The Triplet Kings

Barbara's Pov

“What’s your name?” I asked my new friend.

“Lily.” She smiled.

“That's a pretty name. I'm Barbara.” Then I leaned in to whisper. “I contemplated changing my name to something else so students won't call me Barbara."

Lily chirped a little laughter. “Brabara is a funny name but I prefer Barbie. It’s so cool.” Her shyness slowly withered away as we walk together. I didn’t feel as alone or dejected.

My grin widened as Lily showed me around the elegant, huge classes. The locker rooms. The pool. The principal’s office that she joked we shall never visit in a Shakespearian-like tone.

My three years in SMA would be marvellous. I could almost feel it.

Once we reached the enormous, bright green football pitch, another type of giddiness took me over. Not because I was a fan of football but because of the long track surrounding the pitch. This school had better equipment than my last and I could continue running as usual.

A crowd of SMA’s students gathered near the wiring that surrounded the pitch. Eager murmurs and excited gleams floated in the air. Everyone seemed to be naturally drawn to this place and they kept multiplying by the second.

“It’s the Kings.”

“They’re here.”

“I say it’s a championship year.”

“For sure.”

While everyone chattered happily, Lily stands at the far end of the wiring, near the wall to the exit. Her easy, albeit timid smile withered away and her fair skin whitened some more

I joined her and followed her gaze.

On the pitch, the football team players passed the ball amongst each other with their heads or shoulders. They weren’t playing or even in the team’s jerseys. The school’s uniform for the girls was pretty, but it was dead gorgeous for the boys, especially if they have fit bodies like these athletes.

They wore pressed dark blue trousers, white shirts and fitted jackets like ours. The only difference was the boys had red ties with the school’s symbol.

The crowd’s attention strayed to the three boys standing off to the side, half-playing with the team and half-chatting amongst each other.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out they’re in a league of their own.

Lily’s gaze remained on the tallest boys who were throwing the ball in the air. They looked very identical. Both of them had a classical, golden boy handsomeness. Slicked blond hair, sharp jawline, tanned skin, and a blinding smile, even from this distance.

However, the expression on Lily’s face wasn’t of admiration or excitement like everyone present. If anything, it's… dread?

“Who are they?” I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

“They’re the elite of the elite.” Her voice trembles, genuinely, it trembles. “If you want to have a peaceful life in SMA, you have to be on their good side.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Kids can’t own a school. “Who are the golden boys?”

“Geoffrey and Jeremiah SilverMoon and they’re trouble,” she blurted fast as if her butt was on fire. “I like you, Barbie, but I mean it when I say, stay away.”

“Okay?”

I turned to Geoffrey and his brother narrowed my eyes. Their put-together type didn’t interest me at all.

I threw a look at another player and the hairs on the back of my neck stood like needles. His eyes locked with mine and I swallowed. They were the smokiest, most chilling eyes I’d ever seen.

I hadn’t noticed him earlier because he was half hidden by Geoffrey and his brother. He was almost the same height as Geoffrey, but with more developed shoulders. His uniform was missing a tie and he looked ruggedly handsome. Inky black hair ran long and slick in the middle, but it was buzzed on the sides. His nose held an aristocratic vibe although it appeared a bit crooked like it was hurt before. That little imperfection added more mystery and intrigue to him.

He stared at me with a slightly tilted head and something in my chest moved. My eyes widened. What the hell was that?

“Shit! Shit!” Lily grabbed me by the jacket and pulled me in the direction of the exit.

“What…?” I was a bit hazy from breaking eye contact with that boy.

“Just walk, Barbie,” she hissed as her quick footsteps padded along the pavement.

“Why are you taking me away?”

“They saw us. The Triplet Kings of SilverMoon found us.” she mumbles under her breath.

I blinked. “Triplets? They're triplets but only two of them look alike.”

“The blondes take after their mother while Tristan looks like his father!” She hissed. “Their parents literally own this place and you don’t want shit with them.”

“Okay.”

I didn’t want shit with them either. Boys didn't interest me. I was too nerdy for that plus my studies and keeping my secret under lock and key always came above any boy drama. That won’t change now.

“Oh. Damn!” Lily cursed again. “They’re coming this way.”

I glanced over my shoulder and sure enough, the twins and Tristan strode towards us and the rest of the football team followed like a wolfgang.

All laughter disappeared and even the bystander’s chatter halted abruptly and a tomb-like silence conquered the air.

The crowd parted for them.

“Run!” Lily whisper-yelle, her nails digging into my wrist until I’m sure she’ll draw blood.

“Why would I run?”

Due to my struggles with Lily, they reached us in no time and blocked our epic failure run to the exit.

Up close, Tristan’s eyelashes were thick and as inky as his hair. He stared down at me with a cold, foggy edge that matched the colour of his eyes. Call it instinct, but something told me I should be scared of him. That was ridiculous. I don’t know him so why should I run?

I opened my mouth to say something, something, but I’m cut off when Lily lowered her head, lips trembling, and sprinted past me to the exit. She completely ditched me. I should’ve seen it coming. I was so happy about making my first wolf friend that I didn't think about being betrayed.

“Who do we have here?” Geoffrey grinned and before I knew it, a strong hand wrapped around my throat and pushed me against the wall. My back hit the brick and pain shot down my spine.

I always thought myself brave, but nothing, absolutely nothing could’ve prepared me for this sudden, aggressive attack from a complete stranger.

Tristan grinned. The grey eyes I thought were beautiful seconds ago glared into my soul with murderous intent. The dark shadow on his face terrified me more than his grip on my throat.

His other hand clutched my jaw, and my lips trembled at the thought that he'd snap my neck.

“W-What are you doing?”

He leaned forward so his mouth hovered inches away from mine and growled.

“Barbara BlueMoon, it's been a while.”