Rule No 2

CHAPTER FIVE

ROCHELLE 

“You know each other?” My mother asked. My eyes flickered to Ryker whose lips curled in a half-smirk. 

“Yeah, she came to us with quite an…”

“We attend the same school, Mom,” I cut him short before he embarrassed me more than I already was. 

My mother didn't seem convinced and stared at Ryker, expecting him to finish his sentence.

“What she said,” he snorted and joined his brothers. She didn't push it any further. We headed to the dining area and I was tasked with serving. 

My hands were practically trembling from anxiety. What were the odds that the triplets whom I wanted to fake-date me were going to be my step-brothers? 

At this point, fate had to be messing with me. How was I supposed to face them now?

“Rochelle,” my mother called, and I blinked, realising I had been standing in the same spot.

“Are you okay?” 

“Y-Yes,” I stuttered. I began serving immediately, carefully not to make too much contact with the boys. I kept my eyes on the food, avoiding their gazes at all possible costs. 

As I got to Ryker, my heart rate picked up. Of all triplets, he was the one who made me the most nervous. Because of the way he looked at me and the things he said. He was simply unpredictable. 

And just as I thought, I felt his fingers brush the skin at the back of my thighs. I jumped, startled by the contact. The spoon dropped into the stew, leaving tiny oil splatters all over the table. 

“Are you okay, Rochelle?’ my mother was already standing off. 

“I'm sure she's fine Miss Grace, she's just a little nervous,” Ryker said smoothly. “Do you need help cleaning up, sis?” 

“No!” I half-yelled, then blinked, realising I was being way too obvious. “I mean, you're our guests. You shouldn't be bothered by my mistakes. I'm sorry.” 

I swallowed thickly, bowing in apology. His hands were on the table now. It made me wonder if I had imagined that feathery touch.

“It's fine, it's not a big deal,” Alpha Pierce said with a soft smile. I returned to my seat and sat down. Now that I was away from Ryker, I could relax a little. 

Dinner passed with my mother and Pierce doing most of the talking. The triplets and I just remained silent, exchanging occasional glances at each other. 

I honestly couldn't wait for this to be all over. 

“So tell me, boys, what do you do for fun? I assume you haven't gotten around Silverstone much. Maybe Roch can show you around?” My mother started and I choked on nothing. 

I was thinking of how best to avoid them and my mother just set me up to spend more time with them? I glanced at Evander and Aidan, hoping they would immediately refute the idea.

“That would be lovely,” Evander surprisingly agreed, crushing my hopes. 

“Yeah, let's do that,” Ryker concurred as expected. Aidan merely shrugged, seemingly disinterested in all of it but not enough to argue with his brothers. 

“Perfect, what do you say Roch?” My mother turned the question to me like I had a damn choice. The food suddenly tasted like ash in my mouth. 

“Yeah.” 

After dinner, my mother asked me to show them to the guest room as they would be spending the weekend here. To make things worse, the guestrooms were just opposite mine. One for their father and the second for the triplets. 

I walked in front of them, nervously gripping my shirt as I led them down the hallway. I wondered what was going through their minds.

Were they mocking me? Did I look foolish to them?

I stopped in front of the guest room and opened the door. 

“This… this will b-be your room…” I stuttered out in a voice that was barely above a whisper. I pushed the door open and stepped aside for them to get in quickly so I could leave. 

Aidan walked in first, followed by Evander. I kept my gaze on the ground, hoping that Ryker would also enter as quietly as his brothers. 

He moved towards the door and I was about to feel relieved when his warm fingers suddenly wrapped around my arm, pulling me into the room. He slammed the door and pushed me against it. 

My eyes widened in panic as my pulse went wild. His lips curled in a mischievous smirk as those ocean blue eyes glinted with amusement. 

“You're rather squirmish, bunny,” the nickname rolled smoothly off the tongue. “We won't bite, I promise.” 

“W-What a-are you d-doing…” my voice cracked, betraying the turmoil I felt inside. He was so dangerously close to me, and the intoxicating smell of jasmine made my head spin.

His lips curled further as his predatory gaze swept through my trembling figure. 

“I'm curious though…” he drawled, reaching for my face in a gentle caress. “What changed? Yesterday, you were much more confident while asking us out.” 

My face paled out. My wolf was stirring from the closeness of him. I wasn't sure if he was aware, but his pheromones were leaking, and it was getting hard to breathe. Mixed with his scent, he was definitely going to drive my wolf crazy. 

It was bad enough that my body was already starting to betray me. But I was seriously starting to feel hot all over and if he didn't get off soon…

“Stop messing with her, Ryker,” Evander finally cut in. Ryker pulled away and relief washed through me. I reached for the door handle, ready to unlock it and bolt before he changed his mind. 

“The room is quite spacious,” Ryker commented. “Does the AC work?” 

Clearly. Very clearly, Ryker. 

“Yes,” I answered, a bit impatiently. It was more like he was purposely trying to get on my nerves. 

“You sure?” He raised one of those thick brows. “You're sweating.” 

I shot him a thick glare, even as heat crept up my cheeks. 

“ Ah ha!” he grinned, sheepishly. “There's the fire I've been looking for.” 

“If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now,” I gritted. 

“Sure thing, bunny. Have a lovely night,” he waved with a sly smile. “ And do extend our utmost gratitude to Grace.” 

I quickly turned the lock and scurried out of the room. The minute I shut the door behind me, I felt like I could finally breathe. 

I palmed my burning face. 

Rule Number Two; Avoid Ryker Pierce at all costs.