Author's POV
Opening her eyes the next moment, Soraya but back a whimper. Her body ached as she moved— a testament that everything had been real.
She stared blankly into the distance, the haze in her head clearing just slightly.
In the back of her head, her wolf moved about almost restlessly, Soraya could feel it.
She pursed her lips, a frown setting its way to her face along with a scolding resting on the tip of her tongue.
However, Soraya faltered.
Why was she about to blame her wolf?
Truly, that was what she was about to do, but it wasn't Jada's fault. It wasn't hers either.
The moon goddess was a ruthless bitch, who ruled her creations with an iron hand.
You either accepted the bond, or they were gonna be forced on you and sooner or later you eventually will.
A tired sigh left her lips, as she moved to the edge of the bed, her dress ridding up her stomach in the process.
She tugged at the dress, hating how light the material was.
The need to feel reassurance from clothing, pressing with each moment her head grew clearer.
Her body, once lit by the bond heat, was normal now. Like it never happened.
"Is it going to be like this everytime?" She said out loud, wrapping her arms around herself trying to erase the feeling of Lucen's hands that seemed to burn every part of skin he touched.
Still, it burned.
His hands mapped a territory around her body, setting an everlasting fire that cashed her soul and body yearning for his touch once more.
Her eyes flicked to the door against her wishes.
Moon goddess. His touch
She bit my lower lip in thought, suppressing the traitorous moan that threatened to escape.
Although he had tried to hide it, for a second, Lucen's touch had been gentle, and she felt it.
It was an error, a mistake, but it didn't slip past her.
For that tiny second, he had held her like she was precious.
A gem made of glass. So careful, she fell for the illusion before it shattered.
The memory hit her square like a tile along with reality.
She clenched her fists, now glaring at the door.
What was wrong with her? Just a bit of affection— that's what she called it, and absolutely wouldn't call it another name. No she refused to.
A little bit of affection, and she was already looking towards his next return?
Had they truly succeeded in turning her into a puppet? Their plaything?
No. Soraya refused to believe that.
Even still, her wolf continued to whine softly in her head.
Like her, Jada had felt the touch. Although it was an illusion, Jada clung to it, pressing unwanted thoughts in her head.
What if that wasn't a slip up, and that was how he truly felt? How they felt, and they were just masking it?
What if she was more than a plaything, and they were just doing that to keep her safe?
Safe?
Soraya almost scoffed.
Safe from what?
She was their mate! Why did they need to keep her safe using those cruel methods?
She wanted to shout at Jada to wake up, but the words kept on dying at the back of her throat.
Why?
Because deep down. Deep inside a teeny tiny place she refused to acknowledge, she agreed with Jada.
However, like always, reality was merciless.
…
Everyday.
It has become almost like a ritual now.
From the first time Lucen had taken her in the hallway, what followed next was brutal, and each day taught her a new lesson.
A new conviction that those illusions would always stay an illusion.
"Are you daydreaming while I am here?" Lucen's mocking voice cut through her thoughts. Cold. Harsh and even more taunting than before. "Having your hands tied isn't enough I see. Very well then, I'll take note." He grinned, causing her toes to curl in.
She was naked.
Hands tied above her head, handing up the ceiling. Her legs spread apart to show her core.
Lucen was sick, Soraya had discovered.
Equally naked, he stood in front of her, his massive dick purple with need, dripping precum bursts after another, yet he had a grin on his face. A whipper in hand as he came close to her.
Soraya felt her body burn with a mix of fear and thrill, the closer he got.
"I would like you to understand something pet." Lucen started, leaving a trail with his whip, and stopping it just at her pussy.
The traitorous core clenched, realizing a bit of water that made her face burn.
Lucen's smirk never grew wider after that. He slowly rubbed the material over her clint, sending zaps of pleasure through her.
"I'll say this once." He paused, watching her reaction. "You belong to us. The only thing that should be filling your mind should be me and my brothers, but right now? Now, I own you."
"Got it?" He grabbed her head, working his whip even faster.
"Ngh," Soraya moaned, feeling her core clench even tighter. Almost.
Lucen's eyes flashed. With need or with satisfaction, Soraya couldn't tell, but the darkness in those red eyes terrified her. "Who stands before you?"
He moved closer to her, his dick almost shoved in, but lining perfectly at her entrance.
Soraya's body jolted in pleasure, her body tingling with need and the mate's bond pulled.
"Lucen—" She croaked. That was all he needed before plunging into her fully.
At least with Lucen, she knew he was a tease.
With Draven, it was a whole different world.
He was rough. Rougher than Lucen even claimed.
His thrusts were fast, too rough for her omegan body to catch up, but still he used her. Fucking her till she gave him the acknowledgment of his dominance.
Everytime, Soraya would wake to marks on her body. Like that was his own form of claiming.
