Maya

It was a white dress, pure as fresh snow and shimmering under the bright lights. Yet, the two marks on my neck stood out as if the twins had intentionally chosen this color to ensure that their claims couldn't be concealed.

They fucking loathed me, that was indisputable. So, why in the world did they want their marks on me to be so conspicuously displayed?

It would have made sense if they had rejected me after taking my virginity, having rendered me utterly ruined. So why brand me?

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips involuntarily. I understood their intentions, and yet, I found myself questioning it. 

What was wrong with me?!

They fucking marked me so I'd end up like their mother: devoid of love, betrayed at every turn, ultimately ending my own life. That was their sick desire, and I knew I stood little chance of surviving unless I escaped this living nightmare.

I made a futile attempt to pull the off-shoulder dress upwards, partly covering the hickeys on my shoulder. I knew that concealing the marks on my neck was not even an option, but at least covering the redness on my shoulder, a clear indication of last night's events, would make me feel less exposed.

I didn't want people to know. Truth be told, I didn't even want to face the pack members. Every time any of them might look at my mark, it’d trigger painful memories. And the pain? I guess, there was so much more to endure.

"Aren't you finished yet?" Suddenly, the closet door swung open, and Maximus walked in.

I flinched in shock, turning away from the mirror to meet his gaze.

"I'm almost... almost ready," I stammered, my nervousness making it difficult to meet his eyes, which were now slowly traveling down my body. Fortunately, the dress was long, but his dark eyes hinted that he could see right through the fabric, or perhaps he could vividly recall what he'd witnessed just this morning and last night.

They had seen every part of me, and they had certainly left no inch untouched.

"Why 'almost'?" Leonardo strolled in, and my palms began to sweat. He froze right behind Maximus, and his eyes, too, leisurely roamed my body.

"I...I haven't fully dried my hair," I quickly offered as an excuse.

"Well, you don't need to," Maximus leaned against a shelf lined with their expensive glassware, "You look...presentable."

"B-but—"

"Enough, let's go. If you keep talking, I might end up fucking you right now, Puppet," Leonardo's voice was low and oozed with lust as he approached me, grabbing my wrist, "So, instead of making flimsy excuses, come with us."

"Yeah, and besides, you never dry your hair," Maximus added, "So why bother lying when you know you're going to be exposed anyway?"

Wait... They had noticed that I never dried my hair?

I didn't know how to feel about it, but given the current situation, it only sent shivers down my spine.

I swallowed before I spoke, "I'm sorry."

Familiar smirks adorned each brother's lips upon hearing me. 

“Good to see you starting to learn, pigeon," Maximus leaned in, cupping my face with one hand. His lips brushed against mine, sending a chill through my body. "I wonder, if one night has already transformed you, what will you become after tonight?"

My breathing caught in my throat, and tears welled up in my eyes.

No! I didn't want to go through this, not anymore.

“Please…no,” I whimpered.

“You are so easily scared, Puppet,” Leonardo chuckled. His hand left mine only to travel up my spine, effortlessly sending a shiver down my back. “But I don’t blame you... it’s actually thrilling. Makes everything more interesting.”

“Let’s go, mate. We have a surprise for you,” Maximus said, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

And that's when I knew... it wasn't going to be a surprise; it was going to be another nightmare.

***

As the lift descended to the first floor, my heart pounded in my chest like a relentless drumbeat. The sound reverberated in my ears, and my veins seemed on the verge of freezing, while my legs had turned to ice the moment I stepped inside the lift. Both brothers flanked me, and this situation felt increasingly bizarre. 

Their marks on my neck, combined with them accompanying me, would make it too obvious.

But did they intend to make it so obvious? I hoped not, as that would only exacerbate the situation.

The lift doors opened, and I held my breath as the sight of nearly every pack member gathered in the room met my eyes.

Oh, crap!

Almost every member's attention instantly fixated on me. For the first time in history, I was arriving at the so-called 'pack meeting,' an event to which I had never been invited before. Not just that, I had arrived with the future Alphas, the ones who essentially ruled this pack despite their father's current Alpha status.

This pack was unquestionably theirs. No doubt about it.

