Chapter 5 Turn Of Events

Raven POV

I've always read romance stories of wolves who marry their fated mate, walking hand in hand with each other, laughing together and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ear

But never did I think that mine would be triplets who only care about nothing but: what's between my legs.

The memories of the night flooded my mind and I gave way to a low growl as I recall how each of them pounced on me, claiming my virginity.

Remembering the sweet tales my mother used to tell me about the first night with a fated mate, the gentle touch and soft caresses, the warmth of each other's presence made a smirk form on my lips but the events of the night crashed against those fantasies like a cold wave.

My skin prickled with unease because of the shock holding me.

I tried to get up from bed, but my legs felt numb; feeling as though my muscles were crushed. I stumbled, catching myself on the bed frame. "This is not the life I wanted," I murmured to myself, feeling a mix of pain, anger and sadness.

I crawled to the window side, hoping that the morning breeze would help drive out all the negativity I was feeling, but as I gazed out the window, frustration bubbled up again that I didn't know when I punched the wall with my clenched fist.

The sudden creak of the door startled me as Ansel rushed me, his eyes fixed on me.

"What do you think you're doing Raven?" "Are you trying to injure yourself?" he asked, his voice firm, but low and full of dark, foreboding energy.

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "You can't escape from fate." He continued, His words, dripping with malice, made my skin crawl.

I raised my eyebrows, shooting him a sceptical glance. "What do you think it was?" I took a step back, with my arms crossed over my chest. "Spare me your fake concern, I'm not buying it. I blurted out, my gaze locked onto him, daring him to reveal his true intentions.

Ansel's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with anger. "You're our mate, and you have no right to dictate how we should treat you. I'm the first of the triplets; I owe here, and so I owe you. You'll do as we say and whenever we say it."

His voice was laced with disdain, every word heavy with scorn. I felt a surge of anger, but his next word caught me off guard.

"See, Raven, you're nothing but our little toy, so stop fusing around and get yourself used to it."

The conversation was cut short when a maid called out "It's time for breakfast."

His face turned icy, "let's go, you won't want to keep us waiting."

"I'm not eating anything here and none of you can touch me again, you especially."

What insolence? I replied as the weight of his words dawned on me.

He jerked me up with his right hand and tossed me around.

"Here, you don't talk back to me." He replied, "I'm doing this to protect you, being the first of the triplets."

"Now, move to the dining table, any more word from you and I'll crush you alive."

With tears streaming down my cheek, I followed him like a prey caught by his predator's nest.

I noticed how he took joy in my fear. His eyes gleamed with a sinister light, and his smile sent shivers down my spine. I felt like a prisoner being led to the slaughter. My heart racing, I made a silent promise to escape this nightmare before it was too late.

The tantalising aroma of roasting meat and freshly baked bread filled the air, making my stomach growl with intense hunger. But my appetite didn't last, I felt uneasy seeing the opulent spread before me.

The table was filled with all manner of food and wine. It was nothing compared to what we had at home. It was a feast fit for royalty.

A man of about 60 years was wheeled out, a part of his body, paralysed.

The triplet rallied all around him and bowed; with a hand gesture, Rowan asked me to do the same, and I did, questioning in my mind who he was and what could have caused the condition.

"Raven, this is our father. He has been sick ever since we were born," Rowan explained, looking me straight in the eye.

My jaw dropped, "how did he know what I was thinking? "Is he a mind reader?"

"What happened to him? I asked, more to myself than to him. My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Enough! If we tell you what happened, are you going to heal him? Ansel cut in. Oh wait, are you a healer?" Sarcasm filled his voice as he rolled his eyes.

"We shouldn't be doing this, she's our mate and deserves some respect," Asher intervened, his voice calm.

Oh please, Asher, don't start, Ansel retorted, his glare silencing Asher.

"We are alpha hunters, we're strong and brave warriors; we have fought wars and won, and every wolf in this pack and beyond respect us, and you want us to accord respect to a mere she-wolf, a weakling?"

*You must be kidding!"

I stood up, my heart pounding heavily on my chest,' I'm not going to allow you to disrespect me like that."

Eyes were on me as maids and guards couldn't stop their lingering gaze on me.

But I didn't flinch.

"I'm not going to allow anyone to talk down on me, no matter who they claim to be," I whispered to myself.

Rowan voiced out, "Raven, please come back here."

But I didn't stop. As I walked, I heard them fighting among them.

"What's the big deal if you tell her that father is cursed? She's our fated mate, remember, and we can't reject or let her go; you know the consequences. I overheard Asher's voice and froze on my path

"Yes, Asher, I know, and that is the reason why we have to be careful with her. We can't trust her easily." Came Ansel's voice.

"We must protect ourselves or have you forgotten what happened the last time we trusted a she-wolf?"

"She sold us out to our enemies; we would all be dead by now if not for the moon Goddess."

"Ansel, that's enough! I don't want to remember those moments, but you seem to have forgotten that if we hadn't run away to the woods, we wouldn't have met Ravan."

At that, my heart raced and my palms became sweaty.

"A thousand and more questions raced in my mind.

What secrets could they be hiding? A shiver ran down my spine as it dawned on me that my mates were entangled in a web of secrets.

The last time I checked, if one's father is cursed, it'll affect the bloodline and sons. Does that mean they are cursed?

A pang of frustration mixed with uncertainty stirred within me. How did the moon Goddess think that I deserve secretive and beast-like wolves as mates?

The thought of what could lay ahead made my spirit weak as I struggled to steady myself.

Once in my room, I sat at the edge of the bed shaking. I started a frantic search for an escape route, scanning every corner of the room for a hidden door, a secret passage or a window left ajar but my wolf Ara jolted me out of my thoughts

"What do you think you're doing, Raven?"

"You can't escape from this," Ara explained in a loud voice in my mind.

"So you'd prefer I allow them to make fun of me and turn me into their toy?"

"Raven, can you swear you didn't enjoy the moment with them?"

"Ara, stop! I shouted; my body betrayed me because of the stupid mate bond, stirring feelings I couldn't control. I hated how helpless and vulnerable it made me feel.

The door creaked open, the sound echoing through the silence; Asher was standing at the entrance, his eyes soft. *Raven, I...

But before he could complete his words, Ansel stormed in, pushing him aside.

"Here we go again. We could hear your voice from downstairs, and since you like shouting, it's time for your training, he growled, his eyes flashing with a sinister look.

"And after that... we'll continue what we started last night."

I took a step back as my heart dropped, making my breath catch in my throat.

With my eyes fixed on Ansel's menacing gaze, panic set in, my mind was racing with the weight of my situation. Time was running out. I had to think, to act, or else I'd be trapped in this nightmare forever.