The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

The sky had begun to turn orange by the time Kaden’s car tore up the winding road leading to the glass villa overlooking Raven City. The last rays of sunlight reflected off the enormous windows, painting the hillside residence in shades of gold, but he barely noticed the view. His foot remained heavy on the accelerator until the gates came into sight.

The security gates opened before he even came to a complete stop. Kaden sped through them, tyres crunching over the stone driveway before he slammed on the brakes near the entrance. The car jerked to a halt. He was out before the engine had fully settled, his door swinging shut behind him as he hurried towards the porch.

His mind immediately reached through the mind link.

’I’m here. What’s going on?’ he barked impatiently, his concern barely hidden beneath the sharpness of his tone.

For several seconds, there was only silence. Then the familiar voice answered, strained and desperate.

’I can barely keep things under control, my lord. Someone will lead you here,’ the person replied hurriedly.

The link abruptly went dead. Kaden stopped for half a second, his brows drawing together. His stomach twisted. Something was wrong.

He pushed through the front doors, his fingerprint unlocking the security system with a quick beep. The spacious foyer greeted him with its usual polished marble floors, tall glass walls and carefully arranged furniture, but tonight none of it felt familiar. The villa was usually quiet, almost peaceful. Now the silence seemed unnatural.

Kaden took the stairs two at a time, his shoes striking the marble steps as he climbed. His breathing quickened as his mind raced through every possibility. The panic he had felt when he heard that desperate voice returned with greater force. Whoever had contacted him had sounded terrified, and they had refused to tell him what was happening. His hand tightened around the railing as he reached the upper landing.

Then he heard footsteps. Rapid footsteps. Someone was running down the corridor towards the stairs. Kaden looked up. A maid appeared around the corner, nearly stumbling as she rushed towards him. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear and her breathing uneven. The moment she saw Kaden, relief flickered across her face, but it disappeared beneath another wave of anxiety.

"What is going on?" Kaden demanded, his voice cutting through the foyer.

The maid immediately bowed her head. "Please come this way, my lord," she pleaded nervously, her voice trembling.

Kaden stared at her. There was something in her expression that made the knot in his stomach tighten.

"What happened?" he demanded again, his voice lower but no less urgent.

The maid swallowed hard. Her lips parted, but no words came. Kaden’s patience snapped.

"Then lead the way," he ordered impatiently.

The maid hurried upstairs, and Kaden followed close behind her. They rushed through the corridor, their footsteps echoing against the polished floor. Kaden recognised the direction almost immediately. His mother’s bedroom. His heart began pounding. No. He quickened his pace, passing the maid without waiting for her. Every instinct inside him screamed that he already knew what awaited him, but he refused to believe it.

When he reached the bedroom door, he pushed it open. Several servants stood inside. Every face turned towards him. Nobody spoke. Their frightened expressions told him enough. Kaden’s chest tightened.

"No..." he whispered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

He pushed through them. The servants immediately moved aside, allowing him to pass. His eyes swept across the room before landing on the bathroom. His blood ran cold.

Estelle was drenched, her clothes clinging to her body as she leaned against the side of the bathtub. Her hair hung messily around her face, water dripping from the ends. Blood stained her wrist, and a silver dagger trembled in her hand, its blade pressed dangerously close to her neck.

"Mum..." Kaden breathed, horror thickening his voice.

The word barely left his mouth.

"My lord!"

The familiar voice came from behind him. Kaden turned his head and saw his mother’s longtime personal maid standing a few feet away. Her eyes were red from crying, and relief flooded her face at the sight of him.

"Lord Kaden, thank the Moon Goddess," she whispered shakily, pressing a trembling hand against her chest.

Kaden’s attention immediately returned to Estelle.

"Mum, what are you doing?" he asked, forcing his voice to remain calm despite the panic tightening his chest. He took one cautious step towards her.

Estelle’s hand tightened around the dagger. The blade moved closer.

"Stop," she warned faintly, her hollow gaze fixed on him.

Kaden froze. His heart slammed against his ribs.

"Okay," he assured her quietly, raising both hands. "I’m stopping."

His mother’s eyes remained fixed on him with a dead look that chilled him to the bone. The old maid hurried towards Kaden and caught his arm.

"Please, my lord," she whispered urgently, her fingers trembling around his sleeve. "Don’t get too close."

Kaden glanced at her.

"What happened?" he demanded, his voice strained with confusion.

The maid hesitated.

"What happened?" he repeated, his tone sharpening.

"She received a package earlier," the maid explained shakily, swallowing hard between words. "After opening it, she changed completely. She wouldn’t tell us what was inside. She started crying and then tried to harm herself."

Kaden’s face tightened.

"What package?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"We don’t know, my lord," the maid admitted, her voice cracking. "She refused to tell us and tried to drown herself." She wiped hurriedly beneath one eye before continuing. "We stopped her the first time, but she became hysterical. Then she locked herself in here."

The head maid then glanced at a waiting maid, who immediately scrambled off.

Kaden looked back at his mother.

"Mum," he called softly, his voice gentler now. "Please put the dagger down."

Estelle shook her head.

"I’m tired," she croaked, her voice so faint that Kaden almost struggled to hear her.

Kaden’s throat tightened.

"I know you’re tired," he replied quietly.

"I really can’t do this anymore," she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. "I can’t."

His chest ached. For one terrible moment, Kaden was no longer standing in the bathroom. He was back in this same villa months earlier, standing outside the bedroom where his mother had isolated herself after the rejection. She had refused to let anyone see her break. The brave Luna who had faced countless battles without flinching had finally collapsed when she was alone. Kaden had found her crying that night. She wasn’t in a coma like Yuki, just completely broken. His fists clenched at his sides as the memory flashed through his mind. He drew in a deep breath. He was a Ravencourt. He couldn’t fall apart now.

"Mum, look at me," he pleaded softly, his voice steady despite the fear twisting through him. "Please."

Estelle’s gaze slowly lifted towards him.

"You’re not alone," he whispered.

Her lips trembled. Kaden took another careful breath. "Whatever was in that package, we’ll deal with it together," he promised, keeping his voice calm.

"You can’t fix this," she whispered bitterly, tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Maybe I can’t fix everything," Kaden admitted, his voice gentle. "But I can stay here with you."

For the first time, something flickered in her hollow expression. Kaden held her gaze.

"Just put it down, Mum," he urged quietly. "Give it to me."

Estelle’s fingers trembled around the dagger. Before she could answer, hurried footsteps sounded from the bedroom. Kaden glanced over his shoulder. A maid rushed inside carrying an open parcel.

"My lord," she said breathlessly, extending it towards him. "This is what you asked for."

Kaden took it. His eyes dropped to the contents. The moment he saw what was inside, every thought in his mind stopped. His fingers tightened around the edge of the envelope. The colour drained from his face. He finally understood why his mother had reacted this way.

"This..." His voice dropped to a whisper. His eyes hardened. This was a fucking curse.

"You’ve got to be fucking kidding me," he hissed, the realisation sending a chill through the room.

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