Chapter Ten - Gone

Jaxon’s POV

She ran.

Not just walked away, not flinched like she used to, not snapped back like we half-hoped she would.

She ran.

Maddox stood frozen in the middle of the ballroom, fists clenched, chest rising and falling like a wild animal still caged beneath his skin. He did. Blood pounded in his ears, his jaw ticking, but his eyes… they weren’t angry.

They were wrecked. Desperate. Wanting... Hurt. He stormed up to his room and Kyren and I followed him. We stepped into his room and his head was in his hands. I could literally feel his hurt and guilt. The triplets bond was that strong and we all felt the same way nevertheless.

Kyren appeared at my side. “She’s gone?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. We all saw it.

“She was shaking,” Kyren murmured, eyes fixed on the now-empty doors. “Terrified.”

“I hurt her,” Maddox muttered, voice like sandpaper. “Again.”

“She’s not used to anyone protecting her,” I said. “Especially not us.”

The silence that followed was thick with guilt and pain. Years of it. All the things we couldn’t take back. All the ways we’d tried to bury how we felt — before we even knew what she meant to us.

Before the bond flipped everything on our heads.

“We need to find her,” Maddox finally said, stepping forward.

“She doesn’t want to be found,” Kyren said softly, pain flickering in his voice. “Not by us. Not yet.”

“Then we wait?” Maddox snapped. “Just let her think we don’t care?”

“She needs space,” I said practically, even though every part of me wanted to run after her too. My wolf was practically pacing inside me. 'Mate. Go to her. Touch her.'

“She could be hurt,” Maddox argued. “She could’ve shifted again. Alone.”

But even as the fear clawed at our insides, something else settled deep in our bones.

We would find her again. We had to.

And next time, we wouldn’t just say sorry.

We’d prove it.

---

Daphne's POV

The night was thick with silence.

I lay curled on my creaky bed, the thin sheet doing little to shield me from the cool breeze creeping through my cracked window. I hadn't touched my phone. Not since the moment I ran.

I could only imagine the celebration going on in that grand ballroom. Their joint graduation party. The pack rejoicing over three perfect sons — all while I lay here, skin still tingling from Maddox’s grip… mind still spinning from the truth I couldn’t outrun.

They were my mates. Three of them. Just their scents had turned me on. How would their lips feel on mine? On my body? All six hands roaming my—

I groaned, burying my face in my not-so-soft pillow, feeling wetness pool in between my legs.

No.

No, no, no.

My heart clenched.

They couldn't want me. Not really. Not after everything.

The wind suddenly howled louder than before, and the old window burst open with a metallic groan. I jerked up, startled, hair whipping around my face.

“Ugh,” I muttered, pushing off the bed. I crossed the room, trying not to think of anything but sleep. But my fingers trembled slightly as I reached to close the window.

As soon as the latch clicked into place, I turned to head back—

And froze.

There, seated on the edge of my bed like he belonged here, was Kyren.

My heart jumped into my throat. I nearly screamed, but stopped myself, hand flying over my mouth as I remembered my aunt sleeping in the next room. My wolf snarled inside me, needy and confused.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed, voice low but shaking. I just had a fucking turn on thinking about them and one just appears! I hope he can't scent my arousal. He isn't like Maddox so I doubt he'll do so.

He stood slowly, his hands up. “I just wanted to talk.”

“Talk?” I growled. “You broke into my damn house!”

He chuckled softly. “Window was already open.”

“That’s not the point!” I snapped, stepping back. I let out a breath. “Get out, Kyren. Right now.”

He inched closer, his usually soft expression now unreadable. “Please, Daph… I couldn’t stop thinking about you. You didn’t even let us—”

“No,” I snapped again. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to come in here with your stupid puppy-dog eyes and expect me to just forget years of—”

And then he kissed me.

Just like that.

No warning. No hesitation.

His lips caught mine mid-sentence, stealing the rest of my rant and silencing every thought in my head. My eyes widened, hands pressed against his chest to push him away, but…

I didn’t.

His scent hit me first — like rain-drenched earth and cinnamon. Soothing. Addicting. Familiar.

My wolf whimpered in need and longing.

And for one damn second… I let myself kiss him back.

Just one...

Then I pushed him away, breathless. “Don’t—” My voice cracked. “Don’t play with me, Kyren.”

He just looked at me, eyes soft. “I’m not.”