Three Alphas, Fated To One, Played By One, But Mated To One

Chapter 96: A Crown of Thorns

Valerie’s POV

The morning came too quickly.

Or maybe...

I just never truly slept.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection like I was looking at a stranger.

Dark circles shadowed my eyes.

My lips were slightly swollen from last night.

From him.

My fingers tightened around the edge of the dressing table.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to remember

His touch.

His voice.

The way he had looked at me.

Then I straightened up.

No more thinking. He shouldn’t matter so much he would distract me.

"No more," I whispered.

If I let myself fall into that again...

I would lose everything.

Including myself.

I turned away from the mirror and walked toward the wardrobe.

Today wasn’t about him.

Today...

I was Luna.

And whether they accepted it or not....I would act like one.

At least for the women I had ignited their fighting spirit for.

They needed me.

The pack courtyard was already buzzing when I arrived.

Wolves moved back and forth, some carrying supplies, others training in groups. The morning air was filled with energy-controlled chaos that came with living in a powerful pack.

But the moment I stepped into the open space

It changed.

I could hear the whispers. See the judgement.

Some people still hadn’t come around to the fact that I was no longer the slave they used to step on.

That I am now Luna. Their alpha’s mate.

Well, not like Mike helped with his attitude towards me and his attention to Innocent.

I felt it immediately.

Like needles against my skin.

"She’s here..."

"That slave girl..."

"They really made her Luna?"

"Alpha hasn’t even acknowledged her properly..."

My steps didn’t falter.

Not once.

I walked forward, head high, shoulders straight.

If they expected me to shrink

They would be disappointed.

"Luna."

The voice cut through the murmurs.

Firm.

Respectful.

I turned slightly to see Andrew approaching me.

His expression was neutral, but there was something steady in his eyes.

Support.

"I’ve prepared the reports you requested," he said, handing me a folder.

"Thank you," I replied calmly.

This was something I had ordered Lilith to do a couple of days ago.

I actually hadn’t expected that Andrew, the one who made me wash his clothes with my hands, would be the first on the alpha’s side to give me support.

His use of my title didn’t go unnoticed.

The whispers grew louder.

"Beta is acknowledging her?"

"Is he serious?"

"Since when does he..."

"Enough."

Andrew’s voice cracked like thunder.

The courtyard fell silent instantly.

"If any of you have time to gossip," he continued coldly, "then you clearly don’t have enough work."

Heads lowered.

Bodies stiffened.

No one spoke again.

I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression composed.

"Walk with me," I said quietly.

He nodded, falling into step beside me as we moved away from the center.

"You didn’t have to do that," I added.

"Yes, I did," he replied simply.

I glanced at him.

"Why?"

"Because they’re wrong."

His answer was immediate and certain.

No hesitation.

It caught me off guard.

"You barely know me," I said.

I didn’t mean he didn’t know who I was but he didn’t know my character and other things.

"I don’t need to," he replied. "I know what the bond means."

My steps slowed slightly.

"And Alpha?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"Alpha knows too."

My chest tightened.

I didn’t respond.

Because I didn’t know what to say.

And I didn’t want to think about it.

If Mike really knew, he wouldn’t still involve himself with Innocent.

We stopped near the storage area where several pack members were gathered, sorting through supplies.

Or at least...

Trying to.

Shopping was done once a month and truckloads of goods were delivered to the pack.

It required those involved in the storage area busy for days.

The moment I stepped closer, I noticed the tension.

Raised voices and frustration.

"What’s going on?" I asked.

A young woman stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"There’s a shortage of medical herbs, Luna."

The title sounded awkward on her lips.

Forced.

But at least she said it.

"Shortage?" I repeated, frowning. "How?"

"We sent a group to gather more last week," another man added, "but they haven’t returned."

My instincts sharpened instantly.

"How many?"

"Five."

That wasn’t good.

"Any signs of an attack?"

"No," he said. "But the forest has been... strange lately."

I exchanged a glance with Andrew.

"Strange how?"

"Too quiet," the man replied. "No animal sounds. No movement."

A chill ran down my spine.

That wasn’t natural.

And how could something this important not have been reported to the pack leadership before?

