Trap of the King Alpha Triplet

Content warning: This chapter contains mild language, suggestive themes, and mentions of bullying. Emily.

Living with the King triplets is like being trapped in a never-ending nightmare. It's only been a week since Mom and I moved into the Alpha Packhouse, but it feels like an eternity. Take this morning, for example. I was just minding my own business, trying to enjoy a bowl of cereal in peace, when Leo sauntered into the kitchen, his golden eyes glinting.

"Morning, sis," he drawled, snatching the spoon out of my hand and helping himself to a bite of my Froot Loops. "Mmm, tasty. Almost as sweet as you."

I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to slam my knee into his stupidly perfect face. "Do you mind? I was eating that."

Leo smirked, tossing the spoon into the sink with a clatter. "Too bad. I'm hungry, and I want pancakes. Whip me up a batch, would you?"

I stared at him incredulously. "Excuse me? I'm not your personal chef, Leo. Make your own damn pancakes."

He leaned in close, his breath hot against my cheek. "Careful, Emily. You wouldn't want to piss me off. After all, I know where you sleep."

A shiver of fear raced down my spine, but I refused to let him see it. Instead, I summoned my magic, feeling the familiar tingle of power coursing through my veins. With a flick of my wrist, the bowl of cereal levitated off the table and dumped itself over Leo's head, drenching him in a rainbow of sugary milk.

"Oops," I said sweetly, batting my lashes. "How clumsy of me. Guess you'll have to settle for a shower instead of pancakes."

Droplets of milk dripped from his chiseled jaw. For a moment, I thought he might actually shift and rip my throat out. But then he threw his head back and laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that sent shivers of a different kind down my spine. "Well played, little witch," he chuckled, wiping his face with the hem of his shirt. "But don't think this is over. I'll get you back for this."

With that, he stalked out of the kitchen, leaving me to clean up the mess. But it was worth it, just to see the look on his stupid, arrogant face.

***

"He actually asked you to make him pancakes?" Arya snorted in disbelief, her dark eyes sparkling with mirth. "The nerve of that mangy mutt!"

We were sitting in the bleachers of the hockey rink, watching the King triplets and their teammates practice for the upcoming game. I had hoped to catch a glimpse of Damien, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"I know, right?" I sighed. "And that's not even the worst of it. Yesterday, Luca made me polish his entire sneaker collection. All fifty pairs!"

Arya made a face. "Ugh, I can't even imagine the stench. Alpha werewolf feet are no joke. Speaking of entitled werewolves," Arya said, nudging me with her elbow. "Guess whose birthday is coming up?"

My heart skipped a beat. "Damien's?"

Arya rolled her eyes. "Well, yes, but I was talking about the unholy trio. The King triplets turn eighteen next month, which means..."

"They'll find out who their mates are," I finished, my stomach twisting.

In the werewolf world, finding your mate was a big deal. On your eighteenth birthday, the moon goddess was supposed to send you a vision of your one true love, the person who would complete you in every way. It was all very romantic and fairy tale-esque, but for someone like me, it was just another reminder of how I didn't fit in.

"I bet every girl in school is praying to be chosen," Arya said, rolling her eyes. "Can you imagine being mated to one of those arrogant assholes for life?"

I shuddered at the thought. "No, thank you. I'd rather be mated to a rabid squirrel."

I sighed, lowering my voice." If possible, I'm hoping Damien is my mate," I said, trying to sound casual. "I mean, he's kind and smart and actually treats me like a person, not a freak of nature."

Arya gave me a sympathetic look. "Oh, honey. I hate to break it to you, but Damien is so far out of your league, he's practically in another dimension."

I scowled, opening my mouth to argue, but deep down, I knew she was right. Damien was the golden boy of Spring Lake High. What could he possibly see in a scrawny little hybrid like me?

"Heads up, ladies!" a deep voice called out, snapping me out of my pity party.

I looked up just in time to see a hockey puck hurtling toward my face at breakneck speed. I yelped, throwing my hands up to protect myself, but before it could make contact, a blurry figure appeared in front of me, snatching the puck out of the air with lightning-fast reflexes.

"Careful there, sis," Luca said, tossing the puck back onto the ice with a casual flick of his wrist. "Wouldn't want to mess up that pretty face of yours."

I glared at him, my cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. "You did that on purpose, you jerk!"

Luca laughed "Moi? I would never! I was just trying to keep you on your toes, little witch. After all, you never know when danger might strike."

He winked at me, his lips curling into a smug smirk, and I had to resist the urge to smack it off his face.

"Gee, thanks for the tip," I said sarcastically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch you chase a piece of rubber around on ice."

I grabbed Arya's hand and dragged her towards the exit, ignoring the triplets' laughter echoing behind us.

"Jesus, could they be any more insufferable?" Arya muttered as we stepped out into the chilly autumn air.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Sometimes I wish I could just wave my magic wand and turn them all into toads."

Arya snorted. "Please, that would be an insult to toads everywhere."

We dissolved into giggles.

***

Later that night, I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling as my mind raced with thoughts of the future. In just a few days, the King triplets would turn eighteen and find out who their mates were. This house may welcome some new shiny shewolves.

Part of me couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be chosen by one of them. To feel that cosmic pull, that inexplicable connection that everyone was always going on about.

No, no, no. I didn't want a King triplet for a mate. I wanted someone kind and gentle, someone who would love me for who I was, not what I could do for them.

Someone like Damien.

I sighed dreamily, picturing his perfect face in my mind's eye. The way his blue eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the dimple in his left cheek, the soft curve of his lips...

I imagined what it would be like to be his mate, to have him look at me with love and adoration instead of pity or indifference. We could go on romantic dates in the enchanted forest, cuddle up by the fireplace on cold winter nights, maybe even sneak a few kisses under the moonlight...

The door creaked open suddenly.

Leo.

"What do we have here? Little Emily, all alone in her bed, thinking about her Prince Charming."

I glared at him, my cheeks flushing. "Get out of my room, Leo. I don't remember inviting you in."

He chuckled, a low. "Oh, but I don't need an invitation, sweetheart. This is my house, remember? I go where I please."

He sat down on the edge of my bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. I scooted back instinctively.

"What do you want?" I asked, hating the way my voice trembled slightly.

Leo smiled, his golden eyes glinting in the moonlight. "I want you to stop deluding yourself. When the moon goddess reveals your true mate, don't be surprised if it's not the one you see in your vision."

With that, he stood up, towering over me like a dark, menacing shadow. But instead of leaving, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

"In fact," he whispered, his voice low and dangerous, "I might just choose you as my mate, regardless of what the moon goddess says. After all, who could resist such a delectable little morsel like you?" What the hell did that stupid wolf just say?