly but surely. It trembled with a chilling certainty as I stared at them.

Mates

At the same time, their eyes glowed with dull light. And I realized they felt it too.

Kael broke the silence, his voice thick with disbelief and something darker,

“Impossible.”