Alaric’s POVI stood there, watching Theron retreat, his words hanging in the air like a dark cloud. His eyes had burned with something I hadn’t seen from him before—something raw, possessive, and filled with a jealousy that felt out of place coming from him. I had always known my brother had a temper, but this was different. This was... something else. He had spoken to her like that. My mate. And I could feel the anger surging in me, my wolf snarling, furious at how he had dared to speak to her like that, to treat her like she was beneath him.“Don’t listen to him, Elowen,” I said, my voice more forceful than I intended. The need to protect her, to shield her from the darkness of our past, was rising to the surface. I reached out, gently cupping her cheek in my hand, my touch tender but firm. She flinched, just a little, and it stung me more than I’d care to admit. But I understood. Theron had a way of manipulating people, even those closest to him. And I knew that, deep down, Elow
Theron’s POVI sat at the edge of the courtyard with Camille draped on my arm, her giggles grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. The warmth of the sun filtered through the trees, but all I could feel was the fire raging inside me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw them—her—kissing Alaric. My brother. My damn brother. My wolf growled low in my mind, pacing furiously. That should’ve been us. “Shut up,” I hissed under my breath, though the words were as much for myself as for him. Camille tilted her head at me, her lips curving into a pout. “What’s wrong, Theron? You’ve been distracted all day.” She leaned closer, her perfume too sweet, too cloying. I used to enjoy her attention, her flirty touches and empty words, but right now? It all felt like static. Because she’s not Elowen. My wolf’s voice was sharp, cutting through my thoughts like a blade.I clenched my jaw, my fingers twitching against my thigh. “Nothing’s wrong,” I said curtly, though my tone clearly betray
Theron’s POVI saw her in the hallway after class, her head bent low, her shoulders hunched as if she wanted to disappear. She was walking with that friend of hers, Lisa, the only person who didn’t seem to hate her. My chest tightened at the sight of her, and my wolf stirred immediately, clawing to the surface. There she is. Go to her. Fix this.I wasn’t sure what “fixing” it even meant, but I knew I couldn’t keep avoiding her. Not after everything I’d been feeling, not after the jealousy that had consumed me since the courtyard. “Elowen,” I called, my voice sharper than I intended. She froze, her hand tightening around the strap of her bag. Slowly, she turned, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me. Her fear hit me like a punch to the gut. Lisa stepped in front of her, glaring at me. “What do you want, Theron?” she demanded, her tone full of defiance. “Stay out of this,” I said coldly, my gaze fixed on Elowen. “I need to talk to her.” Lisa didn’t back down. “She doesn
Elowen’s POVThe next few days were a blur of avoidance. I stayed close to Lisa and kept my head down, doing everything I could to avoid running into Theron, Alaric, or Ranon. Every time I thought about the scene in the hallway—or the kiss with Alaric—my stomach twisted into knots. It wasn’t just the embarrassment or the whispers that still followed me in every corner of the school. It was the bond pulling me in three different directions, tearing me apart. My wolf whimpered constantly in the back of my mind, begging me to let her take over, to fix what she called the “damage” I was doing to our connection. But how could I fix anything when every encounter with the triplets left me feeling more broken than before? Lisa and I were walking to class one afternoon when it happened. “Hey, Omega,” a cold, familiar voice called from behind us. My stomach dropped. Lisa stiffened beside me, her hand tightening on my arm as we both turned. Theron stood at the end of the hallway, lea
Ranon’s POVThe common room of the packhouse was quiet, the air heavy with the scent of wood smoke and leather. Alisa leaned against the armrest of the couch, her long legs draped across my lap as she smirked at me. She always looked like she had the upper hand, her sharp features glinting with arrogance. "You're quiet tonight," she purred, twirling a strand of her golden hair around her finger. I leaned back, letting my head rest against the cushions, and gave her a lazy smirk. "Just thinking," I said, running my hand absentmindedly along her thigh. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Thinking about your precious little Omega?" she teased, her tone dripping with mockery. I chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "She's a part of the game, Alisa. Nothing more." Alisa tilted her head, studying me with sharp eyes. "Game, huh? You sure about that? Because the way you look at her sometimes..." I cut her off, my voice cold. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I told
Alaric’s POVI couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was sitting by the fountain, her back slightly hunched, her long hair falling like a curtain around her face. Elowen. The girl who was supposed to be my mate. But she didn’t look at me. Not once. It was like I didn’t even exist to her. I stood in the doorway of the packhouse, watching her from a distance. She was scribbling in a notebook, her shoulders tense, her gaze fixed on the pages. And the moment I took a step toward her, she tensed even more. It wasn’t the first time this had happened. Every time I tried to approach her, she seemed to shrink into herself, as if trying to escape me. The pull between us should have been undeniable—powerful, magnetic—but every time I tried to bridge the distance, she pushed me away with invisible walls. My wolf growled restlessly in my chest. Go to her. She’s yours. I resisted, fighting the urge to rush toward her, to grab her and demand that she acknowledge me. But I could see the way she
