Four Rules.

Rhea's POV.

The three men from last night walked out from the room, their presence commanding not just power but authority.

Right before my eyes, everyone that despised me, everyone that looked down on me, went to their knees before the men—including the guards.

Their heads bowed to the ground as fear and uncertainty etched across their faces.

I was still wondering what was happening when they all echoed in unison:

"Greetings, Alpha Blackthorn."

My eyes bulged at the sudden twist. I stood to my feet slowly, turning my gaze towards them. Alpha Blackthorn? Why were they being addressed as…

Just then, it dawned on me: his brown messy hair, sharp features that echoed not just dominance but authority—Alpha Damon Blackthorn, the first of them.

My eyes shifted to the second—his dark hair, his blue icy eyes, cold and rude—Alpha Draven Blackthorn.

Trailing to the last, my breath hitched—his dyed red hair, his playful and charismatic way of life—Alpha Dax Blackthorn.

My heart raced even faster at this moment. I wasn't just claimed or mated to anyone, to any triplet—I was mated to the Blackthorn Brothers. Claimed and marked by the Blackthorns.

The same brothers who were known for their dark past, their inability to keep a mate. Either she went insane or ran into the wild forest after a month.

No… no, this can't be possible.

Dax, the third brother, walked closer to me, his hand wrapped around my shoulder as he turned me to the people bowing to them.

"Now, unless anyone has a death wish, no one touches our mate. In fact, we are taking her with us tonight."

My eyes snapped towards him in fear at his words.

But before I could protest, Jace interrupted. "What? That's not going to happen."

"Stay down, Jace," I heard his father urge, but he didn't listen.

"Is that so, young Alpha?" Draven snarled viciously.

Jace's fists clenched as he summoned the courage to speak. "She's my slave. She belongs to me. I'm not letting anyone take her from the Shadow Fang pack!" he asserted.

Here I was, thinking that for a second, he cared about me. But no, I was still forever going to be a slave to him.

"Well, too bad you don't have a say here, Alpha Jace," Dax emitted bluntly, his smile fading to a deep frown of dominance.

"I do. No one is leaving with her."

At that moment, Alpha Damon Blackthorn, the eldest of all, in his power and authority, stepped forward. His voice—a deep, low growl that scared me to my bones—declared:

"Then get ready to watch the Shadow Fang pack burn to ashes for my Luna." He placed his hand on Jace's face as he trembled in fear. "What will it be, Jace? My Luna or your pack?"

Jace's eyes darted towards me, his knuckles turning white like he would fight for me. Before he could speak, his father held his hand and dragged him down to his knees.

"I apologize for my son's recklessness, Alpha Damon. He dare not provoke your high commands," he pleaded. "Take her away, if that pleases you."

"Good." Alpha Damon turned around. He glared at me without a single smile, which shook my core. "Get her into the car. We are leaving."

Dax did as he was told. I couldn't stop it. I couldn't protest—not yet.

The drive to the Vaughn pack was a long one, but I could tell the moment we arrived at the pack. It was dark, foggy, and had an intense atmosphere.

Once the car came to a screeching halt, Alpha Damon, who hadn't spoken to me, opened the door and dragged me into the mansion while the others followed.

Once we got in, I was pushed into one of the rooms as they all got in. I tried to run out, but Draven shut the door before I succeeded.

Slowly, they began to walk towards me, my heart racing as I let out sharp breaths of fear, my eyes quivering in deep terror, my legs wobbling.

"Listen up, Peach," Damon began as he stood tall before his brothers, his eyes dark with warning. "You are in a new pack now, and no matter what, you must live by our rules."

"First rule. You do not speak to any other man unless we say so." His voice was sharp, commanding, with no trace of humor in his cold stare.

"Second rule," Draven cut in harshly, his voice like a whip, "You never leave the pack grounds without one of us by your side!" My eyes darted from one face to another, wide with terror, my chest tightening with dread.

"Third rule," Dax added, stepping closer, his tone low and threatening, "You do not lie to us, Peach… we always know when you do. Take that as a warning."

"And the last rule…" Damon's voice thundered again, louder this time, sending shivers down my spine as I stumbled backward and fell hard to the ground.

He crouched low, his strong hand gripping my chin, forcing my face up to meet the fierce fire burning in his eyes. His voice dropped, deep and cold like a winter storm, "Your body… your scent… your soul… belongs to no one else but us."

A sharp chill surged through every nerve in my body, freezing me in place. My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it echo in my ears.

What have I gotten myself into?