Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Amira's POV

“Sorry, you must be mistaken,” I said quickly, my voice tight with unease.

Lily frowned. “Mistaken? About what exactly?”

“About me being the Luna…” I answered, trying to keep my tone steady.

A faint smile curved her lips. “I suppose you’re not aware yet.”

My brows furrowed. “Aware of what?” I asked, my voice coming out faster than I intended. The suspense was unbearable. I stared at her, waiting, almost afraid of what she’d say next.

“Our Alphas and the elders had a meeting earlier this morning,” she said calmly. “The discussion was about who our next Luna would be. I’m sure you know what that means.”

Her words were clear, but they didn’t make sense. My mind couldn’t connect the dots.

“Just because they talked about a Luna doesn’t mean it’s me,” I said, trying to sound rational even though my heart was racing.

Lily’s smile deepened. “Ah… so you haven’t heard the rumors spreading outside.”

I almost rolled my eyes. How could I have? I’d been trapped in this mansion like a caged bird. And even if there were rumors, what could they possibly have to do with me?

Still, something about her calmness made me uneasy. I looked at her more closely. She wasn’t stiff or stern like she’d been before. Her expression was softer now, almost… pleased.

Then she said it, those words that made my entire body go cold.

“Of course, everyone already knows you’re the triplets’ mate!”

Her voice carried excitement, but mine didn’t move. My stomach dropped. My throat felt dry. Mate?

I shot up from the couch, my face drained of color. The word echoed in my head like a curse. Only I knew what I’d gone through when that truth first came out. The numbness in my brain, and the feeling of self. Only I knew I'd barely accept it.

And now… this again?

Would those three men come for me now? Would they punish me all over again just because fate tied me to them?

No. I shook my head quickly. The meeting had already happened before breakfast. If they wanted to hurt me, they would’ve done it right there at the table.

I exhaled shakily, forcing myself to calm down. But even as my heartbeat slowed, the dread didn’t fade.

It was already bad enough that I was mated to them. But to be a wolfless Luna? That was worse than a curse.

Just how much more miserable could my life possibly get?

“Are you alright?” Lily’s voice broke through my thoughts as she tapped my shoulder.

I blinked and forced a small smile. “I’m fine,” I said softly. Then, before she could say anything else, I added, “But please, I’m not anyone’s Luna. I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t call me that again.”

My tone was calm but firm. I needed to make things clear before any misunderstandings spread. The last thing I wanted was for those three men to think I was behind the ridiculous rumors.

Lily looked taken aback for a moment, but her expression smoothed quickly. “Alright,” she said lightly. “But that’s not for me to decide. The Alphas and the elders will handle that.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then stopped. “Forget it,” I murmured, lowering my hands. What was the point? Even if I told her the truth, that the Alphas despised me, she wouldn’t understand. How could she? She hadn’t been there when one of them nearly strangled me to death.

She didn’t misunderstand me. She just wasn’t on my side.

I didn’t feel like talking anymore, so I turned my gaze away and pretended to focus on my nails instead.

“Hmph. Thank God,” I muttered under my breath when she finally walked away.

Since the day I was sold, I had learned my place. Lily might only be the head attendant, but she carried far more authority than I did. I wasn’t foolish enough to challenge her. If she wanted to believe I was the Luna, or worse, a cherished mate—then fine. Let her believe what she wanted.

When she left, I sat quietly for a while, idly picking at my nails until boredom crept in. With a soft groan, I tapped my foot against the floor.

My eyes drifted to the large television in front of me. For a moment, I thought about turning it on, but halfway there, I froze. This wasn’t my house. I didn’t even know if I was allowed to touch anything.

“Ugh… this place is so suffocating,” I sighed in frustration.

“Ma’am,” a soft voice came from behind me.

I turned around. “Who are you?”

A young woman stood there, a bit chubby, round-faced, and about my age. Judging by her uniform, she was one of the maids.

Her next words confirmed it. “Ma’am, I’m one of the house maids… your personal assistant.”

I blinked. “Mm?”

“I’m your personal assistant,” she repeated nervously.

“I heard you,” I muttered under my breath, though not loud enough for her to catch. A personal assistant? That had to be Lily’s idea. The triplets would never allow it, they hated me.

“Who sent you?” I asked flatly.

“Ma’am Lily,” she replied.

Just as I thought.

“Sorry, but I don’t need one,” I said quickly. The gesture was nice, but I couldn’t accept it. If the triplets didn’t know, and they found out, both Lily and this girl would suffer for it.

“Ma’am…” the girl’s voice trembled, panic flashing across her face.

I hesitated for a second, a flicker of pity tugging at me, but I couldn’t change my mind. “You should leave. I’m not changing my decision.”

Her eyes filled with tears as she turned and hurried out. Even from behind, I could see how badly she was shaking.

Why was she that scared? It was just Lily, was she really that terrifying? Or had I underestimated her authority?

Before I could think too much, the door opened again. Lily walked in, this time with the same trembling girl by her side.

My frown deepened. So it was true, Lily wasn’t much different from the triplets after all.

“Did you refuse Judy as your personal maid?” Lily asked bluntly.

So her name was Judy. Cute name, I thought absently.

Before I could even answer, Judy suddenly broke down in tears. “Ma’am, please don’t do this to me! If you reject me, I’m finished!”

I stared at her in confusion. “What? How?”

My eyes darted to Lily, narrowing. “Are you threatening her?”

Was she twisting my kindness into cruelty? I only refused Judy to protect her, not hurt her.

Lily’s tone remained maddeningly calm. “No. But she’s not lying either. Alpha Alex personally ordered that a maid be assigned to you. If she refuses the task, she knows the consequences.”

I froze. “So you’re saying this wasn’t your idea, it was Alpha Alex’s order?”

“Yes,” Lily replied, her voice smooth, unreadable.

I sighed and lowered my gaze, studying her face for any hint of truth,but there was nothing. She was like a sealed book, impossible to read unless she wanted to be.