TRIPLE STEPBROTHERS INFERNO

Chapter 7

Harper's POV

I stared at Damon in disgust, angry that he had to say something so insensitive while we were having a swell time.

I wouldn't have felt bad if the insult was directed at me since I was already used to their derogatory words, but directing it to my mother was what I couldn't condone.

I'd have talked back at him and shown him bad-mouthed I could be, but I decided to allow the Alpha to take care of everything while I find my mom and console her.

Taking the apron off my thighs, I pushed my chair backward carefully to avoid knocking off the glass cup that was half filled with red wine.

I climbed down the stairs and headed straight to the garden. I had planned to look for her in other parts of the pack house, but I remembered her telling me how easy it was for her to cool off in a quiet and airy place.

My guess was right as I found her sitting alone in the beautiful garden that was adjacent to the dining room. The flower patterns and how neatly trimmed they were nearly made me forget the reason I was there in the first place.

I watched her sob quietly and got angry again. I felt like ripping Damon's eyes out of its socket. My mother was very soft-hearted and emotional so it wasn't hard for her to cry, especially when she was hurt.

"Mother," I called almost in a whisper and watched her dry her eyes quickly with the back of her palm.

She had been oblivious to my presence that was why she cried openly. She wasn't comfortable crying around me, she once told me that allowing people to see her moments of weakness made her feel vulnerable.

And I remembered telling her that she had the right to be vulnerable like every other normal person. She was human and not a robot so she could cry whenever she wanted.

"Harper!" She said in a raspy voice and sniffed.

She wore a simple flowered body hug dress that accentuated her curves and made her look elegant. Her makeup was classic but charming, she dressed for the occasion knowing that she was no longer a low-class pack member but a Luna.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"What am I doing here? I came to be with you so that you wouldn't cry too much," I tickled her and she laughed.

Her smile meant a lot to me because she was all I had, we were all we had. Though we had been elevated to a higher class, I wasn't sure I could allow anyone to get so close to me apart from her.

"I don't think I've said this before, but thank you," She said and hugged me.

Her words surprised me because I didn't know what she was thanking me for.

"Why are you thanking me, mother?" I asked, perplexed.

"The answer is not far-fetched, Harper. It's because you've been a good daughter, the only reason I'm still alive in this harsh world," She said, getting me emotional.

I was not one to shed tears easily, Damon had made sure of that with his constant t*****e which made me get used to any kind of pain. But my mother's words were heartfelt so I allowed the tears to flow since she was the only one around.

"Don't say that, ma. I'm your daughter and I must take care of you. And I'm not longer the only reason for your existence, you have the Alpha now," I said, wrapping my arms around her.

We were deeply engrossed in each other's embrace that we didn't notice that the Alpha was around.

He cleared his throat which alerted us of his presence and I stood up immediately and bowed to him. His eyes were filled with compassion and care for my mom.

Then I realized that the moon goddess had finally rewarded her with a good man. I thought that my presence wasn't needed anymore so I turned to leave but he stopped me and said.

"Stay back, I want to talk to you both." He said and I nodded.

He sat beside my mother and asked me to sit beside him too. Then he placed his arms on both our shoulders, making me feel weird.

Was this how fatherly love felt? I thought.

"I'm sorry for whatever happened during dinner and I'll make sure that it won't happen again. Whatever happened in the past wasn't your fault and I'm sure that you were fated to me for a reason," He said making me feel emotional again.

His words were soothing and sincere. I could tell how much he valued us and I thanked the moon goddess for this blessing. Even if my own life was a mess, I was happy that my mother was secure.

He took his hand off me and held my mother's hands and kissed it. I watched her blush then quietly excused myself so that they could spend more time alone.

While climbing the stairs, I contemplated going back to the dining room or returning to my room since it was getting dark already. I opted for the former so I could rest because of how eventful the day had been. Though I didn't admit it, I was happy that I didn't get to leave.

I imagined how lonely I would have been in the woods as I jogged up the stairs. I had gotten to the passage that led to my room so I walked noiselessly to avoid alerting the triplets of my presence.

Fortunately, I wasn't interrupted by any of them so I got to my room and had my bath. A set of pajamas was already laid on the bed for me making me wonder who brought it.

I stripped and walked n***d into the bathroom, enjoying the privacy that the room provided.

I opened the door to the bathroom and gushed at how beautiful a mere bathroom could be. Everything in the room smelt of wealth and excellence.

The walls were covered with light blue colored tiles that matched the black-marbled floor. The bathtub which was close to the window sparkled brightly like it was recently scrubbed of all its stains.

The cubicle which housed the shower stand was very wide and could contain five people put together.

I decided to try out the bathtub and have a nice bath then use the shower the following morning. I felt relaxed after having my bath but I couldn't sleep as I kept tossing on the bed.

I felt restless but I couldn't place the reason for my restlessness, then I remembered the garden and decided to go there.

I put on my clothes and took the designer blanket I had found in the wardrobe and wrapped my body with it so I would feel warm when it gets windy.

The mansion was so quiet that I almost forgot how noisy it was earlier. I could only hear some snores while I passed each of the triplet's rooms. I wondered who was snoring and imagined it to be Damon.

The garden was slightly illuminated by the lights that shone from the house. So I decided to take a stroll to relax my mind. Being in the garden and staring at the flower while inhaling their scents helped in distracting me.

I touched the white frangipani that lined up after the purple hibiscus flower. The combination was alluring and I wished I could take some of them to my room.

The evening breeze carried the scent of a flower that I recognized to be the white jasmine. I shut my eyes and drank in the scent of the flower. I was carried away by the scent that I didn't notice one of the triplets was standing behind me.

I turned back sharply after he cleared his throat while I jerked back in fear. I looked at his face properly to know which of them stood before me, but seeing how quiet he looked I realized that he was Adonis.

"What are you doing here?" I asked nervously.

"I should be asking you that," He retorted and I walked away slowly, looking for a place to sit.

I found a wooden chair that was before the white jasmine I had inhaled and I lowered myself on it. He remained where he was and stared at me intensely.

"I bet this is your first time of being here," He said in a questioning tone.

"Not my first time though. I was here with my mother after what happened during dinner," I said.

"That's because of my naughty brother," He muttered and I almost didn't hear him because of how inaudible he was.

He walked towards me and sat on the grass that was still dry. His actions surprised me because I knew that he didn't like to be around me.

"How do you feel being a part of the royal family?" He asked but I didn't respond immediately because I didn't know what to say.

I didn't want him to tell his brothers what I said since they were all very close.

"Just tell me, I won't tell them what you said," He assured me.

"Why do you suddenly care about what I think and why are you here talking to me?" I asked and watched his casual expression turn into a frown.

He stood up immediately and dusted his pants.

"I guess it was a mistake being here. Good night." He said and walked away.

I wanted to call him and tell him everything I felt but I was scared. I couldn't trust him.