Maybe they were, but Soraya didn't want to think much of it.
Each of the triplets were brutal in their own way.
With Kael, although rarely, it was another form of torture.
Soraya felt like he was playing a mind game with her.
From the gentle touches, to the careful probing and care. It made her hope. It made her dream, yet it was torture in another form.
Why couldn't he be like the rest of his brothers? Soraya thought in frustration, confusion swirling in her gut.
The curtains in the window flickered as wind blew into the room.
It was a hot afternoon, Soraya had noticed, yet the triplets were nowhere in sight.
She should have been happy. Elated even, but already used to their usual time of demanding for sex, she looked towards the door.
Soraya wished they wouldn't come today. She needed peace to settle her thoughts after Kael.
For once, it seemed like the moon goddess took pity on her.
A knock rippled in the quiet air, startling Soraya, but before she could open her mouth to answer, it was pushed open.
"Hello," a girl greeted, waving gently at Soraya, her sweet voice drowning all of Soraya's thoughts. "Can I come in?"
Mechanically, Soraya nodded.
The girl was stunning. She moved into the room with a delicate grace, her hair falling softly behind her back in contrast to—!
Soraya's eyes widened.
For a second, she had wondered who she was, but looking at her now, the same grey eyes with the triples, along with her lighter hair, Soraya could see the semblance with the triplets.
"Ah, I see you already figured it out." The girl said, smiling softly at her. "May I sit?"
Again, all Soraya could do was nod. God, she felt conscious.
The girl should be close to her age, but there was so much difference, it hurt.
Soraya lowered her head, missing the sad look that flashed in the girl's wide eyes.
"Sorry to disturb you. My name is Faye." The girl said, taking a seat close to Soraya. "I tried coming sooner, but my brothers are protective."
There it was again.
Protection. From what?
The word made her heart clench painfully, but still, Soraya nodded.
This girl was a royal, and she didn't dare to disobey her.
Faye studied her brothers' mate with interest, her wide eyes gleaming as she took in Soraya's features.
Soraya was beautiful, she noted.
Faye had long wanted to make friends with her, but her brothers had disagreed, forbidding her from coming close.
Yet, here she was.
She had snuck in when they were away.
"What do you like to do?" Faye asked almost awkwardly.
Soraya's head snapped to her immediately, almost giving her a pointed stare, which Faye realised.
"Sorry, wrong question." She winced, wishing the ground should swallow her whole.
That wasn't how you made friends?! Moon goddess, it was so embarrassing!
Beside her, Soraya watched the girl with quiet amusement. She could almost hear Faye's inner monologue as she screamed in panic.
That made her chest lighten a little.
Seeming to recover from her earlier failure, Faye's expression hardened slightly, like she was going for war. "I want to ask, but I totally get if you ignore me, but are my brothers treating you well?"
Soraya's breath hitched.
What kind of question was that?
Faye caught the sudden change in her breath, and hurried to explain. "It's not like that! Honestly, I know we just met, but I just want to be sure if they aren't treating you badly. My brothers can be dick heads, and I know that much."
"I am not forcing you, neither am I stressing you to answer, but I want you to know that you can rely on me. I know the bond sucks. That's why I want to ask if you feel it too or if they are treating you right if they felt it when they were with you."
Soraya was quiet, but a blush creeped down her face to her neck.
Did this girl in one long sentence just ask her how her intimate life with her brothers were?
Moon goddess. Soraya felt like dying!
How was she going to answer that?
Was she supposed to cry and say no? Or yes, and tell in full detail about her sex life to a total stranger?
The air quickly fell into an embarrassing silence, one that clothed Faye in shame as she understood.
Faye had been a straightforward girl since she was little, but not everyone could handle it, and it seems like Soraya was one of them.
She let out a masked cough, standing to her feet. "I'll be leaving now."
Soraya barely acknowledged her leaving before Faye stopped, and the next thing she saw was Faye's body dropping to the ground, a piercing scream tearing her lips.
"What's wrong with you?" Soraya cried, rushing over to Faye's body in panic.
If anything happened to Faye, the triplets would kill her.
"Please don't die." She begged, screaming at the door. "Guards! Help!"
Faye writhed in pain on the ground, her body going still as her eyes rolled to the back. Silent tears slipped past her eyes.
Too much.
It felt like she was going to burst from the pain.
Guards filtered into the room at the commotion, their eyes going wide in horror at the sight of Faye.
"Quick, get the alphas over here!" Soraya heard a guard saying, however, the noise was too thick with Faye's screaming.
All of a sudden, the wails stopped. Soraya's heart skipped a beat, as she gently tapped on her face.
She could hear Faye whispering.
Without thinking twice, she leaned in close, straining her ears.
"Fire. Fire.oh it burns…"