32Alyssa immediately got up on her feet and hurried close to the door, then opened the door slowly. It was a scary thing to do, but she still needed to find out what was going on. But as she stepped out of the room, the gunshot stopped and everywhere seemed quiet.Alyssa carefully walked down the stairs, looking around so as not to be shot by someone when she least expected it. As she got to the bottom of the stairs, she wandered around the living room and didn’t see any sign of gunshots all over the place.“Safi?” Alyssa called out to her as she started walking towards the same hallway which had different rooms.“Why is that the first place you always wander of to, Alyssa?” Safi questioned all of a sudden from Alyssa’s back.Alyssa turned to look at her sharply. She wanted to respond to her, but she knew somehow, she still had to act like she was in control sometimes.“That isn’t the right question to ask, Safi. I heard gunshots and had to come looking for you, but to my surprise, t
33Alyssa’s Pov“Alyssa. Alyssa.” I heard a familiar voice call my name and I looked left and right, trying to understand where the voice was coming from.Suddenly, the room seemed much like a blur; like it was gradually disappearing until I saw myself on my bed back at the pack house and Anita was staring right at me with her eyes showing so much concern. That was when it really hit me that I was still here, but my mind was somewhere else. The only thing was that I felt much worse here. My whole body seemed like it was on fire as my temperature was high and disturbing.“What happened to me?” I managed to ask Anita who immediately sat by my side, looking a little relieved.“I think the punishment was too sudden given the fact that you had not fully recovered, so you went unconscious for a day. I was told to tend to you today, and I’m so happy that you’re awake.” She said with so much emotions bursting out of her.I really appreciated her, but somehow, I wanted more of that. Maybe some
34Alyssa’s PovIt was really painful hearing her say those words, and I didn’t know just when I was going to stop feeling hurt that came from her. Ingrid gave me one more hateful look and walked out of my room.“Goodness.” I said under my breath as I rubbed my face with my palm.Only the moon goddess understood how sick and tired I was of Ingrid acting this way to me. Still, I really have no idea of how to end this apart from dying. And I’m not ready to die.I shut my eyes close again, hoping that no one would come to disturb me or make me feel like my life was worthless.~Later in the evening, I woke up and felt a bit better than in the morning, and this time, I could sit up. Suddenly the door opened as if the person behind it had been waiting for me to wake, and to my surprise, it was Ryan.“Ryan?” I said under my breath while staring at him.“Guessing you just woke.” He uttered as he grabbed a chair and sat beside my bed.“Yes. Is there a problem?” I asked, out of curiosity, and
35The brothers were all in the main study room, doing different things except for Ryan who only sat down, looking like he was deep in thoughts. Both Raymond and Reece looked at each other before they finally approached Ryan.“Hey bro.” Reece called to him as they got closer.But Ryan didn’t say a word and only kept staring like he was really deep in thoughts.“Ryan.” Raymond called out to him in a sharp tone, and this time, it interrupted Ryan’s trail of thoughts.He raised his head and looked at his brothers, then his eyelids blinked several times as he looked at them and realized that he had been lost in thoughts long enough for them to have noticed.“I’m sorry. Anything wrong?” He asked them, wondering if they had something important to share with him.“Maybe, and we’re about to find out.” Raymond uttered and dipped his hands into his pockets.“What’s going on with you, brother?” Reece asked, looking concerned.“I don’t understand. Why would you insinuate that something’s going on
36Alyssa’s PovI didn’t know when I actually fell asleep due to the heavy silence between us, but when I woke first, it felt like a dream still seeing them lying beside me, wrapping their arms around me like a baby would do to his mother.I wished that I could capture this moment forever; a beautiful sight to behold. The best sight since I’ve been brought to live here. Patting them would have been easy, but at the same time, I wouldn’t want to wake them yet because I don’t know what reaction they would have now that it is morning.But all I know is that it seems so much that they were yearning for me and found it easy to be with me. Maybe it’s just about time for Ingrid to give them up and help me to be on the best of terms with them without them having to think about the scar on my face.I kept staring at them until they finally moved away from me slowly and stretched, then they opened their eyes and looked at me. I smiled at them, feeling so happy; like their mother and comforter.
