Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 214

Ashley pov

When I wake up the next day, the whole place is buzzing with activity as the preparations for the ceremony reach their peak.

Even while I stand hidden behind the door of my fancy prison, I can hear them all rush around like their behinds are on fire. And when I step into the hall, I see it all right before my eyes. Servants rush from room to room, guards patrol with an intensity that makes my skin crawl, and everywhere I turn, there are whispers - some hushed, some urgent, and others even dangerous.

I keep my head down, my eyes lowered, pretending to be lost in thought, but I listen to everything around me, fearing to miss a detail that might benefit me.

Everyone’s so busy, so focused on their tasks that they don’t notice how I wander away. If there weren’t this many people around me, I could actually take the risk and try to slip away before anyone notices my absence in the room.

I’m passing the main hall when I hear voices, low and angry, coming from the partially open door of the office. I instantly press myself against the wall, making sure no one will notice me. My heart hammers in my chest so hard, I worry that someone might hear the pounding.

Then, my breath catches in my throat as I hear Kaiden’s voice, sharper than usual, dripping nothing but frustration and anger. “It has to be perfect,” he growls. “No mistakes, no delays. This is my chance to prove myself to the Council, and I won’t let her ruin it.”

“There’s talk among the servants,” another voice rings through the room. It’s one of the guards, I think. “They’re saying she’s more willful than she appears. That she’s pretending.”

Kaiden laughs, but there’s no humor in the sound. “Let them talk. She’ll fall in line. I’ve made sure of it.”

I press a hand to my mouth to keep the gasp in. He knows. He’s always known that I’m playing a game of pretend, but he’s confident that I’ll break and bend under the weight of his expectations.

He’s wrong, of course, but I still have to be careful. If he suspects I’m planning something, he’ll destroy me before I get the chance to fight back.

I step aside, my foot catching the edge of the carpet, and the floorboard creaks. I freeze, holding my breath as the conversation inside the room abruptly stops. “Did you hear that?” The guard asks sharply.

I slip around the corner, moving like I’m walking on hot coal. My hands shake in fear, but I try to ignore it and focus on getting back to safety. I don’t stop until I’m back in my room, my back pressed against the door, my whole body rigid from fear and adrenaline rushing through my veins.

As my luck would have it, I didn’t have enough time to calm down until someone started banging their fist against my door. I jumped away and let out a scream right before the door opened and some women entered the room. “Did we startle you, dear? I’m so sorry, but we have to get ready. The ceremony is starting soon.”

She looks kind, too kind to be a part of this pack. Also, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen her around here before, so she has to be hired to help. The maids that tail her, however, I know them. The same women who used to torment and ridicule me now glare at me with nothing but envy in their gazes.

One of them throws a dress bag on the bed and huffs. “So much hustle for another servant. She’s the same as us, I don’t see the point why we’re supposed to help her. And besides, no amount of pretty clothes and makeup will ever make that presentable.” She snarls as her eyes scan me from head to toe.

I fully intend to ignore her words, but it seems I’m the only one who’s planning that. I feel his presence behind me even before he speaks, cold and dangerous. Kaiden growls, catching all the women off guard and steps around me to grab the maid by her throat and throw her against the wall.

“Is this how you treat my queen? Is this how you show respect?” He screams.

From the corner of my eye, I can see the veins in his neck as he breathes, all the lines underneath his skin look like they’re about to pop.

Without waiting for an answer, Kaiden walks to the bed and snatches the bag to unzip it carefully. Then, as if it’s his most prized possession, he gently pulls the dress out of the bag and presents it to me. “Do you like it? I chose it myself.” He announces, nothing but pride radiating off him.

I take a moment to take in the piece. The dress is beautiful - deep crimson silk with golden embroidery, a color that screams of power. I wonder if that’s why Kaiden chose it.

As my eyes travel from the dress to his face, Kaiden flashes me a wide grin. “It used to be my mothers. She wore it for the ceremony with my dad and we kept it all these years. Today, I want you to wear it. Just like in human weddings, we like to have something old and borrowed in ours. This can be your something old.”

There’s not much I can say, so I just nod in agreement. It’s not like I can announce that I don’t need the dress since I’m not planning to be a part of his stupid ceremony.

With a smile lingering on his lips, Kaiden lays the dress on the bed and approaches me. He places his hand on the back of my head and pulls me closer to press his lips to my forehead. “Can’t wait to get past the official part and finally make you mine. I’ll be waiting for you at the altar, Ashley.” He whispers.

Goosebumps of disgust cover my skin, but again, all I can do is nod. Even when Kaiden leaves, the women in the room can’t stop gushing about him, not realizing how much worse they are making this dreadful experience for me.