Chapter Three

Ava’s POV.

“What?” I whispered to myself, still in shock at what I had just heard.

When I was told that werewolves always found their mates, I stopped myself from having that thought because I knew I would never find mine.

Because of my status, I knew that even if I did find my mate, he would be an Omega like me. The lowest rank of wolves. I also thought I was mateless since most of the Omegas I knew had already found their mates.

And that was another thing my stepmother and stepsister taunted me with. But now, looking back at the three men staring at me and calling me theirs, I felt a mix of excitement and fear run through my veins. I wanted them to reject me.

A mate bond like this would ruin all my plans. Not to mention the hatred and gossip that would follow me around. I couldn't be the one to reject them because they were Alphas. Rejecting them would mean death for me.

My parents and sister would think I seduced them. They would never believe me. I looked up at them and they were watching me intently. I wanted to bolt but they had me trapped with their bodies. Jake, James and Jason Wyland, the Alphas of the Wyland Pack were my mates.

I didn't want them to mark me. Alphas always mark their mates once they find them. A normal werewolf would be able to fight the urge for a few days,  but since an Alpha is at the top of the chain, they havstrongererr urge to claim their mates. I knew they would so I blurted out the one thing I could think of.

“Please reject me.” I whimpered.

They looked shocked and it was understandable. I was asking them for something that would be detrimental to all of us. When a wolf rejects a mate bond, they go through extreme torture, and sometimes they never survive the aftereffects.

“And why would we do that?” Jason, the eldest of the three asked.

“Because I'm an Omega and you are Alphas,” I replied, looking at them. They looked taken aback by my words.

“If we mark you, you could be the Luna of this pack. Every girl wants that. Why are you running from it?” James, the middle twin asked me.

“Because I don't want it.” I simply said, flinching as Jason raised his brow, unimpressed.

“We don't care about that,” Jason said. “You're our mate and we accept you. You're not running away, little mouse.”

“Why?” I asked them. “Why do you want to accept me?”

“Because you're our mate.” Jake, the youngest of the three, finally spoke. He was my step sister's lover. And I knew she would kill me for this.

“I can't accept this bond. I'm sorry.” I told them. I wanted to bolt but Jason held my hand. I felt the sparks of our mate bond with the contact.

“What is your name?” He asked. I looked up at him transfixed by his blue eyes.

“Ava.”

“Ava.” He repeated, my name sounding like a prayer from his lips.”You work at the Beta's mansion, don't you?” I wasn't shocked at the description. My father had never acknowledged me as his daughter since I was born. People knew me as a slave, an omega who worked in his house.

“Yes, I work there... Please let me go”. I pleaded, tears already filling my eyes.

“I don't want to.” He said, staring at me so intently that I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks.

I looked between the brothers again. They were so handsome, every girl in the pack wanted them. And I got not one but three of them as my mates.

I couldn't think about the possibilities that this could work. I didn't dare to. I had plans, plans that didn't involve three hot Alphas as my mates. I had to get out of this situation. I removed my hand from his grasp and stepped back.

“Please let me go.” They just laughed and stepped forward, making me step back again. This went on till I turned and I ran.

My chest was heaving and my breath came out in short gasps as I tried to lengthen the distance between us. I managed to leave the halls and I heard music and dancing.

The Full Moon Festival has already begun. I headed to the kitchen, where I met my stepmother looking furious and searching for me. When she saw me, she walked towards me and slapped me hard on my cheek. I tasted the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

“Where have you been, slave?” She thundered. “ Have you been bitching around like your useless mother?” I wanted to reply, I wanted to tell her that she was wrong but the words got caught in my throat. I had to endure. After all, I was leaving her that night. I wouldn't see her again. I bowed my head.

“I'm sorry. I got lost.”

“Of course you did.” She hissed and pointed to a tray of drinks.

“Carry those and serve the guests. Make yourself useful for once.” She pushed past me and went outside.

I sighed and carried the drinks. I decided not to get in trouble again for the day. I was mentally exhausted. I just had to make it through this. When they're less distracted, I'll sneak out and escape.

I got to the party and people were bustling about. I dropped the tray of drinks and stood in a corner, waiting for the right time to bolt. Immediately, the Three Alphas entered and there were cheers from the pack, especially the girls. I felt the familiar spark of the mate bond. It was pulling me to them.

I tried ignoring it but it didn't work. I averted my eyes, trying to distract myself with anything else but my body reacted to them. From the corner of my eyes, I could feel their stares and I turned, only to face them. And then, they started advancing towards me.

By now, the crowd's noise had already died down, watching the three Alphas walk through the crowd. I knew what they wanted to do. They would claim me in front of the entire pack. I wanted to run, but it was like my feet were rooted to the ground.

They got to me and we stood, staring at each other. Then they howled.

“Mine.” They each said and that word sealed my fate.