Trap of the King Alpha Triplet

Emily's

POV.

As I sat on the bench, unlacing my skates with shaky fingers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Sure, I'd spent more time on my butt than actually skating, but hey - I'd survived my first time on the ice without any major

injuries. In my book, that counted as a win.

"You sure you don't want to join us for some more practice?" Luca asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I snorted, flexing my already sore muscles. "Thanks, but I think I've had enough near-death experiences for one day. I'll just watch you guys from here, if that's okay."

The triplets exchanged glances before nodding. "Suit yourself," Leo said with a shrug. "But don't think you're getting out of more lessons in the future."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't quite suppress my smile.

As the triplets glided back onto the ice, I settled into one of the front-row seats, pulling my jacket tighter around me. The chill in the air was palpable, but it was nothing compared to the icy determination I saw in the boys' eyes as they began their drills.

The scrape of blades against ice filled the air, a rhythmic soundtrack to their movements. I watched, mesmerized, as they transformed before my eyes. Gone were the playful, teasing boys from earlier. In their place were three focused, driven athletes.

Leo took charge, barking out orders and correcting his brothers' form with a sharp eye. His powerful strokes ate up the ice as he demonstrated a particularly tricky maneuver, his body a perfect blend of strength and control. Logan was all finesse, his movements fluid and graceful as he weaved between imaginary opponents. He'd pivot on a dime, changing direction so fast it almost gave me whiplash just watching.

And Luca? Luca was pure speed. He'd streak across the ice in blinding bursts, his agility allowing him to execute complex plays with ease.

I'd heard rumors about the Wolverines, the record-breaking hockey team the triplets were part of. But seeing their dedication in person, the hours of grueling practice they put in? It made those rumors seem like understatements. "Again!" Leo shouted as Logan missed a pass. "We need to be sharper than that. The Bears won't give us any room for error."

They ran the play again and again, each time smoother than the last. I found myself leaning forward in my seat, completely engrossed in their practice. When they finally nailed the sequence, ending with a blistering shot from Luca that would have left any goalie stunned, I couldn't help but burst into applause.

The boys looked over, seeming almost surprised to remember I was there. Luca gave an exaggerated bow, nearly toppling over in the process.

"Enjoying the show, little witch?" Logan called out, skating closer to the barrier.

I felt my cheeks heat up, grateful I could blame it on the cold. "It's not bad," I said with feigned nonchalance. "For a bunch of overgrown puppies on ice."

They laughed, the sound echoing through the empty rink. The practice continued, and I found myself completely lost in it. The passion and perseverance they displayed on the ice was... impressive, to say the least. It was like watching a perfectly choreographed dance, but with more testosterone and the constant threat of bodily harm.

Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably closer to three, the triplets skated over to where I was sitting.

"Alright, I think that's enough for today," Leo announced, his breath coming out in visible puffs in the cold air.

I stretched, suddenly aware of how long I'd been sitting in one position. "About time. I was starting to wonder if you guys were part polar wolves or something."

Luca grinned, running a hand through his sweat-damp hair. "Nah, just dedicated. And starving. Please tell me you're hungry too."

As if on cue, my stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl. The boys laughed, and I felt my cheeks heat up again.

"I'll take that as a yes," Logan chuckled. "Give us ten minutes to shower and change, then we can head out."

Luca wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Unless you want to join us in the locker room? There's plenty of room in the showers."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring the way my heart skipped at the mental image his words conjured. "I'll wait here, thanks."

They headed off to the locker rooms, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I waited, I couldn't help but reflect on how much things had changed. A month ago, the thought of spending an entire day with the triplets would have filled me with dread. Now? Now it felt almost... nice.

True to their word, the boys emerged about ten minutes later, fresh-faced and smelling of soap and their unique, musky scents.

"Food. Now," Leo demanded, grabbing his bag. "Before I start considering you as a snack, little witch."

I snorted, falling into step beside them as we headed for the exit. "As if you could catch me, slowpoke."

"Is that a challenge?" Logan asked, a dangerous glint in his eye.

