HELEN'S POV
The day passed in a blur of footsteps and whispered instructions, trays clinking, and the constant buzz of preparation. I kept my eyes low, my hands moving. The less attention I drew, the better.
Hopefully, I didn't come across King or Kael for the rest of the day.
I tried not to think about them.
About Kaden. About what happened this morning. About the pain, the torment and the torture.
Or the way his eyes had locked with mine earlier—sharp, confused, then dismissive.
Dinner came faster than expected. The scent of roasted meat and herbs filled the air as Nara and I stood behind the long kitchen counter, tying our aprons.
Aside from the fact that Veronica was a real bitch, she knew how to do her duty so well.
"They want us to serve dinner directly," Veronica said, not even sparing us a glance. "You two—move."
My heart sank. I knew what "they" meant.
The triplets.
Alpha Kael. Alpha Kaden. Alpha King.
And of course—her.
Cassidy had barely arrived, yet she acted like she'd always belonged here. All perfect teeth, fake laughter, and possessive glances at the three Alphas. I fought against the shameful urge to feel jealous. They didn't regard me as a mate so why should I want them?
We walked into the wide dining hall where the main table stretched nearly the length of the room. Alpha Rowan sat at the head, beside Luna Flora. The three Alphas were spread out—Kael at one end, King in the middle, Kaden close to Cassidy.
The moment I stepped into the room, I felt it.
The heat of their gaze on me. As if it was automatic. All three of them.
Not for Nara. Not for the food.
For me.
My steps faltered slightly, but I forced myself to keep walking. My skin burned under their gazes, and for a brief moment, I made the mistake of looking up.
Kael's jaw tensed. King blinked, expression unreadable. And Kaden… Kaden stared like he wasn't sure whether to recognize me or deny me altogether.
These men were my mates! My mates!
Then—just like that—they looked away.
Like I didn't exist. Like I never had. Like I was the bane of their existence and they wished to eliminate me off their world. Like I was never meant to breathe in the same air as them.
I swallowed the sting in my throat and focused on the plates. My hands trembled slightly, but I managed to serve each Alpha without spilling a drop. Nara whispered something under her breath, encouraging, but I couldn't even smile.
Thankfully, Nara served the three Alphas. I wouldn't have to deal with that.
As I approached Cassidy, I steadied myself.
She sat upright, smiling sweetly, but her eyes—those cruel, calculating eyes—glinted.
Just as I reached her, she shifted ever so slightly. A smooth, practiced move.
What was she about to do?
She pressed her hand to the side of the tray and bent the spoon downward—barely noticeable—but enough to tilt the bowl. It all happened so fast.
The stew spilled. All over her silvery-blue dress.
Cassidy shot to her feet with a shriek, dramatically clutching the soaked fabric. "Are you insane?!" she yelled. "You just ruined my dress!"
Gasps echoed around the table.
"Cassidy—"
"I—I didn't—" My lips trembled. "I swear, I didn't do anything!" I glanced around for help. But it was too late.
Kaden stood sharply, his chair scraping the floor as he went to stand with Cassidy, accessing her body like she was some award. "She's too clumsy." He snapped.
His words cut deeper than a slap.
Kael scoffed. "What do you expect from an Omega?"
My chest cracked with hurt. They were supposed to be taking my side! Not hers!
I was yours. My heart screamed. I am your mate.
But I couldn't say it. I could only stare.
My eyes were wide opened. My heart was shattered. There was a blurry move from the corner.
And that's when Veronica struck me.
Her hand flew across my face, the sound ringing louder than Cassidy's shriek. My head whipped to the side as pain exploded in my cheek.
"You useless girl!" she hissed. "You did this on purpose!"
I stood frozen, trembling. A tear escaped before I could stop it. "I didn't—" My lips trembled.
I looked at the triplets again.
Please.
Their eyes met mine—cold, guarded.
And then they looked away.
Cassidy turned to King. "She should be punished. I want her punished!"
King exhaled like I was a mild inconvenience. "She will be. Definitely. You should go and have your dress changed. Your dinner will be brought upstairs. Okay?"
Cassidy gave me one last sneer, a triumphant smirk slightly curled on her lips as both Kaden and Kael led her upstairs.
Then, King turned to Veronica: "Triple her workload."
That was it.
No one asked what happened. No one cared if it was a mistake.
I walked out of the hall with my dignity hanging by a thread.
My skin burned. My chest ached. But nothing hurt more than knowing all three of them had seen me—and still chosen her. Chosen her over me. Chosen her over their mate.
Pain crushed my heart, making it heavy.
By the time I reached home, the sky was dark and quiet. Too quiet.
The porch light was off. Laura always left it on to scold me if I came back late. This… this wasn't normal.
I stepped in carefully, closing the door behind me. "Laura?" I called softly.
No answer.
The air inside was cold. Unwelcoming.
I took a few steps toward the kitchen—then stopped.
There. A shadow moved.
Before I could scream, a hand grabbed me. Rough. Large. Pressing over my mouth.
Panic exploded in my chest as I thrashed wildly, trying to escape. He dragged me through the hallway, toward my bedroom.
No! No! Someone, help me!
I couldn't use the mind link since I didn't belong to the pack and I was not even initiated when I was brought.
Not again.
I kicked. Bit. Screamed into his palm. He let out a string of curses but didn't let me go.
But he was stronger.
He shoved me down, pinning me to the mattress. His weight crushed me, his breath reeking of alcohol and lust. He tugged at my top, tearing it off, exposing my sport bra. I let out a scream but it came out muffled.
Oh, no! Not today!
I fought with everything I had, nails clawing, legs kicking—but he didn't stop.
Until, the door to my room slid open and Laura stood there,
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Laura's voice rang through the house like a gunshot.
The man jumped back, eyes wide, scrambling to his feet. "She—she tried to seduce me!" he shouted, adjusting his pants. "She's a temptress! I told her no—she didn't listen!"
My breath hitched. "He's lying!" I cried. "Laura, please—I didn't—he—he was going to—"
But she was already walking toward me, rage burning across her features.
Her hand cracked across my face for the second time that night.
"Shut your filthy mouth!" she spat. "You ungrateful orphan! You're going to explain this to the Alpha yourself. By the time they are done with you, you will wish you had never been born. Mark. My. Words!"
"No, please—Laura—he tried to—" I let out a broken sob.
"Get up!" she snapped, dragging me by the arm.
My knees scraped the floor as I stumbled behind her, too weak to resist.
No one would believe me. Not when I was just the unwanted Omega. Not when I had no voice.
And tonight—I realized even my mates wouldn't defend me. Not even when my world was crumbling around me.
Maybe I should have died that day my parents died. I would not be here, bearing more pain.