Claimed by the Beast Kings

Chapter2

Astraea’s POV

The rest of the drive was done in silence. The triplets didn't speak, all seemingly lost in their own thoughts. I pressed myself deeper into the seat, hoping to make myself as small as possible, but with the pair of eyes on me, I doubted it was working.

Three hours later, we pulled up at a fortress carved from black stone. It sat on a cliff that seemed to overlook a dark forest. The moon was full overhead; everything was either silver or black from where I sat.

The door opened. Kaelith stepped out.

Thalion offered his hand. “Welcome to Shadowpeak.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. I stepped out on my own, ignoring his hand.

His lips curved slightly, but without a word he shut the door, tucking his hand into his pockets. “This way.”

I dragged my feet, as though walking any slower might change this cruel fate I had just been served.

Other wolves soon came into view the farther we walked—massive wolves, all looking dangerous. Even the females weren't spared from the size; it seemed it was something peculiar to the pack.

“Your Highnesses,” they greeted the triplets.

They stared at me with unhidden curiosity. Some stared with suspicion, one or two stared with pity. I was going to die anyway—if I had any doubt about that, well, bye-bye doubt, hello death.

They led me inside what looked like a castle toward what seemed like an elevator. Who put an elevator in a castle? I wondered.

“Helps with movement,” Thalion said, noticing the question in my eyes.

“Didn't ask,” I muttered.

“You’re welcome,” he chuckled, like he didn't hear the earlier comment.

“This will be your room,” Kaelith finally spoke, the coldness of his voice reduced but still there.

Thalion opened the door.

My jaw dropped at the sight before me.

The room was a sharp contrast to everything else. While the fortress was all stone and rough, the room was beautiful, soft, coated in pink, with windows that had actual glass, a warm flame, and a soft queen-sized bed.

A cage—yes—but a nice cage.

“We didn't know what you'd like, so we did it according to what looked nice to us.”

They all entered, and suddenly the once spacious room became crowded, too small for their huge frames. I guessed their plan was to make me comfortable before killing me off.

“This is your room,” Kaelith said. “You're not a prisoner, but you're not free to leave—not yet.”

“Why?” I asked, my voice small. “Why did you buy me? What do you want from me?”

The three brothers exchanged a look.

Finally, Thalion spoke, his voice gentler than his brothers'. “We felt it—the bond. You felt it too.”

I did. Even if I didn't want to admit it, I did.

That snap. That pull. Like something inside me recognized them.

“We're your mates,” Dravyn said bluntly. “All three of us.”

My mind reeled.

Mates?

I've heard of fated mates, but three? That's not possible.

“That doesn't happen. One person, one mate.” I rejected it instantly.

“Not for us,” Thalion said. “We're triplets. We share everything, including our mate.”

The implication hung in the air.

I was expected to be with all three of them.

The thought alone chilled me to the bone.

“I don't understand,” I whispered.

“You will,” Kaelith said, not bothering to explain.

“What happens to me now?” I could hear the dread in my own voice at the unknown future I was about to face. Somehow, living with Cassius didn't seem that bad anymore.

“We figure out how to deal with our bond,”

Thalion shrugged. “But you have to come to terms with it.”

I scoffed. “And if I don’t? Will you reject this damned bond and let me go?”

“Mine!” A loud growl escaped from Dravyn’s lips.

I took an unconscious step back, my body swaying slightly from the effect. Colour drained from my face.

Kaelith snarled. “Stop scaring her.”

“We would never reject you.” Disapproval shone in Thalion’s eyes. “You're ours, little one. We would never do anything to hurt you.” His voice softened.

I rolled my eyes. Like hell I'd believe them.

They were all the same. Liars, just like Father.

If they expected me to believe them just because of a stupid bond, then they've got something else coming.

“You didn't believe us,” he muttered, looking dead straight into my eyes.

“Why should I?” A dry, humorless chuckle left my lips. After all, everyone in my life had either lied to me or betrayed me. What made them any different?

But there was something in his eyes. In all their eyes.

Want, yes.

Hunger, definitely.

But also something gentler.

Protection, maybe or hope.

Sigh.

“Get some rest,” he said, resigned, and one by one they filed out, leaving me alone.

The sound of the lock clicking set me into my new reality.

No matter how they sugar-coated it, I was nothing more than a prisoner.

My knees wobbled, and I collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down my face, finally alone for the first time in hours.

I didn't know exactly how long I spent on the floor.

I dragged my weak body to the window.

The dark forest seemed to be mocking me.

Looking down, I realized I was too high to even consider jumping. I would die from the height.

Against my better judgment, I tried the door.

It was locked.

I was trapped.

Jumping to my death was not an option.

My eyes went to the bed. Shakily, I climbed into it.

It was huge. Soft. Nothing like the cot I slept on back at Father's house.

Not bothering to get out of the dress

from the party, I steadied my trembling breath.

A screech from the collar reminded me of its existence.

I tugged at it.

Would they take it out? Or, like Father, would they leave it on?

What had Father done?

What were these males going to do to me?

And why did some traitorous part of me feel drawn to them despite the terror?