Olivia's POV
Lex's hand tightened around my throat, cutting off the air in my lungs. My nails scratched at his wrist instinctively, but his grip only grew harder. His golden eyes glowed fiercely, searing into mine, daring me to break, to confess to crimes I didn't commit.
The world blurred at the edges. My chest burned. My knees trembled.
But then—something flickered in his gaze. His brow furrowed, his grip loosening ever so slightly as though he was seeing something in me he hadn't before.
Our eyes locked. And in that second, it was as if time stilled.
Lex abruptly released me.
I collapsed to the floor, coughing, clutching my throat as air rushed back painfully.
"Pathetic," Levi spat, his voice dripping venom. "She should be thrown into the pit, just like her father."
"No," Lex said coldly, his tone firm. "Not the pit. Something… else."
I raised my head weakly, tears blurring my vision, fear coiling in my stomach. His next words shattered me.
"Guards," Lex ordered, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Take her to the roof. Strip her bare. Rub her body with red pepper and tie her under the sun. Let her scream."
My heart froze. The blood drained from my face.
"No… please—no!" I begged, my voice raw, breaking. I crawled forward, clutching at the hem of his boot. "Anything else, please… not that."
But none of the triplets looked at me. Not even Lex. They turned away, their jaws tight, their eyes cold.
The guards seized me by the arms and dragged me out as my cries echoed through the halls.
---
The roof was merciless. The sun blazed high, scorching, its heat already unbearable. My feet scraped against the rough stone as the guards dragged me up.
"Traitor," one of the maids hissed.
They tore at my gown, ripping the fabric piece by piece until it fell away. I trembled violently, exposed under the blazing sky, shame and terror coursing through me.
Their sneers cut deeper than claws. "Like father, like daughter," one muttered.
"Thief," another spat, grinding her hands into a bowl of coarse red pepper.
"No… please," I whimpered, but they didn't care.
The first touch of the pepper burned like fire. They smeared it across my arms, my legs, my breasts, my stomach—everywhere. The sting was instant, searing, as if my skin itself had caught flame.
I screamed, but the sound broke in my throat, coming out as strangled sobs. My body writhed, but they tied me down with thick ropes, binding my wrists and ankles against the hot stone. The pepper seeped into every pore, the sun pressing down like a cruel hand.
Tears poured down my face. My lips trembled.
Why?
Why had my father left me? Why hadn't he fought harder, screamed louder, proven his innocence? If he had been here, if he hadn't been locked away, I wouldn't be suffering like this. Mother wouldn't be breaking her back for scraps. The Alpha's sons wouldn't despise me. Mal wouldn't dare humiliate me.
If things had been different… I would have been the one destined for one of the triplets. I would have been their Luna, not Mal. I would have walked these halls with pride, not shame.
But instead—this was my fate.
The burn intensified, my skin raw under the sun. My voice cracked into pitiful sobs as I begged the Goddess for mercy.
---
Meanwhile…
In Leo's chamber, the youngest heir found Mal waiting.
She was sprawled naked on his bed, her golden hair spilling over the sheets, her skin gleaming in the afternoon glow.
"Leo," she purred, her lips curving into a wicked smile. "Let me take away your anger, my love. Roar for me."
His eyes darkened instantly. He tore his clothes off with urgency, tossing them aside. His hunger for her eclipsed everything else.
He climbed onto the bed, capturing her mouth with his in a bruising kiss. His lips trailed down her neck, sucking harshly, claiming her with each bite. Her moans filled the chamber as his hands roamed her curves possessively.
They kissed deeply, hungrily, until Mal pushed him down with surprising force. She straddled him, her hair cascading like fire.
Her hips rolled, grinding against him, pulling groans from his throat. "That's it, my Alpha," she whispered. "Claim me."
Leo roared, flipping her over with primal strength. He pinned her beneath him, thrusting hard, taking control. Her cries grew louder, her nails digging into his back as he drove into her mercilessly.
Their bodies collided, a symphony of lust echoing against the stone walls.
---
In Levi's chamber…
The second heir paced impatiently, awaiting Mal. But instead of her, a maid rushed in breathlessly.
"My lord," she gasped, bowing low. "It's Olivia—the Omega. She has fainted."
Levi stilled, his golden eyes narrowing dangerously.
For a moment, silence. Then his lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Good," he muttered darkly. "Maybe that will teach her."
But his smirk lingered. Because deep down, Levi knew one thing: the girl wasn't going to break so easily.
And that meant the games had only just begun.