TIANA'S POV
I woke up alone, the sheet beside me cold, no trace of warmth or lust like it was last night.
It took a while for me to get up with an ache all over my thigh. My hip felt heavy and between my legs aces with every step, a constant reminder of last night's recklessness.
Each step I took toward the bathroom was heavy. I could barely lift my legs, but I was able to make it anyhow.
The bathroom was all marble and gold. It screamed of wealth I'd never experienced before.
Passing by the elegant mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself and froze.
Hickeys painted my neck like a constellation, my fingerprint bruised wildly, and my lips were more swollen than normal.
"How did I let this happen?"
Last night, a fire I couldn't quench was raging. The mate bond, my betrayal, and everything all produced a dignified answer to a question I just asked myself.
I'd been so desperate for something. For the first time in my life, I felt something wasn't as it used to be.
I had gripped the marble sink. I stared at the girl I'd become — homeless.
"No," I straightened my shoulder. "I'm alive and that counts."
The shower washed away the physical evidence of my reckless night but couldn't wash away the questions that were repeated in my heart.
What do I do now?
I had no clan. No home, no family, nothing to call my own, not even a phone!
The water turned cold before I finally stepped out. Somehow, I felt better, but for how long?
Getting back to the room, a dress was waiting for me with a shoe of my size. Something alerted me that Ramos must have come when I was bathing, but why didn't he even say hello?
I dressed quickly, my fingers trembling as I fastened the buttons. The dress fit perfectly, hugging my curves in a way that felt both modest and alluring. Whoever chose it must either be a fashion icon or a diva.
I paused with my hand on the door handle. I could just leave, walk out of this mansion, disappear into the city or start over as nobody or become a rogue.
It would be dangerous and lonely, but at least it will be my choice... But when will I go and that faint golden thread still humming in my chest connecting me to Ramos — to something? My feet kept moving forward instead of the exit.
Getting near the stairs, I heard thick masculine voices that sent chills to my spine, making me stop.
"You shouldn't have brought her here!" The voice was cold and inconsiderate. "The throne situation is complicated enough without adding an Omega to the mix, especially with her history."
My heart stopped for a split second. Was it a burden?
"She was my mate, Neil. I can't leave her to die in the streets!" I recognized that voice immediately. Ramos.
"A hotel would do it!"
The voice stopped until I heard the sound of a door. Someone walked into their midst and his voice was totally different. "Maybe she could be useful."
I swallowed hard. Eavesdropping is bad, so I advanced toward the living room with heavy steps.
Immediately they saw me, the men fell quiet. I was quite astounded by how they looked so similar to each other.
I don't need anyone to tell me that these are the triplet Lycan kings that govern the affairs of the pack and, of course, the three clans.
My palms hitched as they scrutinized me. Ramos and the one next to him were the ones smiling.
"H... Hello. Good morning," I greeted nervously.
"What's so good about the morning?" the cold one hissed.
Ramos shot him a warning glance. "Neil, she's just being nice."
The third one came between his brothers as she noticed the enmity growing. "Guys. Why fight in front of a woman?"
I felt I was an outcast. I descended the stairs, stood before Ramos with a pleading glare. "Thank you for saving me. I'll leave now."
I proceeded to leave, but he held my hand. "You go nowhere."
"Ramos, what had gotten into you all of a sudden?" Neil challenged. "Let the girl leave, at least you'd fucked her enough."
My face flushed with embarrassment, but I said nothing.
"Hey," the third one pulled my hand. "Don't mind what you're seeing. Neil and Ramos are always like that.
"Like two unserious fellows?" Neil's tone cut like a blade. "Do we even have the time to worry about some homeless and claneless princess? She..."
"None of your concern," I managed to speak for myself, lifting my chin, despite the fear.
Neil's eyes shrank, I was sure he felt challenged. The. He scoffed. "None of my concern is how you became homeless and claneless. But it is my concern that you're distracting my brothers!"
"Neil!"
"What?" Neil finally turned to me fully, and the cold disdain in his eyes made me step back. "You signed away your birth rights to your boyfriend, give him everything now, you have nothing and nowhere to go, so you spread your legs for the first man you meet?"
Each word sounded like a physical blow, paralyzing me invincibly, and my eyes tearing up as reality hit me.
They must have researched what happened, and he's not wrong.
"Now that's enough," the third one interrupted him. "I brought this information not for you to taunt her."
"No. It's fine," I said steadily through my broken voice. "He's not wrong. I sold my birthright away for love. So I admit to everything."
"Collins, No," Neil's expression didn't change. "Good that she admitted to everything. Now she wanted us to save her? This is not some charity business.
"I never asked you to save me," I yelled back in anger, tears finally falling without stopping. "I didn't ask for any of these! Lycan Ramos knew it. I wanted to end everything last night, but he managed to get me out of death's door. You should blame your brother, not me! The mate bond..."
"The mate bond?" Collins interrupted, his playful expression slipping. "Ramos, you didn't tell us..."
"It just happened," Ramos said quietly. "I… I just wanted to save her, but the mate bonded..."
Collins broke into laughter. "Guys. This is helping us."
"Helping?" I looked between the three of them. "What are you talking about?"
The brothers exchange glances, some silent communication passing between them. Finally, Collins spoke. "What did you know about the Shadowfang pack throne?"
My heart slammed, confusion at its highest peak, but I answered sincerely. "Everyone knew about the death throne. I mean... everyone that sits on it dies after the festival?"
"Not anyone," Collins corrected softly. "Every male who's tried. But there's a prophecy that there's a legend..." His eyes locked into mine. "About a woman born under the Blood Moon who could survive it."
The room spun, but I held my stance. "What does that have to do with me?"
Ramos stepped closer, his hand fond my hair and tucked it behind my ear. "It has something to do with you, darling. Everything has something to do with you.
I pulled my hand away, stepping back. My mind raced immediately. The throne — the pack and the prophecy.
I gasped as it all came to one conclusion. "Did you guys also know I was born under the blood moon?"
Collins smiled timidly. "I'm a tech genius, no information passes me by, at least not a princess like you."
"So… What has that got to do with me?" I repeated the question again.
The Lycans looked at each other, as if asking each other for permission to break the ice or not.
I got more agitated. "Talk to me; what has that got to do with me?"
"You shall sit on the throne," Ramos finally broke the news. "You're the only one we'd found to be born under the blood moon so..."
"I refuse"
They gasped. Neil, as usual, was the first to talk. "Who do you think you are?"
"I'm who I am!" I slammed back angrily. "So you guys are planning to use me as your sacrificial lamb all along?" I faced Ramos. "The mate bond meant nothing to you?"
"No. Tiana, we…"
"I don't want to hear it. Save it for the dogs!"