Chapter 15

LUCIEN POV

For years, the palace had been known for its discipline, strategy, and controlled dominance. There were no unnecessary emotions here. No laughter that lingered, No warmth that softened the edges of stone walls built for war.

It had always been him and his brothers. They ruled their kingdom with hearts that beat only for power and each other.

Until Hannah showed up.

He stood by the tall arched window in the east wing, watching the morning sun stretch over the kingdom grounds. Mist hovered over the gardens, golden light bleeding through it.

The palace was too peaceful.

“She’s changing us.”

Riven’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I didn’t bother turning to face him. “We’re allowing it.”

Kael entered the room a second later, buttoning the cuffs of his shirt. “Riven that shit wasn’t supposed to go that far.”

We all knew what he meant. My jaw tightened slightly.

Last night shouldn’t have happened the way it did.

It was bound to happen eventually,the tension had been building for weeks but not like that. Not suddenly and also noy impulsively. Not in the backseat of a car like we had lost control. The way her breathing changes when one of them leaned closer. It wasn’t unexpected and neither was it planned.

We never lose control.

I’ve always been in control but I lost it yesterday. The way her nipples hardened between my hands, I needed to taste it and fuck they tasted like heaven.

The loss of control feared me. I’ve always been the quiet one, but things aren’t going the same way.

“She didn’t stop us,” Riven muttered.

“That doesn’t mean she was ready,” Kael shot back calmly.

“She moaned and called us daddy. I’m very positive she enjoyed it more than you think kael.” Riven shot back.

I turned to them, finally facing them. A lot of emotions were going through my head, and I just couldn’t comprehend how much things had changed among us.

“She said not tonight, and we listened.”

But even as I said it, doubt crept in.

Had we?

Yes, they stopped. But the hunger in the car had been extremely intense and raw. Now that we knew how her body was, and how good she felt underneath us, I knew my brothers wouldn’t want to make this a one day thing. Their hunger had become worse. I could still hold myself, but I knew Riven couldn’t.

Would she look at us differently this morning?

Would she avoid us?

I just didn’t know why that possibility bothered me more than it should.

For the first time in years, I cared about how someone perceived him, especially after what happened the last time I cared.

I didn’t like the sound of it. .

Footsteps echoed faintly from the corridor leading to the dining hall.

It was time for breakfast, Hannah should be on her way now. .

Riven folded his arms, and Kael straightened himself.

My expression had turned into its usual unreadable expression.

If she was afraid, I would see it immediately.

The dining doors opened, and she walked in.

Fuck she looked so sexy while wearing baggy.

She wasn’t avoiding them, and she wasn’t guarded.

She looked more radiant and happier than normal. Her hair framed her face softly, her posture wasn’t defensive. There was no tension in her shoulders. Her steps are steady.

She looked lighter and when her eyes met ours, her shoulders relaxed. There’s a softness in her expression that wasn’t there before.

She walks straight toward us.

I exchange a quick glance with my brothers, and they both had the same confused expression on their faces.

Then she stops in front of Kael first. Before any of us can process what she’s about to do, She leans down and kisses his cheek.

A soft, deliberate peck.

Kael freezes. The shock of the kiss was still so obvious on his face. She turns to Riven and does the same.

Riven’s eyebrows lift in visible surprise.

Then she steps in front of me.

For a second, our eyes lock.

There’s no fear in hers. No hesitation.

Just warmth and acceptance.

She leans forward and presses her lips against my cheek.

It’s brief, but it sends heat straight through my body.

“Good morning,” she says casually, like she didn’t just undo every worry we had.

She walks to her seat, pours herself a drink, and starts serving her food like everything is normal.

Riven clears his throat. “Well.”

Kael shakes his head slightly, amused.

I sit down slowly, watching her.

She’s lighter today, and she was even glowing.

Selene is seated across from us.

I don’t miss the way her fingers tighten around her fork.

The jealousy in her eyes is obvious, even though she tries to hide it.

I don’t pay her attention.

My focus stays on Daniella.

Kael starts discussing arrangements.

“We’ve been talking about bringing your mother here.”

Her head snaps up immediately.

DANIELLA POV

I was done fighting myself.

I like them. That realization hit me last night when Tianna left my room.

I wasn’t angry at them, I was angry at myself because I wanted more. I was scared of how much I wanted it.

But I’m tired of pretending. I needed to be true to myself.

So this morning, I chose to embrace it.

I chose them.

When I walked into the dining hall and saw them already seated, I almost lost my nerve.

They looked unfairly good. Confident posture, They looked like they were going to post for Forbes.

For a second, I forgot how to breathe.

But then I remembered my decision.

I walked straight to them.

And I kissed each of them on the cheek.

I could feel how shocked they were.

And I loved it. It felt empowering, like I was the one in control for once.

Selene’s eyes burned into me the entire time.

But I didn’t care.

For the first time, I didn’t care.

We’ve been talking about bringing your mother here.” Lucien said, snapping me to reality.

“Really?” I asked, excitement lighting up my face.

“Yes, In one week.” Lucien says.

I was about to cry. The thought of seeing my mother again, pulled some emotional strings.

“I’ve missed her so much,” I whispered.

Being here hasn’t been easy, and knowing I’ll see her soon?

It makes everything feel lighter.

We talked and laughed more than usual.

I felt genuinely happy.

I took a bite of my food. Then I lifted my glass and took a sip.

It tasted normal and refreshing.

We all continued eating and talked about different things.

I felt a slight scratch in my throat.

I coughed lightly.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly when they looked at me.

But it wasn’t fine. The scratch turned into a burn.

I coughed again. Harder this time. I couldn’t feel any of my organs.

My chest tightened suddenly. It felt like something invisible had wrapped around my lungs.

I tried to inhale, but the air wouldn’t come.

Panic flooded me instantly, and I felt like I was choking.

I grabbed the edge of the table.

“I can’t… ” I tried to say, but my voice came out broken. I couldn’t even form a complete sentence.

Lucien was beside me in seconds.

He placed his hands on my shoulders.

“Look at me.”

I tried, but I just couldn’t . Everything was spinning, and my visions was blurry.

My chest felt like it was collapsing inward.

I couldn’t breathe.

Why can’t I breathe?

My throat felt like it was closing. None of my organs were functioning.

Tears filled my eyes.

Not from emotion, rather from fear. .

I heard chairs scraping, and before I knew what was happening, Riven and Kael were already by my side.

Riven swearing, and Kael calling my name.

I was suffocating, and my body felt extremely heavy and weak.

I tried to focus, I tried o understand what was happening but I just couldn’t.

And then, through my blurred vision I saw Selene.

She wasn’t panicking like the triplets, and she wasn’t shocked.

It felt like she already knew this was going to happen and she wasn’t bothered.

She was watching me, and for a split second she smiled.

The smile wasn’t wide or obvious, but it was enough for me to see it.

Did she…?

No.

Why would she?

My lungs burned violently, and dark spots filled my vision.

The room felt distant and voices sounded far away.

Lucien’s arms caught me as my knees gave out.

Everything felt cold and heavy.

My mind was racing.

Did she poison me?

Why would she do that?

Because she hates you, because you’re getting close to them, because you kissed them, because he wants them.

My chest spasmed.

I tried to take one more breath.

Just one.But the darkness was already closing in.

The last thing I saw was elene’s satisfied expression.

And then…

Everything went black.