All Chapters of MATED TO THE ALPHA TRIPLETS: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Hannah’s POV The Silent One Steps Forward I was still thinking about Lady Verena when the music changed again. Another slow melody drifted through the ballroom, softer than the last one. Couples moved gracefully across the floor, their movements smooth and practiced. But my attention stayed on Lucien. He hadn’t spoken much since we arrived. Not during the whispers. Not during the dance. Not even during Lady Verena’s visit. He had simply watched. Observed. Like he was always waiting for something to go wrong. That silence made me nervous. But it also made me curious. Riven shifted beside me, stretching slightly like he was growing restless. “Another slow one,” he muttered. “They really love dragging these things out.” Kael ignored him. Lucien didn’t react either. I lifted my glass slightly, taking another careful sip. The sweet drink calmed my throat, but the tension in my chest remained. The ballroom still buzzed with quiet conversations. Laught

Hannah’s POV The Calm Before the Break By the time the music slowed again, my legs were beginning to ache. Not painfully. Just enough to remind me that I wasn’t used to this kind of dancing, this kind of pressure, this kind of attention. Riven finally released me, though his hand lingered at my waist for a moment before stepping back. His earlier playful expression had faded slightly, replaced with something more watchful. More alert. “You didn’t fall,” he said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes, breathless. “That’s your standard for success?” “It’s a good one,” he replied. Kael stepped forward then, placing himself slightly closer to me again. His presence felt steady, familiar, grounding after the intensity of Riven’s energy. “You need to rest,” he said calmly. I didn’t argue. For once, I actually agreed. My chest still rose and fell unevenly as I tried to catch my breath. The weight of the ballroom returned slowly, settling back onto my shoulders as we m

Hannah’s POVThe Ride BackThe ride back to the palace felt longer than before.Much longer.The same road.The same car.The same people.But everything felt different now.Heavy.Silent.Broken.No one spoke.Not Kael.Not Riven.Not Lucien.And I couldn’t either.I sat between them, my hands resting stiffly on my lap, fingers trembling slightly no matter how hard I tried to steady them.My cheek still burned.Not painfully anymore.Just enough to remind me of what had happened.Of how everyone had stared.Of how the entire ballroom had watched me get slapped like I was nothing.My chest tightened painfully at the memory.I squeezed my hands together harder.Trying to hold it in.Trying to stay strong.Trying not to cry again.But it didn’t work.It never works when humiliation digs this deep.A tear slipped down my cheek.Then another.Then another.Before I knew it, the tears came faster.Hot.Uncontrollable.Silent at first.Then shaky breaths followed.Small.Broken.Embarrassin

Elias POVThe Gate That Would Not OpenThe palace gates were bigger than anything I had ever seen in my life.Tall.Black.Unmovable.Like they were built to keep the world out.Or maybe…To keep me away from her.My fists tightened at my sides as I stared up at the towering iron bars.So this was where she was.Hannah.Living comfortably.Laughing.Smiling.While I stood out here like a stranger.Like I meant nothing.A bitter laugh slipped past my lips.After everything we had shared…After everything I had given her…She thought she could just walk away?Disappear into some fantasy world with those monsters?No.That wasn’t happening.Not today.Not ever.“I’m here to see Hannah Valen,” I said sharply.The guards didn’t move.Didn’t blink.Didn’t even look impressed.Two of them stood in front of the massive gates, their bodies rigid, their expressions cold and unreadable.Like statues carved from stone.One of them finally stepped forward.“State your purpose,” he said flatly.His

Hannah POVShadows Behind SmilesSleep didn’t come easily.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face.Michelle.Her fingers tangled in my hair.Her nails digging into my scalp.Her voice screaming insults loud enough for the entire ballroom to hear.Man snatcher.Slut.Thief.The words echoed over and over inside my head.Even now, hours later, my chest still felt tight.Heavy.Like something had settled inside me and refused to leave.I turned slightly beneath the soft blankets, staring at the ceiling of my massive bedroom.The silence felt louder than usual tonight.Too quiet.Too empty.Lucien had stayed until I fell asleep earlier, but sometime during the night, he must have left.Part of me wished he hadn’t.Not because I needed protection…But because I hated feeling alone.A soft knock sounded on the door.I froze slightly.“Come in,” I called quietly.The door opened slowly.Kael stepped inside.Behind him, Riven followed closely.Both of them looked… tense.More serious tha