At some point, exhaustion won. Their warmth, their arms around me, the steady thrum of their heartbeats—it was too much comfort for my restless body to fight. My eyes grew heavy, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.
When I woke, the bed was empty. The sheets beside me were still faintly warm, their scent clinging to the air, proof they hadn't gone far. My wolf stretched lazily inside me, confirming what my nose already knew—they were in the mansion. Somewhere close.
My stomach grumbled, dry and demanding water, and I licked my lips, parched. I thought about calling one of the servants, but the thought felt suffocating. I needed air. A walk. Something to clear my head.
I slipped on my clothes, smoothed my hair back, and stepped out of the room.
The mansion's halls were quiet, but every corner carried a memory. Some good. Some painful. Shadows of the past crept in with each step—moments of laughter, of betrayal, of pain. My chest tightened, but I pushed forward.
As I passed, the staff I met along the way bowed their heads low, murmuring respectful greetings. Their deference made my wolf stir with pride, but it also reminded me of the weight I carried on my shoulders.
Finally, I reached the kitchen. The smell of roasted herbs and warm bread clung to the air, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
But the moment my eyes landed inside, my steps faltered.
She stood by the counter, speaking quietly to one of the cooks, her posture too casual, too at home for my liking.
Our eyes met across the room.
And just like that, my hunger was gone, replaced by the simmering heat of irritation.
Selene's eyes slid over me slowly. Then she turned to the cook with a faint smirk.
The cook hesitated, glancing nervously between us, but Selene's tone carried that air of authority that made obedience instinctive. With a quick bow, the cook left, and silence wrapped the room.
Selene leaned against the counter, folding her arms, her eyes never leaving me.
"So, the queen finally decided to grace us with her presence."
I ignored her, stepping toward the jug of water. My hand was steady as I poured, but inside, my wolf bristled, pacing hard.
Selene's voice carried again, sly and cruel.
"You know, I heard a little gossip. They say your mates were once taken away from you by your own best friend. That you don't know how to keep them."
My jaw tightened, but I forced myself to drink, ignoring her.
"I also heard you lived here like a slave once. Gods, I wish I'd been around then. I would have loved to meet you in that state—maybe you could have polished my shoes with your tongue."
My wolf snarled inside me, but I swallowed it down.
"Oh, and the best part—I heard you used to serve Anita water after the triplets were done with her. Tell me, Olivia—how did that feel? To bring her water while she still smelled of them?"
The glass cracked in my hand.
My wolf surged forward, and before Selene could blink, I moved. One breath, one heartbeat, and my hand was around her throat. I slammed her against the wall so hard the shelves rattled.
Her eyes widened, but she smirked even through my grip, like she'd wanted this all along.
My wolf roared through me, my fists shaking with the need to tear her apart. I drew my arm back, ready to punch, to break that smug face—
The voices crashed into me. The triplets.
They rushed into the kitchen, their presence heavy, their wolves on edge. They knew. They could feel the anger raging inside me.
"Liv—let her go," Levi pleaded, his voice sharp but gentle.
Louis's hand hovered near my arm, his wolf barely restrained. "Please."
Lennox's tone cut through the air, low and commanding.
For a heartbeat, I stood frozen, my nails digging into her skin, her pulse hammering beneath my grip.
Then, with a growl, I released her—only to slap her hard across the face.
The sound echoed in the kitchen.
Selene's head snapped to the side, her cheek red, her smirk finally gone.
And I stood there, chest heaving, my wolf still snarling, every part of me trembling with rage. I just wanted to disfigure that pretty, annoying face of hers, but I held myself back as my wolf paced restlessly inside me while Selene held her cheek, glaring at me.
Levi stepped closer, his brows furrowed.
"What happened? What did she say to you, Liv?" His tone was gentle, but his wolf was already bristling beneath the surface.
Before I could even answer, Lennox's angry voice cut across the room.
"I don't care what she said." His tone was sharp, commanding, heavy with Alpha authority. He stepped forward, his eyes locked on Selene like steel. "You're going to get on your knees and apologize to her."
Selene's eyes widened in shock.
"What? I did nothing to her!"
My wolf snarled at her defiance, but it was nothing compared to Lennox's. His aura burst outward, thick and suffocating, filling the kitchen like a storm. His voice dropped lower, angrier, every word laced with dominance.
"Don't test me, Selene. Don't make the mistake of thinking I'll let this slide. You don't insult our mate. Not here. Not ever."
Selene's mouth opened like she wanted to argue, but Lennox's growl rumbled through the air, vibrating the very walls.
"On your knees," he ordered again, his eyes glowing, his wolf riding close to the surface. "Now. Or I swear to the Moon Goddess, you'll regret it."
The kitchen was dead silent.
Selene's smirk was gone, her confidence faltering under the crushing weight of Lennox's Alpha command.
I stood there, my glare sharp, watching her face twist between defiance and submission—knowing exactly which one would win.