Chapter 1 The Omega's Place

Ivy's Pov. I was nothing. Just a weak, pathetic omega. A servant. Someone to be ignored, laughed at, or used as a punching bag when higher ranks needed entertainment. I had learned to keep my head down, to move quickly and quietly, to accept the insults and humiliation like they were part of my skin. That was my life. That was all I would ever be. I had grown used to it, used to waking up every day knowing that nothing would change. Until today. But I didn't know that yet. I woke up to the sound of voices outside my small room in the omega quarters. The walls were thin, and I could hear the other omegas moving around, getting ready for the day. I pushed off my thin blanket, feeling the morning chill bite at my skin. The small window above my bed let in only a sliver of light, barely enough to see by. I dressed quickly in my usual uniform-a plain black dress that reached my knees, marking me as an omega worker. My hands trembled slightly as I laced up my worn boots, knowing what today was. My eighteenth birthday. Not that it mattered. Omegas didn't get birthday celebrations. There would be no feast, no gifts, no pack members lining up to congratulate me. If anything, today would be worse than usual. Because today, I would find my mate. And I already knew what that meant. Omegas never mated with higher ranks. We were too weak, too unworthy. I would be paired with another omega, someone like Caleb or Mason, and we would live out our lives as nobodies. That was the way of the pack. That was how it worked. I forced the thought away as I left my room, heading to the kitchens. The large stone room was already filled with other omegas, all moving around in a frantic rush to prepare breakfast for the pack. I grabbed a knife and started chopping fruit, keeping my head down, my movements quick and precise. "Move faster, you useless omega," a sharp voice snapped behind me. I tensed before turning slightly to see Selene standing there, arms crossed, a cruel smirk on her lips. Selene, the Beta's daughter. The future Luna. She was beautiful, with long golden hair and piercing green eyes, the kind of beauty that turned heads the moment she walked into a room. She was strong, confident, everything I wasn't. And she hated me. She always had. "Yes, Selene," I said quietly, bowing my head. Her smirk widened as she stepped closer, grabbing one of the freshly cut apple slices from the tray in front of me. She popped it into her mouth, chewing slowly, watching me like I was nothing more than dirt under her shoe. "You look even worse than usual today," she said, tilting her head. "Is that why you're keeping your head down? Trying to hide that ugly face?" I swallowed hard. "I'm just working." Selene let out a mocking laugh. "Of course you are. That's all omegas are good for." I gripped the knife tighter, my knuckles turning white. I knew better than to respond. Any argument, any defiance, would only make things worse. Selene leaned in, lowering her voice so only I could hear. "You know, I almost feel bad for whoever gets stuck with you as a mate. Imagine waking up next to this face every morning." She wrinkled her nose in disgust. "What a nightmare." My chest ached, but I didn't react. I couldn't. Selene had been tormenting me for years. She enjoyed it. It was a game to her. She watched me for a moment longer before finally stepping back, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Hurry up, foolish girl. The triplets will be here soon, and they expect perfection." The triplets. Ronan, Kieran, and Elias. The future Alphas. I swallowed back the wave of anxiety that hit me at the thought of them. If Selene was cruel, they were worse. They didn't see me as a person. To them, I was a joke, a punching bag, something to be used and discarded. I had spent years enduring their taunts, their mocking laughter, their sharp words that cut deeper than any wound. I had hoped that as they got older, they would grow out of it. But they hadn't. If anything, it had only gotten worse. As if on cue, the doors to the dining hall swung open, and the energy in the room shifted. I didn't have to look to know they had arrived. Their presence filled the space, commanding attention without a single word. The room quieted as the three of them entered, their tall, powerful forms radiating dominance. I dared to glance up, just for a second. Ronan led the way, his golden eyes sharp, his expression unreadable. He was always the most serious, and more handsome than the rest of his brothers. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his black shirt fitting hug tightly over his broad chest. Kieran walked beside him, his smirk already in place. He was the reckless one, the wild one. His messy dark hair and teasing blue eyes made him look charming, but I knew better. There was nothing kind about him. And then there was Elias, the quietest of the three, but no less dangerous. His piercing blue eyes swept over the room with a calculating gaze, his movements precise, controlled. They were perfect. Untouchable. And they knew it. I kept my head down, focusing on my work. Maybe, if I was lucky, they wouldn't notice me today. But luck had never been on my side. "Well, well," Kieran's voice drawled, and my stomach dropped. "Look what we have here." I didn't move. A second later, a strong hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me forward. The knife slipped from my fingers, clattering onto the counter as I stumbled. Kieran smirked down at me, his grip tightening just enough to make my skin burn. "You're quiet today, omega. No smart comments?" I shook my head quickly. "No, Alpha." He chuckled, releasing me with a slight shove that sent me back a step. "Good girl. I'd hate to have to remind you of your place." The room was silent, everyone watching but no one daring to interfere. Ronan crossed his arms, his gaze cool and detached. "Careful with the food. We wouldn't want your dirty useless hands ruining our breakfast." My face burned, but I kept my mouth shut. Selene laughed from behind them, stepping up beside Ronan, her hand brushing against his arm. "She's lucky to even be allowed near your food," she said sweetly. Kieran grinned. "That's true. Maybe we should have her taste it first. Make sure it's not poisoned." My hands clenched into fists at my sides, but I forced myself to stay still. This was how it always was. They enjoyed this, mocking me, making me feel small. Elias watched me carefully, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. Then he smirked. "Go on, omega. Take a bite." My stomach twisted. I reached for the nearest plate, my fingers trembling slightly as I picked up a piece of toast. Slowly, I brought it to my lips. The triplets watched, waiting. I took a small bite, my throat tight as I swallowed. Kieran laughed. "See? Not poisoned." Selene smirked. "What a relief." They turned away, bored already, as if I no longer existed. I let out a slow breath, my hands shaking. Just another day. Just more of the same.