The Alpha’s Triplets

Two

Zoey and Maria swept into the grand hall at 8:30AM, joining the throng of guests already mingling beneath the chandeliers. The ceremony was set to begin in thirty minutes, but Zoey's attention was focused on Maria, resplendent in her designer gown and diamonds.Maria glided through the crowds, her confident smile and diamonds drawing admiring glances from some ladies who wants to be her friend. Zoey trailed behind, feeling like a shadow as Maria effortlessly collected an entourage of eager socialites.Zoey followed Maria, her plain dress and subdued demeanor providing a stark contrast to Maria's glamor. As they navigated the crowds, Maria expertly curated a circle of wealthy admirers, leaving Zoey to hover at the periphery. They will add more value to her life."I should get some drinks for us." One of them giggled excitedly and stood up to excuse herself. There were three on the seat with Zoey, making four."You don't need to worry. My maid will get it." Maria stopped her from moving and directed her gaze to Zoey. "Get us some wine from the bartender." She ordered. Zoey stood up from their midsts and stumbled towards the bartender in frustration. Zoey hesitated, unsure where to go in the vast, unfamiliar Manor.Maria's dismissal stung, but Zoey's uncertainty kept her rooted to the spot, fearful of getting lost in the labyrinthine mansion.She came back with bottles of wine and cups on a tray. She dropped it in front of them on the table and served them. Later on, she excused herself away from them."Where are you going?" Maria asked as she noticed her drawing herself away from their midst."I figured out you might need some privacy so I will move a little further away." Zoey replied to her."You figured that a little too late." Maria smirked and averted her gaze back to her newly found friends. "But make sure you don't stay far away so I would be able to call on you for errands." Zoey nodded and walked away from them. She stood at a corner watching them from afar.Maria looked elegant and undisputable beautiful with her friends while talking.Zoey's gaze returned to Maria, whose designer gown and radiant beauty made Zoey's own worn dress and plain face feel dull by comparison.She touched her plain face, feeling the familiar sting of inadequacy.Maria's laughter echoed through the hall, and Zoey's eyes dropped, her heart heavy with the familiar weight of self-doubt.Zoey tore her gaze away, sighing inwardly. She couldn't afford to indulge in envy, not now.Zoey had been dozing off from where she stood when she felt someone nudge her. She stumbled backward and opened her eyes immediately."Maria!" She called out and composed herself immediately."It seems you are tired. Don't worry, the ceremony will soon start." Maria said with a smile. Zoey wondered whether she had called her over and she didn't get a response from her so she is here to deal with her."I…" she was about to say when Maria cut her off, extending a glass of wine to her."Take this and drink before the Alpha arrives. Enjoy the party Zoey, stop being boring." She said and forced the drink to her hand. Zoey was shocked that she handed a drink to her. She composed herself immediately and masked off the confusion."T..thank you." She thanked her and watched Maria as she drank from her other glass."Drink up!" She urged her. Zoey nodded and gulped down the wine. Her taste bud savors the taste, the taste she hadn't felt in a while. Has she told you that apart from overworking her, they starve her with good food too.Zoey moaned at the sweetness and dropped her glass. "It's great, right." Maria chuckled and dropped down her glass. She folded her hands and leaned on the wall, standing beside her."Aren't you with your friends? Did they leave?" Zoey asked when she saw she wasn't going back to her so-called prestigious friends."Ohh, them. They can wait." Zoey shifted her weight, her eyes darting around the room as Maria leaned in close. She fidgeted with her dress, her shoulders tensing under Maria's gaze.Why was she calm with her? "You know what Zoey, it would be great if the Alpha is my Mate. How great would that be? Then, I would be the next Luna." She ranted on to her on how great she would be on the throne. "I heard the new Alpha is so hot and daring." Zoey's head spun as she raised her glass; the wine blurred her senses, and she snorted in derision, the sound escaping her lips uncontrollably.She staggered back and held the wall for support. She didn't drink much wine, just a glass then why is her vision blurry?"Are you okay Zoey?" Maria asked and held her in both arms."No, I'm not." Zoey said, nodding her head negatively. "I.. I'm free..feeling not too..o good." As Zoey's vision blurred, she noticed the maids exchanging a nervous glance. One of them hastily whispered something to the other, their eyes darting towards the door. Zoey's instincts prickled, but before she could process what was happening, the maids were beside her, their faces masked with overly bright smiles."Take her to a room. She is feeling tipsy and needs some rest." Maria ordered them and they nodded immediately.Zoey's mind raced with fragmented thoughts, like scattered puzzle pieces. She tried to form a coherent sentence, but her words tangled in her throat.The maids' grip on her arms tightened, their fingers digging into her skin like vice grips. As they steered her towards the room, the shadows on the walls seemed to twist and writhe, like living darkness.. The Manor was filled with many rooms so she felt not bothered about where they were taking her to. And the maids, they were dressed in a royal uniform which indicates that they are palace maids.The maids pushed open the heavy wooden door, its hinges creaking in protest, and guided Zoey into the dimly lit room. The scent of stale air and old perfume enveloped her as they laid her down on the soft, velvet bed. The comforter's gentle weight settled over her, its smooth fabric a stark contrast to the rough grip of the maids' hands.As Zoey's eyelids drooped, she thought she heard a faint creaking sound, like the soft groan of old wooden floorboards.She dismissed it as the manor's settling foundations, but the noise lingered in her mind... Later, as she sank into the softness of the bed, the creaking sound returned, louder this time, and she felt a presence beside her. She scrunched her nose and the scent was unfamiliar, different from the maids. The weight dropped on her. Zoey gasped and gathered up her strength to jerk away. She forced her eyes open and her eyes met the figure in front of him. As Zoey's gaze focused, a man's leering face came into view. The man's grin twisted, revealing yellowed teeth stained with tobacco and wine, and his paunchy stomach pressed against her, its sour scent mingling with the stench of stale breath and sweat.The stench of stale breath and sweat wafted up, making her stomach churn. 'You're a feisty one, huh?' he wheezed, his breath hot against Zoey's ear.Zoey's gaze roamed over the man's bloated form, his stained shirt straining across his paunchy stomach. A scruff of graying hair framed his puffy face, and his thin lips curled into a sneer.Zoey's head spun as she raised her glass, the wine blurring her senses. She snorted in derision, the sound bursting from her lips before she could contain it. She looked around but the maids were gone. When did they leave?Zoey's breathing quickened, and she realized with a jolt of fear that she was in grave danger - the old man's intentions were clear.