Chapter 2

♠ RILEY ♠

➶

Did I ever mention that I was married to ruthless princes? Well, they are known for their ruthlessness. Having lived with them for a long time now has made me realize what kind of men they are. 

For as long as I could remember, hearing those two words from them meant impending doom. I had seen their ruthless power firsthand, as they used it to crush their enemies. But hearing them directed at me, their mate, made me realize just how merciless they could be.

Well, that would change once I signed the divorce papers. 

I moved backwards in fear, eyes round as saucers as I watched him take a step towards me. 

Drew's fingers twitched slightly, but instead of reaching for me again, he brought his hands back to his side. Part of me wanted to close the space between us to feel connected to him—and maybe invoke a feeling inside of him—but I knew how dangerous that would be. 

"Did I scare you little one?" his voice came out hoarse, causing a shiver to run down my spine. 

"No, you don't." The words stumbled out of my mouth before I could take them back, my heart pounding in my chest, and I immediately looked down. 

I tried to steady my breath, but the air felt thin and sharp, like shards of glass cutting into my lungs. I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat to disappear, and looked up to meet Drew's gaze.

His eyes were still cold, unreadable, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of impending danger. 

"Good," Drew said, his voice still hoarse, but there was a hint of amusement in his tone. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my cheek, and I felt a tremor of fear run down my spine. "Because I'm just getting started."

Before I could decipher what he meant, he stood up and sauntered out of the door, leaving a deafening silence in his wake. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still, and the heavy quietness ebbed slowly into the depths of my being. 

My gaze darted around the room until it landed on Dexter, who was watching me with a haughty expression, as he fondled his mate. 

Jenna, my wolf, growled low in my mind, angry at the way they were treating us. I pushed her back, tucking her away in the far corner of my consciousness, unwilling to let her get hurt any more than she already had.

If there was anyone who loved the princes as much as I did, it was my wolf. She was always reminding me to persevere, that our mates would come around one day and see us for what we truly were. But seeing as that hadn't happened, she was more likely to be hurt. 

Although their wolves might have loved us in their own way, I knew that the love of a fated mate would always surpass that of a chosen one. And as I watched Dexter and Chloe, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and loss, knowing that I would never experience that kind of love and connection with my own mates.

You should tell them about our pub, Jenna purred softly, maybe they'd have a change of heart. 

No, I won't. I said resolutely. I don't want to be that kind of woman that would tie her husbands down with a child. 

But they deserve to know you are pregnant, she argued, I think you shouldn't keep them in the dark. 

So what if I do what you want me to do now and they take my baby away from me after giving birth to my pup? I was scared, the possibility of what they were capable of doing made my blood cold. I couldn't tell them about my baby, he or she is mine, and mine to protect. 

Well, you are right… Jenna admitted defeatedly. 

The door was flung open and Drew walked in with a long rope in one hand, and a red chair in the other hand. 

The chair landed on the ground with a clank and the next thing I know, he's dragging me up and towards the chair. I gasped as I sat down, watching in horror as he tied the rope around me, securing me to the chair. 

"What-what are you doing?" I stuttered as I watched him. 

Drew tilted his head backwards, a smug grin gracing the corners of his lips, "Scared now, huh?" 

I was terrified. 

But I'd be damned to give him the satisfaction of hearing those words from my mouth. So I shook my head in denial, praying silently to the moon goddess to protect my baby. 

"Interesting," he chuckled dryly, glancing at his brothers and mate for a fleeting second before bringing his gaze back on me. 

"I like them brave… just like you." Diego snarled, earning a frown from me. I tried freeing myself from the rope but it turned futile, as it was firmly knotted. 

"Chloe has a small request," Dexter said, breaking his silence since I caught them with their mate. His eyes were on me, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw a flicker of mischief, but it quickly disappeared as he schooled his expression. "She wants us to fuck her while Riley watches."

My heart immediately jumped in my tummy. They wouldn't do that to me, right? I turned my head in Diego's direction and shuddered as goosebumps washed over me, seeing the evil expression on his face. 

"That's exactly what I had in mind," Drew said with a shrug. "And since it's something my Luna wants, we'll put on a better show for you, dear."

"Isn't she the best?" He hissed, grabbing my jaw in his hand and looking into my eyes, as if he could see through the depths of my soul. "Just the thought of you having fun watching us has made me so hard," he teased.

I shamefully looked down, and true enough, his dick was standing erect like a soldier in attention.

"You are really going to fuck me in front of her?" Chloe chirped happily, but I didn't take my gaze away from Drew. 

"You can't do this to me," I tried reaching out to him but failed as my hands were tied, "I am yet to sign the divorce paper so that still makes me your mate."

"That's when it'll be more fun." He turned to face Chloe. "Anything for our queen."

