Chapter seven - Caged

Daphne’s POV

My heels clacked violently against the marble floor, heart thundering louder than the music behind me. The scent was still wrapped around my senses like a curse — three scents, all different, all intoxicating. Earthy pine. Rain-drenched smoke. Warm cinnamon.

I didn’t want to think about it. But it's all I could think about.

Didn’t want to know what it meant.

But I already knew

Mate... or should I say mates.

My chest squeezed so tight I thought I might pass out.

I turned the corner sharply—and crashed into two very expensive perfume clouds.

“Daph—whoa!” Naomi caught my shoulders.

“Girl, why are you running like someone set your hair on fire?” Tessa asked, brushing a strand from my face. “Your makeup’s still flawless, don’t worry.”

I blinked at them, dazed. Their words blurred into each other, my mind spinning and breath coming in short, shaky gasps.

They were still looking at me — the other guests.

Eyes full of confusion.

Curiosity.

Judgment.

And worse — the usual mocking recognition.

As if no matter how I glammed up, I’d always be the ugly rogue girl in their eyes. I didn't care about that now. I needed to get out.

I tried to turn, to leave, to bolt for the grand entrance—

SLAM.

The ballroom doors sealed shut with a loud finality, locking everyone in place.

The coronation had begun.

No way out.

No escape.

The triplets’ mother appeared on the elevated dais, her voice magically amplified as she began to speak, welcoming nobles and guests from other packs. Her cold gaze flickered to mine. 'She knew,' I thought. My breathing caught in my throat under her cold and icy gaze. She broke the eye contact and continued welcoming the guests.

I was frozen. My lungs refused to expand. The air was too thick.

“Daph?” Naomi leaned in, her voice soft now. “You okay?”

“What happened?” Tessa asked, scanning my face. “You look like you saw a ghost...”

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t.

Because they were here.

Somewhere behind me.

Watching me.

Their scent still tangled in my bloodstream like a drug.

I felt like prey in a room full of predators — and the three most dangerous ones were the very Alphas this night was meant to celebrate.

And fate just told me they were mine. Moon Goddess why?

The air in the ballroom turned heavy the second the coronation began. Conversations dulled into hushed whispers as the lights dimmed, a spotlight falling on the elevated platform where the Alpha family stood.

My heart began hammering wildly.

I felt them before I saw them.

Three electrifying pulls deep in my chest.

Then — I turned.

And I saw them.

Standing at the edge of the platform in white button-downs that clung to their slightly-damp skin, blazers unfastened, ties kinda crooked. Their hair was tousled from rushing, but it wasn’t their disheveled looks that rooted me to the ground.

It was their eyes.

Three identical ocean blue gazes locked on me — unblinking, unreadable, and suffocating. I felt like I was drowning in them.

Jaxon.

Maddox.

Kyren.

And for the first time in my life… I felt seen. They didn't look at me with mockery, no, they looked at me like I was *the only thing that existed.

My breath hitched, caught somewhere between shock and fear.

Their father's voice began to echo across the ballroom, giving a speech that was supposed to be meaningful, proud, Alpha-like.

But I couldn’t focus on a single word.

Tessa and Naomi were gripping my arms. “Daph?” Naomi whispered.

“Girl, what’s going on?” Tessa added, shaking me lightly. “You’re pale. Like — extra pale.”

But I couldn’t look at them.

I couldn’t breathe.

My gaze was tethered to theirs — and theirs hadn’t left me for a second.

My wolf stirred within me, still raw from the shift the night before, and she whimpered. Not from pain.

From longing.

The murmurs had started now. Guests were glancing. Noticing. Some frowned. Others sneered. No one said a word — but I saw the disgust on their faces.

The triplets… were staring at me.

And not like I was a rogue's daughter or ugly.

Like I was something else entirely.

Something theirs. And I didn't completely hate that thought, which made me hate myself the more.

As their father finished his speech — no crown, no ceremony, just a raw surge of power that rippled through the room — the crowd erupted in respectful applause.

But I couldn’t move.

Because if this was what I feared… if I was truly their mate… then it was only a matter of time before the rejection came.

And I didn’t know if I’d survive it.