97 Gifts

Olivia’s POV

It had been a day since I returned from the Shadow Pack, and I hadn’t left my room. Not that the triplets had grounded me—no, it was simply that I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to see their faces. I wished they would just accept my rejection, be with Anita, and let me move on. But no. They were like predators, and I was their prey. I knew they were never going to let me go.

Sighing heavily, I pulled away the blanket. Lately, something had felt…off. There was a strange sensation inside me, something I couldn’t quite explain, but deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

Dragging myself from the bed, I crossed the room and pushed the curtains aside. I opened the windows and inhaled the fresh morning breeze. My gaze swept over the pack—the towering trees, the distant forest—and a heavy sigh slipped from my lips. I used to adore this place. It had once been my home. But now? Now, all I wanted was to forget everything and leave this place behind. Start a new life…

There was so much outside these walls. So many people—good people—who wouldn’t see me as the daughter of a thief, who wouldn’t hate me the way the triplets did. Men like Alpha Gabriel. I knew it was too soon to think that way, but Alpha Gabriel seemed like a good man. And the way he looked at me…it reminded me of how the triplets used to look at me once, years ago. I wished I could see him again. But I knew that wouldn’t happen anytime soon. The triplets would never let me leave this mansion alone ever again.

A soft knock echoed against my door, pulling me from my thoughts. I already knew who it was—Lolita and Nora, my personal maids. I straightened up and called out quietly, “Come in.”

The door creaked open and the two girls stepped inside. But instead of the usual tray of food or fresh linens, they were both carrying armfuls of surprises. Boxes wrapped with golden ribbons, hangers filled with stunning dresses and glittering shoes, and a large bouquet of white roses—my favorite. My brows knitted in confusion.

“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping forward slowly.

Lolita smiled shyly. “The Alphas sent these… each of them,” she said, setting down the clothes on the velvet chaise.

Nora nodded and placed the roses gently on my dresser, beside the unopened chocolates. These were from Alpha Louis. He said he remembered that white roses and dark chocolate are your favorite. My breath hitched. So he still remembers.

Nora then moved toward the largest box and carefully lifted the lid. “This one is from Alpha Lennox,” she said softly, pulling out a velvet-lined case filled with stunning jewelry. Diamonds, pearls, and emeralds glistened in the morning light. “He said you used to tell him how you admired your mother’s jewelry box, so he thought you should have your own.”

Lolita glanced over at the shoes and clothes she had brought. “These are from Alpha Levi. He said… well, he didn’t say much. Just that he noticed your old clothes don’t fit right anymore. He picked all of this himself.”

My chest tightened. I didn’t know what to feel—anger, confusion, or the unwanted warmth crawling into my heart. They hurt me… broke me. And now? Now they were sending gifts like I was some princess they were trying to win over.

My frown deepened as I stared at the presents. But part of me… part of me still remembered the way it used to feel when they looked at me like I was their entire world. Still, why were they sending presents? They were supposed to be furious with me—for sneaking off to the Shadow Pack, for being around Alpha Gabriel. Yet here they were… sending gifts?

Confused, I stared at the gifts that would make any woman’s heart melt but not mine… I felt something wasn’t right. These men hate me, so why are they sending gifts all of a sudden? I glanced at Lolita and Nora, who seemed even more excited about it than I was. Narrowing my eyes, I felt my stomach twist into knots. This was too surprising. Something was definitely wrong.

Straightening, I turned to the girls, who were still smiling like I had won the lottery. “This is… surprising,” I said slowly, crossing my arms. “Don’t you think something’s wrong here?”

At my words, they exchanged quick, guilty glances, and to my shock, both of them blushed, their cheeks turning pink.

“Well…” Lolita began, fidgeting with the hem of her apron. “We, um, think it’s because of the full moon…”

Nora nodded quickly, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if she was sharing a great secret. “You know, during the full moon week, males offer gifts to their mates… it’s tradition.”

My heart skipped a beat. Full moon? My mind raced, calculating quickly—and realization slammed into me. The full moon was happening in a week. And full moons weren’t just about pretty lights in the sky—they were dangerous times, especially for marked females like me. During the full moon, we went into heat. Our bodies craved the touch of our mates with an intensity that could drive us mad. If our mates weren’t around to satisfy us… it was said some females went as far as sleeping with other males just to calm the unbearable urge.

A big frown etched on my face. Now it made sense. The triplets weren’t being sweet. They were pretending—playing nice—because they wanted me to let them touch me. They didn’t want to risk me turning to someone else.

Anger boiled inside me. How could they do this? How could they try to trick me like this—just because the full moon was coming?

I turned around sharply, making Lolita and Nora jump. “Take it back,” I said, my voice low but full of anger.

Lolita blinked at me. “W–What?”

“I said take it back!” I snapped louder, glaring at them. “All of it. Every single thing. I don’t want their stupid gifts!”

“But Luna Olivia…” Nora said softly, hugging the jewelry box closer to her.

“I don’t care!” I shouted. “Tell the Alphas I don’t need their fake gifts or their stupid flowers or anything from them! I don’t want anything that reminds me of them!”

Lolita looked like she was about to cry. “B–But if we return them, they might-”

“I don’t care what they do!” I cut her off quickly. “Let them be angry! It’s not my problem! I won’t let them buy me with presents! I won’t forget what they did to me!”

Both ladies looked scared now, but I didn’t care. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking.

“Now,” I said, my voice cold. “Take everything out of my room before I throw it all out the window.”

Lolita and Nora quickly grabbed the clothes, shoes, chocolates, and jewelry, almost tripping over each other as they hurried out the door.

When they were gone, I sank onto the bed, my thoughts spinning wildly. The full moon was coming. And I was in trouble. I couldn’t escape it. I would go into heat. And I wouldn’t be able to resist them…

“Shit,” I whispered, burying my face in my hands. “What should I do? Lock myself up? Hide? Run away?” I was so confused. So lost.

Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps storming down the hallway. I already knew who it was…