Why doesn’t Mike know?

"Prepare a search party," I said immediately.

The group hesitated. It was subtle but I saw it.

That split second of doubt.

Of reluctance.

It was small

But it was there.

And it was enough.

"Did you not hear her?"

The voice came from behind us.

My body stiffened slightly as Innocent stepped into view.

She looked flawless.

As always.

Dressed elegantly, her posture relaxed, her gaze sharp.

The pack members straightened instantly.

Their hesitation...

Gone.

"Prepare a search party," she repeated calmly.

"Yes, Miss Innocent," they responded immediately.

Something inside me went cold.

Very cold.

I turned slowly to face her.

Our eyes met.

And in that moment

The entire courtyard seemed to hold its breath.

"Interesting," I said softly. So, they would take action immediately if Innocent spoke, but with me, they hesitated.

Who was really the Luna?

Innocent’s lips carved into a small smile.

"So, me giving the order first doesn’t count. And they listen to you after repeating it?"

I asked solemnly.

I could feel the eyes of those around us change. As if assessing us and the current situation.

"Maybe they just listen better when the order is repeated." Innocent said with something akin to amusement

"Then perhaps," I said, my voice calm but sharp, "they need to learn how to listen the first time."

A flicker of something passed through her eyes.

"Or perhaps," she countered, "they simply respond better to someone they trust."

Didn’t that just mean I wasn’t worthy of the members of the pack as Luna?

The nerve.

I stepped closer.

Closing the distance between us.

"Trust is built," I said quietly. "Not assumed."

Her smile didn’t waver.

"You’ve been Luna for only a short few weeks. I have been groomed to be the Luna for years. So it’s understandable." She said smugly.

The air between us grew heavier.

"That explains the confusion," I said.

Her gaze turned a bit sharp.

"What confusion?"

"The one where you mistake familiarity for authority."

A few gasps echoed around us.

Her smile faded slightly.

"Careful," she said.

"Why?" I asked. "Are you going to say otherwise?"

A slow clap.

The sound cut through the tension like a blade.

We both turned.

And there he was.

Mike.

Standing at the edge of the courtyard watching.

I wondered how long he had been there.

Was he just here to watch the show?

Instantly, everyone bowed.

"Alpha."

Even Innocent stepped back slightly.

But I didn’t move.

Didn’t bow. And didn’t look away.

Our eyes met.

And for a moment, everything else disappeared.

He walked forward calmly, taking slow deliberate steps.

"Seems like I arrived at the right time," he said.

No one responded.

Because no one dared to.

He stopped between us.

His gaze moved from me...

To Innocent...

Then back to me.

"What’s going on?"

His tone was neutral.

But I knew better.

"There was confusion about authority," I said calmly.

His eyes lingered on me for a second longer than necessary.

Then shifted to Innocent.

"And?"

She smiled faintly.

"Nothing serious. Just a misunderstanding."

I didn’t want him entangled in this matter. If he chose to protect that white lotus Innocent, I might lose it.

"What order?" He asked calmly.

Some pack members who went to gather herbs are missing. I had ordered a search party to go and see if they could find them."

I explained. I didn’t mention about the people ignoring my order and responding to Innocent

I don’t need that kind of humiliation.

Not in front of him.

"Good."

The single word sent a ripple through the crowd.

My chest tightened slightly.

But I didn’t show it.

He didn’t even bother to ask what the argument with Innocent was.

It’s one thing for me not to want to say it, but it’s another for him to ask.

"Andrew," he continued, without looking away from me, "you’ll lead it."

"Yes, Alpha."

"And she goes with you."

The words hit like a shockwave.

Silence exploded.

I frowned.

"What?"

His gaze didn’t waver.

"You wanted authority," he said. "Earn it."

So, that’s how it is. You want a Luna who is clearly without a wolf to go into the forest with unknown dangers?

What a mate Mike turned out to be.

My jaw tightened.

"This isn’t about proving anything."

"Everything is," he replied coldly.

Anger flared inside me.

"You don’t get to..."

"Enough."

His voice dropped.

"Prepare," he said, stepping back. "You leave in ten minutes."

Was this his way of getting back at me for what happened the night before? Or was he standing up for his lover?