Three Mates; One Bond

Rhea's POV

Wait, what? What did I just hear? That wasn't my name—that was Beta Edward's daughter's name. He didn't announce me as his mate; he announced her.

Someone he claimed he never loved. Someone he claimed was just his friend. How could Alpha Jace do this to me?

My heart broke into a million pieces as I stared at him from where I stood. His eyes were still fixed in my direction, and just then, her voice—sinister and vile—echoed from behind me.

"You thought he was staring at you, didn't you?"

I turned around to find Lilith with a smug grin, standing behind me. She had the most beautifully designed red dress on. I bet Jace gave it to her. It all made sense now.

It all came dawning on me—why I was given nothing but a plain dress and asked to make our relationship a secret. I was nothing but a pawn in their game.

She scoffed before walking past me, her shoulder hitting mine harder as she headed for the stage. Aria groaned in pain, my heart aching badly.

Everyone cheered as Lilith climbed the stage. Just then, Jace turned to her and leaned closer. Why didn't I see this? Why was I so blind to realize that I was only heading toward humiliation? I was a slave, after all.

Once he marked her, every pack member bowed their heads to the ground, hailing him the Alpha of the Shadow Pack.

Unable to bear the humiliation and pain watching him and Lilith brought, I couldn't help but turn on my heels and dash out of the throne chamber.

No one noticed me. They never did. I broke into tears the moment I stepped out of the pack building, my hand clutching my chest as it burned with betrayal.

"Why me? Why me, Moon Goddess? Am I being cursed?" I cried out as I stared at the moon in the sky. "Why can't I just have a happy ending? Must I always be doomed to sadness?" I cried bitterly, hoping for a response, but none came.

All I got back were more pain and ache from my entire being. I leaned backward on the pillar behind me, the cold walls sending a chilling wave of sensation through me.

I sobbed softly, the scene replaying in my head.

Just as I was still trying to gather my thoughts, a pair of black heels clicked against the marble floor and stopped right before me.

"Oh dear slave… don't do that to yourself."

I lifted my eyes to find Lilith before me, her face etched with a satisfying grin. She had succeeded in her plan.

"What do you want, Lilith?" I asked.

"Come on, don't act like I'm your enemy. Besides, you dreamt of a happy ending with Jace, but he chose me. It's not my fault."

I chuckled bitterly, nodding my head. I understood it all, and there was definitely no reason for her to rub it in my face.

"Good for you. So why don't you go back in and let me be?" I said angrily before I stood erect.

I was going to walk out on her, but immediately, she got a strong grip on my hand, her grip tightening as I turned to look at her.

"Let me go!" I demanded, but she didn't.

"I'm not done talking to you yet, Rhea. Here." She stretched out wine and a cup on a tray to me. "Take it to the first private chamber. We have a guest that needs to be taken care of properly," she commanded, but I scoffed.

"I'm not taking anything anywhere." I yanked my hand from her grip, but then her words halted me right in my tracks.

"Don't forget your place, Rhea! You are a slave, and whatever I order goes. If you don't, then watch me expose your secret affair with Alpha Jace. And you know how furious his father gets." She walked closer to me and leaned in, "He might end up not making Jace the Alpha."

"Now imagine him losing his title because of you, Rhea?" she snarled viciously as she looked into my eyes.

I didn't care what happened to Jace, but then, I couldn't let him take his anger out on me. Reluctantly, I snatched the tray from Lilith's grip and turned on my heels, walking away from her. Her sinister laughter still echoed in the darkness, but I didn't turn back to look.

Once I got into the building, I headed toward the chambers, but getting to the multiple doors, I got confused. "Which one was it?" I had forgotten the chamber she asked me to take the wine to.

I couldn't return the wine, so it wasn't going to be my fault if it ended up in the wrong hands. Without thinking twice, I reached for the third chamber, pushing the door open after my knocks weren't responded to.

Oddly, the chamber was empty but filled with a strong musky scent.

