Lex's POV
Olivia hadn't stirred for hours.
Her body was still, too still, except for the faint rise and fall of her chest. Her lips parted as if trapped in some endless nightmare. Every nerve in her body still burned with the ghost of the peppers, the sting of the sun, the shame of being tied and humiliated.
Her mother sat by her side in the sick bay, hands clasped tightly in prayer, whispering to the Moon Goddess.
"Please… don't take her from me. Not my daughter too. You already took her father… not her too, please…"
Tears stained her cheeks, her throat raw from crying. She rocked slightly in her seat, clutching her daughter's limp hand as though she could will her back to life.
---
Night fell across the castle.
In Levi's room, the triplets lay sprawled across the giant bed, still entangled in Mal's warmth. Their breaths were heavy, their bodies spent, but only two of them slept like wolves after a hunt.
Lex didn't.
His eyes snapped open, staring at the ceiling. Olivia's mother's words echoed in his head, refusing to let him rest. With a sigh, he slipped out of bed.
Steam curled as he bathed, scrubbing his skin as though he could wash away the guilt. But the memories clung tighter than any stain. He dressed in a loose robe and stood at the wide glass window, staring at the full moon glowing coldly above the dark forest.
His jaw clenched.
What I did to Olivia… was it right?
A whisper in his chest told him the truth, but he hated it.
Behind him, soft footsteps.
Mal.
She had been watching him, her sharp eyes never missing a detail. Her bare skin glowed pale in the moonlight as she walked up behind him, her fingers sliding into his hand.
"What's wrong, dear?" she murmured. "You've been restless all night."
Lex stiffened. "It's nothing."
Her lips curved into a sly smile. "Is it about Olivia?"
His heart skipped. Shock flickered across his face, quickly masked. He turned his head, voice low. "No. Don't be ridiculous. I'm just… thinking about tomorrow's council. It's been a month since I've seen Father. He'll expect so much from me. I'm the eldest. All the burdens are mine to bear."
Mal chuckled softly, brushing his cheek. "You worry too much. You're his favorite son. He'll love you more than ever. And besides…" She leaned closer, her voice dripping with anticipation. "After my eighteenth birthday, he'll announce my marriage to one of his sons. I'll see my father again. It's destiny, Lex. For you… or your brothers."
Her laughter tinkled like bells, and for a moment, Lex almost smiled with her.
From the bed, Levi's voice cut the air like a whip. "Are you two done whispering nonsense? Either come back to bed or shut up! Some of us want sleep before the council."
Lex rolled his eyes. "You know, Levi, I'm three minutes older than you."
"Three minutes older than my ass," Levi shot back, making Leo grunt with laughter even in his half-sleep.
They teased, they bantered, and eventually, Lex returned to bed. But sleep never truly claimed him.
---
The morning sun rose golden across the castle walls.
The triplets were dressed by their maids in fine clothes—Lex in dark blue embroidered with silver threads, Levi in black trimmed with gold, Leo in navy sharp as steel. Each looked like a prince ready for war.
Mal too was being prepared, her gown shimmering like starlight.
But before the brothers gathered at the entrance, Lex slipped away.
Quiet as a shadow, he made his way to the sick bay. Olivia's mother had fallen asleep slumped in a chair, exhaustion pulling her under. No guards noticed him as he stepped inside.
He froze.
Olivia.
Her skin, once blistered raw, had cooled. The redness had faded, replaced with soft pale patches. She still didn't wake, but her face… it looked peaceful, almost angelic.
A strange warmth filled his chest, and he exhaled, relieved. For the first time in days, relief.
He didn't linger. He couldn't afford it. Turning on his heel, he left silently, his mask sliding back into place.
---
Outside, Levi stood with Leo and Mal.
"Where did you disappear to, brother?" Levi asked, sharp eyes glinting.
Lex's heart skipped. His tongue caught. Mal tilted her head, watching him closely.
For a moment, silence.
Then Levi burst out laughing, loud and sudden. "Don't tell me you went sneaking off to that secret maid you're always fucking, hm?"
Leo chuckled, clapping Lex on the back. "Ha! Don't be shy, brother. I've got one too. The castle has plenty of whores to keep us entertained."
Lex forced a smile, his mask perfect. "You caught me."
Levi laughed harder, elbowing him. "Look at his face! He's blushing! I got him, I got him!"
The three brothers laughed together as they headed down the long hall. But Mal's eyes lingered on Lex. She knew. She knew he hadn't gone to any maid. He had gone to see Olivia.
And that knowledge sat like a blade behind her smile.
---
The Council.
The castle gates opened onto a massive hall carved in stone and lined with gold. Artworks and wolf emblems glimmered across the walls, and at the center stood great statues of the Alpha, roaring in eternal victory.
The three brothers entered at the top, taking their places near their father's seat of power. Mal walked lower, to her parents' side. Her face lit up as she saw them.
The hall filled quickly—lords, warriors, priests, traders. The air buzzed with voices until a trumpet pierced the chamber.
Silence.
Everyone rose.
The Alpha entered.
Clad in deep crimson robes, his shoulders broad as mountains, his presence filled the room like thunder. His queen walked gracefully beside him, head high, her beauty still sharp even in age.
They took their seats.
"My sons," the Alpha boomed, pride in his voice. "It brings me joy to see you all. My blood. My strength."
Applause thundered across the chamber.
The Alpha lifted a hand, silencing the room with ease. He smiled faintly. "Now then. Let's talk business."
The crowd laughed with him, charmed by his power.
But not everyone.
In the back corner, hidden beneath a hood, someone did not laugh. Someone's hand brushed against the hilt of a hidden blade.
His mission was clear.
To kill the Alpha.