~Nyra

I was trembling all over as I glared at my mother—

Hoping that she would back me up, hoping that she would understand and take me away from this hellhole. Hoping that she would save me from those terrifying triplets.

“Leave? Why would you need to leave now?” King Reid asked, a frown suddenly overtaking his face.

Almost as if I had succeeded in angering him.

“You do not like my hospitality? Is my house not to your liking?” His voice dropped lower with every word, and I unknowingly backed away.

Suddenly, my mother broke into laughter. “Nyra got you good!”

I frowned in confusion as I turned to face her, and the rest of the room followed suit.

“Nyra always likes throwing serious jokes around when I least expect it. I didn’t expect her to pull one here. She must really feel comfortable with you, my love,” she went on, walking to Reid and touching his cheek.

Strangely, just like that, his anger vanished, and he smiled at her like she was a light at the end of his tunnel.

“Indeed she got me. I thought she seriously wanted to take you away from me, after we just got married,” he muttered before turning to me. “I’m sorry I lost my temper earlier.”

All I could do was blink rapidly at what had just happened as I struggled to comprehend the situation.

“Nyra,” Mom called again when she noticed how quiet I’d gone. “Don’t you need help unpacking? Come, let’s do it now.”

Yet Reid grabbed her wrist just before she walked away from him and claimed her lips. “Don’t be gone too long.”

He sounded clingy, and I questioned again how any of this was even possible.

“We’ll come back down for dinner once I’m done with her, boys. Then you can get to know your sister better,” she added.

Cassian chuckled. “Indeed, there’s a lot I want to know about Nyra. I cannot wait for us to get our alone time…”

Another chill scattered across my spine at his choice of words, and when I looked into his golden eyes—so much like his father’s—they stared deep into my soul.

“You have more than enough time to do that,” Reid called before walking away.

Mother instantly grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs. I was too shaken to snap out of it. It was only until we were alone in my room that I released a heavy breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding.

“What the fuck was that out there? Are you trying to ruin this perfect marriage? Our perfect escape?” Mother scolded me.

I released a shaky breath as I sank into my bed. “Mom, those men—the triplets—they are the same werewolves who threatened to come for me.”

She froze for a split second, then glared at me before snapping out of it. “They must have been toying with you. They like to play around.”

“Mom!” I cried, tears filling my eyes. “Mom, they are dangerous. I watched them tear vampires to shreds. I watched them carry out a massacre within seconds, and there wasn’t even a hint of remorse.”

“They didn’t massacre humans or werewolves, did they? They killed the vampires that were after you—and they let you go. Do you really think that if they wanted to harm you, they wouldn’t have done it immediately?” she demanded.

I stopped lamenting for a moment and considered her point, but it did nothing to ease the fear I felt toward them.

“Either way, I watched them kill—and they enjoyed every part of it. It was like a game to them. They are monsters and they enjoy killing.” I wiped my tears and looked into her hazel brown eyes. “We need to leave. We need to go. It’s not safe for me—for us here.”

Mother only pulled me into a hug. “I understand how you feel, but I think that you’re overreacting. I understand that you’re scared, but you need to know that Reid will not let harm come to you. You’re perfectly safe here. If they try to harm you like you believe, then you can just take the matter to Reid. He will discipline his triplets.”

She pulled away, and I stared at her for a long time, realizing that there truly was no turning back from this. I was already doomed to be stuck with them forever.

“You’re sure King Reid won’t be impartial and favour his own sons?” I blinked at her, waiting for clarity.

“Not with me by his side, waiting to use the power of emotional blackmail.” She winked at me before smiling warmly. “You’re safe. I’m your first protector, and as long as I’m alive, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

I sighed heavily, her words bringing some assurance to my soul, and I nodded.

“Fine. Let’s unpack already.”

Mother smiled at my change in mood and led me to my bags, which had already been brought to the room.

It took us a while to finish, and by the time we were done, I was giggling again like my usual self.

A gentle knock sounded at the door, and I gasped. Mother touched my shoulder, as if to reassure me, before answering the door.

“Come in.”

A petite maid walked into the room. “The King asked that you both come down for dinner.”

Mother nodded, and the maid walked away. She raised her brows at me, silently asking if I was ready.

I exhaled sharply and rose to my feet, changing into a dress my mother insisted I wear. It felt like there was a silent pressure in this castle to always be well-dressed for dinner.

It was a red silk dress that flowed over my body and fit me perfectly. She led me out of the room, down the stairs, and into the grand dining hall.

The hall was enchanting, lit with dim, warm lights designed to give a romantic atmosphere.

Reid and his sons were already seated when we arrived, but he stood to welcome my mother and help her into her seat. I was about to find an empty seat beside her when Cassian suddenly rose and pulled out a chair for me.

It was between him and Rylan, who only glanced at me for a split second before looking away again.

I wanted to ignore them, but Reid was watching, and I couldn’t risk angering him a second time. Mom couldn’t keep saving me.

Cassian flashed me his charming smile as I reluctantly sat in the chair, and he gently pushed it into place.

“Dearest Nyra… the most fascinating person in the room right now,” he whispered into my ear before sitting down.

The air from his mouth made my ear tingle, and I tried to act unaffected as I looked straight ahead—only to meet Sylver’s piercing green gaze across the table.

He was openly staring at me.

“I have an announcement, everyone,” Reid broke the silence.

We all turned toward him, under the soft glow of the chandelier above us.

“Lyora and I are leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow,” he announced.

And my blood ran cold.

Because that meant I would be left alone in this house—with the triplets.