2. MATE!

MELISSA.

*Crack*

The sound split the air before the pain did.

His hand connected with my face with brutal force, snapping my head backward. For a moment, the world tilted, spun, then blurred as hot tears flooded my eyes. My cheek burned, skin throbbing violently as I struggled to stay upright. I tasted blood, metallic and bitter at the corner of my mouth.

I slowly lifted my head and I immediately wished I hadn’t.

The burning rage in his eyes was visible, wild and merciless, the same rage I had grown up fearing. The same rage that had lived in him ever since the day I learned to call him Dad. There was no hesitation in his expression, no doubt, no fatherly restraint. Just anger, raw and unquestioned.

I had always been the rejected one.

The unwanted twin.

The mistake.

From the moment we were born, the difference was clear. Amelia was light, the warmth, perfection. The angel everyone adored. The one whose tears moved hearts, whose words were taken as truth without question. And then there was me—the thorn lodged deep in everyone’s eyes, irritating simply by existing.

I had never belonged nor fitted into the family. Beta by birth, an Omega in life.

“You little thief,” Amelia cried, her voice sharp and trembling, though I could see the glint of satisfaction beneath her tears. “Why don’t you just tell the truth? You stole my necklace. The one Dad bought for my birthday party tomorrow.”

Her words sliced into me deeper than the slap ever could.

“I didn’t…” My voice shook as I tried to speak, my chest tightening painfully. “I swe… I swear…I…”

I didn’t even get to finish.

*Crack.*

Another slap echoed through the hall, louder than the first. This time, the force knocked me completely off balance. I hit the ground hard, palms scraping against the stone floor as pain shot through my body. My head rang, vision swimming as gasps rippled through the crowd.

It was my brother.

Fredrick stood over me, his face twisted with disgust, eyes cold and merciless.

“You bitch,” he snarled. “I knew you were always jealous of Amelia, but going as far as stealing her ceremonial necklace?” He scoffed, stepping closer. “That just proves how low you really are.”

He spat on me.

The saliva landed on my cheek, warm and degrading, mixing with my tears. Laughter murmured somewhere in the crowd. Whispers followed. Judgment pressed down on me from every direction.

I stayed on the ground, trembling, my heart shattering piece by piece.

Because no matter how much I denied it, no matter how much it hurt…

They had already chosen who to believe…and it was never going to be me.

My father’s voice cut through the noise like a blade.

“You would be punished after the Alpha’s coronation!” he said coldly, his grip firm as he lifted Amelia into his arms.

She was limp against his chest, her head lolling to the side, eyes closed. Fredrick moved immediately, falling into step beside them without sparing me a glance. Their footsteps faded as they walked away, leaving behind whispers, gasps, and the heavy weight of what had just happened.

And once again, I was alone.

The strength drained from my legs. The world tilted, blurring at the edges, until Bella rushed forward and caught my arm. She steadied me, her hands warm and grounding as she helped me back onto my feet.

“Easy,” she murmured, her voice tight with worry.

I nodded faintly, though my mind was elsewhere. All I wanted was to leave—to escape the altar, the stares, the torn fabric clinging to my skin. I needed to change my dress, to breathe, to disappear for just a moment.

Then I saw them.

The triplet Alphas.

They emerged from the crowd, identical in stature and presence, their expressions carved from stone. The air around them shifted, thick with authority, with power that pressed down on everyone present. My heart leapt painfully into my throat.

Instinct took over.

I stepped back and immediately hid behind Bella, clutching the back of her dress as though she were a shield. My pulse thundered in my ears as they walked past us, their boots echoing against the marble floor, each step measured and inevitable.

They mounted the altar.

Silence fell—deep, reverent, absolute.

The elders stepped forward and began the rituals, ancient words spilling into the air, heavy with history and tradition. Incense burned, smoke curling upward as if carrying prayers to the heavens. Each movement was precise, practiced, sacred.

I watched from behind Bella’s shoulder as the crowns were lifted.

One by one, they were placed upon the triplets’ heads.

At that moment, it was done.

They were crowned Alphas.

The crowd erupted into cheers, but the sound felt distant to me, like it was coming from underwater. My heart began to race uncontrollably, pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.

The next part was coming.

The choosing.

My breath caught as the ceremonial bird was brought forth, its feathers gleaming, eyes sharp and knowing. According to tradition, the bird would choose their mate—whoever it landed on would be bound to them by fate itself.

My fingers trembled.

I told myself it wouldn’t be me. It couldn’t be me. I was no one. Just a girl standing in a ruined dress, hiding behind her friend, wishing she could vanish.

I was still tangled in my thoughts, barely aware of the bird taking flight, when Bella suddenly stiffened.

She gasped.

Then she shouted.

“It’s you, Melissa!” Her voice rang out, loud and clear, slicing through the celebration. “You are their mate!”

The world stopped.

Every head turned in my direction.

I froze, my breath locked in my chest as hundreds of eyes bore into me. Heat flooded my face, my body suddenly feeling too small, too exposed. Excitement sparked despite myself—bright and terrifying—fluttering wildly in my chest.

But it didn’t last.

Because when I finally looked at them, really looked at the triplet Alphas, the excitement drained away like water slipping through my fingers.

Their faces held no joy, just something far more frightening.