Jade’s POV
I stared at Linda like she had suddenly grown a second head.
“What do you an by that?” I asked, my voice barely steady. “What do you an you’re my chief bridesmaid?”
Her smile sharpened.
“It’s exactly how I an,” Linda said smoothly. “I am to be your chief bridesmaid tonight.”
Before I could even process the words, she clapped her hands once.
The door behind her opened.
A servant walked in.
And then another.
And another.
A line of servants poured into the room like a well rehearsed parade. So carried cases of makeup, polished and pristine. Others held lotions, oils, fabrics. One woman carried a large garnt bag, the white fabric inside unmistakable. Jewelry glinted in velvet boxes, gold, diamonds, things that probably cost more than my mother and I had earned in this place.
My stomach twisted violently.
“Let’s get this started, shall we?” Linda said cheerfully, like this was a party she had personally planned.
Then her gaze shifted.
And landed on my mother.
Her expression darkened instantly.
“And you,” Linda said coldly, flicking her fingers dismissively. “Why are you still standing there? What are you still doing in this room?”
My heart slamd into my ribs.
“Don’t you work in the kitchen?” she added with a sneer. “Get out.”
I stepped forward before I could stop myself, placing my body squarely between her and my mum.
“You will not speak to my mother like that,” I said, my voice shaking with fury. “Ever.”
Linda burst out laughing.
The sound was sharp. Cruel.
“Oh?” she mocked. “Just because you’re about to marry Ronan, Ryder, and Renzo, and by my grace, you suddenly think you and your mother have risen in rank?”
Her eyes raked over us with open disgust.
“Let burst your bubble, Jade. You and your mother are still nothing but just filth beneath my feet.”
“How dare you....” I started.
A hand wrapped around mine.
I froze.
It was my Mum.
“No, Jade,” my mum whispered urgently, squeezing my fingers. “Stop. Don’t fight because of . I don’t want you getting into trouble.”
I turned to her, tears already burning behind my eyes.
“I’ll be fine,” she continued softly, forcing a weak smile. “I’ll just take my leave.”
“Mum....” I whispered.
But she gently pulled her hand away.
As she walked toward the door, my chest felt like it was being crushed from the inside. I watched her go, powerless to stop it, powerless to protect her, again.
The door closed.
I turned back to Linda slowly.
My hands were shaking.
“What the bloody hell did you an,” I demanded, “when you said I am getting married to the boys by your grace?”
Linda tilted her head, clearly enjoying herself.
“Well,” she said lightly, “who do you think told my father to inform the Alpha that the boys were planning to reject you today?”
My breath hitched.
“You thought it was so miracle that Alpha Ashford just happened to show up at the school right when they were about to reject you?” she continued. “Oh, Jade. Please.”
“I.... I don’t understand,” I said honestly.
She sighed dramatically.
“Oh, you people,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Low in status and low in intelligence. Let break it down in simple terms, terms soone like you can understand.”
My nails dug into my palms.
“Last night,” Linda said casually, “the boys ca back to my place. We talked about.... a few things. There was a slight issue and even though we reconciled, I unfortunately still experienced a temporary setback in my plans. Then they spoke about you. They thought I was asleep.”
She smiled thinly.
“But I wasn’t.”
My heart started pounding.
“I heard them,” she continued. “Talking. About you. About their plan to reject you at school today.”
“When my father returned,” she went on, “I told him everything. And according to him, Alpha Ashford is obsessed with tradition. A real sucker for it.”
She shrugged.
“So I knew he wouldn’t allow his precious sons to break a mate bond. Not after he just finished using tradition to secure his position. And that was why I told my father to inform Alpha Ashford of his sons plan"
My head spun.
“But...” I said slowly, trying to make sense of it. “You hate . You hate seeing the boys anywhere near . So why.... why would you do this?”
I looked straight at her.
“Why would you force into marrying Ronan, Ryder, and Renzo when you claim to love them so much? When you can’t even stand seeing breathe the sa air as them?”
Linda smiled.
Not the fake, social smile she wore in public.
This one was cold. Calculated. Dangerous.
“Oh, Jade,” she said softly. “You really don’t know what I have planned for you.”
A chill ran through .
“The boys discovered sothing,” she admitted, her lips tightening briefly. “Sothing that.... complicated things. Like I said, it set back a little.”
Her eyes flickered, just for a second.
“But only temporarily.”
I swallowed hard.
“And that,” she continued, gesturing around the room, “is why I had to resort to this. Even though, yes, I do hate it.”
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
“Trust ,” she whispered. “This marriage is not going to work in your favor, and it is going to be a very short one.
My heart dropped into my stomach.
“What does that an?” I asked quietly.
Linda straightened, her smile returning.
“It ans,” she said, clapping her hands again, “that the boys are never going to be truly yours, I am going to get them to despise you even more, and you will live every day knowing that none of this truly belongs to you, and that I am coming for you"
She leaned closer.
“You’ll be watched. Controlled. Suffocated.”
Her eyes glinted.
“And when the ti is right, I will break you, completely.”
"I heard Alpha Ashford wants a child for his sons, well guess who just stopped taking her birth control pills, , I am going to get the boys to fuck just one ti, and you know how easy that will be for , the boys love fucking " She smiled
"You know you disgust them Jade, they are never going to get you pregnant, so instead I’ll be the one to give Alpha Ashford the child he so needs and then, who will care about tradition when his sons legacy is solidified by the presence of a child, my child. When that happens, he will boot you of his sons lives without a second thought Jade" Linda snickered
I felt sick.
“Now,” she said brightly, turning to the servants, “let’s get her ready. We have a wedding tonight.”
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