1: Betrayal (Unwanted Mate)

Crescent Moon Pack

Willow’s POV

“Mate!” I heard a loud growl which startled me from my slumber. My gaze met with that of the triplets who were staring at me intensely, unlike they had ever done before. Asher slowly approached me with Aiden and Axel hot on his tail. 

“Mine!” they growled again. I thought I had heard them wrongly the first time but my ears weren’t playing tricks on me. I heard right. Everyone was well aware, that their birthday was today. A huge preparation that I had helped with was in progress. They had gotten their wolves and I was their mate. My heart was pounding heavily. I scooted over on my little bed when I saw them approaching. 

Asher’s hands gently caressing my thigh made my thoughts all jumbled together. I couldn’t bear to look them all in the eye. It should be a crime for people to look so perfect. Aiden raised my chin up with his hands. As soon as my gaze met with their ocean-blue eyes, I melted. 

“W…we shouldn’t be doing this,” I stuttered. They never liked me. If the Alpha and Luna someone like me had laid with their sons, I would be in so much trouble. 

“Who says we can’t? You are our mate and we can do whatever we like,” Axel replied in a husky tone. All rationality flew out of the window. The truth was that I had a huge crush on them for a very long time and now I was their mate? It felt like a dream come through. Asher began to take off my nightgown. I knew what they wanted from the look on their faces and I wanted them too. I always had. When their lips fell on mine, I felt on top of the world.

******

The following morning, I woke up with a smile on my face. I glanced around but the Thane brothers were gone. My smile faltered. I was a bit disheartened but I understood they had to get ready for their birthday party. My body ached from last night's activities but I was happy. My insides were filled with more joy than I could fathom because my first time had been with the triplets just like I had always dreamed of. 

“You lazy girl! Isn’t it time to get to work already!” The loud voice jolted me from my reverie. It was the head maid. If I wasted any more time, I would get seriously punished. I got on my feet and threw on my clothes, I folded the bloodied sheet from last night and threw them among my things in the cramped basement after making a mental note to wash them as soon as I was done with my chores. I rushed out of the room combing my hands through my hair. 

“Your royal highness, I see you’ve decided to grace us with your presence,” the head maid sneered. 

I stopped abruptly looking down at my feet. “I’m s…sorry…”

“Keep your useless apologies to yourself. I have a party to plan and I want to start on a good note. I’m not about to let you ruin my mood,” she declared. I nodded. 

“Well then, why are you standing there shaking like a leaf? Get your filthy self out of my sight before I change my mind!” she yelled at me. I rushed out of her presence and made my way to the kitchen. I still felt a little sore from yesterday. It was quite a wild night and I was tired but I wasn’t about to tell anyone that. I kept glancing around in search of the triplets but I didn’t catch sight of them anywhere. 

“Oh look, the fatty is here,” A maid like myself called out to the rest. They all wiped their hands with towels and dropped the work they were doing before I arrived. 

“Get to work,” she muttered with a smirk. I glanced at the pile of dishes and my jaw dropped. 

“I can’t possibly finish all of that,” I mumbled. 

“Do we look like we care? Put your weight and strength to good use,” she retorted. She bumped her arm into mine before walking off. The rest followed after her leaving me all alone. One would think that after years of being called words like fat, pig, and overweight, I would begin to get used to it. I never did. It still hurt each time. I made my way towards the dishes before the head maid would find me once again. 

Everyone looked down on me in the pack. I was treated worse than an omega even by the omegas themselves. There wasn’t a day I wasn’t reminded that I was still alive thanks to the Alpha’s generosity. My father was the beta to the Alpha, that was until he was accused of betraying the Alpha, planning a coup to take his position. My father was labeled a traitor along with my mother. They were both killed as punishment for their crimes while I was spared. I was asked to be grateful that I wasn’t killed just like them.

However, my life was worse than hell. I got bullied by everyone. I’ve always been bullied in school since I was a child because of my weight. It only got worse after my parents died. I was bullied in school and in the pack house. The only place where I could be safe and have time for myself was my little room which was the basement. I even had thoughts of running away after high school because I couldn’t take it anymore. But all that was about to change. The triplets were my mates now. I never thought I would find my mate but now I have and it was the best feeling in the world. 

As soon as I was done with the dishes, I began to clean the pack house. Everyone was busy preparing the pack house for the triplet’s eighteenth birthday. The house was bustling with activities but I still hadn’t seen them anywhere. I didn’t dare go towards their room. I knew we had a connection now but it still wasn’t possible. There was a huge difference in our status. They were the Alpha’s sons while I was the daughter of a traitor worse than an Omega. The moon goddess brought us together. I was sure they were going to accept me as their mate in front of everyone just like the custom demanded.

By the time I was done with cleaning, it was getting dark and the guests were beginning to arrive. I rushed towards my room and took a shower. I wore my favorite dress, styled my hair, and even applied makeup on my face. I smiled brightly into the mirror. If they were going to accept me as their mate in front of everyone, I had to look the part. 

I walked outside to the garden and it had the most beautiful decoration I had ever seen. I glanced around in awe till I bumped into someone. The glass she was holding fell from her hands. 

“I’m sorry. It was a mistake,” I hurriedly apologized. I recognized her because she was part of the students who bullied me in school. 

“Your existence is a mistake! How dare you touch me!” she yelled drawing the attention of others. I knew where this was headed and I didn’t have any time for that. All I wanted was to meet with the triplets and as the goddess would have it, my gaze met with theirs, just a little distance away. I smiled and walked towards them. I was well aware of everyone’s gaze on me. 

“What do you think you are doing?” Asher’s cold tone stopped me in my steps. The smile disappeared from my face. There was something wrong. This wasn’t how they looked at me during the middle of the night. 

“Seems like the pig has a crush,” someone called out in a sing-song voice. They all laughed at me. 

“Just take a look at her clothes. She looks like a clown,” another added. I looked towards the triplets and they had smiles on their faces. I couldn’t say a word. Everyone’s attention was on me and I was here for their amusement.

“Has she no shame? Traitor daughter!”

“How dare she set her eyes on our future Alphas? Disgusting piece of shit!” 

Their words hurt me but I was more interested in what was going on with the triplets. I took in a deep breath and made up my mind to say something. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Axel beat me to it. 

“You think you are worthy of being with us? Do you think you are worthy of being our mates? That’s not possible. We will never accept a mate such as yourself. I Axel Thane…”

“I Aiden Thane…”

“And I Asher Thane, We all reject you as our mate. Your place is in the gutter like you belong. Not with us,” they declared coldly. Their words hit me like a ton of rocks. I couldn’t believe my ears. Someone pushed me to the ground and I fell with a thud bruising my knee. I winced. 

“Mates? Does she really think she’s your mate? What a joke!” Someone laughed throwing their drink at me. 

“B…but I thought..,” I stuttered with tears in my eyes. I thought we had something special going on.

“B…but…but,” someone mimicked me and they laughed again. 

“Hey Nina, you wanted some pork earlier. Why wait for the pig to arrive when we have her?” Axel asked pointing towards me and they all laughed. Their laughter echoed in my ears as more drinks were poured on me. My heart was shattered into a million pieces. Dreams come through? More like a nightmare.