Sacrificed To The Triplet Alpha Kings novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: I Don’t Feel Strong

The estate looked different in morning light. Still imposing, still dark and Gothic, but less nightmarish somehow. She could see details she’d missed before, expensive artwork on the walls, ornate light fixtures, the kind of craftsmanship that spoke of old money and older power.

She walked slowly, trying to remember the path Mrs. Hallowell had taken last night. The corridors all looked similar, dark wood, plush carpets that muffled footsteps, windows that looked out over grounds she hadn’t seen yet.

Voices echoed from somewhere below.

Pack members, she guessed. Going about their morning routines. Living their lives completely separate from the nightmare happening in the guest wing.

She found a staircase and descended carefully, her hand on the polished bannister for support.

The ground floor was more active. She caught glimpses of wolves moving through distant corridors, warriors, by the look of them. Pack business happening all around her.

She needed to find the kitchens. Or Mrs. Hallowell. Or anyone who could tell her what she was supposed to do with herself today.

Because lying in that room waiting for the next time they wanted to use her felt impossible. She’d go insane. She needed purpose, even if that purpose was just finding work to do.

Her father had drilled that into her: Idle hands make weak minds. Always find something useful to do, even in the worst situations.

She turned a corner and nearly collided with someone.

"Oh...." Lilith stumbled back. "I’m sorry, I didn’t....."

"Miss Thorne." Mrs. Hallowell stood there with a tray in her hands, looking completely unsurprised to find Lilith wandering the halls. "You’re awake."

"Yes. I was looking for..." She paused. "Actually, I’m not sure what I was looking for."

Mrs. Hallowell’s sharp eyes moved over her, taking in the careful way she was standing, the stiffness in her movements. "You should be resting."

"I’ve rested enough." Lilith straightened despite the pain. "I was hoping....is there anything I can do? Any work that needs doing? I’m not...." She struggled to find the words. "I can’t just sit in that room all day waiting."

Something shifted in the older woman’s expression. Not quite approval, but close.

"The Alphas have pack business today," Mrs. Hallowell said. "Meetings with the council, territory disputes to resolve. They won’t be requiring your presence until this evening."

This evening.

Which meant she had hours of freedom.

"Then let me work," Lilith said. "Please. Whatever needs doing....cleaning, organizing, anything. I’m not above any task."

Mrs. Hallowell studied her for a long moment.

"Two months of omega work in Shadowmere," she said quietly. "Garbage duty. Manual labor. They tried to break you with degradation."

Lilith’s throat tightened. "Yes."

"And now you’re here offering to work rather than hide in your room." The housekeeper’s expression softened almost imperceptibly. "You’re stronger than they think you are."

"I don’t feel strong."

"Strength isn’t about feeling. It’s about what you do despite the feeling." Mrs. Hallowell adjusted the tray in her hands. "Come with me. I was bringing you breakfast anyway. You’ll eat first, then we’ll find something for those idle hands."

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