“Let’s go,” Leonardo spoke, his hand slipping around my waist, and Maximus's hand clutching mine, our fingers entwined. Both twins now wore smiles on their faces – a rare sight, which, despite my limited exposure to them, I could discern from their usual wicked grins and twisted smirks—it was a show.

They walked inside, holding me closely. 

Everyone was looking…

This was not good….

"Leo, Max….everyone’s looking ," I muttered under my breath, hoping this’d prompt them to release me. After all, why would they want to be seen with the daughter of the mistress, who, no matter what, would always be the most despised figure in the pack?

"Well... that's precisely what we want, Pigeon," Maximus replied, while Leonardo let out a small chuckle.

They were undoubtedly enjoying my confusion and, of course, the ever-mounting fear that gnawed at me, its claws tearing me apart with every passing second, every breath I took.

"I shouldn't be here..."

"That was in the past. You are our mate now, aren't you?" Maximus maintained his smile as he approached the round table.

"As our mate, you should be here, Maya," Leonardo continued, his smile never fading. He leaned closer to my ear, putting on a show for everyone present, as if he were whispering sweet nothings instead of threats. "So, behave and act happy, or else, you remember last night very clearly, don't you? Trust us, we can make it far worse."

My heart sank. 

Oh god…I'd rather die than endure it all over again.

I meekly nodded, forcing a small smile, and then I noticed a twitch at the corner of Leonardo's lips, “Good girl.”

Summoning the courage to shift my gaze to the people seated around the round table, I saw my mother's bewildered expression. Her gaze was fixated on the marks on my neck, and she was clearly in shock.

And then I noticed Alaric, whose expression stood in stark contrast to my mother's. He exuded skepticism. Of course, he was their father – he knew his sons and the depths to which they could go.

"So, what's the reason you two suddenly decided to arrange a pack meeting?" Alaric inquired, despite the blatant situation.

"I suppose you can already see, can't you, Father?" Leonardo asked, arching an eyebrow. He tightened his grip on me, and his father certainly took notice.

“I’d rather hear it from your mouth than just assume or look at what you say is 'evident,” Alaric spoke firmly. "Tell us the reason. The whole pack needs to know."

“Maya’s our mate, Father,” Maximus declared, unruffled and without a trace of hesitation. “And the future Luna of this pack. Is that clear for you now?”

Alaric's eyes narrowed, and his tongue firmly tucked inside his mouth. He could see what others couldn't – his sons' dark intentions.

“When did you find out about this, Maya?” he asked, directing his attention towards me.

My throat felt parched, and every breath was a struggle.

“Answer the Alpha, Maya,” Maximus's grip on my hand tightened to the point where I could feel my bones on the verge of cracking. Leonardo's nails began to dig into my skin.

I swallowed the wince that threatened to escape. I had to answer, or the twins wouldn't hesitate to kill me.

“Last... last night, Alpha,” I stammered, “I found out about it, last night.”

“And did they have your consent when they marked you?”

Oh, shit...

“What kind of question is that, Alpha?” My mother decided to intervene, feigning herself as the 'best and caring' stepmother in the world. “They are her mates. What else needs to be said?”

I knew she wanted me to remain as their mate. It was a jackpot for her. She could gain more power, more influence, and ultimately secure a permanent spot as the 'luna' by forcing me to listen to her and walk in her wicked path.

“It’s not your place to interrupt, Morgana,” Alaric's tone was stern as he shot her a piercing glare. That was all it took for my mother to close her mouth.

“So, what are you trying to imply by this question?” Leonardo appeared visibly irritated, his hand clenched at his side. “Are you trying to make it seem like we forced our marks on her?”

Well…you two actually did.

“I am not implying anything; I am just asking,” Alaric spoke. “And if you two have nothing to hide, then you should let your 'mate' answer that.”

Maximus's jaw clenched, and before I could anticipate his response or whether he would lose his composure in the middle of the room, among all these pack members, he spoke up, “Fine, then,” he sighed, his eyes shifting towards me, “Our mate will answer you if that's what it takes for you to believe us. Tell him about last night, Maya.”

Oh, no!

What should I fucking do?

Should I now lie to cover up for my abusers?