ALLORA'S POV
I'd noticed it the first time Lucian Stormvale set foot in the great hall. His eyes lingered where they shouldn't, not on the council, not on the nobles, not even on the triplets themselves. No. His eyes lingered on her.
Layla.
At first, I thought I imagined it, but the more I watched, the clearer it became. The attention he gave her, the subtle pull of his stare, the way she flushed pink whenever their eyes made contact. It was too obvious.
And it was an opportunity.
If Lucian truly had an interest in Layla, then I could use it. thi would destabilize everything she had with the triplets.
I waited. I watched. I studied both of them in silence, letting the pieces fall together in my mind. And when the time was right, I acted.
-
The training yard was buzzing that morning. I spotted Kaiden there, shirtless. Sweat dripped down his chest as he sparred with two warriors at once. He moved like lightning. I couldn't help but admire him. He was every bit the perfect Alpha.
But then, as his men backed off, I noticed Layla standing at the far end of the yard, carrying a basket of herbs toward the infirmary. And I saw it, Lucian standing nearby. He turned to look at her.
Perfect.
I smoothed my gown and strolled toward Kaiden
"Impressive as always," I said. I smiled when he turned to face me. "You make the others look like children with sticks."
Kaiden grunted, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his arm. "Training isn't a show, Allora."
"Maybe not," I said lightly, tilting my head. "But you do draw attention. As does… she."
His brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
I followed his eyesdeliberately toward Layla and then toward Lucian, letting the silence stretch just long enough to sink in.
"Layla seems to draw unusual attention these days," I murmured. "It's funny, isn't it? Outsiders always admire what isn't truly theirs."
Kaiden's jaw tightened instantly. His eyes snapped toward Lucian before he forced himself to look away.
"Careful with your words, Allora." He snapped at me.
I widened my eyes, feigning innocence. "Oh, of course. I meant nothing by it. Just an observation." I smiled again as I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Still… doesn't it bother you? Someone else looking at what belongs to you?"
Kaiden said nothing. But the muscle in his jaw ticked, and that was enough.
The seed was planted.
-
Later that afternoon, I found Killian after a council session. He sat lazily in a chair with a glass of wine in hand. He looked at me as I approached.
"Allora," he said. "Come to scold me for not paying attention during the council again?"
I laughed softly, sitting opposite him. "Maybe. Or maybe I came for company. It's exhausting sometimes, isn't it? The endless gossip of the court."
Killian snorted. "You thrive on gossip."
"Perhaps," I responded, twirling my glass. "But sometimes gossip hides little truths." I paused, watching his eyes before I continued. "Like how certain noblemen admire Layla."
He looked at me Then he laughed. "Admire? That's a word for it. Seems she's caught herself an admirer."
I leaned forward. "Lucian Stormvale, no less. An Alpha who could have taken a throne of his own."
Killian's laughter stuttered. Just for a moment. And then I saw it — that look of possessiveness flashing through his eyes before he smirked again to cover it.
"She's full of surprises," he muttered, sipping his wine.
I smiled sweetly, hiding the satisfaction inside me. Another seed, another crack.
-
Kieran was last. And with him, I knew I had to be sharper. He was the most territorial. He was the one whose silence was far deadlier than words.
I found him near the stables, brushing down his horse. He barely looked at me when I approached, but I forced a small laugh.
"You won't believe what I overheard today," I said casually.
He stiffened, but didn't stop his work. "Not interested."
"Oh, you will be." I leaned against the post. I lowered my voice like I was sharing a secret. "The servants whispering about Layla and Lucian. Saying how well they looked together… standing side by side. Almost as though"
Kieran froze mid-motion. His hand gripped the brush so tightly his knuckles whitened.
I bit back a smirk.
"They gossip too much," he said finally. But his jaw was rigid. His shoulders were tense. And when his eyes finally met mine, they were sharp enough to cut glass.
I knew then. This would pull at him the most.
-
I returned to my chambers later, humming softly as I poured myself a drink. My heart thrilled with satisfaction.
Jealousy was such a delicious weapon. And the triplets had no idea I was the one sliding the knife.
Let them accuse Layla of disloyalty. Let her be cornered, hated, cast aside. And when that happened, I would be right there, shining in comparison. I would be the one they could trust, the one they could choose.
And fate had given me the perfect accomplice. Lucian.
At that very moment, the court buzzed with talk of an upcoming ball to celebrate the new season. Nobles gossiped about gowns and dances, about alliances and favors. For me, the ball would be a stage. It would be the perfect stage.
I could already picture it. I could see the sight of Lucian's attentions growing more obvious, the triplets' jealousy boiling over. Layla, isolated, accused, ruined.
I smiled into my glass.
-
A few days later, I stumbled upon Lucian himself in the courtyard. He was training.
My eyes found where Layla passed by, carrying a tray of water for the guards. And sure enough, Lucian's gaze followed her for a moment too long.
Perfect.
I approached him. "Lord Lucian," I greeted, bowing my head just enough. "Your skill is… remarkable. No wonder the council listens to you so keenly."
He looked at me briefly, then went back to striking his target dummy. "Flattery doesn't suit you, Lady Allora."
I chuckled softly. "Perhaps not. But truth does." I tilted my head toward where Layla had disappeared. "It's strange, isn't it? How someone like her often goes unnoticed… unappreciated. Even by those bound to her."
That caught his attention. His movements stilled then he looked at me.
I smiled. "If you see her worth, Lucian, then don't be timid. Even the strongest bonds can break especially if neglected."
He looked at me for a few seconds, like he wanted to say something. Then he turned away, resuming his training without a word.
But he didn't need to speak. I'd already sown what I needed.
As I walked away, I smiled.
Lucian would be Layla's undoing.
And my greatest victory.