Claimed by the Lycan Triplets

Triplets

Chapter 4



Annalise

I sat in the carriage, staring out at the darkening sky as the horses trotted steadily toward the palace. My father rode ahead on his steed, his back straight as always, the perfect picture of duty. I clenched my hands in my lap, bracing myself for what lay ahead.

The palace.

Even from miles away, its grandeur was visible—a towering silhouette against the horizon. As we drew closer, its golden spires reached toward the heavens, glinting faintly in the moonlight. The sprawling estate surrounding it was alive with shimmering lanterns and bursts of color from countless flower beds, even in the chill of winter.

The carriage passed through the outer gates, where stone sentinels carved with intricate designs of wolves and their kin stood guard. The palace gardens stretched on either side of the cobblestone path, lush and impossibly vibrant. Massive hedges trimmed into the shapes of mythical creatures lined the walkways, while fountains of marble and crystal gushed with sparkling water that caught the starlight. The air was perfumed with the scent of jasmine and roses, mingled with the faint earthy aroma of frost-touched grass.

The carriage slowed as we approached the main entrance. Two towering doors carved from mahogany, etched with golden filigree and adorned with the kingdom's sigil—a howling wolf encircled by stars—stood as the gateway to the palace’s inner splendor.

I stepped out of the carriage, pulling my cloak tighter around me. The servants at the entrance bowed as I passed, their faces neutral but their eyes flickering with recognition. I ignored them and made my way inside, my boots clicking against the polished marble floor.

The interior of the palace was even more extravagant. Chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, dripping with crystals that refracted light in a rainbow of colors. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of the kingdom’s history—battles, coronations, and legends. Every inch of the space screamed wealth and power.

The grand kitchen was tucked away in a quieter wing of the palace, yet even this functional space was luxurious. The counters were made of polished granite, and copper pots and pans gleamed under the warm glow of golden sconces. A roaring fireplace added a cozy warmth to the room, and the shelves were lined with jars of rare spices and herbs from every corner of the kingdom.

I got to work, moving through the kitchen with practiced ease. The soup was simple but comforting—a recipe my mother had taught me long ago. I gathered the ingredients: fresh herbs, tender cuts of meat, and a blend of secret spices that made the dish unique.

The ritual of making the soup always calmed me, grounding me in the present. For a brief moment, I could almost forget where I was and what would inevitably follow.

After that fateful day years ago, I hadn’t seen the King again. He had enjoyed the soup so much he’d ordered me to make it every time I visited, but beyond that, he never summoned me for anything else.

The triplets, however, were a different story.

Their ritual was far less pleasant and far more predictable.

I ladled the soup into a golden tureen, taking care not to spill a single drop, and wiped my hands on my apron. The weight of their inevitable presence settled over me like a shadow.

I hadn’t seen them yet, but I knew they were here. Watching. Waiting.

They always were.

As I stepped out of the kitchen, the lively murmurs and bustling activity of the palace hall fell silent, as if someone had flipped a switch. The eerie quiet pressed against my ears, amplifying the sound of my own breathing. My heart thudded in my chest as I glanced around the empty hall.

Not a soul.

"Cowards," I muttered under my breath, trying to steel myself.

Then, a voice rang out—strong, deep, and dangerously smooth.

"Looking for someone, Nali?"

I froze, the tureen trembling slightly in my hands. Slowly I put it down and turned, my breath catching in my throat.

Sylus.

His stark white hair gleamed under the golden light of the chandeliers, and his cool, icy blue eyes locked onto mine with predatory intent. That smirk—the one that said he had caught his prey—curved across his perfectly sculpted face. Sylus wasn’t just handsome; he was striking, beautiful in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. But there was nothing human behind those sharp features.

"Are you going to say something, or have I stolen your tongue, too?" he drawled, taking a slow, deliberate step toward me.

I forced myself to breathe. “Sylus.” His name came out more like a whisper than the challenge I intended.

He tilted his head, his smirk growing. “Ah, there she is. I was starting to worry you’d gone mute.”

I took a step back. Sylus was the worst of them—or at least the most persistent. Of the three brothers, he was the one who loved the chase the most, who delighted in tormenting me just to see me squirm. He was the predator, and I was the prey he couldn’t resist.

"Run, Nali," he whispered, his voice soft but carrying a dangerous edge.

I didn’t move. Not this time.

Fourteen-year-old Annalise would have bolted, shaking in fear, terrified of their powers and the chaos they could unleash. But I wasn’t that girl anymore.

Today had already been unbearable. Between the heartache Lucien and Willow had left me with and the endless torment from everyone else, I was done being their game. If I didn’t stand my ground now, I never would.

Sylus raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my defiance. “Giving me a challenge tonight, Nali?”

I didn’t answer, holding his gaze, my jaw tightening.

For a moment, the smirk on his lips faltered, his icy eyes narrowing slightly as if I’d caught him off guard.

Before I could process it, another voice broke the tense silence—a rich, velvety tone that sent shivers down my spine.

“My favorite flower is here!”

I spun around and found myself face-to-face with Cassian.

If Sylus was ice, Cassian was fire—bright, golden, and burning. His tousled blond hair shimmered like sunlight, his piercing green eyes sparkled with mischief, and his wide grin revealed teeth so perfect they seemed carved from ivory. Where Sylus exuded calculated control, Cassian’s charm was disarming and wild, like a flame that danced just out of reach.

Cassian’s grin widened as he leaned closer, his golden hair brushing against my cheek. “How are you, Flower? Missed me?” His voice was smooth, teasing, and at first glance, his smile seemed warm, genuine even. But I knew better. Cassian never did anything without an ulterior motive, and his intentions with me were as far from kind as the sun was from the earth.

“Leave me alone,” I said, my voice firm even as my heart raced.

I turned to walk away, but before I could take a single step, Sylus grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward him. His cold fingers wrapped around my skin, their chill seeping into my bones.

“Looks like she didn’t miss you, Cassian,” Sylus said, his icy blue eyes gleaming with amusement.

My pulse stuttered, my breath caught in my throat as he pulled me even closer. The cold radiating from his touch was unnerving, a stark contrast to the heat of my skin.

“You didn’t visit us last month,” Sylus murmured, his tone smooth but laced with a dark edge. “Isn’t it time you made up for that?”

Before I could respond, Cassian stepped closer and grabbed my other wrist. His grip was firm but not painful, at least not yet. He brought my hand toward him and sniffed, the strange gesture sending a shiver down my spine.

“You’re my favorite toy, Flower,” he whispered, his emerald eyes glinting with mischief. His smile was dazzling, but it held no warmth, only a predatory hunger. “I can’t wait to play with you.”

I jerked my arm back, trying to free myself, but his fingers only tightened, making me wince.

Their words, their actions, their mere presence—it all shattered something inside me. They didn’t see me as a person. To them, I was a possession, a game, an object to be toyed with at their leisure.

I knew what they wanted. They wouldn’t leave me alone until I gave in, until I ran. And once I did, the game would begin—the chase.

It was the only way to make them leave me be.

Sylus tilted his head, his cool smirk unwavering as he watched me weigh my options. Cassian, meanwhile, looked like he was savoring the anticipation, his gaze flicking to the door as if daring me to make my move.

Before I could decide, a deep, demanding voice broke through the tension like a blade slicing the air.

“Why are your streaks not in a braid today?”