Betrayed By One. Bound To Three-Chapter 15: Crimson Silence

Selena.

Everything happened so fast.

One second, the man was on his knees—bleeding, broken, begging. Next, his eyes locked on mine.

And then he ran towards me as if the mere sight of me had given him some supernatural strength.

I barely had time to gasp before a dark shape collided with him from the side.

Kael.

There was a flash of movement. A violent snap. A wet, sickening sound.

Blood sprayed the air.

I screamed as something warm splashed across my face and chest. My body jerked back on instinct, my breath tearing from my lungs in a sharp yelp.

The man’s body hit the ground hard.

Right at my feet.

Lifeless.

Though his eyes were still open, they were now empty.

For a moment, my body went still. It felt as if there was a deafening silence ringing in my ears. My legs buckled, and just when I thought I might pass out, Ronan was suddenly there, gripping my shoulders.

"Selena," he said urgently. "Selena—look at me. Are you hurt?"

I shook my head quickly. "I—I’m fine. I’m fine."

But I wasn’t.

My body was trembling uncontrollably. My teeth chattered. My breath came in short, broken gasps.

I was standing in blood.

At the feet of a dead man.

My hands trembled, slick with blood I hadn’t meant to touch. My stomach twisted. Every breath felt like it was tearing through me.

Edris’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and furious.

"Why did you leave the cabin?"

His gaze burned into me, a storm I couldn’t escape. I wanted to shrink under it, to apologize, to vanish. But my legs didn’t move. My voice didn’t falter. Somehow, standing there in the aftermath, I felt... stubborn, alive, and terrified all at once.

"I thought it was over," I whispered. "I thought the fight was done."

"That is not an excuse," he snapped. His eyes were dark, stormy, burning. "We told you not to come out. At all."

"I was scared," I said, my voice breaking. "I was worried about you. I didn’t know what was happening. I thought—"

"You thought wrong," he said harshly. "That man could have killed you."

Tears burned my eyes. "I wasn’t trying to be reckless—"

"You were being stubborn," he cut in. "And careless."

The words hit harder than I expected.

Kael stepped between us instantly.

"That’s enough," he said firmly. "Edris, stop."

Edris’s jaw clenched, his chest rising and falling hard, but he didn’t speak.

Kael turned to me, his voice softer, steadier.

"Selena," he said gently, "when we give you an instruction, it’s not control. It’s protection. We don’t want anything to happen to you. Ever."

I nodded quickly. "I know. I’m sorry. I really am."

Ronan shook his head, pulling me into his arms.

"You don’t need to apologize," he murmured. "We’re just scared of losing you."

The words sank into my chest and stayed there. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

He pulled back slightly, brushing blood from my cheek with careful fingers.

"Come," he said softly. "Let’s clean you up."

But before we could move, Edris spoke again—his voice calmer now, colder.

"Those warriors weren’t from the Blood Moon pack."

I froze.

"They’re rogues," he said flatly.

Kael nodded slowly. "I noticed."

Ronan frowned. "Then why were they disguised as her pack warriors?"

"That’s what I don’t understand," Kael said. "At first, I thought they came to rescue her. Then I realized they were out for blood."

Ronan stepped forward.

"If they weren’t here to rescue her or take her back to the pack, it means someone sent them to complete the job they started on the night we found her,"

A chill crawled up my spine.

"Now, the question is, who?" Edris said, his eyes boring into into mine.

For a brief moment, I considered telling them about Silas.

About everything.

About the past.

What he had done and might still be doing, but fear stopped me. Not because of my mates.

But because of Silas and whoever he is working with. Since my father’s death, Silas and his father’s influence on our pack members has grown, and their words are law.

I have now realized my role in making them so powerful and I regret it. But since I was the one who gave them that power once, I will also be the one to strip them of it.

I know that not telling my triplet mates about Silas’s motives may seem selfish, but in time I hope they’ll understand why I made this choice.

Moreover, with the hatred my pack members already have for rogues, it would be difficult for them to understand that their princess and heir to the throne is bonded to triplet rogues.

Before I could think about fighting Silas, I needed to prove something.

Not just to myself, but to everyone.

That I was more than my size, bloodline, or throne. And that any man I chose to stand beside me would be worthy of my father’s throne.

My eyes darted to my mates, all of them watching me. Waiting to hear what I had to say.

I swallowed.

"My marriage is in a few days," I said quietly.

All three of them went still.

"I think rival powers are trying to eliminate me," I continued, my voice steady despite the chaos in my chest. "If I die, the Alpha King title becomes vulnerable. Whoever controls it... controls everything."

Silence followed, heavy and thoughtful.

Kael spoke first.

"You’re still planning to marry your palace mate?"

My throat tightened.

"I have to," I said softly.

"Why?" Ronan asked.

"My people need stability," I whispered. "My pack needs someone they know and believe in. And if I don’t marry him, the throne becomes a battlefield. And my father’s legacy will turn into a bloodbath."

They stared at me.

"And what about us?" Kael asked quietly.

"My heart squeezed painfully at his question. I could imagine the uncertainty, the pain they must be feeling.

"I like you," I said honestly. "I care about you. I feel something real here. But I’m confused. I don’t know who to trust yet. I don’t even fully understand the bond."

My voice cracked.

"I just... I need time. Please. Be patient with me."

Kael stepped closer and cupped my face gently.

"You can trust us," he said softly. "And whatever you choose... We’ll accept it."

Ronan nodded. "We’re not here to cage you."

Edris didn’t speak.

But he didn’t turn away either.

He just watched me as if he was trying to read beyond what others couldn’t see.