My Quadruplet Bullies To Mates

Setting Things Straight

Malcolm

After our grueling training session this morning, where we pushed our limits and encouraged each other to give our all, everyone went to the dining hall for breakfast. Chanting filled the air, but I had one priority in mind.

I decided to take a long, hot shower first, allowing the soothing water to cascade over me, washing away the heavy sweat and dirt that clung to my skin.

The steam enveloped me, and I could feel the tension and fatigue from the workout gradually melting away. Once refreshed, I went to the kitchen to avoid everyone. I was eager to refuel my stomach in silence.

The warm sunlight streamed through the window as I sat at the kitchen table, casting a golden hue over my breakfast. As I took a bite of my toast, my thoughts drifted to Mika and the unexpected events of the morning.

I could still picture her surprised expression, wondering how she handled everything. I resolved to find her later in the day to check in and see if she needed someone to talk to.

Once I finished my meal, I cleared the dishes and retreated to my room, seeking solace in the pages of a book. The familiar scent of the pages enveloped me, offering a comforting escape.

I lost myself in the story, but my mind wandered back to Mika often, especially as I anticipated her starting her shift. The hours stretched ahead of me, and I found myself glancing at the clock more frequently, eager to reach out and see how she was doing.

The clock on the wall ticked past ten o'clock as I made my way downstairs, a sense of urgency urging me onward. The dimly lit hallway led me to the dining hall, where I caught sight of Mika leaning against the wall, her figure unnaturally still. The faint glow of the overhead lights cast shadows around her, highlighting the tension in the air.

As I stepped farther into the room, our eyes met. Her gaze flickered toward me, a mix of surprise and weariness evident in her expression. I approached slowly, my heart sinking as I took in the bruise forming on her cheek—deep purple and angry, a stark reminder of the pain she had endured the day before.

This was the second day in a row I had seen her like this, and I felt a rush of concern. What had happened to her? The air was thick with unspoken questions, and I knew I had to find out.

Despite the visible bruises marring her face, Mika assured me she was doing fine. This was quite a contrast to the hard work I had witnessed her putting in lately.

I noticed her diligently attending to the maid's duties in the dining hall, meticulously wiping down tables, and organizing the cutlery. I let her finish her tasks since she seemed almost finished, not wanting to disrupt her focus.

I left Mika to complete her task and made my way straight to the headmaid of the household. It was essential to remind her and her team to refocus on the various duties assigned to them.

I felt it unnecessary to involve my father in this situation; my brothers and I had taken on the responsibility of handling Alpha duties anyway and managed everything effectively. I wanted to ensure the household ran smoothly without adding undue stress to my family.

I strolled down the long, sunlit hallway that guided me toward the back entrance of the house. The familiar scent of blooming flowers filled the air as I pushed the door open, revealing the vibrant garden beyond. I figured the head maid, Loren, would likely be tending to her plants, gathering fresh fruits and aromatic spices for the lunch preparations.

As I stepped into the sprawling garden, I was greeted by a riot of colors—deep greens interspersed with vivid reds, yellows, and purples. My eyes quickly found Loren among the rows of flourishing plants. She was kneeling down, her fingers deftly plucking ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil.

Upon noticing my approach, Loren straightened up and turned to relay my presence to the two women assisting her. They all straightened instantly, their expressions shifting to a mix of respect and acknowledgment.

As I drew closer, the three of them bowed deeply, their movements graceful and coordinated, a sign of their duty and deference. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong wrapped around us, creating a serene backdrop to the moment.

"Good afternoon, Alpha; how may I serve you?" Loren asked, her voice soft and respectful as she kept her gaze focused on the ground, clearly trained to show deference. The moment felt heavy, and I wasn't in the mood to reciprocate her pleasantries, especially since the strong scent of her perfume lingered in the air, doing little to mask the tension between us.

I took a breath, attempting to steady my thoughts, and then asked, "Tell me, Loren, what specific duties does your team handle at the pack house?"

Without hesitation, Loren raised her voice slightly, her tone earnest as she meticulously recounted her team's daily responsibilities.

She described the morning routine of organizing the grounds, ensuring that the common areas were tidy, and the numerous tasks involved in meal preparation for the pack members.

Her list continued with details about coordinating supplies, managing schedules, and even handling unexpected tasks that always seemed to arise. With each point she made, the weight of her role became clearer, painting a vivid picture of the dedication and effort required to keep the pack house running smoothly.

I listened intently as Loren outlined the responsibilities her team was supposed to undertake each day, her voice steady and confident.

However, deep down, I recognized that the duties she just listed were nothing more than convenient fabrications. The truth was that Mika had been shouldering not only her workload but also the entirety of her team’s responsibilities for a considerable time.

It was as if Loren was painting a picture of teamwork and shared effort, but I knew better. As Loren finally wrapped up her lengthy enumeration of tasks, I took a deep breath, gathered my thoughts, and turned to meet her gaze directly, a sense of resolve washing over me.

"Why are you lying to your future Alpha?" I demanded, my voice rising in disbelief and frustration. "I know exactly what you and your team are supposed to be doing in the pack house. The dilemma is, why aren't those duties being completed by your team?"

The weight of my words hung heavily in the air, the tension palpable as I watched Loren's expression shift from defiance to shock. Her eyes widened, and without hesitation, she fell to her knees, her hands grasping at the grass as she pleaded for my forgiveness.

The two women working alongside her in the garden mirrored her actions, dropping to the ground in a show of submission. Their heads bowed low, faces flushed with embarrassment and fear as they awaited my response. The once vibrant garden, full of blooming flowers and lush greenery, now felt suffocating, overshadowed by the tension of their failure to uphold their responsibilities.

"I'm so sorry, Alpha. This will never happen again, I promise," Loren cried out. "Your words mean little to me. If I have to approach this issue again, it will be the end of you, Loren.

I walked away with my head held high, feeling a sense of pride swell within me. But as I took a few steps, a realization struck me like a lightning bolt: I had just found myself defending Mika once more.

What on earth is happening to me lately? I can't shake this growing affection I seem to have for her, and it's bewildering. My thoughts spiraled as I tried to unravel my feelings, each twist more confusing than the last.

I know I need to talk to someone about this—unburden myself before I make a decision that I might regret later on. Anxiously, I scanned the crowd outside, searching for Max.

He always has a way of providing clarity, and I could use his support right now. I hope he's available and can lend an ear to my tangled emotions before I get too deep into something I'm unsure of.

As I scanned outside, the bustling energy of the pack surrounded me, yet I couldn't find Max among them. A sense of unease settled in; he was usually in the thick of things.

I decided to check his room, hoping he was just buried in work. After raising my hand to knock, I hesitated for a brief moment, then rapped softly on his bedroom door.

To my relief, he called out with his usual calm demeanor, inviting me in. The moment I entered, a wave of familiarity washed over me—the scent of cedar and the faint glow of the desk lamp created a warm atmosphere. Max sat in his chair, papers spread out before him, but he looked up with an attentive expression, indicating he was ready to listen.

"I need to talk," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I took a seat across from him. He nodded, his eyes steady and encouraging, allowing me the space I needed to gather my thoughts. I could feel my heart racing, the weight of my confession pressing heavily on my chest. I inhaled deeply, mustering the courage to reveal what had been troubling me.

Locking my gaze with his, I finally said, "I believe I have feelings for Mika." The words hung in the air, charged with uncertainty and hope, as I awaited his response.