Mated to the Triplet Alphas Chapter 1: Like What You See, Little Servant?

*Hazel*

A groan was barely suppressed as my muscles screamed in protest. The sun had barely begun its ascent, and I had already been toiling for over two hours. My fingertips were red and raw from scrubbing floors and scouring bathrooms. However, I couldn't afford to linger on my exhaustion; I needed to be downstairs and in position in the kitchen within ten minutes.

My watch indicated time was short, so I hastily swiped sweat from my brow before hurrying down the grand staircase of the imposing pack mansion.

“Cutting it a bit fine, aren’t we?” the cook, a kind elder named Clara, inquired.

I winced but managed a smile. “I had many tasks to complete this morning,” I replied, quickly taking my designated spot to the left of the Luna’s chair.

I had barely caught my breath when the Alpha’s family majestically entered through the large double doors of the dining hall. The cook and the other household staff snapped to attention, their gazes lowered to honor our Alpha and Luna.

Alpha Henry and Luna Evelyn personified authority. They commanded respect from all pack members, yet also instilled fear. Alpha Henry’s piercing blue eyes held a chill capable of freezing a room, and Luna Evelyn’s equally cool demeanor made even the most formidable shifter tremble with apprehension.

The three young men who followed them were clearly reflections of their pack leaders. All us servants held ourselves straighter as the Alpha and Luna’s three sons marched in.

My heart leaped at their imposing presence. They had to enter one by one, or they would have completely blocked the doorway.

Lucas Sullivan, the eldest of the triplets, exuded an aura of confident leadership, even if only by a few minutes over his brothers.

Lucas’s gaze met mine, and I immediately averted my eyes. But it wasn't soon enough. I felt the sternest brother halt directly in front of me.

“See something you like, little servant?” he drawled, his voice a low rumble.

I tightened my jaw, resenting how he once again highlighted the vast gulf in our social standing.

I heard his two younger brothers’ muffled chuckles at his remark, deepening my humiliation.

Lucas moved away without further comment and took his seat beside his father, positioning himself as his father’s right hand.

A fraction of the tension eased from my shoulders as the next brother approached. Liam was not nearly as harsh towards me as his other siblings.

Yet, that didn’t diminish the intimidating aura of the more playful triplet. Like his brothers, Liam possessed broad shoulders and a rugged build. His deep, dark eyes seemed capable of piercing any soul, revealing its innermost secrets.

I risked a fleeting glance at Liam as he passed, instantly regretting it when I realized he was observing me, much like his brother had. He seemed to be heading for his seat, but as our eyes met, he smirked and walked directly towards me. I attempted to lower my head, but not before the middle brother playfully flicked my nose, bringing stinging tears of shock and pain to my eyes.

“Keep your eyes down next time,” he admonished before taking his place at the dining table.

I couldn’t find relief, even with two of the three brothers now seated and leaving me be. An equally imposing figure materialized before me again. This time, I kept my head bowed, refusing to meet the gaze of the man whose muscular chest was inches away.

“That’s right, keep your eyes down,” Levi, the youngest brother, stated with evident satisfaction.

My cheeks flushed hot, but I didn't need to see Levi’s dark eyes to know they were sparkling with delight at my distress. Though Levi was the youngest, he was still a terrifying presence who seemed to thrive on my fear and discomfort, just like his other brothers.

Levi let out a scoff when I remained silent and proceeded to his seat next to Liam.

“Well, what are you waiting for, girl?” Luna Evelyn demanded imperiously. “Begin serving us our breakfast immediately!”

“Yes, Luna,” I squeaked, then complied, placing eggs and bacon onto each of their plates.

“Hurry it up, girl,” Alpha Henry growled, watching me with narrowed eyes. He scoffed again.

Luna Evelyn sniffed disdainfully. “And to think we took you in and provided you a means to repay your parents’ debt. Such appalling ingratitude!”

“My apologies, Luna,” I whispered, my head kept low.

Following my parents’ fatal accident, I was taken in by the Alpha and his family. I was informed that my parents were deeply indebted to the Alpha and Luna. They declared that I would serve as their maid to settle the accumulated debt.

I was merely ten years old when I commenced arduous chores, cleaning and attending to the entire family. They were all relentlessly cruel, commanding me to work from dawn till dusk, devising exhausting tasks for me to complete before I finally collapsed into bed each night, utterly spent.

“You have managed to recall that tomorrow marks our sons’ birthdays,” Alpha Henry stated in a severe tone as I hastily poured their coffees, striving for speed without a single spill.

A tiny error on my part, and the consequences would surely be dire.

"Understood, Alpha," I responded with deference.

"I expect the decorations to be flawless," Luna Evelyn interjected, glaring at me as if my failure would invoke a curse upon her sons. "Everything must be perfect. You know what will happen if it isn't."

I swallowed hard, bowing my head to her. "Yes, Luna Evelyn. I understand completely."

Despite feeling utterly miserable about their treatment, I resolved not to weep.

I would remain strong and live my life as my parents would have wished.

***

"Is this truly the best you could manage?"

I turned to face Jessie, the daughter of a pack higher-up, who was studying interior design. She had been assigned to supervise me, ensuring I didn't botch the decorations, even though Luna Evelyn had put me in charge.

I made an effort to keep annoyance from my voice as I turned back to her. "What do you mean by that?"

Jessie gestured around the room with an air of arrogance. "These are so plain, not nearly special enough for the triplets' birthday."

I surveyed the opulent ballroom. For the decorations, I had selected gold and bronze hues to reflect the young men's status. Balloons and floral arrangements were scattered throughout. The interplay of gold and bronze against the crisp white tablecloths struck me as sophisticated and perfectly suited for an eighteenth birthday celebration.

"These are some of the young men's preferred colors," I explained to Jessie as patiently as I could. "Having grown up with them, I'm quite confident they will find the decorations acceptable."

Jessie's jaw slackened momentarily before her eyes narrowed. "How dare you suggest you know them better than anyone else?"

Before I could contest that I hadn't meant that at all, the doors swung open, and the very subjects of our discussion made their entrance, their respective girlfriends clinging to their arms.

I composed my features. Melanie, Kira, and Annie were haughty and self-important, thus seemingly fitting companions for the triplets. I mused internally on how long these girls would last, given the triplets' tendency to cycle through women as readily as they changed clothes. It was rare for them to maintain a relationship for more than three months.

I overheard Liam let out a low whistle as he took in the ballroom. "Nice," he commented with appreciation.

"We've come to assess your progress, little maid," Lucas stated, approaching with Melanie holding tightly to his arm.

"You've arrived just in time!" Jessie exclaimed, stepping forward. She pointed an accusatory finger at me. "Hazel here claimed she would be the perfect mate for the three of you!"

I staggered back in disbelief. "No-" I began to protest.

"How dare you!" Melanie shrieked, advancing menacingly. "You could never attract our men!"

"You little--!" Kira snarled.

"You're in for it now!" Annie added. "You're nothing but a lowly servant!"

"Ladies," Liam's voice cut through, a clear note of warning present.

Before I could even process the situation, a sharp slapping sound echoed through the ballroom, accompanied by a stinging sensation on my face. My hand instinctively flew to my throbbing cheek as I stared at Melanie in stunned disbelief.