Alaric’s POVI pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. Her expression was still clouded with doubt, but there was something different in her gaze now. Something I hadn’t seen before. A flicker of hope, of belief, maybe even trust. It wasn’t much, but it was enough."Elowen," I murmured softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I know this bond is terrifying for you. I know it feels like it’s all happening too fast, but we don’t have to rush anything. I just want you to know that I’ll be here. Whenever you need me."Her lips parted, and for a moment, I thought she might say something, but she only nodded slowly, a faint tear lingering on her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb, my heart aching as I saw how fragile she still was, how much pain she carried behind her brave facade.“I’m not asking for you to love me right now,” I said, my voice steady but soft. “I’m asking for a chance. A chance to show you that you don’t have to be scared of us—of me. I won’t force y
Alaric’s POV I could feel Elowen’s hand trembling in mine, but as I gently threaded my fingers through hers, I didn’t want to let go. It was a silent promise, a vow to show her that she wasn’t alone, no matter what anyone else said. We were walking away from the chaos, away from the whispers, away from the hurtful words that had been thrown at her. I could sense her reluctance, the fear that still lingered in her, but I wasn’t going to push her. I just wanted to be there for her, even if she wasn’t ready to lean on me completely yet. I kept my grip light, giving her the freedom to pull away if she wanted, but I didn’t think she would. She didn’t pull away. We walked in silence for a while, the only sound our footsteps against the pavement. I could feel her nerves, her heart beating a little too fast, and I hated that she was scared. But I knew that over time, I would make her understand that she didn’t have to be scared of me. When we reached my house, I stopped in front of the
Elowen’s POVThe sun, a molten orb of amber and gold, had just begun its slow descent below the jagged horizon, painting the western sky in fiery hues that bled into soft violets and deep oranges. The tall, arched windows of the triplets’ private quarters, a sprawling suite they had painstakingly personalized, cast long, dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls, the flickering light resembling the hushed whispers of old magic, secrets stirring in the very fabric of the mansion. I stood before the crackling fireplace, the warmth radiating against my back doing little to thaw the lingering tension that still coiled within me like a tightly wound knot after the day’s unsettling events.They hadn’t spoken much after Caelum’s unexpected appearance in the combat hall. Not in explicit words, at least. But their silent communication had been deafening. The way they walked closer to me than usual, their bodies a constant, protective presence; the unwavering intensity of Theron’s gaze, barely
Elowen's POVThe next morning golden sunlight, fractured by the delicate weave of the gauzy curtains, painted shifting patterns across the dark wooden floors of our shared bedroom, finally settling in warm, inviting pools on the soft, rumpled sheets tangled around my limbs. For a few blissful, stolen seconds, cocooned in the lingering warmth of their bodies and the faint scent of their skin, I managed to forget everything—the rigid rules of the academy, the ever-present hum of latent magic, the unseen threats lurking in the shadows, the hushed whispers that followed me like a persistent echo. All that registered was the steady, comforting warmth of a muscular body pressed intimately against my back.Ranon’s strong arm was draped possessively over my waist, his calloused fingers splayed against the soft skin of my stomach, a silent claim that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. Behind me, I could hear the soft, even rhythm of Alaric’s breathing, a reassuring presence in the quiet roo
Elowen's POV When his thumb brushed the thin, soaked fabric of my panties, a strangled whimper escaped my lips, a sound raw with need. The ache between my legs intensified, a sharp, insistent throbbing that demanded his touch, their touch. “Gods, you’re so wet, Elowen,” Ranon muttered against my skin, his breath hot and ragged against my inner thigh, the possessive observation sending another shiver of anticipation through me. Then his finger slipped beneath the delicate edge of the fabric, gliding with exquisite slowness over my slick, swollen heat, and I couldn’t help the involuntary moan that spilled from my lips, my head falling back against the cool, rough stone of the rooftop as a wave of pure, unadulterated pleasure shuddered through my core. Ranon groaned, the sound low and guttural, a primal rumble that vibrated against my skin, his fingers stroking against me with a teasing gentleness that left me trembling uncontrollably, every nerve ending screaming for more. “I want