"Something doesn't feel right, Rhea. Let's just drop the tray and get out of here," Aria whispered, her voice shaky with worry.

I nodded, my hands trembling a little as I followed her advice. The room felt strange—too quiet, too heavy.

I placed the tray gently on the nightstand, the clinking sound of the teacups louder than it should've been. Then I turned, ready to leave quickly.

But the door burst open with a loud bang, and I froze.

Three men stepped inside. Tall. Handsome. Dangerous. The kind of handsome that made your breath catch. They moved like they owned the place—like they owned everything. The door clicked shut behind them, trapping us inside.

No wonder the air felt so thick. It was them. Their presence was overpowering—strong, confident, intense.

One of them stepped forward. His eyes were sharp, like they could see right through me. "Who are you?" he asked, his deep voice vibrating in the room. "What are you doing here?"

I opened my mouth, but the words came out barely above a whisper. "I… I'm sorry. We didn't mean to—"

I couldn't finish. They were walking closer now, slow and sure, like lions stalking prey—but their eyes didn't hold cruelty. Just heat. Something in their gaze made my heart pound faster, my legs felt weak.

I backed away slowly, matching their steps without even thinking. My body moved on its own, driven by fear.

Something about them felt dangerous—like they were used to being obeyed. Like they could break anyone who said no.

I wanted to run, but I bumped into the cold wall behind me. I gasped. The icy touch sent a chill through my whole body. My heart pounded like a drum as they came closer. I could barely breathe.

Aria was frozen too, just as terrified.

Suddenly, one of them reached out and wrapped his hand tightly around my neck. I choked, my hands flying to his wrist as I tried to pull him off. His eyes burned into mine with pure rage.

"I'll ask one more time," he growled, voice rough like thunder. "Who are you, and why are you in our—"

He stopped. His eyes began to glow—a deep, fiery red. The others' eyes lit up too, and the air around them changed. Fierce. Possessive. Wild.

His grip on my neck grew tighter as all three of them said the word in low, growling voices:

"MATE."

My eyes widened in shock. What? Mate? What was going on? Why were their eyes glowing? Why were they calling me that?

Inside me, Aria let out a joyful scream. "Mate! They're our mates, Rhea!" she cried, her voice full of excitement.

I felt her pushing, trying to take control. She wanted to reach out to them, to touch them, to be near them.

"No," I whispered to her. "Not now."

"You can't hold me back for long," she warned. "They're ours. We need them. Mate! Mate!" she howled inside me, louder and louder.

I shook my head slowly, heart thudding so loudly I could hear it in my ears. No… this couldn't be real. One mate was rare enough—but three? How could I be mated to three at the same time?

I stared at them, my whole body trembling. Their eyes never left me—burning red, filled with desire, hunger… and something deeper. Possession.

Then, as if drawn by the same invisible thread, they stepped even closer. I pressed harder against the wall, trying to melt into it. But there was no escape.

One of them leaned in, his breath brushing against my cheek—hot and sharp, like fire warming cold skin. He inhaled deeply, the sound primal and hungry, before whispering low into my ear, "You are ours now."

The words hit me like a wave, stealing the air from my lungs.

Before I could blink, his hand cradled my cheek, and then… he kissed me.

It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle.

It was fierce.

His lips crashed into mine with a force that made my knees buckle. I gasped against him, the taste of him wild and intoxicating. Every part of me screamed to resist—but I couldn't. And then… I didn't have to.

Aria took over.

I felt her rise inside me like fire bursting through my chest.

"Have me, mates," she moaned through my lips, her voice blending with mine, no longer separate.

The others growled, low and deep, the sound vibrating through the room. They circled me, touching me like I was something precious they were finally claiming. I felt a sharp heat on my neck—then pain, then pleasure so intense I cried out.

They were marking me.

One by one, their teeth grazed my skin, claiming me fully. And I let them. Or maybe… Aria let them.

Three mates. One bond.