The Alpha Triangle

Alpha to Alpha

Liam bent over, gasping for air. “I need you to explain everything that just happened.”

“I’m not sure what you want to know.” I shrugged and tried to step away, but he caught my wrist gently, pleading with his eyes.

A sharp sigh left me. “Fine. I’m not even sure where to begin.”

“How about we start with the part where I almost died by strangulation?” Liam shot back.

“Yeah, that’s probably a good starting point.” I gave a weak smile. “Honestly, I didn’t even know who he was. But his scent drove me crazy. I couldn’t focus. My wolf told me he was my mate the second he looked over his shoulder at me. For the first time in my life, I felt… torn. Between you and someone else.”

Liam straightened, eyes sharp. “I thought you told me your mate had blue eyes? That guy definitely doesn’t fit the bill.”

“I know.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I was confused too. I even argued with my wolf. She swore this was him and that we must’ve gotten the eye color wrong.”

Liam groaned. “Well, what are we gonna do now? I don’t want him showing up here, breaking down the door to get to you. My parents would kill me if they came home to that.”

“I overheard my father,” I admitted, “saying Wes and Dallas would be staying in my home during their time in the pack.”

Liam’s face paled.

“I guess it’s time to put on my big girl panties and face Alpha Alex.”

His mouth opened, then shut again. No words came out.

“It’s going to be fine,” I promised, though I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince more. “Will you come with me? Please? I need moral support.”

“I melted under that guy’s pressure in the pack house,” Liam muttered. “I can’t imagine what I’d do if Alpha Alex confronted me.”

“I just need you there,” I said softly. “Even if you don’t say a word.”

“Okay, fine.” Liam groaned, throwing his head back in defeat. “But don’t expect me to be much help.”

We hadn’t made it far into Liam’s house when I stopped inches from the door. Slowly, I slid the deadbolt free and cracked it open just enough to peek outside. Nothing waited for us. Exhaling, I swung it wide, grabbed Liam by the wrist, and dragged him toward my home.

Everything was too quiet. Even the gravel underfoot seemed muted. The September heat pressed down on me, thick and heavy, each breath like inhaling water.

The looming alpha house came into view, and my steps slowed. Liam nearly toppled into me, stepping on the back of my shoe. I hissed as I stumbled forward, catching myself on my palms.

“Liam!” I snapped. “Watch it.”

I slid the gray tennis shoe back on and brushed grit from my hands. Blood welled where the rocks had broken skin. Shaking it off, I pressed forward. The air felt wrong, too faint, too muffled. Either no one was home, or the thick humidity was masking their scents.

At the stairs, I stepped carefully, placing my feet where I knew the wood wouldn’t squeak. Liam, of course, clattered up behind me like a herd of elephants. I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. He only shrugged, casual as ever.

My hand hovered over the doorknob I’d turned a thousand times before. But I froze.

Liam brushed past me and swung it open with ease then immediately ducked behind the door, leaving me stranded in the frame.

Inside, Alpha Alex and Wes stood face-to-face, my mother between them, arms outstretched to hold them apart.

“How dare you treat my mate the way you have!” Wes’s voice cut like venom.

Alex’s hand closed around Luna Layla’s waist, pushing her smoothly behind him. The air pulsed with violence, and I knew blood was about to be spilled.

I forced myself forward, breaking free from the doorway, and planted myself in front of Wes. My presence was useless and I knew it. Alex had nearly killed me less than a week ago. But still, I couldn’t let him tear into Wes.

Alex’s eyes flicked from Wes to me, his hatred somehow deepening. He froze mid-step.

Wes’s arm slid around my waist, mirroring the move Alex had made with my mother, but I twisted away before he could hold me in place.

“What are you doing here?” Alex spat.

“Wes is my mate,” I shot back. “And I knew he was staying with you. I can’t hide forever. Did you even know, or care, that I spent three days in the pack hospital because of you?”

Alex snorted. “You challenged me. You brought that on yourself. Don’t expect sympathy for a fight you started.”

My blood boiled. “How can you care so little about your own family? Your daughter? The future alpha of the very pack you claim loyalty to?”

Alex’s rage surged, his body straining forward, but my mother’s hand clamped around his arm, holding him back.

Liam stayed tucked behind the door, his heartbeat thundering in my ears at the sound of Alex’s voice. He wasn’t scared of much and I’d only ever seen him yield to higher ranks. But Alex was both powerful and cruel. Two strikes too many.

Behind me, Wes radiated heat. His breath brushed the back of my neck, raising goosebumps and making it nearly impossible to focus.

Then my mother moved. With a firm tug, Layla yanked my father back and swept past him to reach me. Her arms wrapped around me in the warmest hug I’d had in months.

“Congratulations on finding your other half,” she said with a grin that lit her whole face. “He looks like he’ll make a wonderful Luna of this pack.” She winked and giggled, her joy so infectious I couldn’t help but smile.

Still, her words snagged in my mind. How could an alpha be mated to another alpha? Not the time. Not the place.

“You know you’re always welcome here, Freya. This is your home, too. Don’t let Alex keep you away.”

Over her shoulder, I caught my father’s glare. The fury in his eyes was unmistakable. He didn’t want me here, and he definitely didn’t want Wes here either.

“Liam, you can come out now,” I called.

He peeked around the door, checking the room like he was scouting for battle. Seeing no immediate threat, he shuffled in with a sheepish grin. “Nice to see you again, Alpha Alex. Luna Layla.”

“Come inside,” my mother urged warmly. “It’s time to celebrate!”

Alex said nothing. He spun on his heel and disappeared into his office, the slam of his door and click of his computer his final word.