3

ELIANA

The door banged open, jerking me awake and my heart jumped straight to my throat.

Last night almost felt like a fever dream. I thought I was going to wake up in the morning praying that I was not living that dream, then go downstairs and complain about my marriage before I continued to discuss baby names with George and Ann, then after, going to the little pack house to conduct fun stretching sessions for the little pups.

But I was not in my pack. I was living my worst nightmare, a werewolf omega living in the midst of lycan alphas while injured with no one to protect me. Even the guards here thought they were better than me.

I tried to adjust my eyes to the lighting, and I saw three shadows fill the doorway. My heart dropped. Axel, Cade, and Rhett, the Blackthorn triplets, strode into the room. One of them flicked the lights open before he muttered, “Geez, why is the room so darn dark?

Lyra whined, desperate for their scent, but I shoved her down as I glared at them, “Get the hell out,” I snarled, moving away from them. “I don’t want you near me.”

One of them, clad in a suit, laughed. It was a sharp, cruel sound, his green eyes glinting, which made my blood boil. “That was cute, werewolf. I am Axel, and sorry to burst your bubble on our first meeting, but you do not have a say here.”

He leaned against the wall, tattoos curled all over his arms. A day ago I would call it irresponsible and childish, but right now, I felt hot just glancing at them, wondering what he would like if he took off his shirt.

Axel seemed to notice as he stared sharply at me with a little smirk on his lips, looking like a predator toying with his prey. “You’re our mate, like it or not. But don’t get it twisted, you’re not going to be our luna. You are just here for fun purposes.” He added.

My jaw clenched, anger bursting through my body, “Fun?” I spat, standing despite my wobbly legs. “You saved me from Darius just to watch me die in your stupid trials? Screw you.” My voice cracked.

I lost my baby, my husband, everything, and these fucking bastards think it’s just a game.

Cade stepped closer to me, his blond hair a mess. He lit another cigarette and puffed the smoke in my face before he grinned, exposing his pearly white, straight teeth.

“Oh, we’re gonna enjoy this,” he cackled wickedly. “I am going to enjoy watching as they break you down until your silly little confidence is gone.”

“I am going to survive.” I said, even though my confidence was dwindling. “I am going to prove you wrong.”

Cade laughed again as he puffed, then looked back at his brothers who were also laughing at me, “Let me tell you a little story. Our last three mates trained their whole damn lives. They were all coincidentally daughters of warriors, which makes them stronger than you’ll ever be, but they still got crushed in the trials. All three of them didn’t make it out alive,” he told me. “What makes you think you can beat it? You’re gonna crash and burn, darling. And we’ll be in the front row.”

I flinched, my heart racing. Lycans were way stronger than we are, and three of them died because they couldn’t handle it.

My stomach twisted, fear creeping in, but I shoved it down. If I showed them I was weak, then they would think I was.

“I’m not weak,” I shook my head, feigning confidence.“I held Night Shade together while Craig blew our money on his slut. I’m stronger than you think, you bastard.” I snarled, my body trembling. I hate how scared I am, and how their words cut deeper than I want to admit.

The last one whom I assumed had to be Rhett stepped closer to me, his expression dark as his eyes raked over me like I was a bug he wanted to squash. “You’re nothing, omega,” his voice was flat with no trace of kindness. “NightShade became a dump the day you and your thief husband became alpha and luna. The trials will rip you apart, and we’ll laugh while you beg us for mercy,” he stepped closer, towering over me, his scent making my wolf whimper. “You’re just a toy for us to claim and fuck until you break, sweetheart. Nothing more.”

I want to scream, to punch that smug look off his face, but my body was betraying me. Their scent—damn it, it was messing with my head, making my skin tingle. Lyra was alternating between anger and begging for them, and I hated it. I hated them.

“You’re monsters,” I choked out, tears threatening to slip over. “Your gang has been bullying my pack for years, breaking bones, and stealing food from pups. And now you think you can claim me? I’d rather die than be yours.” My voice shook, but I meant it.

My pack counted on me, and I swore I’ll get back to them.

Axel crossed his arms, his muscles flexing under his leather jacket. “Die? Oh, you’ll get your chance, sweetheart. But before then, we will claim you,” he whispered as he leaned in, his breath hot on my face. “You’re a nobody omega, but you are our mate. You’re our property. After the trials start, you will come to us for solace. You will beg us to kiss you, to fuck you, or whatever your damn fantasies are of us.”

My fists clenched, nails biting my palms as my heart throbbed. My body was stupidly reacting to him.

"I’m not your entertainment,” I whimpered, stepping away from him even as my entire body flushed. “I’ve survived foster homes, Craig’s lies, and losing my baby. I’ll survive your damn trials, and I’ll shove your smug faces in it.”

Cade chuckled as he flicked his cigarette to the floor and crushed it with his boot. “Big talk for a girl who’s bleeding and crying. You feel that mate bond, don’t you? Your wolf wants us bad.” He grinned, stepping so close I could feel his heat. “Go on, deny it. Makes it more fun when you deny it while your body tells the wrong story.”

I shove him back, my hands trembling, cheeks burning. “Get away from me, asshole,” I snapped. “I feel nothing but hate.” I spat, even though he was right. Lyra was howling, craving their scent and their touch.

It felt like my body was wired for them, and I hate how it makes my heart race. I’m not some lovesick fool. I’m Eliana Anderson, and I’ll fight this bond with everything I’ve got.

Rhett snorted, as his eyes darkened, “Keep fighting. It will make your failure sweeter. The trials don’t care about your guts. They’ll crush you, and we’ll be there, popcorn ready.” He turned for the door, not even looking back. “Sleep tight. You’re gonna need it.”

Axel and Cade followed behind him, and Axel tossed me a final smirk. “Showtime’s coming, darling. Don’t disappoint us.” The door slammed shut, the lock clicked like a gunshot, leaving me alone.

I collapsed on the floor, my body shaking as tears streamed down my face. The triplets’ cruel laughs echoed in my head, their scent still messing with my wolf, making my heart thump traitorously. I hate them, but that bond’s real, and it’s tearing me apart.

I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the pain, but a sharp creak outside snapped them open. A glint of metal slides under the door.

I quickly scrambled to see what it was, and it was a dagger. Confused, I flipped it to check if there was something written on it, and the words ‘need help?’ was etched boldly on it.

My blood immediately froze. Someone was watching me, someone who knows I’m in danger. My fingers closed around the dagger as my heart drummed wildly against my rib cage. Who the hell left this, and why did they want to help me?