Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 67: The Mark

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Chapter 67

~Jade’s POV~

The moment I heard the time, I forgot every ounce of soreness in my body. I threw the duvet aside and scrambled off the bed.

"Oh my God, I am late. I am actually late." I rushed toward the bathroom before freezing halfway across the room. My brain finally caught up with my body, and I turned back toward Xavier. "Why did nobody wake me up?"

Xavier leaned comfortably against the headboard, watching me like this was the most entertaining thing he had seen all morning.

He chuckled softly. "Do not worry. I called in sick for you."

I blinked. "You... what? With our class professor?" I demanded.

"With Principal Vale herself."

My mouth fell open. "You what?" I repeated, louder this time.

He lifted one shoulder casually. "I did the needful. Called in sick since you needed the rest after..."

I stared at him, completely horrified. "If you, all of people call in sick for me, wouldn’t she suspect that I... that you guys and I..." My voice trailed off as realization crashed into me.

Principal Vale was terrifying on a normal day. Calling her personally felt like inviting interrogation.

Xavier only looked at me like I was worrying over nothing. I narrowed my eyes. "You are finding this funny."

"Yeah," he admitted without hesitation. "Only because a moment ago you were hiding under the covers, and now you are out of bed, basically stark naked, worrying over nothing."

My brain froze.

Slowly, painfully slowly, I looked down at myself. I was stark naked with several hickeys and red marks covering my breasts, stomach, thighs, shoulders and obviously neck.

I stared into the mirror. Terror grew in me as shame and embarrassment filled me, forming a knot in my stomach and in the next second... I screamed.

It was a full, shocked half-shriek as I quickly grabbed the duvet from the floor and yanked it around my body like armour. Heat burned across my entire face. "Why didn’t you say anything?"

"I assumed you knew," Xavier replied calmly, clearly enjoying himself far too much.

Before I could fire back another complaint, hurried footsteps thundered down the hallway and soon, the door burst open. Xade and Xander rushed inside at the same time.

"What happened?"

"Are you hurt?"

Their eyes swept the room instantly, searching for danger that clearly did not exist. I shifted backwards toward the wall, clutching the duvet tighter around myself as embarrassment swallowed me whole.

"I screamed," I muttered.

Xander’s brows furrowed. "Yes, were you in distress?"

Xade’s gaze moved from my flushed face to the way I was wrapped in the covers, then slowly to Xavier lounging comfortably on the bed.

Understanding dawned on his face, but Xavier... he lost it.

A peel of laughter escaped him, and soon Xade groaned while dragging a hand down his face.

"You scared us because you forgot you were naked?" Xade asked.

I glared at all of them. "I have had a very overwhelming twenty-four hours."

Xander crossed his arms, though amusement tugged at his lips. "That is fair."

Xavier was still laughing. "I hate all of you," I declared.

"You did not say that last night," Xavier replied smoothly.

My face burned hotter. Unable to counter his comment, I turned away immediately, refusing to engage further while the three of them looked entirely too pleased with themselves.

—

~Author’s POV~

Far from the academy grounds, beyond territories known to most packs, a man sat alone in darkness.

The chamber was big, silent, and carved from black stone. The only source of light came from a white runestone positioned on the left side of the room. Its glow pulsed softly, illuminating a throne-like chair forged from metal and decorated with skulls and crossed swords.

The man seated upon it appeared unmoving. His left arm rested along the armrest while his right hand supported his chin. He looked relaxed, almost bored, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed a restless mind.

His eyes drifted shut. At first, there was darkness, then images flooded in.

Lips met.

A man and a woman entwined together, their bodies moving as though guided by fate itself. Soft sounds echoed around them as their connection deepened; every touch was filled with sparks of pleasure. Then there was another set of hands, no two more. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The scene shifted rapidly as hands gripped skin, breath mingled, and pleasure and power blurred together until everything happened at once.

A couple of fangs appeared at the same time as they descended sharply, piercing the girl’s skin.

A star cradled within a crescent moon glowed with a blinding, gold light on her chest, glowing brilliantly atop her breast.

At the same time, loud thunder crashed, and the man’s eyes snapped open.

The rune stone flickered violently as power rippled through the chamber. He grunted, sitting upright as his dark gaze fixed on empty space.

"Each time I close my eyes, why do I keep reliving this dream? Who is she and how did she get the mark?"

After some seconds, he muttered, "She is here? Or am I simply being haunted by what should have been?"

A knock echoed against the heavy doors. "Your Majesty," a voice announced from outside. "The Malefica is here."

The man did not answer verbally. Instead, he flicked his index and middle fingers.

The massive doors opened instantly.

A woman stepped inside.

She was dressed in an elegant, sleeveless black sequin gown that clung perfectly to her upper body, teasing a hint of cleavage before flowing out below her waist. Sharp, pike-like designs rose from the back of the bodice up to her jaw, lending her silhouette an almost dangerous beauty.

Her skin was pale as moonlight, a stark canvas for her hair, which was parted down the middle and left to flow freely down her back—one side as black as the darkest coal, the other a striking golden blonde.

Her lips, painted a deep crimson, curved into a knowing smirk the moment she saw him. But it was her heterochromatic eyes—one the deepest shade of blue, the other a piercing hazel green—that truly locked hilace.

With a flick of her wrist, the doors shut behind her.

"Your Majesty," she said smoothly. "To what do I, High Priestess of Nirvana, owe this pleasure?"

"I think you already know, Raina."

Her smile widened.

Without another word, she extended her left hand. A silver staff materialised instantly, ancient rune markings glowing faintly along its length. At its peak rested a crystal sphere swirling with faint light.

Her right hand lifted, purple energy gathering at her palm. The power shot forward, striking the crystal before redirecting toward the king’s head.

His body jerked slightly. His eyes turned completely white as the magic invaded his mind, searching, feeding, unravelling memories and visions alike.

The chamber trembled under the weight of the spell. After a minute, she withdrew her hand, and everything died down.

The king exhaled sharply, glaring at her.

"Why does it hurt every time I see you, Malefica?"

She laughed softly. "I never knew you as one to complain, great rogue king. It seems the years have stolen more than just your victories."

His patience thinned visibly. "Enough. Tell me what my dream means."

Raina studied him carefully before answering. "The mark..." she said slowly. "It is better than what you feared." The rogue king’s eyes narrowed. "She has been reborn," the Malefica continued. "Your salvation has come."

The rogue king’s breathing stilled for a moment before breathing again. "A sacrifice?"

"And with her heart," she finished quietly, "the curse shall stabilize."