3

BENITO 

This couldn't be. 

The moon goddess has to be pulling a prank on us to have paired me with them. They were everything I wasn't. A role as their house pet was already hell enough. Being their mate would mean graduating to another level of suffering.

I had to leave. 

My heart plummeted in my chest as I trailed my way towards the side of the wall. I clung to it, making sure they weren't in sight before running out. I didn't bat an eye in their direction. 

I made sure my steps were feather soft. I ran on the tip of my toes. When I got to the door leading out, I reached for it. I opened it slowly, hoping and praying that it wouldn't make a single noise. 

It made a creak. A loud one.

I nearly kicked the metal door in anger as I turned my gaze to find the alphas— all three of them staring at me from across the hall. I froze. In that still moment, everything faded. 

“House pet?”

The sound of Enzo's voice jerked me out of thoughts. I shook my head, cursing under my breath as I opened the door and ran out. 

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Thorns licked at my sides. My legs ached. I blamed myself for not taking the hallways like everyone else. 

The probability that Nick was still in there filled me with fear. I kept on running on drained legs, pushing forward into the night. When I finally caught sight of the tall, towering figure of the omega dorm, I paused in front of it.

I gripped my chest. I was lucky to have escaped Nick tonight. There wasn't a high chance that I'd be safe tomorrow. All I could do now was hope and pray to the goddess that I make it out.

Having them on my trail was going to be the second worst thing that happened to me. The first? It was finding out I was the mate of the alpha triplets.

I shuffled towards the gates of the dorm, banging heavily on it before it finally opened to the sight of the security guard. 

“It's already late. You know the rules, omega. Strolling around pack environs after the curfew after the curfew will do nothing but warrant a punishment.”

“Please let me in. I was busy running errands for them. For my masters.”

I lied.

My nails dug deep into my palms as I waited for their response. “Okay. Come in!”

A broad smile tugged at the corners of my lips as soon as the doors pulled open. I walked in slowly. I made my way into the dorm. The hallways were empty.

There wasn't a single werewolf in sight. I gripped the railing tightly before climbing my way to the floor where my room was located. I shuffled towards the other end of the room and reached for the door when all of a sudden, I smelt a scent in the air.

I paused dead in my tracks.

Footsteps soon rolled in, cutting off the silence. A chill braced my spine as I turned to find Nick standing at the other end. His arms were crossed. The low lighting in the hallway braced the sides of his face. I shifted my gaze to his back and bit back a gasp when I sighted two other men.

He charged towards me. “How dare you?!”

My lips trembled. “I-i didn't say a thing to anyone. How pictures of the two of you got out to the public isn't my fault.”

Nick's eyes darkened as he clenched his fists. “Then whose fault is it?”

“I-i” I stuttered.

“Answer Ben. Is it me? Is it Rejoice's?”

He paused before me. The heat in his breath clung to my cheeks, flaming them. “You had one job, Ben. One fucking job. Keep your lips shut and we'll let you live but you just had to run your mouth.”

“I didn't say a thing. Someone else might've taken those pictures of you two. It wasn't me. I was catering all throughout the event. I couldn't poss—”

The sound of his laughter filled my ears. I stopped talking for a second as confusion took charge over my emotions. Soon enough, the two guys behind him joined in on the laughter.

My breaths rolled out in haggard puffs as I stayed still. My chest heaved continuously. When the laughter finally subsided, he charged towards me. His hands gripped my jaw tightly. I tried to tug out of his hold but it was too strong.

“Do you want me to believe someone— some random person took those photos? To think you have the effrontery to tell me lies.”

He tightened his grip and I groaned in pain.

“I wouldn't lie to you, Nick. I didn't—”

*Smack*

I reached my hand to grip my cheeks but his hands caught mine halfway. “Remember, Ben. I made promises of things I was going to do to you if you tell a soul about what you saw. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I make your life miserable.”

He released his grip on my jaw. I gripped it almost immediately, heart quivering in my chest as I raised my gaze to meet his. His gaze dug through me as if to search for weaknesses in my soul.

It didn't take long before his eyes lit up. “Starting now!”

“What?”

Before I could finish, he punched me in the ribs. Pain exploded in me. The two guys standing behind him soon joined him in punching me. I called for help. It didn't take long before the security guards came running up the stairs.

I was already sprawled on the floor when they came for me. From the hazy corners of my vision, I watched as the guards drove him out. My chest heaved. It took long before I finally staggered back up and dragged my feet towards the door.

My fingers around the doorknob as I pushed the door open. I didn't hesitate to close the door behind me. I pressed my back against it, rage steaming in my veins.

I had had enough of all of this. I charged directly for the window. I popped my head out of it and angled my gaze at the sky. 

I had many questions for the moon goddess. Does she take pleasure in seeing me suffer?

I've been looked down on all my life. I tried to make a difference every time yet nothing changed. I would forever be weak. Helpless. Alone.

A single tear dripped down the side of my eyes as I clenched my fists angrily. Just then, I heard the sound of breaking wood. I almost didn't turn to check to see who it was. But when the musky smell of wood and soft pines hit me, I froze.

Goosebumps spread against my back. 

“House pet?”

I turned slowly, stepping backwards. I couldn't have them sniff me. When I saw the look in their eyes, it dawned on me. They'd already felt the bond.

I paced backwards on shaky legs. When I hit my back against the wall, my heartbeat dropped. My eyelids quivered. 

I kept my gaze trained on them. “What are you doing here, M-masters?”

Enzo's voice came first. “We've already felt the bond, Ben, and—”

I interrupted him almost immediately. “I assume you're here to reject it. I totally understand if—”

“We plan on keeping it.”

My heart jumped at the sound of Knoxx’s voice. Ryker's voice slid in next, “What are these marks on your skin?”

His fingers reached for me. I shivered under his hold. Heat exploded in me. The cold chills from the wall my back was pressed against crashed with the heat in my veins. My breaths became labored and my chest heaved.

I struggled to keep my back straight as I squirmed. “It's nothing. Just a kitchen accident.”

“It wasn't there earlier today, Ben. Tell us the truth.”

Enzo's fingers trailed to my jaw. He didn't grip it, instead, he trailed his fingers against it. “Tell me the truth, Ben.”

Before I could form words, he pulled close to take in a whiff of my scent before pulling back, his eyes gleaming. “I want the names of the bastards who dared to touch our mate.”

“Mate?”

Before I could finish, the mate bond’s burn increased. Knoxx pulled close to whisper. “You're ours, Ben.”

I felt my wolf stir helplessly in my flesh. My lips opened instinctively and breathless words rolled out. It had to be my wolf. 

I'd read about how omega wolves are when in heat. Helpless. 

“I'm yours.”

Someone stop me.

Knoxx’s fingers gripped my jaw before he tilted it high. I met his eyes. Black clouds hovered over the blue hues in them. Soon, those black clouds drew closer and before I knew it, his lips crashed into mine. 

I tried to stop myself but my wolf was helpless and maybe I wanted this. I couldn't really blame it. They lured me. I succumbed. And now, I had to live with the aftermath of the moon goddess's choice.