The Alpha Triangle

Blood and Bond

I sprinted to Liam’s house and burst through the front door without knocking. “Liam!” He came around the corner like a whirlwind, a kitchen knife raised above his head. I skidded to a stop, hands up in surrender. “Jesus, Freya!” he exclaimed, lowering the knife. “You scared the s**t out of me. I thought you were being chased or something!”

A surprised giggle escaped me as the adrenaline faded. I followed him into the kitchen, watching as he carefully set the knife back in its block. “I found out who the new guys are and why they’re here,” I said, breath still catching. “Your dad was right.” Liam turned to face me, his expression shifting from curiosity to caution.

“There’s something about the one,” I hesitated. “He’s got me completely unhinged. I’ve never felt like this before.” He blinked, the emotion on his face unreadable at first. Something between disgust and worry twisted his features. “Do you think he’s your mate?” he asked, his voice low, almost hesitant. There was a flicker of sadness in his eyes that made my chest ache.

“I don’t know what this is,” I admitted. “But whatever it is, you’ll be the first one to know once I figure it out.” The silence between us stretched just a little too long.

Liam had always been like a brother to me. I knew, deep down, a small part of him wished I was more. Ever since he shifted last year and didn’t immediately find his mate, I’d seen it in his eyes when he looked at me. He was holding out hope that it was me, that maybe the bond was waiting for my shift to spark it. I loved Liam with every fiber of my being. I trusted and needed him, but not like that. With him being the future beta of this pack, I wasn’t sure the bond would ever allow it.

We walked up to Liam’s bedroom with a tray full of snacks and turned on a horror film. This had been one of our nightly rituals for the last couple of years. Sometimes I would spend the night at his place, and sometimes he would be at mine. He almost never came over once my father became cold. Alex hadn’t always been that way. He used to see me as his little princess, but the days leading up to Liam’s shift changed him.

The firstborn to every alpha is supposed to be the rightful heir to the pack once the current alpha can no longer carry the duties and responsibilities. I was the only firstborn female in history, at least that we know of, sired by an alpha. Alpha Alex didn’t believe that a female could hold such a high title, and I think Liam’s shift triggered something in him.

About an hour into the movie, my mind drifted back to Wes and Dallas. Were either of them thinking about me? Unlikely. Both times they saw me, I looked like I was homeless and probably smelled even worse the first time. Liam pulled me from my thoughts. “You ready to get some rest?” I nodded and leaned back into the pillows of his bed.

“Freya?” Liam said.

“What’s up?” I responded.

“No matter what happens tomorrow. When you shift, we’ll still be close, right?”

The thought of not having Liam always by my side broke my heart a little. “Liam, you’ll always be the first and last person I need.” Liam rolled onto his back, and I scooted closer to his side. My hand fell on his chest, and we fell asleep almost instantly.

The sun filtered through the blinds, heating the room to an uncomfortable warmth and forcing me to squint as I opened my eyes. I rolled over, expecting to see Liam, but the spot where he’d slept was long cold. He was already gone.

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I paused to let my mind catch up with the movement. The cool wooden floor beneath my feet was a refreshing contrast to the heat lingering in the room. I checked the bathroom just off Liam’s bedroom, empty.

I moved through the house slowly, checking each room with quiet steps, hoping to find my friend. The last room on the top floor was the gym. Liam sat inside, gulping water from a bottle and occasionally splashing it on the back of his neck. His eyes met mine, and his face lit up instantly with a broad smile.

“Happy birthday, Freya!” he shouted. I was too slow to dodge the tight hug that followed, and I got the full experience, sweat and all. I wrinkled my nose and struggled to break free as he laughed.

“Gross,” I muttered.

Liam chuckled and stepped back, holding up his hands in surrender. “Sorry! Birthday hugs are non-negotiable.”

I gave him a playful shove. “If we’re starting our birthdays off right, we both need showers. Immediately.”

“Agreed,” he laughed, already heading for the bathroom.

Once we were both clean and refreshed, we met at the front door. I grabbed the handle, glancing at Liam with a smirk.

“Ready?”

He nodded, and together, we opened the door gingerly, stepping into whatever the day had planned.