The Triplet Alphas's Christmas Gift

Chapter 1- Slaving away

Teira's POV

I sat up groggily as my alarm went off, nearly hitting my head on the wooden beam above.

I sighed, it was time to get up. Kyle would be up soon to help me with fixing breakfast for the family but we had to be fast so our parents didn't catch us.

I jumped into the shower quickly, trying to get used to the cold water. Dad had cut the hot water to the attic months ago, stating we needed to 'save money' so Kyle could get more water to soak in after practice for warrior training. Kyle had tried to argue, but I knew it wouldn't do any good; I wasn't the heir or a boy, so why would they waste resources on a useless girl?

He had tried to offer his shower to me later that night but I refused. Knowing our parents would punish me further if I was caught. I couldn't afford another beating and starvation down in the basement right before finals.

I jumped out and wrapped my body in a towel, trying not to shiver, as I ran to my suitcase and looked for something somewhat warm to wear. I didn't have a closet or a wardrobe of any kind, not that I needed one. I didn't have enough good clothes to put in one.

Tei, you ready? We need to hurry! Kyle's voice flitted through my mind quickly before cutting off again, and I grabbed a cream-colored sweater and black leggings underneath a pair of tattered jeans. It was the best I could do for now. I put my boots on and walked down three flights of stairs as quickly and quietly as I could. My parents were never up this early, but if they heard me heading down too fast, they'd investigate, which would cause more trouble for both me and Kyle.

I ran into the kitchen with my brown hair waving wildly around my face; my older brother, Kyle, was already at the stove, placing pancake batter in the frying pan. His blonde hair was still a bit messy and he wiped sweat from his forehead.

"What else needs doing?" I whispered, and he turned towards me smiling, at my disheveled appearance, no doubt. "Eggs and bacon, the water for the oatmeal is already set up all you have to do is pour. Oh and don't forget the coffee," he whispered back as he turned back to his task.

I nodded and began zooming around the room gathering ingredients for scrambled eggs and bacon as well as prepping the oatmeal. Once I was ready to cook the eggs, Kyle finished the pancakes and placed them on a warming plate next to the stove. He then looked up sharply, listening, and I tensed, glancing at the clock.

Another sound came from upstairs and I looked at Kyle, "Go, I got this." I mouthed and he looked torn before hearing the sound of footsteps moving around. I pushed him out of the kitchen, "Go!" I whispered urgently, and he nodded, taking off the apron he had placed over his pajamas and throwing it to me as he ran up the back stairs to his room.

I continued prepping the eggs and bacon, placing them on plates next to pancakes then poured milk and juice into glasses and began to set the table. Making sure each plate had a lid on it and fresh fruit was cut up and placed in a bowl in the center of the table.

When everything was ready, I began to scrub the pots and pans. Kyle normally helped me with this but we had lost track of the time.

"Teira! We're waiting!" a shrill voice called out, and I sighed, then straightened my back and shoulders and walked into the dining room. Mom and Dad were sitting at the large table, big enough for ten people, waiting impatiently for me to lift the lids off their plates. Kyle came in last, nodding to Mom and Dad and not looking in my direction.

Mom's blonde hair was in perfect curls around her heart-shaped face, her pale skin glowed like moonlight on a clear day, and her blue eyes were crystal clear. She had been gorgeous when she was young and as she grew older, those features didn't change. Dad, however, was tall and lean with brown hair that was trimmed in a professional style with gray showing at the temples. I suppose he had been handsome once, but as he grew older, his skin had grown loose, making him look like he was way older than he looked.

Kyle sat beside Dad and I walked over, lifting the metal lids on the plates. I didn't speak as I knew if I did it would just get me slapped. I turned to head back into the kitchen when Dad cleared his throat, looking at me annoyed, "Our drinks?" he said irritably, and I nodded and walked back, pouring the orange juice and milk into the glasses.

He looked down and frowned, "Where's the coffee?" he asked and I froze. Kyle glanced at me but didn't say anything just kept eating his food while Mom and Dad glared at me.

"I'm s-sorry Dad, I-" I started to say when he slapped his hand on the table, "D*mn it, Teira! How am I supposed to through the day without my coffee! You know it's supposed to be ready and waiting when I get to the table! How could you be so stupid?!" he yelled and I flinched but didn't say anything, knowing that if I fought back it would only make things worse.

"Dear, calm down. It's not like we should expect anything from her. She's only a girl. A worthless one at that." Mom said to Dad calmly. He huffed and nodded, digging into his breakfast while Mom glared at me, "Don't just stand there! Get back to the kitchen and make his coffee! And it better be correct the first time!" she yelled. I nodded then scurried away, taking the lids with me.

I placed them in the sink to soak and filled the coffeemaker with grounds and water. I prayed that it would be fast as the longer I took, the worse the punishment would be.

I finished scrubbing the rest of the pans and filled Dad's coffee mug. I then added two sugars and a dab of cream. Stirring quickly, I walked back to the table seeing Kyle had already finished his food and was talking adamantly about training. Dad huffed as I carefully set the cup down in front of him. He took a sip as I bent to gather Kyle's dishes to put into the sink, then felt something hot pour down my back, burning me.

I jumped and dropped the plates, breaking them on the hardwood floor, and turned to see Dad towering over me angrily, his coffee cup in his hand, "This is disgusting! How dare you make me drink this swill! And now look what you've done! Clean this up immediately! If Kyle gets hurt, I'll beat you within an inch of your life!" he yelled as he slapped me across the face hard enough to split my lip and land me on the floor.

I winced but didn't say anything as Dad stood from the table and Mom walked over to Kyle, helping him around her side of the table so he wouldn't touch the fragments, "Kyle, are you alright? You didn't get cut did you?" she asked concerned as she and Dad led him from the room. I didn't hear Kyle reply as he walked up the stairs to grab his bag and meet Dad at the door.

Dad worked as an assistant to the Alpha of our pack, he handled legal matters and other things that the Alpha didn't have time for. The Alpha usually took his sons, the Mason triplets, to school in the morning so Dad normally took Kyle so he could meet the Alpha. Mom worked in fashion design and normally left right after Dad did leaving me to lock the house and walk to school.

I got up, wincing in pain from my lip and hands. There were porcelain fragments in them from the plates, and I sighed; I was going to be late for school. I cleaned up the broken plates and gathered the dirty dishes, scrubbing them as quickly as I could. I turned around to dry my hands and found a bottle of Peroxide and bandages hidden under the towel. There was a note next to them.

Tei,

I'm sorry I couldn't stop him. I managed to bring these down for you, make sure the glass is out of your hands before you bandage them. My coat's on the banister, make sure to wear it, it's cold out there.

Love, Kyle

I smiled at the note; Kyle always tried to look out for me, my hands stung from the soapy water, and I grabbed a pair of tweezers from the kitchen drawer to dig the tiny shards out of my hands. I dabbed the Peroxide on them and hissed, it really stung. Then bandaged them as quickly as I could before putting them all back into the drawer.

Mom had left a few minutes ago, and I quickly grabbed the coat Kyle had left for me and my old backpack and headed out the door, locking it as I went.

The winter wind blew a bit fiercely, taking any warmth the sun tried to give on such a pretty morning. It was a mile from our house to school so I started walking quickly, hoping I'd get there on time. I reached my bandaged hand into my pocket and felt something warm. I pulled it out and smiled, Kyle had saved a couple of pancakes and some bacon for me in a paper towel.

I munched on the food as I walked, my brother was one of the only lights in my world and I loved him dearly for helping me.

I just hoped the day would be a good one.