Chapter 3.PUNISHMENT

(Ruth's POV)

Throughout the trip, I felt restless and hoped that everything would be fine without any problems. We are on our way to the Carter family mansion. It is the mansion of my mother's lover. The alpha who will soon become my stepfather.

I bit my lower lip as I continued to feel uneasy. I never imagined something like this would happen. My life seemed to be on the edge. Living with the Alphas who were bad-natured and bullies. I didn't know what would happen to me in the future, where one brother would be my mate while the remaining 6 brothers would be my stepbrothers.

Carter brothers are famous septuplets of the city, they are devilishly handsome, each brother has a different personality. 

We entered an uphill forest area. I could see a stretch of pine trees on our right and left sides as my mother's car drove slowly. Until I could see from a few meters away, a large gate that opened by itself when my mother's car entered the mansion area.

It was a huge mansion with meters and meters of lawn full of manicured green grass and various plants. My mom's car stopped right in front of the mansion's courtyard with a large circular fish pond with a fountain in the center. There were two stairs for access to the door.

I caught my breath with difficulty before I got out of my car. My heart was beating very fast as I could faintly smell their odor.

They must be inside waiting for us. And the more I thought about it, the more uneasy and scared I became.

"Bring all our stuff!" my mom ordered.

I could only remain silent as we carried all our bags while my mom walked proudly into the mansion. This was the day I was going to start a new life in a house that felt foreign to me.

I wasn't ready to walk into the mansion, but I also couldn't stop my feet from following my mom from behind. It felt like my chest was tightening as the air around me began to thin out.

I gasped as the door to the mansion opened and I saw Alpha Carter standing there, welcoming us with his friendly smile. Goosebumps crawled up my spine as I smelled the scent again, but this time it was much stronger.

I swallowed hard as my eyes accidentally met with Walter and Alfred who were standing behind Alpha Carter with their eyes sharp as crows. Their aura, their smell, was so breathless that my hands were shaking.

"Welcome, Babe." I turned my head to the side while closing my eyes as my mom passionately kissed Alpha Cater as if they were the only ones in the room. It gave me goosebumps.

"Are we late? I hope not, because I have to wait for Ruth to get home from school first," my mom said with a smile. She patted my shoulder lightly, exuding motherly love.

Again, she was acting like a good mother in front of them as if we were a harmonious and happy family.

"No problem. Having you here makes me happy," Alpha Carter said. "Ruth, it's been a long time since I've seen you and you look even more beautiful," he complimented.

"Thanks." I forced myself to smile, then glanced at Walter and Alfred who were smiling mockingly at me.

This atmosphere made me uncomfortable and I felt like I was being threatened. I wanted to leave here immediately, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like now. In the same house with people who were probably already preparing to make my life miserable.

I cursed inwardly and blamed my fate when the Moon goddess had to keep me bound in a miserable vortex with them, my mates. While all of Carters were just my bullies and soon-to-be my step-brothers.

I bit my lower lip with an uneasy feeling. It felt like I was being crushed by a wall from which I could not escape. I could only look down without daring to look at them or open my voice.

"It looks like Ruth is tired. Alfred, take her upstairs to show her room," Alpha Cater ordered.

"She has legs. She can go by herself," Walter retorted in a cold tone, "after all, they're just gold diggers trying toー"

"Watch your language, Walter," he interrupted Walter while glancing at him sharply, "be nice to them because soon they will be your mother and sister."

"Let me take our little sister to her room." I glanced at Alfred who spoke while throwing a smile, sending chills down my spine. "Come on, little sister." He smiled, a tight smile.

Gosh, He is also my mate. Did the moon goddess curse me to become mates of all Carter Brothers?  

Alfred's eyes were a mesmerizing shade of crystal blue, deep and expressive, set beneath well-arched brows that conveyed both intensity and warmth. They sparkled with a light that suggested intelligence and a touch of mischief. His nose was straight and well-proportioned, leading down to a set of full lips that curved into a charming, easy smile.

He is the second son of Carter and meeting my second mate in a day. 

I hope he is different from his other brothers and treats me with respect.

"I'll carry it," I said as he tried to snatch the bag from my hand. Then he relaxed his shoulders and walked ahead of me.

I followed him, and I was surprised when Walter also followed me from behind. I looked like someone about to be executed and led away by the executioners.

"Your room," Alfred said.

I glanced at him, wringing my hands restlessly as he opened the door and ushered me inside. The room was huge. Even bigger than my room at home. And all the things, the decorations, the bed, seemed to have been prepared for me. And at the end near the bed, there was a balcony with a view of the forest.

"So, my little sister...."

I immediately turned my head when I heard Alfred's voice speaking. Tension washed over me as Alfred sat on a chair while Walter leaned against the table with his arms crossed over his chest. Both of them were staring intently at me.

Their gazes made me uncomfortable. They were looking me up and down, it felt like they were stripping me naked with their intimidating gazes.

I could only lower my eyes. My lips felt dry and I licked them with my tongue that felt numb. My hands were shaking while my heart continued to beat very fast. I just hope I don't have an early heart attack.

Alfred laughed. "Is there something down there that you're not looking at us while we're talking?" I gasped as Alfred was suddenly in front of me. His hand pulled my chin roughly until we were staring at each other. "Is it nice to have a new home, little wolf?"

"Not at all." I quickly dismissed his hand and turned my face away. Instinctively, I stepped back away from him.

"You think we're generous?" Walter spoke angrily.

I gave him a quick glance and closed my mouth again. It felt like a waste if I had to argue with them because I knew I always lost. There was nothing I could do to defend myself in front of cold and rude Alphas like him.

Instead, I would fall further into the dark abyss and then I would realize that there was no way out for me.

"Are you mute?" Alfred growled. "We're talking to you, bitch!"

"Ah!" I squealed as Alfred pulled on my neck. Forcing me to look at him. My mouth opened, about to speak, but closed again when Alfred spoke, right in my face.

"Look, don't expect us to let you live comfortably here like a princess. Because we're going to make sure your life, especially yours, is a living hell." He grinned, giving me goosebumps. "The punishment will be more fun. Starting tomorrow, let's punish our toy, Mate."