Chapter Four

Ava’s POV.

If it were possible, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me. They just claimed me as theirs in front of the entire pack.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see my father, stepmother and sister glaring at me. Everyone was shocked because, like I said before, nobody would accept the bond. It wasn't easy to see an Alpha or even three Alphas accept an Omega as their mate.

Jason took my hand and together, we walked to the podium. My heart was beating loudly. Jake whispered into my ear.

“Your heart is beating loudly, princess. Don't worry, we won't eat you.” He said, teasing me. I gulped. The walk back to the podium was not more than a minute but that one minute felt like twenty years of my life.

When we reached, they helped me up onto the podium and turned me to face the crowd. Jason, being the eldest, spoke first.

Hello everyone. Today is a joyous day for all of us. We have come to celebrate the Full Moon festival but there is another reason to be happy.

My brother and I have found our mate. Ava here is our mate.” They pulled me to their side as the entire crowd started murmuring.

“Enough,” Jason said, using his Alpha voice and everyone kept quiet. He was already looking frustrated at their noise.

“I wasn't asking for permission. I was telling you she is our mate. You will treat her with the utmost respect. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Alpha.” Everyone replied.

“Let's continue the festivities.” He said.

The celebration continued and I was pulled aside by the brothers who walked towards my Father. Somehow, he looked pleased with me.

“Beta Joshua, forgive us for claiming your servant without telling you. You know how we are with things that belong to us.” James said, looking at me.

I turned to look at my father. I wanted to see if he would tell them that I was his daughter, his abandoned child. I saw literal fumes coming out of Ella's head as she looked at me with hatred.

She wanted to confront me but her mother held her back and led her out. My father was still staring at me.

This time, however, I didn't lower my gaze. I stared back at him. I hated my father, that was for sure. He was the man of the house, sure but he never ever treated me like his child.

“I understand completely, Alpha.” My father replied.

The brothers turned to me.

“Who is your father, princess?” James asked. I looked at my father and I could swear I saw his face pale. I wanted to say my father was dead. But I needed to be recognised. So instead, I turned towards my father.

“My name is Ava Rhinehart. I am Beta Joshua's bastard daughter.” I replied, even though I hated the taste of his name with mine. He was no father to me. I couldn't miss the shock on their faces as they turned towards my father.

“Why are we just hearing that you have a daughter, Joshua?” James asked, looking angry.

“And why is she a slave in your household?” James added. My father gulped and I could see he was trapped because of the questions.

“I'm really very sorry for the inconvenience, Alpha. It's just that sometimes, she decides to help out in the kitchen.” Then he turned to look at me, passing a secret message with his eyes. “Tell them, Ava.”

It was the first time in years my father had said my name. He didn't even look my way but because he expected me to save him at this moment, he called my name. I bit back tears. I wouldn't cry because of him. I wouldn't do it. But I really didn't want to see him punished so I turned to the brothers who were already looking at me, waiting for an answer and nodded.

“Are you sure you weren't forced?” James asked, looking at me like he could see through my soul. I nodded again, not able to find my voice. They turned to my father and assessed him too.

He tried to keep a straight face but I could see through his lies. He wasn't fit to be called my father. Then Jason cleared his throat and looked at his brothers. I knew they were communicating mentally. Then he turned towards me.

“We're leaving, little mouse. We'll send someone to collect your things later.”

“Okay.” I waited for them to talk to my father and then he bowed to them. I wanted to bow to my father but Jake stopped me.

“You don't need to do that anymore, princess. You're in a much higher position than he is right now.” He said, nodding at my father. My father was an egoistic man. He relished the feeling of respect and authority, but right now, as Jake said what he did, my father's eyes darkened with anger. I knew he felt insulted.

I didn't say anything anymore, just watched my father bow to them again, us actually because I was with them and we walked off. I knew I was trapped already. There was no way out because they wouldn't let me go. They had staked their claim in front of the entire pack.

We walked in silence until we got to the palace.

I wondered how my step sister was taking the news. I had always wanted to have a relationship with her. After all, she was my baby sister. But I couldn't because she was taught to hate me.

We entered the palace grounds where maids were bustling about. Everyone stopped what they were doing and bowed to them. Then, they called the head maid.

“Madam Margaret.” Jason's voice boomed down the hallway. A short, chubby woman came out and bowed to them.

“See to it that she is given a room near our wing to get settled. Also, run a bath and get her a fresh set of clothes,” He said. At that time, my stomach rumbled and I felt a wave of embarrassment. Jake just chuckled and shook his head.

“Add food to it please,” James said. She nodded and they turned to me.

“We'll see you later, little mouse.” They said and walked off, leaving me stunned and speechless.