37Alyssa’s PovThinking that it was going to be difficult to sleep in the night again due to the fact that I had already slept long enough, that was just my thoughts. The dose which Anita gave me earlier was still active enough to knock me out after minutes of staring into blank space and thinking of nothing.When I woke the next day, I was much better and although the claw marks were still on my arm, but the pain was gone and no longer aching.“Well, its a new day and time for work.” I said to myself, not wanting to attract any more incidence that would cause pain.The triplets could get so angry that they could dash to my room and turn everywhere upside down just because I remained in there and didn’t step out to work. Since I’m not so sure of what could go on in their heads at any time, it was just best for me to everything that would not make them get so angry at me.I put on my maid clothes and walked out of my room, then headed towards the stairs which led to the living room. A
38Ingrid’s PovLater that evening, I was with the boys in the living room and I couldn’t wait to punish Alyssa for the wrong which the boys did. And just when I was dying of a little boredom, Reece sparked it up.“Uhm… Ingrid, there’s this evening party I’m meant to go to, and I was told to also bring a plus one, and you’ll be the perfect person. Do you mind us to go there?” he asked me and I beamed with smiles.I wish Alyssa was here to hear this so it can strike her heart a million times.“Yes, I’ll love to. But it’s quite on short notice. I don’t know if I have the perfect outfit for it.”“Don’t worry, you look perfect in anything you wear.” He assured me and I smiled.“Alright then. When is the party starting?”“In two hours.” He replied me.“Okay, what about you guys? Aren’t you attending?” I asked out of curiosity.“Nah. We’re not really into that type of gathering and Reynold and I still have some pack duties left.” Ryan explained to me.“Oh, it’s fine then.” I said, then rose
39Ingrid’s PovI looked at them with so much anger in me. I had always allowed myself to be bullied and I can’t keep allowing that. It’s time for them to know that things change and some things come to an end.I don’t need to fear. There is a high chance that Reece is the most influential business partner and Alphas around here so I don’t need to feel low or like I might not win any fight that I might get in with words or other moderate ways.“Reece.” I called to his attention and he looked at me with a smile as he held his glass of wine.“Yes darling?”“How about we move over to that axis? We could greet some people and discuss with them.” I urged him and he cleared his throat.“Uhm… okay then.” He agreed and ended his conversation with the others he was with.Not like they were deep in their conversations, neither were they already talking about something serious, so it wasn’t bad if I stole him away for my plan.“Hey, Alpha Reece, I’m so glad to finally set my eyes on you.” One of
48Thankfully, Reece was able to catch Ingrid before she fell and hit her head against the wall or floor. Ingrid was breathing heavily as he caught her and she laughed all of a sudden.“Are you okay? I’m sorry I caught you unaware.” Reece apologized as he helped her stand.“No, it’s fine. I can’t believe I almost slipped. It would have been another thing if I actually did.” She said, and chuckled.It was really relieving for her that she didn’t end up falling, so she felt happy about it.Then she noticed that he was naked too and she felt a little shy about it because it seemed to her that he came to have fun with her and it almost ended in catastrophe because she was taken by surprise.Then she watched as Reece went into the bath tub which was really big enough for up to three people to go into it.“The water is chill. You should come in too rather than using the shower.” Reece suggested to Ingrid.She was a little shy because she didn’t expect that, and they had never been together
47Reece’s PovTowards evening, I was right in my room, thinking of plans to come up with to make Alyssa pick up as fast as she can before the day of the contest would finally arrive and suddenly, a knock came on my door.“Who is it?” I questioned, feeling a little irritated by the sudden interruption.“Alpha Ryan and Alpha Reynold has asked for your presence in the living room.” The maid informed me and I got down from my bed, wondering what my brothers had to tell me.I walked out of my room until I got down to the living room and also saw Ingrid who just joined us.“Do you guys want to have a meeting without me?” She asked, and I smiled.“Come on, Ingrid. It’s not really a meeting.” I said to her, then my phone which I had kept in my pocket, vibrated. “Excuse me, guys.” I said as I brought out my phone and checked the message.A smile came up on my face as I saw the content of the message. It was quite delightful.“Guys, do you remember a particular business meeting I said I would
46“You all should go back to your posts.” Reynold instructed and everyone left.They were quite surprised that they had chosen Alyssa when she seemed like the most hated there, and she clearly didn’t have all that it took to emerge a winner in the upcoming contest. But there was nothing they could say to it. The Alphas had the final say to whatever came up, anytime, any day.As the maids dispersed and the Alphas headed to the study room, Ingrid followed after them with anger rising in her heart. Just when what she thought that what she had planned against Alyssa would make the triplets hate her more and push her away, it only seemed like it didn’t work.She was beginning to feel so threatened because she knew so well that Alyssa wasn’t the right fit for the pick, but she wasn’t ready to accept the Alphas’ choice.“Hey, Ingrid, what’s up?” Reece asked her, noticing that she wasn’t looking quite in a good mood.“Why would you do that? How could you choose Alyssa while I’m still alive?
