Chapter twelve - So she kissed you back?

THIRD PERSON'S POV.

The study was dimly lit, but the tension was anything but subtle.

Maddox leaned back in one of the leather chairs, a soda in hand, still wearing his wrinkled button-down and lopsided tie from the coronation. Jaxon, ever composed, sat behind the desk with a whiskey glass he hadn’t touched, staring at the flickering fireplace.

Then the door creaked open, and in walked Kyren.

He barely made it two steps before Maddox’s nose twitched.

“Is that…” Maddox sniffed the air dramatically. “Vanilla?”

Jaxon’s head turned slowly, a smile teasing his lips. “And forest pine.”

Maddox’s eyes widened. “You little—”

“I didn’t do anything,” Kyren said raising his hands in surrender, though the pink in his ears gave him away.

Maddox stood, pointing an accusing finger towards him. “You snuggled her!”

Kyren blinked, brows furrowing. “You sniffed me and got all that?”

“I knew it,” Maddox grumbled, slumping back into his chair. “Ky got to her first. The shy one. The sweet one. The baby of the triplet squad.”

“I’m five minutes younger than you and I didn't snuggle her, I kissed her,” Kyren muttered, rolling his eyes.

"You kissed her?!” Maddox yelled, tossing a cushion at him before calming down. “So spill. What happened? Did she slap you after the kiss or...?”

Kyren smirked, catching the cushion and setting it down. “She kissed me back.”

Jaxon let out a low whistle, finally sipping his drink. “Well damn, little bro.”

“I’m happy for you,” Maddox muttered, even though he looked like he’d bitten into a sour lemon. “I mean it. Really. I just—ugh—why wasn’t it me first?”

Jaxon raised a brow. “You were too busy snapping people’s arms and growling at them like a rabid pup.”

“He grabbed her, Jax!” Maddox growled. “You saw it. He was—”

“I’m not saying you were wrong,” Jaxon cut in smoothly, “but Ky here was… gentler.”

“Sensitive touch wins the girl, huh?” Maddox muttered, then leaned forward. “Okay, okay. But what did she say? How’d it happen?”

Kyren sighed, suddenly more serious. “She let me talk. Gave me five minutes. Told me she still doesn’t trust us — not really — and she needs space. I told her we’d give it.”

“And then you kissed her?” Jaxon asked, amused.

“No. Then I walked to the window. Then I kissed her,” Kyren corrected with a proud shrug. “Didn’t plan it. Just… happened.”

Maddox flopped back dramatically onto the couch. “This is torture. You got to taste her lips, and I got to taste regret.”

Jaxon chuckled. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m being romantic,” Maddox grinned, then pointed at Kyren. “But seriously, good job, bro. You earned that moment. I’m proud of you. And a little pissed. But mostly proud.”

Kyren smiled faintly, surprised by the warmth from both of them.

"Wonder how she'd think of you when she finds out you're a big softie," Kyren said grinning. Maddox eyes widened. "Don't you dare, little shit. I'm the dominant one." Kyren just chuckled.

Jaxon stood and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll win her over. All of us. In time.”

“What if... is she only ends up with one of us?” Kyren asked, voice breaking slightly.

Maddox winced. “Oof. Don't put that energy in the room.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” Jaxon said smoothly.

The three brothers stood in silence for a moment.

Then Maddox broke it: “But seriously… did she nibble your lip or like, was it just a—”

“Maddox!” both Jaxon and Kyren snapped in unison.

He only grinned. “What? I’m just living vicariously through my little bro here.”

Laughter echoed softly through the room.

For a brief moment, the weight of their shifting lives — Alpha duties, mate drama, reputations — melted under the familiar comfort of brotherhood.

And in the quiet, they knew one thing for sure:

Whatever came next… they were in it together.