Chapter 2

(Annalise)

This can't be happening!

The triplet Alphas made a scene, rushing towards me with eyes sparkling with interest. My heart almost spiraled out of control from being the center of attraction, and since Dickson got distracted, I kneed Peterson's dick and dashed out of the prom hall.

Heavy footsteps pounded in my ears, but I didn't dare stop. I couldn't. Not when my whole life was on the line. Logan, Lucas and Landon weren't just famous for being the triplet Alphas, they were well known for treating girls like a pile of trash. Grabbing their attention alone could take a whole semester, but once they got interested, they'd fuck the girlies till they forgot their own names.

During my fifth grade, I developed a strange interest in fantasies and supernatural creatures. I never thought they were real until I found them, the triplet Alphas. They didn't try to hide the fact that they were supernatural, it was a big flex. Their heightened senses, sharp eyesight and insane strength all pointed to one thing: they were Alpha werewolves.

And being mated to them was impossible for a plain human girl.

I paused to catch my breath, glancing behind me to check if they were still following. Being involved with them would force me out of my cocoon, bend me to the ways of the society and make me be on Miranda's blacklist. Trust me, being on her list was way more terrifying than a nightmare.

Leaning on a brown locker in the deserted hallway, my eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the voice that filled my head. I turned to the sides, finding one of the triplets staring back at me. They looked so similar, I couldn't differentiate one from the other. He trapped me between his arms, pinning me against the locker.

The loud music from the prom hall reminded me that the party was going on without me, but even with the whole noise, I could still hear my loud, rapid heartbeat. And judging from the growing smirk on his lips, he could hear it, too.

“I need to leave.” I whispered, not daring to stare into his eyes. I just had to leave this fucking prom in one piece, I'd never step in there again, unless my life depended on it. I'd delete this whole night from my memory and forget the triplet Alphas once called me their mate. Being mated to one was a hassle on its own, but three?

I pressed my lips together, trying hard to fight what his spicy scent was doing to me. He leaned closer—the closest I had been with a man my whole life—and stared down at my lips, grinning from ear to ear, “you do know you embarrassed my brothers and I earlier, right?” His voice was magnetic, so fucking cold, I could feel hair rising on the nape of my neck.

I sucked in a breath when he leaned even closer, almost crushing my small frame, “what right do you think you have to run away from me, from us? Haven't you heard of the word ‘mate’?”

My tongue was tied. I couldn't form a single sentence without stuttering. I was so overwhelmed by his words, his voice and his mere presence. I parted my lips, hoping to get some words out, but a sharp voice pierced through the air like lightning, “Lucas, It's time for the dance. What are you doing with that—- loser?”

Almost simultaneously, we both turned our heads to the sides, staring at the tall blonde who advanced towards us. It was Miranda, the school belle. Lucas gave me one last glance, a warning gaze, and I could literally hear his words in my head, “you belong to us now, there's nowhere to run.”

I watched as he hugged Miranda's waist and kissed her slowly, savoring their precious moment together.

I just stood there.

Feeling a pang of pain in my chest.

As much as I didn't care about them, I couldn't fight the ache at the back of my throat. I tore my gaze away from them and ran out of the hallway, heading straight to the school gates. I had to get away from here, find something that could calm me down. The whole revelation was driving me crazy.

Lucas just staked me as his.

There was nowhere to run to now.

He'd always find me.

I flagged down a taxi and got in quickly, “Evergreen hospital.” holding my mother's fingers always gave me the strength that I needed, the urge to pick up my broken pieces and move on.

Throughout the entire drive, Lucas' words echoed in my ears, robbing me of my peace and sending it six feet below. I raked my hands through my hair and wined down the window, allowing the cold breeze soothe my scalp like it was going to erase the insane thoughts pushing through my head.

“Are you okay, miss?” The driver glanced at me through the rear view mirror, his brows furrowed with concern. I blinked and flashed him a small smile, “I'm alright, sir.” He nodded and continued driving.

In less than minutes, we arrived at Evergreen Hospital, it was only a few minutes drive from my college. My low heels stroke the tiles as I made my way in, running my sweaty hands over the sides of my dress. Meeting Rosie, the receptionist, I pursed my lips and wriggled my brows, “hey, Rosie.”

“Annalise!” She smiled, raising her head from the file in front of her, “you arrived just in time.” She sighed, taking a sharp intake of breath. Her eyes softened as she stared at me, “I'm so sorry, honey, but according to the doctor's report your mother's situation has worsened. She needs the surgery in a few days or she's really not going to make it.”

My heart sank.