45Later in the evening, about three maids went to the dungeon and released Alyssa and also clothed her.“We were instructed to take you back to your room.” They informed her before two of them placed her arms around their shoulder and began to assist in her walking back to her room.On getting to her room, they helped in taking care of her bruises and when they were done, they left her room. But it wasn’t long after they left that Anita opened the door and walked in, looking really concerned.“Alyssa. Are you okay?” She asked as she walked up to her and sat by her side on the bed.“Yes. I feel better, I guess.” Alyssa replied, with a slight smile.“You don’t look it.” Anita said, scrutinizing her body and feeling really bad to see her in such state.“But my situation right now is way better than being before the Alphas who I always have no idea what punishment they could give to me.” Alyssa said and Anita watched as tears ran down her eyes.“Please don’t be so sad. I know they really
44For the triplets, it was quite annoying and disgusting that they had to witness what Alyssa had done, and the more they thought about it, the more it really got them pissed.“Who would ever think that she could do what she did? She has become so out of her mind for her to be able to do that.” Reece said, and shook his head.“I’m also disappointed in her. And things need to be set right with her or she would feel that it is okay for her to continue in such ways which must not happen.” Ryan uttered and both Reece and Reynold nodded in agreement.“We should go over to the interrogation room to hear from the stupid man who found his way here.” Reynold said and his brothers followed after him.They all headed towards the interrogation room with a frown on their faces and those who saw them on their way only bowed and ensured that they didn’t do anything that could piss them off or sort. On getting there, the guards who were positioned there then opened the door to let them in.Collins w
43Ingrid’s Pov“Uhm… Ingrid, what have you brought us here to look at, exactly?” Reece asked me, and I rolled my eyes.“Come on, guys. Aren’t you seeing what I am?” I questioned as I looked back at them; their baffled expressions on their faces.“A maid and a guard speaking?” Reynold questioned me instead and with a baffled look, I turned to look back at Alyssa and Collins, but to my surprise, they weren’t the one.“What!” I exclaimed in shock.This can’t be. Am I seeing wrong?“Ingrid, you know we have better things to do than pulling pranks on us.” Reynold said, and turned to leave, but I immediately ran to him and held his arm.“Sorry, this isn’t what I wanted to show you, or this isn’t the place we are meant to come over to. I guess I just mixed it up.” I said, apologizing to him.If I allowed them to leave without saying a word, it was quite obvious that it wouldn’t be easy to get them to follow me if I found out where exactly Alyssa and Collins were. For the fact that my eyes t
42Ingrid’s Pov{DAYS LATER}I swung my legs off the bed, my face pulled into a frown. It was another nasty dream that I had. In my dream, Alyssa was there, getting married to the triplets, and they were all smiling happily.Even if it was a dream, it wrought so much anger in me that I couldn’t begin to think. I needed to do something. The Alphas were definitely showing those annoying signs of softness that made me feel they would eventually give in to it sooner or later, and that couldn’t happen. If it happened, I would be done for.I pulled a robe around myself, and walked out, wanting to take a breath of air, and relax.“Good morning, ma’am,” the maids greeted, as I walked past them. I didn’t bother replying, and made my way instead to the garden, where I knew the trees would help with my case.Unfortunately, I just had to see Alyssa in the garden. She was with her maid, as she tried to do a horrible job of painting a flower. I folded my arms, my lips turning downward as I watched
41Ingrid’s Pov“Uhm… I was about going over to a restaurant to get us food instead that we can eat at the park. Do you mind waiting at the park instead?” He asked me and I smiled lightly.“Yeah, sure. No problem on that.”Neon walked me to the park and then assured me he’ll be back. I watched as he walked away, and got into his car to head to the restaurant. He reminded me so much of the past I had with him and while i had a really good time with him, the way we ended was very hurtful.~flashback~“Ingrid, I’ll be going out to see my friends and we’ll be working on a few things. I should be back home by 10pm.” Father informed me.My heart jumped in excitement as I felt I would be able to spend a lot of time with Neon until before 10pm when I should have been back home.“Alright.” I responded calmly and watched as he left the house.Immediately he was far away, I jumped up and squealed in excitement. Then I dashed to the landline which was only used by potential families.“Hey baby.”
40Ingrid’s PovI was really surprised to see him here and that the fact that we would bump into each other carelessly was what I didn’t expect. Even mere words couldn’t come out of my mouth and all I could just do was to stare awkwardly at him for a while.My eyelids blinked several times and I was trying to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. I still felt a little attracted to his demeanor and the way he looked at me was still the same as when he stared at me back them. In fact, the memory of one of the best days I had with him, flashed in my mind.~flashback~I and him were somehow alone and the intense atmosphere was beginning to put me under pressure.Interestingly, he also seemed to be feeling the same way I felt and before I knew it, he moved closer to me like a magnet was pulling us closer, and he kissed me. That kiss went on for as long as it could before we were interrupted.~back to reality ~Gosh! Why did that have to be the first thing I would remember? This awkwa