Chapter 3.1: Three Mates!
923 Words
I sprinted through the house, my heart pounding as though I were being pursued by invisible demons. The air felt suffocating, heavy with the weight of my own mounting panic. I could almost feel the press of six imposing figures at my back, their presence a constant, oppressive force. My steps flew faster, carrying me into the grand living room, where I skidded to a halt in front of a gargantuan cake. The realization hit me with a jolt: I was draped only in a thin tablecloth, exposed to the eyes of every observer.
As I stood there, paralyzed by embarrassment and fear, Robert, Maximus, and Julius came to a stop behind me. Their scents—an intoxicating blend of comforting vanilla, earthy chocolate, and calming lavender—wrapped around me like an unexpected shield, offering a strange solace amidst the chaos. Maximus, now shirtless, loomed behind them, his bare chest and powerful frame adding to the turmoil of the moment. I could already imagine the scandalized whispers and the probable ire of my father.
My gaze darted through the crowd, searching for my father. I found him just as he began his transformation, his eyes blazing with a mix of fury and disbelief.
“What have you done to the future queen?” His voice boomed through the room, reverberating with a dangerous edge. The sight of Maximus having thrown me down so forcefully likely suggested to him a violent altercation—or worse, a compromising situation.
“Dad…” I managed, my voice trembling as I faced the overwhelming weight of his gaze and the gravity of the situation. The room seemed to close in on me as I tried to reconcile the chaos with my role, struggling to find a way to defuse the tension and assert control over the spiraling events.
“My shift was… complicated,” I admitted, the words barely escaping my lips. It wasn’t entirely untrue, but it was far from the whole story.
“The triplets… they helped me. They saved my life,” I said, though I knew it was a lie. What was happening to me? Had they really saved my life, or was the mate bond distorting my perception? My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and fear. I struggled to push away the unsettling notion that I was weakening under the weight of this bond.
I was not obligated to explain myself to anyone. Even if I had spent the night with them, it was none of their concern. My duty was to be the queen, not a confused girl tangled in strange new emotions.
“Please, return to the celebration,” I managed to say, my voice faltering as I slipped behind the door, eager to escape the prying eyes and regain some semblance of control. I needed to compose myself, to dress properly, and to clear my muddled thoughts.
Diana’s gentle knock came soon after.
“Vittoria?” Her voice was soft, laced with genuine concern. “What happened?”
The moment our eyes met, I felt a wave of vulnerability crash over me. I burst into tears, feeling an intense, overwhelming fear. I was trembling, utterly lost and disoriented. The strength I had always relied upon seemed to crumble in an instant.
I began to spill out everything, struggling to make sense of the chaos that had engulfed me. Was this mate bond real? Was I somehow different from other wolves? Why had my eyes turned red instead of their usual green? What was causing this relentless confusion?
Diana listened intently, her eyes reflecting a depth of empathy. She worked diligently, fastening the buttons of my mermaid gown with a careful touch. Her presence was a small anchor in the storm of my emotions, offering a momentary respite from the tumultuous confusion that had taken hold of me.
The room was dimly lit, filled with the hushed whispers of the remaining guests. Diana carefully fastened the last button of my gown, her fingers moving with practiced precision. My face etched with confusion and distress, I watched in the mirror.
“I always thought wolves had just one mate,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Diana paused, her gaze steady. “That’s what most believe, but with multiples like Robert, Maximus, and Julius, it’s different. Their bond is so deep they often share the same mate.”
My eyes widened.
“So, all three of them could be my mates?”
Diana nodded, her expression grave.
“Exactly. Their connection is intertwined, like one soul split into three. It’s not common, but it’s not unheard of either.”
“But why is my wolf so different?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Diana’s brows furrowed. “I’m not sure yet. It could be related to your role as Luna or the unique nature of your bond. We’ll need to look into it further. You’re not alone in this.”
My gaze was a mix of fear and determination. “I feel like everything I knew is falling apart. I don’t even know what’s real anymore.”
Diana placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It’s a lot to take in. We’ll figure it out together. You have allies here. We’ll uncover the truth and face it head-on.”
I nooded, I would be lost without her.
“Thank you, Diana. I don’t know what I’d do without your support.”
Diana smiled reassuringly. “We’re in this together. Whatever happens, we’ll face it as one.”
- Writer
