Thirteen years later

Loretta

"Rise and shine, princess," Mum's voice pulled me out of my sleep as I rolled over in bed, clutching the duvet and pulling it over my ears.

"Get up and go to the kitchen. Remember, you're in charge of the triplets today," Mum called again, her voice loud like an alarm. I jumped out of bed.

I hurried to the washroom, freshened up, and soon I was standing by the mirror, packing my hair into buns before running out the door of the servants' quarters, while Mum smiled at me.

As I walked to the kitchen, a few of the maids smiled back at me as I greeted them, a smile lighting my face.

Excitement thrummed through me. Today, I would finally serve the triplets. The shadows of past encounters flickered in my mind, bright and irresistible, but all that faded into thin air as new memories came flooding in.

Anna, the daughter of Beta Louis; she had always been the trained one, the one anticipated to become the future Luna when the triplets turned eighteen, which was only a few weeks away.

Just that thought alone sent a cold chill through my heart as my arms tightened around the tray carrying the cup of coffee for the Alphas.

I was the daughter of Isabella, one of the palace servants who had taken the post just a year ago, and I was a nobody compared to Anna, even though the triplets were so fond of me.

But then, Anna had never had a soft spot for me. Ever since she sensed the triplets' fondness, she had stopped at nothing to make life in the palace a living hell for me, even though everyone else loved me. But when it came to Beta Louis and his daughter, none of that mattered.

I shoved the feelings aside as the door to the kitchen opened and Mum walked in, a worried look on her face.

"You're late! What are you waiting for?" she scolded. I grabbed the tray and hurried through the hallways to the triplets' rooms: Leo, Lucian, and Lewis.

I stopped by the door to Leo's room, a smile on my face as I pushed it open and stepped inside, only to find the triplets together.

A gasp escaped my lips, though it wasn't unusual to see them like that. They were so close, and the sight of their bond made my heart ache for them.

All three were effortlessly handsome; Sharp jawlines, messy black hair, and bodies that screamed Alpha, except for a little distinction that differentiated them.

Lewis, the youngest, had longer hair tied back with bands. Lucian, the middle brother, had curly hair styled backward. Leo, the eldest, left a few curls hanging playfully over his forehead.

"Hi, beautiful. Why not drop that tray and join us?" Leo invited softly, and I grinned, hurrying to set the tray down before moving over to join them.

They lounged on the bed, dice scattered, their casual closeness more dangerous than any game.

I laughed, rolling the dice; but the sound caught in my throat when I met Leo's gaze.

His eyes were darker now, no longer teasing. My breath quickened.

"Not so fast, beautiful," he murmured.

Before I could move, Lucian's fingers brushed my neck. I shivered. Then Lewis's warm palm slid along my cleavage.

The air between us crackled.

My eyes drifted toward Leo, who had been silent, admiring me with a soft smile on his face.

"Guys, take a hold. I own her, she's mine alone," he teased, crouching low over the bed, slowly pushing the Ludo board aside, his head resting on my thighs.

Heat coiled low in my core as his dark curls grazed the bare skin of my stomach, leaving a trail of shivers in their wake.

I didn't know what that feeling was, but it sent a sharp jolt through me, and whatever it was, I wanted more of it. I slowly adjusted my position, and Leo, sensing the shift, parted my legs slightly, letting his head rest just above my core, making me shiver.

"Brother, get a grip," Lucian warned, his eyes settling on Leo.

"Our eighteenth birthday is only a few weeks away. You might not be lucky enough to have her as your mate," he chimed, his arm still rubbing my neck. I tilted my head slightly to give him better access.

More than ever, I loved that feeling, and I wouldn't mind having the triplets as my fated mates. Though only fate or the strongest witches could decide, I burned with one hope: that one of the triplets would choose me. Even Lewis, the gentlest, would make my heart soar.

He was the calmest and youngest of the three, so loving and distinct in his own way, even though they all shared similar traits.

"So, you think so highly of yourself that you'll have her as your mate?" Leo teased, flipping his gaze to Lucian, his eyes filled with defiance. My heart softened. In moments like this, I believed I was more than a servant, that I truly mattered to them.

I was always the subject of discussion when it came to the triplets, and it tickled my skin to always realize that.

"Alright, stop," I interrupted, drawing their attention. "How about all three of you being my mates?" I asked playfully, but deep down, it had always been my heartbeat.

Never stopped fantasizing about it. It would feel like pure love, something so deep and beautiful.

I looked up. The triplets were watching me, curiosity and nervousness in their eyes.

"That wouldn't be a bad idea at all," Lewis, who had been quiet all this while, spoke, and a polite smile left my lips. That was a clever response, and my heart synced to it as though it was real.

It was one of the reasons I loved him, he was so smart and more.

"Now, let's get back to Ludo," I snapped off my thoughts before letting my silly fantasy get me into trouble. That, I was so sure of, especially when it had to do with Anna.

Slowly, I pushed the board forward, but Leo's hand stopped it, lifting his head and leaning closer, while Lucian's and Lewis's arms tightened.

My eyes flickered to them, my mouth open, but no words came out, only the low groan that escaped when I felt the soft touches of their kisses.

Warmth spread low in my belly, each brush of their skin against mine a wicked spark that left me aching for more.

Part of me wanted them to stop, at least until the mating ceremony. But my body betrayed me.

Whatever I was feeling, it consumed me. A breathless sound left me as I gave in, my body tensed under their touches.

Leo slowly lifted my skirt, his lips trailing over my thighs. His tongue sent shivers through me.

Lucian's kisses moved to my lips. I opened my mouth, caught up in the pleasure.

Lewis adjusted my top, kissing around my cleavage. His kisses were soft and tender. I wanted more. I let go of the duvet and ran my fingers through his hair, loosening it until it fell over his shoulders.

My hands dug into his hair, my moans growing louder, hotter.

Lewis's breath hitched with what my fingers were doing to his loose strands, and he kissed harder, sending me crashing into a world of pure ecstasy.

A realm I never wanted to get out of, at least not now. Not ever.

I could feel their arms moving toward my sensitive spots when suddenly the door creaked open, stealing the moment from us.

We turned, only to find Anna standing in the doorway…