TRIPLET ROOMMATES ALPHAS ARE MY MATES

Lena’s Pov “Why are you still dawdling?! Do you think I can continue waiting all day for you?” A sharp voice cut through the air like a whip. Before I could react, a hard boot slammed into me from my backside, sending me sprawling. My knees hit the muddy ground first, followed by my face. Pain shot through my palms as they caught the brunt of the fall, but it was nothing compared to the humiliation that followed. Afterwards, the clothes I was washing were poured on the ground as well. Laughter echoed all around me, sharp and cruel. I stayed down for a moment, my body trembling. Not from the pain, but from the sheer disdain that spread amongst them. “Look at her.” One of the pack members sneered, his voice dripping with mockery, “Pathetic little slave. She can’t even stay on her feet.” I slowly pushed myself up, my fingers sinking into the mud. My face was coated in mud and dirty water, but I refused to wipe it away. I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. “You should thank me.” The wolf who kicked me said, towering over me, “If I didn’t remind you of your place, you’d start thinking you’re one of us again.” “I…” I started, but the words caught in my throat. What could I say? Nothing I ever said mattered to them. Another wolf stepped forward, a smirk on her face, “She’s too stupid to thank you. Probably still thinks she’s better than us because of who she used to be.” The group erupted into laughter again, their words like daggers piercing my chest. “Enough.” I whispered, though it came out barely audible. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my voice steady, “Please, just let me finish my work.” The lead wolf bent down, his face inches from mine, “Begging now, are you? Pathetic. A criminal like you doesn't deserve to beg! You should just stay here obediently and serve your punishment like that rat that you are.” He pushed my shoulder, making me stumble back again. “Let’s leave her to her pitiful existence before the Alpha comes out to see us here.” Someone else said, waving a hand dismissively. I watched them walk away, their laughter still ringing in my ears. My legs threatened to give out beneath me, but I forced myself to stand tall. My body ached, but the pain wasn’t new, neither was the humiliation. I looked down at the soiled clothes I’d spent hours cleaning, now lying in the mud, ruined. My throat tightened, but I swallowed hard, pushing back the tears. Crying wouldn’t change anything. As I bent down to retrieve the rest of the clothes that I was washing, a familiar voice called out, gentle and warm. “Lena, are you alright?” My heart skipped a beat. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. It was Liam, the Alpha’s son. I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand, though it did little to help, “I’m fine.” I said, keeping my head down. “You don’t look fine.” He said, stepping closer. I glanced up, meeting his piercing green eyes. There was no judgment there, no pity, just concern. My chest ached at the sight. He was the only one who saw me, the only one who treated me like I mattered. The only one who didn't think of my status and talked to me normally. “It’s nothing.” I said, forcing a smile, “Just another day.” Liam frowned, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer, “They shouldn’t treat you like this.” “It’s my punishment.” I said softly, “I have to endure it.” He didn’t respond right away, but his jaw tightened, “You don’t deserve this.” He finally said. His words warmed me, even as the cold mud clung to my skin. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to believe them. “Thank you.” I whispered as he walked away, his presence leaving a void that felt colder than the morning air. As I gathered the rest of the clothes, my thoughts drifted to my upcoming birthday. It was foolish, but I couldn’t help but hope. I hoped that I would find out that Liam would be my mate. I held onto a hope that my life might finally change. But deep down, I knew better. The rest of the day passed in a blur of chores and whispers. The pack members barely acknowledged me, except to bark orders or mock me. When my sister, Celeste, walked past me in the dining hall that evening, she didn’t even spare me a glance. I paused, my chest tightening. Once, she had been my best friend, my confidante, my twin. But now she was a stranger, despite what I had done for her, despite how much she knew that I had been wronged and she had been the one who was supposed to serve this sentence. “Well… Is there anything I can do about this? I've been sentenced and there's no way I could resist. The Alpha would kill me then and Celeste couldn't be more happy.” I muttered under my breath. There was no use dwelling on the past. The week leading to my birthday was nothing more than a blur. My first day of college was also fast approaching, and I clung to the hope that it might offer me a fresh start, or at least a brief escape from the relentless disdain of the pack. By the time my birthday arrived, I was a bundle of nerves, this birthday looked like it was meant to remind me of everything I had lost. Celeste and I shared the same birthday and the celebrations seemed like it was for her instead. She basked in the clan's admiration while I basked in their disdain and disappointment. The morning ceremony in the main hall was packed with wolves eager to celebrate. I stayed near the back, out of sight. My heart raced as Liam entered the room. His presence filled the space, commanding attention without effort. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him, it was as if there was something electric pulling me towards him. And then it happened, the bond hit me like a lightning strike. My chest tightened, my heart lurching forward, and the room seemed to fade. I felt a pull, a connection towards him that was so strong that it couldn’t be ignored. Liam was my mate. For a moment, I was frozen, the realization crashing over me like a wave, the universe had tied me to him just like I wanted. I stepped forward before I could stop myself, my heart pounding in my ears. Every pair of eyes in the room turned toward me, the air thick with tension. “Liam.” I said, my voice trembling but steady enough to carry across the hall. He turned to stare at me and at that moment, I couldn't see the look in my eyes. “You… You're my mate.”