I smoothed my dress and tried to focus, but the anger bubbled in me so loudly it drowned out everything the masked Alpha was saying.
Alpha Thorne, as he finally introduced himself, stood tall as though the mask gave him strength. "I am Thorne of Bloodmoon Pack," he announced. His words held the faintest trace of pride, but beneath it, I heard awareness, he knew he was in the presence of men more powerful than himself.
He gestured, and one of his attendants stepped forward, holding a large, carefully folded hide. With both hands, the attendant offered it to me. Thorne’s gaze shifted my way.
"A gift," he said, "for the lady beside Alpha Damon. The skin of a tiger, hunted in the deep northern woods of Bloodmoon territory. A mark of respect. And my apology, Lady, for not being present at your coronation."
The hall grew still, every face watching for my reaction. I tilted my chin gracefully, reaching out to brush my fingers across the rich fur as it was laid before me. "It is fine," I said softly, my voice carrying just enough weight to command the silence. "Your presence here now speaks louder than absence."
Thorne inclined his masked face once more, clearly relieved by my acceptance.
And then, the business of power began.
The triplets, Damon, Rowan, and Kael, leaned forward, their voices layered with authority as they questioned Thorne about alliances, about territories, about threats that loomed at the borders. The conversation was sharp, edged like blades.
And the truth was undeniable. For all of Thorne’s poise and posturing, the reality hung thick in the room: the three brothers were stronger. Their combined reign made them untouchable. Even masked, even cloaked in the airs of his title, Thorne knew.
I could see it in the way his hands tightened just slightly when Damon spoke. I could feel it in the subtle bow of his head when Kael corrected him on territory rights.
And all the while, my eyes burned holes into Lisa. Sitting there in her quiet corner, pretending her quill and paper were more important than the very ground she walked on.
As soon as the meeting was over and Alpha Thorne rose to leave, I noticed his steps falter. His gaze, sharp, cold, hidden behind that ridiculous mask, swept across the room, and then stopped.
Sitting quietly in a corner with her head bent, scribbling like a dutiful servant, pretending she didn’t notice him. But I saw it. I saw the way his attention lingered far too long, like she was some rare gem instead of the weak, plain thing she was. My blood boiled instantly, the same way it always did when she stole even the smallest bit of attention that should belong to me.
What made it worse, what made me want to tear her apart right there, was the way the triplets reacted. I turned my head just enough to catch their faces, and it was there. The flash of jealousy. Their eyes burned, not at Thorne, but at her. At Lisa.
Like she belonged to them. Like they couldn’t bear another man’s gaze on her.
I almost laughed. They were obsessed. Obsessed with that stupid maid. My stomach twisted with rage, but I forced my expression to remain calm, almost bored, as I folded my hands on my lap.
Rowan’s voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding.
"Why are you still standing there, Thorne? Weren’t you leaving?"
Thorne didn’t even flinch. His eyes lingered one second longer on Lisa before he finally spoke. "I was about to," he said smoothly, then inclined his head toward the alphas. Without another word, he turned and strode out of the hall.
The room shifted, the air tight with an unspoken tension. I turned to Damon immediately, my voice sweet but sharp underneath.
"Why," I asked slowly, "is she in this room?" My eyes darted to Lisa like she was filth on the floor.
Damon didn’t even look guilty. He leaned back casually, his jaw tightening like he was ready for my question. "Lisa doesn’t work as a maid anymore," he said flatly. "She works directly under me now. My personal maid. And part of her duty is to take minutes of every meeting."
For a moment, my chest burned so hot I thought I’d explode. Personal maid? That whore? Taking notes in meetings meant for alphas and leaders? Did he not see how humiliating that was for me, for all of us?
I forced a smile, let out a soft laugh, and pretended it didn’t matter. I stood gracefully, smoothed down my dress, and walked out of the hall before my anger betrayed me.
But inside, my thoughts were sharp and poisonous.
The moment I walked back into my room, I slammed the door shut behind me. My chest was rising and falling so fast, my hands shaking with fury. The way Damon had looked at Lisa, no, not just Damon, but all three of them, it boiled my blood. Their eyes had darkened like she was some treasure, like she was something they couldn’t let go of.
I clenched my fists, biting my lip hard enough to draw blood.
"Send Richard in!" I barked at one of the maids. She looked startled but quickly bowed and ran off.
I paced the room, anger bubbling inside me, until I heard the soft knock. Before I could even say anything, Richard pushed the door open. He looked nervous as his eyes darted around my room, he always acted that way, like he wasn’t sure if he should even breathe when I was upset.
"Lady Belinda?" His voice was quiet, unsure.
I didn’t wait. I stormed toward him, grabbed his face with both hands, and kissed him forcefully. My lips pressed hard against his, full of all the anger and frustration I was carrying. He made a muffled sound, surprised, but I didn’t stop until I wanted to. I pulled away, breathing heavily, and stared at him with fire in my eyes.
His lips parted, his face flushed. "W-what was that for?"
"Because I can," I snapped, my tone sharp. "Because I needed to remind myself that you’re mine to use however I want... and because watching the triplets obsess over Lisa makes me sick. I won’t let her ruin this for me. Do you understand?"
He swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Yes... I understand."
I crossed my arms, my eyes narrowing at him. "Good. Then it’s time. No more waiting, Richard. You’re going to start the plan tonight. Not tomorrow. Not later. Tonight." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI-Fire.ɴet