Before I could respond, Luca interrupted. "Hey Em, can't you just, I don't know, magic us up some food? Save us the drive?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "That's not how magic works, you dolt. I can't create something from nothing. I could maybe summon food from nearby, but that's just theft with extra steps."

"Damn," Luca sighed dramatically. "And here I thought dating a witch would have some perks."

I stumbled slightly at the word 'dating', my heart doing a weird flip in my chest. Were we dating? Is that what this was?

Before I could dwell on it too much, we reached the car. Leo slid into the driver's seat, revving the engine with a grin that was equal parts excited and slightly manic.

"Buckle up, buttercup," he called back to me. "We're going home at warp speed."

I clutched my seatbelt, eyeing him warily. "If you get us killed, I'm haunting all three of you for eternity."

The drive home was filled with playful banter and laughter. As we sped down the highway, I found myself relaxing, drawn into their easy camaraderie.

"So," I said during a lull in conversation, "tell me more about this Shapeshifter Hockey League. You guys won last year, right?"

Logan nodded, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Yep. First time in pack history we've taken the championship."

"Sounds like someone's been doing their research," Luca teased. "Admit it, you were mesmerized by our stunning good looks on the ice."

I scoffed, hoping they couldn't hear the slight uptick in my heartbeat. "Please. I was more impressed by how many times you managed to fall on your ass."

"Don't say that, honey." Luca clutched his chest in mock pain.

Leo chuckled from the driver's seat. "She's got you there, bro. But seriously, Em, this year's going to be tough. The Polar Bears are always strong contenders - they're practically built for the ice. And the Snow Leopards? They're fast as hell and twice as sneaky."

I leaned forward, genuinely interested. "Are there a lot of different shifter species in the league?"

"Oh yeah," Logan nodded. "Bears, cats, even a team of Elk shifters. Makes for some interesting matchups, let me tell you."

As they launched into stories of past games and rival teams, I found myself completely engrossed. The way they talked about hockey, with such passion and excitement, was infectious. I almost didn't notice as we neared the pack borders. Almost.

Suddenly, Leo slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt. In an instant, the playful atmosphere vanished, replaced by a tense alertness that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The triplets exchanged dark looks, their nostrils flaring as they scented the air.

"Intruders," Leo growled, his eyes flashing alpha red. "I can smell them. Not wolves."

My heart began to race. "What do we do?"

"We need to get you home," Logan said firmly. "Where it's safe."

I nodded, trying to quell the fear rising in my chest. "Okay, but how will I know if you're okay? How will we keep in touch?"

The boys hesitated, exchanging worried glances. "Phone calls and texts won't work if we're shifted," Luca explained. "And with your wolf still... quiet, we can't use the pack mind link."

An idea struck me then, born of desperation and half-remembered lessons. Without thinking too hard about it, I grabbed their hands, pressing my palm against theirs.

"Emily, what are you-" Leo started, but I cut him off with a sharp look.

Closing my eyes, I began to whisper an incantation, feeling the magic build within me. It wasn't much - a simple sensing spell I'd learned years ago - but it was something. As the last word left my lips, I felt a subtle shift in the air, like a string being plucked. When I opened my eyes, the triplets were staring at me with confusion. "What did you do?" Logan asked softly.

"It's a sensing spell," I explained quickly. "I'll be able to feel your emotions, but only the really strong ones. It's not much, but it's better than nothing." The boys nodded, a look of determination settling over their features.

"We need to go," Leo said, his voice tight with tension. "Emily, go straight home and stay there. With Dad gone, we're acting Alphas. The pack needs us."

I nodded, trying to ignore the fear clawing at my insides. "Be careful," I whispered.

In unison, they leaned forward, each pressing a kiss to my forehead. The gesture was so tender, so at odds with the tension of the moment, that I felt my breath catch in my throat.

"We will," Luca promised.

And then, in a blur of movement, they were shifting. Where three boys had stood moments before, now three massive wolves towered over me. Leo, a midnight black; Logan, a steely grey; and Luca, a rich brown. Their eyes glowed with alpha power as they looked at me one last time before darting off into the forest.

"Have a save fight." I thought.