I sat before the dressing mirror, combing my hair, but my thoughts kept wandering. I couldn't get my mind off the kisses I shared with Louis in the woods and Lennox in my room. I knew I shouldn't think about it—that I should take my mind off it—but I couldn't. The memories wouldn't fade, and my wolf kept purring softly in my head, making it impossible to wipe them away. The rightful source is novel⁂fire.net
A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
The door opened, and the two new maids the triplets had assigned to me walked in. Unlike the others, they seemed respectful—perhaps because they had only recently been employed.
"Good morning, Luna," they greeted with a bow, and I forced the best smile I could manage. These days, I had almost forgotten how to smile.
"Luna, we're here to prepare you for the ceremony. It's almost starting," Nora, the younger maid with short blonde hair, said.
I turned away from the window, confusion evident on my face. "A ceremony?" I asked.
"Yes," Lolita, the older maid with curly black hair, replied, swallowing hard. I could see the hesitation in her eyes, like she was struggling to say what needed to be said. After a moment, she spoke, her voice low and uneasy. "Today, the Alphas are taking Miss Anita as their concubine."
I froze, my fingers gripping the comb tightly as Lolita's words sank in. So soon? The triplets were really doing it? They couldn't even give it time—they were taking Anita as their concubine just three days after our marriage?
My wolf let out a furious growl in my head, and I clenched my jaw to keep from letting the sound slip out. My chest ached, and my hands trembled slightly, but I forced myself to remain composed.
"It's happening today?" I asked, my voice calm and cold, though my heart was pounding.
Lolita lowered her gaze, clearly uncomfortable. "Yes, the ceremony is about to begin."
Anger surged through me, and I bit down on my lower lip to keep myself from screaming.
"Can I not go?" I asked, hoping for any way out.
Lolita shook her head. "Sorry, Luna, but you have to be there. In fact, the Alphas specifically asked us to come get you."
My frown deepened. "Those bastards," I muttered under my breath. They wanted to humiliate me in front of the pack, to show everyone how much they loved Anita and how little they wanted me. Who takes a concubine just three days after marriage?
Swallowing my pain, I nodded to the maids. They moved closer, and I forced myself to sit still as they began preparing me. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, betrayal, humiliation. My wolf continued to growl softly in my head, restless and hurt. I hated how vulnerable I felt—how exposed and broken I must look to them.
As Lolita gently braided my hair, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. My eyes looked hollow, the light in them dimmed, and I barely recognized myself. I knew this would happen from the beginning, but somehow I had hoped—foolishly—that it wouldn't.
I could still feel the warmth of their lips on mine—the way Louis had kissed me so tenderly but possessively in the woods, as if I was something precious to him. And Lennox… his kiss had been rough and demanding, almost like he wanted to claim me. I knew I shouldn't think about it. I knew I shouldn't want them. Yet, I couldn't help it.
I gritted my teeth as Nora slipped a blue gown over my shoulders. It was stunning—rich sea-blue velvet with intricate gold embroidery along the neckline and sleeves. It matched my eyes, but right now, I didn't care. I didn't want to look beautiful for them. I didn't want to play their little game of showing the world how content I was while they flaunted Anita like a prized possession.
"Luna… would you like me to do your makeup?" Nora asked cautiously, her tone gentle.
"No," I replied flatly. "Just leave my face as it is."
The maids exchanged a quick glance but said nothing, continuing to adjust my gown and fix my hair. Once they were done, they stepped back, bowing slightly.
"You look beautiful, Luna," Lolita whispered, almost as if she felt sorry for me.
"Thanks," I mumbled, forcing a tight-lipped smile.
"Let's go," I said, standing to my feet. I stared at myself one last time in the mirror. I was dressed beautifully, but the pain in my eyes was there for everyone to see.
Leaving my room, Nora and Lolita led me toward the pack hall where the ceremony was taking place.
As we entered the grand hall, the murmur of the gathered pack grew louder. I could feel their eyes on me the moment I stepped inside—curious, pitiful, and some even scornful. My eyes settled on the triplets who were standing on the dais beside Anita.
Anita looked radiant, draped in a crimson gown that clung to her curves, her lips painted a deep red. She gave me a smug smile, her gaze gleaming with triumph. My stomach twisted with nausea, but I kept my face blank, refusing to let her see how much she was affecting me.
My eyes met the triplets', but I looked away and walked over to the seat meant for me. I sat down, fixing my gaze on them with a blank expression.
The officiant began speaking, his voice booming through the hall as he announced the ceremony's purpose, declaring Anita as the concubine of the three Alphas.
My fists clenched at my sides, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming. I wanted to run—wanted to leave this place and never look back. But I couldn't show weakness. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction.
When the officiant called for the Alphas to present their marks on Anita, my breath caught in my throat. One by one, they approached her. Marking her as their concubine would ensure that if they had sex with her, I wouldn't feel the pain.
Lennox moved forward, pressing a possessive kiss to her neck before bringing out his fangs and sinking them into her neck. Where I sat, I felt miserable but kept a blank look.
Lennox stepped away, and Levi stepped forward, brushing his lips against her cheek before sinking his fangs into her neck. I swallowed hard in pain—this was nothing like mine. During our mating ceremony, they marked me with no care, no love, no kiss.
It was Louis turn. He planted a lingering kiss on her lips and then tilted his head towards her neck, where the fresh marks of his brothers were imprinted. Where I sat, my heart sank as he imprinted his mark on her.
They marked her with tenderness they had never shown me. My heart thudded painfully as the pack roared their approval, celebrating the woman who had just stolen everything from me.
My wolf howled in agony, and I felt the sting of tears threatening to spill, but I forced them back.
As the ceremony continued, I stayed rooted to my spot, my nails digging into my palms.
Anita moved over and took the seat beside me, a sly smile on her lips, but I ignored her. She didn't give up; instead, she leaned over and whispered,
"I now have their marks, Olivia, and soon I will take your position as Luna. I will take you out of the way just like my father did to yours."
My eyes widened, and I stared at her in shock. "What did you just say?" I demanded, unable to understand her words.
But she only smiled, looking away.