This Chapter is dedicated to Crystal_9302. 😉

.... .

Morning sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows of Adele’s chambers.

The room was large, luxurious, and immaculate. Exactly as one would expect for the daughter of one of the most powerful families in the pack alliance.

Adele sat elegantly at the small table beside the window.

A silver tray rested before her. Slices of fresh apple had been arranged perfectly on a porcelain plate.

She speared one delicately with her fork and lifted it to her lips.

She chewed slowly, her gaze drifting lazily across the gardens outside.

The castle was quieter this morning, which was strange.

Usually by this hour, she would have already seen one of the Alpha triplets during breakfast, or moving towards the breakfast hall.

Especially Nate.

A faint smile curved her lips.

He tried so hard to appear uninterested. Unfortunately for him, Adele had seen the way his eyes lingered.

Men were all the same in the end.

Predictable.

She reached for another slice of apple.

Just as the door opened.

Several maids entered quietly, carrying fresh linens and cleaning supplies.

Adele didn’t even glance at them. People like them barely existed in her world.

They were simply servants, thus background noise.

The maids moved around the room silently, beginning their morning duties.

Adele lifted another slice of apple to her mouth, then someone stepped forward.

The maid bowed her head respectfully.

"My lady." She said, "I’m Michelle."

Adele’s eyes flickered briefly toward her.

Michelle kept her posture low, examining Adele quickly and discreetly.

Her hair was perfect. Her gown was elegant. Her expression is confident. Just the exact person she needs to stay close to if she should fulfil her job.

’She would make things easier.’ Michelle thought.

Michelle hid her thoughts carefully.

Adele set her fork down lightly on the plate.

"You’re the one who works in the Alpha wing," she said lazily.

Michelle bowed deeper. "Yes, my lady."

Adele leaned back slightly in her chair.

Her tone was casual. "Tell me. Is Nate ready for breakfast yet?" she questioned.

Michelle’s eyes flickered. This was an opportunity, and she saw it immediately.

She straightened slowly, then shook her head.

"No, my lady."

Adele frowned faintly.

"No?"

Michelle hesitated just long enough to make it believable.

Then she spoke carefully. "In fact... the Alphas did not return to their chambers last night."

Adele’s brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

Michelle lowered her gaze respectfully. "They spent the night elsewhere." Her voice came out soft with the right amount of caution and respect.

Adele picked up another apple slice.

"Where?"

Michelle answered quietly. "In Aire’s wing."

The fork slipped from Adele’s fingers.

It clattered loudly against the porcelain plate.

For a moment, she simply stared at Michelle. Her face slowly drained of color, and her eyes widened.

"What did you say?"

Michelle kept her voice calm. "They remained there all night, my lady."

Adele’s chest tightened.

Her mind refused to process the words. "That’s impossible." She remained still.

"I saw it myself."

Adele pushed her chair back abruptly. It scraped harshly against the floor.

"You expect me to believe that?" she snapped.

Michelle lowered her head again. "I would not dare lie to you."

Adele’s hands trembled slightly.

No.

No.

The triplets had rejected that wolfless girl. Everyone knew that.

They wouldn’t—

Her eyes flashed with anger. Her father might kill her if he hears this.

"If you’re lying," she said coldly, "I will have you executed."

The other maids froze in place.

Michelle did not move. "I understand, my lady." Her voice remained steady. "But I am certain."

Adele stared at her for another moment, then she turned sharply and stormed toward the door.

She didn’t even stop to fix her hair, or adjust her night gown.

Her mind burned with fury. There had to be some explanation.

She hurried through the corridor, and servants quickly stepped out of her way.

She harshly collided with someone, abruptly ending her haste.

The large figure stood firmly in the hall.

Torak.

She rolled her eyes when she saw him. Xanden’s Beta.

He barely moved from the impact.

Adele staggered back slightly.

Torak looked down at her with clear irritation. "What are you doing running through the halls like that?"

His tone carried zero respect.

Adele straightened stiffly. Her pride flared. "Watch your tongue."

Torak crossed his arms. "I’ll consider it."

His expression clearly said otherwise.

Adele glared at him.

Then she asked the question burning in her chest. "Where are the Alphas?"

Torak’s eyebrow lifted slightly. "Why?"

"That’s not your concern."

He smirked faintly. "Then neither is the answer."

Adele’s patience snapped. "Did they spend the night in Aire’s wing?"

Torak studied her face carefully.

’Ah.’ he thought. ’So she had heard. Interesting.’

He leaned slightly against the wall. His voice was calm, but he couldn’t help the smirk that formed against his will on his thin lip.

"Oh." He murmured, flexing his hard jawline.

Adele’s eyes widened slightly.

"Oh?"

"That’s what you’re upset about." He chucked. His green eyes held her dark eyes. A strand of his hair fell over his face.

Adele’s heart burned. He looked infuriatingly good this morning, and she hated it. Her hands clenched.

"Answer the question."

Torak shrugged casually. "Sure."

He pause, then he said it deliberately. "They’re still there."

Adele’s face went completely pale.

Torak watched the reaction with open amusement. "You look surprised."

"That’s not possible."

"Seems pretty possible to me."

Her voice shook slightly. "All three of them?"

Torak smirked again. "All three." He nodded

Adele felt something twist violently in her chest. "That girl is wolfless."

Torak shrugged. "Maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Or maybe," he said slowly, "you don’t know as much as you think you do."

Her eyes burned with anger now. "She tricked them."

Torak laughed.

The sound was low and mocking yet her eyes moved down to his lips.

"You really believe the Alpha triplets can be tricked by a wolfless girl?"

Adele said nothing.

Her silence answered the question.

Torak pushed away from the wall.

"Well," he said lazily, "good luck with that."

He began walking away, then paused.

Without turning around, he added one final comment. "You might want to hurry."

Adele’s stomach tightened.

Torak glanced over his shoulder. "Because if the Alphas decide they like her..." His smirk widened slightly.

"Your little future queen fantasy might be over."

Then he walked away down the corridor, leaving Adele standing frozen in the middle of the hall.

Her hands trembled.