I watched them climb in the bed, their ass in full display as they took their various positions around Chloe, who in turn watched me with a look that screamed 'victory'. 

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I let them fall down my cheeks, hoping they would be able to wash away the shame and embarrassment I felt.

My heart, already shattered, splintered into even tinier pieces as I watched them devour her, just as they had once devoured me.

I sobbed as they took turns pleasuring her, and hearing her constant moans made me feel sick to my stomach. Without warning, I retched, emptying the contents of my stomach onto the floor.

I didn't know for how long my head hung low, but when I raised it again, I saw them looking at me. Chloe watched me with disgust in her eyes, while my mates looked proud of their act.

"I will never forgive you three for all that you did to me today," I said, my voice surprisingly steady as I glared at them with all the anger I felt.

I had never hated anyone more than I did at that moment. I knew these kinds of emotions were wrong, but I couldn't help it. Not after all that they had done to me.

 ∞∞∞

I stared around at my room once they left me alone, tears falling down my cheeks as I trailed my hands along the poster on the wall. It was a poster of me when I first arrived here, a picture taken by King Amos, the triplets' father. He had turned it into this beautiful piece of art, saying that the look on my face was too precious not to be taken into record.

A bittersweet smile graced my lips as I recalled the kindness and warmth he had shown me. Despite the initial resentment from my own husbands, he had gone out of his way to make me feel welcomed and comfortable.

He used to say, "Don't worry, princess, your princes will come around in due time. They will come to appreciate the gold they have in their possession." Sadly, his words never came to reality.

The thought of how he would eventually turn against me, after being deceived by his own sons, brought fresh tears to my eyes.

As I prepared to leave, I made my way to the closet, carefully selecting the items I had brought with me. I took care to exclude any gifts from the triplets, instead focusing on the dresses and tokens that King Amos had given me.

Once I finished packing, I placed everything in my bag and picked up my handbag, which was still lying on the floor. I pulled out my pregnancy test and fresh tears filled my eyes as I read the words that were now my only source of happiness. 

I suddenly froze when my eyes fell on the ultrasound. 

THREE FETUSES DETECTED, ALONG WITH STRONG HEARTBEATS

My heart raced with joy at the possibility of giving birth to triplets. With trembling hands, I dug through my bag and pulled out my phone, dialing Kathy's number.

"Hi babe, how are you?" She answered on the second ring, her voice soothing my racing heart. 

My hold on my cell phone tightened, "Is it true? I just read my pregnancy result and it says here that I'm pregnant with triplets. Is it correct—"

"Yes, you read the words correctly. I wanted it to be a surprise to you, that was why I didn't let you know myself." I blinked my tears away, almost jumping at the joy that filled me up. 

"I'm more than surprised, Kathy. This is the best news of my life, I can't wait to carry my babies." My mood saddened when a thought occurred to me. "Kathy, can rejection have an effect on a pup?"

There was a moment of silence between us before I heard her sigh. "Rejection does affect the fetus when the mother is weak, but in your case you are not, so no, rejection wouldn't harm your children."

That's Kathy, she saw right through me even through a phone call. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

"Yeah, that happens when you come from a powerful bloodline." She muttered, and I couldn't help but smile. Both my parents had Alpha bloods, maybe that could be why it wouldn't affect me. For the first time since I was married, I was at least grateful to my parents for this one thing. 

"But don't do anything stupid, Luna." She warned, and I smiled sadly before ending the call. 

I slipped my pregnancy test back in my bag and dragged my suitcase out of the room, down the hallway, where the triplets were waiting with their mate.

Chloe was sitting on Diego's lap while the latter had his left hand under her hoodie, the moon goddess being the only one who knew what he was doing. 

Chloe handed me the divorce papers and a pen, a smirk stretching at the corners of her mouth. Without a word, I collected both and signed my name in a hurry. I dropped it on the table, adorned with figurines and flower vases, before looking into Diego's eyes.

"Let's get on with the rejection already, I have somewhere to be right now." I hissed, determined to get this over with. 

Something flashed across Diego's eyes but before I could register what it was, it disappeared, leaving in its wake fury. 

"I, Lycan Prince Diego Cedric, of the Crimson Shadow Pack, reject you, Riley Blake, as my mate and Luna of this pack." 

A whimper left his mouth as the bond between us finally broke on his side. Drew and Dexter repeated the ritual, whimpering in pain that laced through them. 

Don't accept Riley, Jenna pleaded with me. I want to be with my mates. 

I ignored her and held my head high, "I, Riley Blake, daughter of Alpha Simone of the Glowing River Pack, accept your rejection, princes of the Crimson Shadow Pack." I expected the pain to come, but nothing happened. I smiled, continuing, "I, Former Luna of the Crimson Shadow Pack, reject Crimson Shadow Pack as my pack." 

A tear fell down my cheek as the bond between us was finally severed by the moon goddess.