Three

Luck was on my side as Lady Selena’s gaze moved sharply between the three alphas, demanding to know what they meant.

They didn't reveal our secret, thank the gods, but the way they snarled at one another, like they were ready to rip each other's throats over a bond they clearly hated, made one thing certain.

I was doomed.

I slipped away quietly and didn't return to the hall. Outside, packmates gave themselves over to the moon’s primal call, their howls rising high into the night.

The urge to shift almost consumed me, but I held back. If I shifted in front of others, they would see the truth—that I wasn’t really an omega. I could only shift deep in the forest, during the day, when most wolves stayed in their human forms and there was less chance of being caught.

The mating moon was just ten days away. Now that I had found my mates, it would be nearly impossible to keep my wolf under control. 

Even if I wanted to run, there was nowhere safe to go. Rogues were treated with merciless cruelty. And If Alpha Garrick learned that I was fated to the triplet alphas, the entire pack would hunt me down. The triplets’ power stretched far beyond anything I could ever outrun.

∆∆∆∆∆∆

“Lira!” Lady Astoria’s voice rang out from upstairs several hours later.

I left my bed, tied my robe, and hurried up the private corridor, praying there wouldn't be trouble tonight. She was probably just calling me to pin her hair, as usual.

Astoria sat before her mirror, her dark curls tumbling around a face so beautiful it almost didn't seem fair. The room smelled of rosewater and expensive oils, the scent so thick it was nearly suffocating. 

I often wondered why Alpha Garrick chased after other, plainer women when he already had her. Maybe males who weren’t bound by fate could never truly stay loyal.

“Alpha Jax is a god,” Astoria purred, leaning closer to her reflection. “Once I catch his attention, I'll let him do whatever he wants with me and give him a litter of pups.”

My hands trembled as I worked, her silky hair slipping through my fingers. Why did I care about a bond that would only destroy me? If the triplets rejected me, I might survive. If they accepted me, we would all die.

“What about Alpha Garrick, my lady?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself.

Astoria scoffed. “That fool is nothing compared to the triplet alphas. I'm going to Alpha Jax’s chambers tonight, and he will not refuse me.”

The mark on my chest flared at the sound of Jax’s name, and my wolf whimpered, drawn to him against my will. I hated it. I hated her for wanting him and hated myself for feeling the bond’s pull.

“Of course,” I murmured, pinning another curl in place.

The door burst open, and Lady Selena stormed in. My stomach sank.

“You bitch!” she screamed, snatching a comb from the table and throwing it at my head. It struck my cheek, sharp pain exploding under the skin. “What did you do to the alphas? Why were they all over you?”

“I was serving drinks,” I said quickly, keeping my voice calm. My cheek throbbed, but I didn't let it show. “I did nothing, my lady.”

Selena kicked me hard in the ribs. White-hot pain shot through me, stealing my breath.

“You filthy little slut,” she hissed, standing over me. “You think you can flutter your lashes at powerful alphas and get away with it?”

If she didn’t know about the bond yet, this rage alone could kill me. If she ever learned the truth, she’d make sure I disappeared forever.

“I didn’t—” My protest was cut off when she yanked my hair, jerking my head back so hard tears filled my eyes.

“Don’t lie to me, you omega whore!” she screamed, her nails digging painfully into my scalp. “I saw you throwing yourself at them. Because of you, Kain didn't look at me twice. You think you’re special?”

“I was just serving,” I insisted, my wolf growling inside me, begging to fight back.

Astoria rolled her eyes. “Selena, calm yourself. She's only a servant. Alphas of their standing would never touch her.” Her tone was bored, but her eyes glimmered with jealousy.

Selena’s lips curled into a furious snarl. “Then she needs to learn her place.”

She pulled a small knife from her pocket. Astoria gasped.

“Selena, that’s too far!”

“No, it isn’t,” she spat. “Maybe I should cut up that pretty face so no one dares look at her again.”

My heart pounded, but I stayed still. Begging would only feed her rage. She pressed the blade to my cheek. Warm blood trickled down my jaw as she smiled, waiting for me to cry. When I didn't, she slashed across my forearm. I bit my lip until I tasted blood, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a scream.

The cut burned, but it was nothing compared to the fire of the mark beneath my clothes.

“This is your only warning,” she said coldly. “Stay away from them, or I'll gut you and leave you for the dogs.”

She swept out of the room, leaving blood dripping onto the marble floor.

“I’ll clean it up,” I muttered.

Astoria groaned, fetched a rag and some water, and handed them to me with clear irritation. Selena didn't know about the bond, but her jealousy alone was enough to destroy me. The triplets were keeping it a secret too, probably ashamed to share a fated mate—especially one as lowly as me.

Astoria scrubbed the floor. “You should have apologized. Did you have to provoke her?”

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, my voice breaking. I hated how weak it sounded. I wouldn't cry for Selena.

“Stay away from her,” Astoria warned. “And do not get any ideas. The alphas would never want you.”

Her gaze went dreamy again. “Jax will be mine tonight. I will make him forget every other woman in this house.”

I stayed silent, my hand throbbing. A knock at the door made me freeze.

A guard stood there, his face hard. “Alpha Jax wants Lira in his chambers. Now.”

Astoria’s head snapped around, her mouth falling open. “What? Jax wants her?” Her voice rose to a sharp, angry pitch. “She’s a useless omega! Why would he—”

“Orders, my lady,” the guard interrupted. “Lira, move.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. My wolf whimpered for Jax, but I shook my head and clung to Astoria, tears welling up as I played the helpless servant.

“No, please. I don’t want to go.”

Astoria’s jealousy burned like fire, but she shoved me toward the guard anyway. “Go, you stupid girl. You never say no to an alpha, even if you don’t deserve his attention.”

The guard gripped my arm and marched me through the corridors. My cheek burned, my forearm bled, and Astoria’s furious glare followed me until we turned the corner.

We stopped at a heavy oak door. The guard let go of me. “Wait here.”

Muffled voices spilled through the doorway, rough and angry.

“You said it yourself,” Alpha Jax snarled, his voice like a growl. “She’s an omega slave. You swore you didn't want a mate, yet you're refusing to reject her.”

“Don’t twist my words,” Kain snapped back. “I won’t lose another mate. I won’t stand by and watch you take her from me.”

“Take her?” Jax’s tone was venomous. “I felt her too. She’s mine. You have a daughter, Kain. You have known love. Break the bond and let me have this for once.”

“Never,” Kain roared. “She is mine, and no one will take her from me.”

My knees almost buckled. Their fight was worse than I imagined. There was no way to escape. The guard stood firmly at his post, leaving me trapped between three furious alphas who could destroy me—and a pack that would gladly help them do it.