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Chapter 3 - Broken Promises

Lex's POV

The news reached me in whispers.

Olivia.

Fainted.

The words froze me where I stood. My chest tightened—not with anger, but with something else I refused to name. I clenched my fists, struggling to steady my breath.

"She's still alive?" I demanded sharply.

"Yes, my lord," the maid bowed nervously. "Barely. The sun… and the pepper…"

Something inside me snapped. "Cut her ropes. Take her to the doctor. Now."

The maid blinked in shock at my tone, but obeyed without hesitation, hurrying off.

---

Later, I found myself outside the sick bay.

The smell of herbs hung heavy in the air, mixed with the faint scent of blood and sweat. Olivia lay unconscious on the cot, her skin blistered red, her body trembling with shallow breaths. Beside her, her mother sat hunched over, clutching her daughter's limp hand, sobbing quietly.

The doctor bowed when he saw me. "My lord, she will recover… in time."

I nodded stiffly, dismissing him. My eyes lingered on Olivia's fragile form longer than I should have. Something twisted in me. Guilt. Regret.

I had sentenced her. I had ordered it.

Her mother's sobs cut through my thoughts.

"She will be alright," I said, my voice low, uncertain.

Her head snapped up, eyes blazing with grief and fury. "Alright? Alright?" she spat, her voice trembling. "This is your fault! What did you gain from this, my lord? Why do you hate her so much?"

I stiffened, caught off guard.

"You used to be best friends," she continued, tears streaking her cheeks. "When you were children, you laughed together. You promised her things. And now you despise her so much you would see her burn alive?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

Her mother pressed harder, her voice breaking. "Imagine you were in her place. Tied, tortured, shamed. Would you feel no rage? No pain? Just because you are the Alpha's sons doesn't mean you can take everything from anyone!"

Silence fell between us. Her words cut deeper than claws.

She realized what she'd said too late. Fear flashed in her eyes. She bowed her head quickly, trembling. "Forgive me… I spoke out of turn, my lord. Spare me, I beg you."

Her desperate voice pierced me worse than her anger. For a moment, I almost reached for her shoulder, almost told her she needn't fear. But I stopped myself. My mask slid back into place.

"Do not speak to me like this again," I said coldly. "And never to my brothers. Or you will be… severely dealt with."

I turned and left, slamming the door behind me, acting as though I didn't care.

But inside… her words clawed at me.

---

As I walked the long corridor of the castle, memories flooded unbidden.

Olivia's laughter when she was small, running barefoot through the gardens. The way she'd pout when I teased her. How I used to fight my brothers to defend her. How I had once promised—so boldly—that I would protect her.

That one day, she would be mine.

My chest ached. What had I become?

I was so lost in thought that I collided with Levi at the corner.

"Brother," Levi muttered, steadying himself. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," I said quickly, too quickly.

His sharp eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you went to see that thief. That traitor. Olivia."

I froze. Denied it once. Denied it twice. But Levi only smirked.

"You did."

Before I could respond, he changed the subject. "I haven't seen Leo in a while."

We exchanged a look. Both thinking the same thing.

Levi's lips curled. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

I exhaled, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips.

"Leo. That bastard."

We strode quickly down the hall, our boots echoing on the stone floor. When we pushed open Leo's chamber door, the sight that greeted us was… expected.

Leo, sprawled naked on his bed, Mal straddling him, her body glistening with sweat.

Levi barked a laugh. "Did you save some for us, brother?"

Leo glanced up mid-thrust, a grin spreading across his face. "Always."

Mal's eyes flicked to us, sultry and inviting. She licked her lips, spreading her legs wider atop Leo.

I should have turned away. I should have left. But I didn't.

Levi stripped first, joining at the edge of the bed. He grabbed Mal by the hair, pulling her head back to kiss her roughly as Leo continued thrusting into her. She moaned, arching her back between them.

And I… I couldn't resist.

I slid onto the bed, pressing my lips against her neck as her breath hitched. Leo growled possessively, but didn't stop. Levi shifted lower, taking her with a brutal pace, fucking her hard while I claimed her lips, her throat, her shoulder.

Leo's mouth clamped on her breasts, sucking greedily as she writhed between us.

Her cries grew louder, echoing through the chamber, filled with lust and triumph.

And still, in the back of my mind, Olivia's mother's words haunted me.

I kissed Mal harder, as if trying to erase them.

But nothing could.

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