The two maids led me through the winding corridors of the pack house, their steps brisk and purposeful while mine dragged with reluctance. The wedding reception still echoed in the distance—laughter, music, and celebration for a union built on hatred.
"Hurry up," Astrid snapped over her shoulder, her impatience evident. "The Alphas won't wait forever."
Selene snickered. "Though they might not be waiting for you at all."
My stomach twisted at her implication, but I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing my fear. Instead, I lifted my chin higher, channeling my mother's strength.
"This way," Selene directed, pushing open a door to reveal a luxurious chamber I'd never seen before. "This will be your room now."
I stepped inside, momentarily stunned by the opulence. Cream-colored walls, plush carpeting, a massive four-poster bed draped with silken sheets. A far cry from the servant's quarters I'd been relegated to for years.
"Don't get used to it," Astrid said, noting my awe. "I doubt you'll be spending much time here once they tire of you."
Selene moved to an adjoining bathroom, where steam already rose from a filled tub scented with rose petals and oils. "Bath first. You need to wash that Omega stench off before presenting yourself to your husbands."
The way she spat "husbands" made it sound like a curse.
"I can bathe myself," I said firmly.
Astrid rolled her eyes. "We have orders to prepare you properly. Now strip."
My hands trembled as I reached for the first button of my wedding dress. The idea of disrobing before these two vultures made my skin crawl.
A soft knock at the door interrupted us. When it opened, my mother's familiar face appeared, and relief washed over me.
"I thought I might help my daughter prepare," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument despite her Omega status.
Selene's lips thinned with displeasure. "This isn't protocol—"
"I believe the mother of the Luna has certain privileges," my mother interrupted smoothly. "Unless you'd like to explain to the Alphas why you denied me this small courtesy?"
The maids exchanged glances, clearly unwilling to risk the triplets' displeasure, however unlikely it might be that they'd care about my comfort.
"Fine," Astrid conceded. "We'll return in thirty minutes to finish preparing her."
After they left, my mother's composed façade crumbled. She rushed to embrace me, her arms tight around my shoulders.
"Oh, my darling girl," she whispered. "I'm so sorry it's come to this."
I clung to her, drawing strength from her familiar scent. "I don't know if I can do this, Mother. The way they looked at me during the ceremony... they hate me."
She pulled back, cupping my face between her palms. "Listen to me, Seraphina. I know this seems impossible now, but remember—those boys once adored you. Before your father's... situation... they followed you everywhere like lovestruck puppies."
"That was a lifetime ago," I said bitterly. "They're different men now."
"Perhaps." She helped me step out of my wedding dress, handling the fabric with care. "But true feelings don't simply vanish. They may be buried under anger and misunderstanding, but somewhere inside them—"
"They're sharing their bed with Lilith," I cut in, unable to entertain false hope.
My mother's eyes clouded. "They're young men used to having what they want. But destiny chose you for a reason, Seraphina. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."
I slipped into the bath, the hot water a momentary balm for my frayed nerves. "The Moon Goddess has a cruel sense of humor then."
"Be strong tonight," she said, washing my hair with gentle strokes. "Whatever happens, remember who you are. You are not what they've called you these past years. You are not an Omega in spirit, no matter what rank they've forced upon you."
I closed my eyes, letting her words wash over me. "I'll try."
All too soon, the thirty minutes elapsed. My mother had just helped me into a robe when the door opened again. The maids returned, arms laden with small boxes and fabrics.
"Time to prepare you properly," Selene announced, setting her items on the bed.
My mother squeezed my hand once before departing with a supportive nod. The door closed behind her with a soft click that felt as final as a prison sentence.
Astrid opened one of the boxes, pulling out what appeared to be scraps of black lace. "Put these on."
I took the items, my face burning as I realized what they were. The bra—if it could be called that—was little more than two triangles of sheer black material connected by thin straps. The panties were equally revealing, high-cut with delicate lace trim.
"This is what I'm supposed to wear?" I asked, unable to keep the horror from my voice.
Selene smirked. "Orders from Lady Isolde herself. She wanted her sons' bride properly attired for their wedding night."
I doubted the triplets' mother had chosen something so revealing, but arguing would only delay the inevitable. With as much dignity as I could muster, I turned away from their prying eyes to slip into the lingerie.
Once dressed—or more accurately, undressed—I faced the mirror. The reflection startled me. The black lace contrasted starkly against my pale skin, making me look both vulnerable and provocative. My long blonde hair, still damp from the bath, hung in loose waves down my back.
"At least you clean up decently," Astrid commented, circling me with critical eyes. "Though you're no Lilith."
The comparison stung despite myself.
Selene handed me a thin black silk robe that fell to mid-thigh. "Cover yourself for now. You'll remove it when instructed."
Like a common whore, I thought bitterly, wrapping the flimsy material around my body. Is that all I am to them now? A body to use?
"It's time," Astrid announced, checking her watch. "They'll be waiting."
My heart hammered painfully against my ribs as they led me down another corridor, away from the reception, away from any hope of rescue or reprieve. We stopped before an ornate double door I recognized as leading to the master suite—traditionally reserved for the Head Alpha and Luna.
"Remember your place," Selene whispered harshly. "You're only here because fate played a cruel joke. Don't expect anything more than what you are—a duty they're forced to fulfill."
Astrid's lips curled into a cruel smile. "And don't be surprised if you're not the only one they entertain tonight."
Before I could process her words, she pushed open the doors.
The sight before me stopped my heart.
The massive bed dominated the room, its rumpled sheets already disturbed. And on it—my worst nightmare made flesh—lay the triplets. All three naked, their powerful bodies entangled with a fourth figure I instantly recognized: Lilith Thorne.
Her dark hair spilled across the pillows as she arched beneath Kaelen's touch. Ronan's mouth was at her neck, while Orion's hands roamed possessively over her curves.
At the sound of the door, Lilith's eyes flicked open, finding mine immediately. A slow, triumphant smile spread across her lips.
"Oh," she purred, "you're finally here."
The triplets turned toward the doorway, their expressions eerily blank as they gazed upon me standing frozen in horror.
None of them showed even a hint of guilt.