Elowen’s POV The cool night air, sharp with the scent of distant rain and damp stone, pressed in around us, no longer a chill but a warm, endless cocoon, isolating us from the rest of the sleeping Academy. Above, the celestial canvas was a breathtaking spectacle, the stars spun in dizzying, intricate patterns, a thousand tiny, silent witnesses to the beautiful, chaotic storm raging within my heart. I felt like I was burning from the inside out, a slow, consuming fire ignited by their nearness, their unwavering gazes. Surrounded by them—Alaric’s steady, grounding strength, Theron’s consuming, passionate fire, Ranon’s wild, untamed hunger—I was drowning in the magnetic pull that bound us together, a force both terrifying and exhilarating. And I didn’t want to be saved. I yearned to succumb, to be completely consumed by the intensity of our connection. I wanted to drown in the depths of their devotion. “Look at me, little star,” Theron whispered, his voice a rough, urgent rasp that r
Elowen’s POVThe night pressed down on the Academy like a heavy velvet shroud, suffocating and restless. Even after the last echoes of footsteps faded down the long corridors and the heavy oak doors of the student rooms clicked shut, sealing everyone into their private spaces, sleep remained a distant, unattainable shore for me. I paced the confines of my room, the moonlight filtering through the tall, arched windows, casting pale silver rectangles across the dark, polished hardwood floors, my mind a relentless whirlwind of anxieties and unanswered questions, spinning endlessly around Caelum’s cryptic words and the Triplets’ simmering fury.They had been a silent, ominous presence throughout dinner in the grand hall. Dangerously, furiously silent. Their usual banter and playful jabs absent, replaced by a taut, almost palpable tension that crackled in the air around us like an impending storm gathering strength, the heavy clouds of their anger darkening their eyes. I knew, with a certa
Elowen's POVThe sun was a pale, watery smudge behind a thick blanket of heavy, bruised clouds as I stepped into the Academy’s main courtyard the next morning. The cool wind, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and distant rain, stirred the loose strands of my hair around my shoulders, a fleeting caress that did little to dispel the deeper chill that snaked its way down my spine.It wasn’t the bite of the autumn air that made my skin prickle with unease.It was the way they watched me.Alaric.Theron.Ranon.My mates.Their gazes, sharp and possessive, followed my every movement across the bustling courtyard with such focused, unwavering intensity that it felt like a tangible pressure against my skin, a silent, invisible touch that both reassured and unnerved me. Protective. Possessive. Fierce. Their united front was a comforting shield, yet sometimes, the sheer weight of their attention felt like a gilded cage.And now, adding another layer to the already charged atmosphere, Caelu
Theron’s POVThe silence in the grand hall was thick enough to cut with a knife. Every fork clinked a little too loudly, every hushed conversation seemed to die in its tracks. All eyes were on us. On Elowen.I kept my arm possessively around her shoulders, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of her neck beneath the collar of Alaric’s jacket she still wore. A silent warning to anyone who dared to look too long.Ranon’s presence behind us was a palpable weight, a silent promise of retribution to anyone who might consider challenging our claim. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the barely leashed possessiveness that mirrored my own.Alaric, ever the pragmatist, continued eating as if nothing unusual was happening, but his silver eyes flicked around the hall, assessing the reactions, cataloging the threats. His hand, resting casually on the table, was close enough to Elowen’s to reach her instantly.Elowen, bless her oblivious heart, seemed more concerned with the plate of fruit i
Theron’s POVThe rain, a persistent veil earlier, now clung to us like a second skin, the soft, cool mist of it still swirling in the night air, clinging to our eyelashes and dampening the strands of Elowen’s hair that escaped Alaric’s too-large jacket. Her hand, small and trusting, was tucked securely within the warm, calloused grip of mine, her steps slow and heavy with a delicious exhaustion as we guided her back toward the imposing stone walls of the academy.Alaric’s dark leather jacket, usually molded perfectly to his broad shoulders, now swallowed her petite frame, the collar pulled high around her neck, a silent, possessive claim. Ranon’s large hand hovered protectively near the small of her back, a constant, reassuring presence, ready to steady her if her tired limbs faltered.She was quiet, her body radiating a boneless weariness, the sweet aftermath of being so thoroughly, so completely adored by all three of us weighing her down like a comforting blanket. But her eyes – go
Theron’s POVLater that night the academy gardens, usually bustling with the hushed conversations of students seeking solace or clandestine meetings, were deserted. The towering hedges of sculpted yew stood like silent sentinels, their dark forms absorbing the ambient sounds, leaving only the soft, intimate rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle night breeze and the sporadic, rhythmic chirp of crickets hidden amongst the flowerbeds. Above us, the moon hung full and luminous, a perfect orb of silver suspended in the inky expanse, bathing the meticulously manicured lawns and stone pathways in an ethereal, otherworldly glow.Elowen stood just a few feet ahead of me on the winding stone path, her slender back to us, her silhouette delicate against the stark white of a marble bench. The faint, almost imperceptible breeze caught the loose ends of her golden-streaked hair, lifting them in wispy tendrils that danced gently around her bare shoulders, a halo of moonlight framing her.She didn’t k