Bullied By My Alpha Triplets

Chapter 12

Ivy's POV

I had lost. As much as it bruised my pride to admit it, there was no sugarcoating the truth—I’d been outmatched. Ronan had bested me in the duel, fair and square. I tried to blame it on the mate bond that had happened out of nowhere, and untriggered too, but it didn't make sense. As Ronan had already won two rounds before the mate bond happened. It didn't matter how hard I had fought, or how much anger and determination had fueled me. He was stronger, faster…and I was still just me.

The terms were clear: if I lost, I would remain in the pack house.

And so, I stayed.

At first, I thought it would feel like a prison. That I'd feel caged, watchedz stripped of my freedom like a wild creature behind bars. But the truth was…it didn't feel that way. Not entirely. I was allowed to go about my days like any other pack member. I could train if I wanted to. Eat with the others. Walk around the grounds. Sleep in my quarters. No one chained me or locked me away.

But there was a catch.

I wasn't allowed to leave the pack house.

No visit to the outer fields. Not to walk in the woods. Not even to take a breath of fresh air beyond the border unless given express permission. My entire world was now confined within the limits of the house and the grounds that surrounded it. A golden cage, if there ever was one.

And of course, the reminder of my place in the hierarchy cake swiftly. I was no warrior. I was no high-born. I was… a servant.

So I assumed my duties as one.

Every morning, I woke before dawn, scrubbing floors, sweeping halls, preparing meals, and mending clothes. I worked in silence, buying back the frustration that bubbled in my chest. Every scrape of broom against the floorboards felt like a reminder—I had failed. And then wouldn't let me forget.

But nothing, absolutely nothing was worse than tending to her.

Selena.

If there was anyone I despised more than the triplets—well, two of them anyway—it was her. The way she walked with her nose in the air, like the moon shined just for her. The way her voice curled around words like poison disguised in honey. And worst of all, the way she smiled every time she saw me, as if she was always plotting something cruel.

Serving her was torture. Daily, I was sent to her chambers with food, fresh linens, or trays of fruit. Adm every single time, she made sure I knew just how beneath her I was.

“Oh, Ivy,” she'd purr, reclining lazily in her lounge, dressed in silks too fine for someone with such an ugly heart. “Be a dear and peel these apples just right. I like them thinly sliced. Not like the thick peasant chunks you usually manage.”

I would keep my mouth shut, slicing with practiced precision, pretending I didn't hear her taunts. But she knew. She always knew it got to me.

And then came the incident.

It was an ordinary afternoon, quiet and warm, the sun casting golden beams across the marble floors. I had entered Selena's room like I always did, tray in hand, a knife and a bowl of fresh apples balanced carefully on it. I didn't look at her when I walked in. I had Just set everything down on the table and started peeling.

The room was silent for a few moments. Almost eerily quiet.

Then she spoke.

“You know, Ivy,” she began, voice smooth as ever, “it must be so hard for you. Living among us. Seeing all that you'll never have.”

I didn't respond.

She chuckled. “Honestly, I don't know what Ronan and his brothers see in you. You're a servant, you were boring to be a servant. Nothing more. Just a poor, broken mutt who thinks she belongs.”

I gripped the apple tighter, my fingers digging into its skin.

“Don't you ever get tired of pretending you matter?” She added, rising from her seat, circling me like a predator circling its prey. “Because you don't. Not to them. Not to anyone.”

Still, I didn't say a word.

I finished slicing the last apple and turned away, intending to leave.

But she wasn't done.

In one swift motion, she shrieked loudly, knocking the tray to the ground with a loud clang. The knife skittered across the floor, landing by her feet. She stumbled back, her hands flying to her face.

Pfft, such a skilled, pathetic actor.

“She tried to hurt me!” She screamed. Voice filled with false panic. “She tried to stab me!”

My heart stopped.

“What–?”

The door burst open and two members rushed in, both guards with gardened expressions. Their eyes darted from Selena to me and the knife at her feet.

“She came at me with it!” Selena wailed, tears suddenly spilling down her cheeks. “She was angry–furious. She said she hated me and then she just…she lunged!”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I stepped forward, furious. “That's a lie! I didn't do anything—!”

“She's trying to attack again!” Selena shrieked, backing up behind one of the guards like a frightened child. “Keep her away from me!”

“I brought that knife to slice fruit,” I hissed, breathing hard. “It was on the tray when I came in. You can ask anyone—ask the kitchen!”

“She threatened me,” Selena sobbed. “She said she'd had enough of my arrogance and that I deserved to be cut down to size.”

“You filthy lying snake—!” I stepped towards her again before one of the guards grabbed my arm, shoving me back roughly.

My blood boiled.

I could feel it in my chest, in my veins, in the pounding in my skull.

No one even asked questions. No one stopped to consider that I might be telling the truth. They believed her—the wannabe dainty little vixen with her crocodile tears and her pristine silk robes.

And why wouldn't they? She was beloved. Powerful. I was just the lowly actor playing the role of her servant girl. The outside. The one who'd dared to challenge the mighty Ronan and lost.

The rage inside me surged, sharp and violent, threatening to explode.

My hands trembled at my sides.

My breathing grew ragged.

And then it happened–my eyes began to glow.

Golden. Bright and blazing.

The guards froze, their grip on me faltering for the briefest second.

I could feel my wolf clawing beneath my skin, begging to be let out. Every muscle in my body was screaming for release—for vengeance. My wolf didn't want justice. She wanted blood.

And I was about to give her.

I took one step forward, shoulders rising, teeth clenched, eyes burning into Selena's smug little face.

I was done being quiet. I was done letting them spit on me and laugh behind my back. I was done done—

“What's going on here?”

The voice cut through the chaos like a whip.

Three heads turned at once. The guards stiffened. Selena went pale.

I turned slowly, the golden glow still burning in my eyes.

Ronan.

Elias.

Kiernan.

The triplets stood in the doorway, watching the scene unfold with unreadable expressions.

My chest was heaving. My fists were clenched. The truth was strangling in my throat, desperate to be heard.

But for now, all I could do was stare at them…as the question hung heavy in the air.

“What's going on here?”