The Alpha Triangle

Copper Key

With the tension gone, I suddenly became hyperaware of Wes’s nearness. Liam stepped closer, trying to join me, but Wes’s low rumble froze him mid-step. Hands raised in surrender, Liam backed off.

Wes slid his fingers through mine. Icy sparks raced up my arm, stealing my breath. Did he feel them too? They were so intense I almost wanted to pull away, but instead I craved him more.

I watched Liam follow my mother into the kitchen, a small bounce in his step. Wes’s gaze locked onto mine, and once Liam rounded the corner, I met his eyes. Cold, bitter emotion rolled off him in waves, yet I wasn’t afraid the way I was of Alex. I wanted to touch his face, to see if I could melt that expression away, but I stayed still.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he gave a sharp tug on my hand, pulling me forward. I stumbled, unprepared for the sudden movement, but his strong frame steadied me. I’d always known he was large, but I hadn’t realized just how massive he truly was. He had to be at least six-four, built in solid muscle, and the way his arms flexed as he moved made me wonder if I could have ever held my title if he had challenged me for it. The power thrummed through his hand into mine.

He stopped abruptly, forcing me to halt before I walked straight into him. Leaning down, his breath ghosted over my ear.

“Are you going to stare all night, love?”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and before I could stop myself, I shot back, “You’re my mate, and you haven’t rejected me yet. I can do whatever I damn well please.”

A devious grin spread across his face. “I can’t wait to see what else pleases you.”

We walked into the kitchen. My mother busied herself with something at the counter, while Liam tried to hold a conversation with her. Her expression said everything. She loved her kitchen, loved to bake, and hated anyone disrupting her rhythm.

I slipped my hand free and took a seat next to Liam at the bar. Wes didn’t sit. Instead, he stayed behind me, arms wrapping loosely around my waist, his dominance on full display. Everyone in the room would know I was his.

As an upcoming alpha myself, the position unsettled me. My rank was equal to his, yet I shoved the thought aside. This wasn’t the place to start another fight. Especially not in front of my mother.

“So, when are we starting training again?” I asked Liam.

“I told you already.” He shrugged. “No date’s been set.”

“I didn’t mean pack training,” I corrected. “I meant just you and me.”

Liam’s eyes flicked up to Wes. The arms around my waist tightened.

“My beta will be here within the day,” Wes interjected. “He can train with Liam. You and I will train together.”

I scrunched my nose, about to protest, but Wes cut me off with a growl of finality.

“This isn’t up for debate, love. No one, not even your beta, gets to touch you anymore.”

The lust thickening his voice nearly buckled my knees. Thank the moon goddess I was already sitting.

My mother appeared then, carrying a tray of finger foods. Triangle ham-salad sandwiches, fruit skewers, and delicate butter cookies lined the plate.

“I’m starving,” Liam said, snatching food before she even set it down.

“Thank you, Mom,” I said quickly, shooting him a glare. He didn’t notice.

I glanced over my shoulder, making sure Alex wasn’t lurking nearby, before grabbing a couple of sandwiches and some fruit.

“Wes, would you like anything?” Layla cooed sweetly.

“No thank you, ma’am. I’m not hungry and I’d hate to waste something as delicate as your tray.”

Layla’s smile widened. “With flattery like that, you can stay here as long as you’d like.”

I could feel Wes’s gaze burning into the back of my head, almost begging for my approval. But I didn’t give it. I was hesitant. After the way Alex had treated me over the past year, only knowing Wes a few days, and with the mate bond still uncertain, it would take a lot more than flattery to win me over.

We lingered around the bar, making small talk, until Layla finally lifted the tray and carried it toward her mate’s office. I sighed in defeat and glanced at Liam for guidance.

“I guess we could all go back to my place until my parents get home from their trip,” Liam suggested, his gaze skimming past us.

It wasn’t hard to see that Liam and Wes would take time to warm up to one another. Still, Wes seemed relaxed and content with the idea. At least it was better than us parting ways under this suffocating roof.

“That’s not the worst idea you’ve ever had, Liam,” I said. “It’ll give us time to come up with something more resolute. At least we’ve broken the ice with Alex. I can show my face in the pack again without worrying about murder. For now.”

We stood in unison. Wes towered over Liam, making my best friend look almost small by comparison, though I’d never once thought of Liam that way. With Wes flanking me, Liam took the lead toward the front door, only to find Alex and Layla blocking the path.

My chest tightened. Had Alex convinced my mother I was the enemy? Anxiety swelled, and I shifted on the balls of my feet. Wes’s hand closed around mine a little too firmly as he stepped halfway in front of me, shielding me from Alex’s stare. The tension between the two alphas crackled like lightning in the air.

Then my mother stepped forward. She lifted her hand, palm up, revealing a small copper key, its surface dulled with age.

“This is the key to the alpha-beta cabin,” Layla said calmly. “For generations, when the upcoming alpha and beta found their mates but weren’t yet ready to start families, or simply wanted space, this is where they stayed. Your father and I did, as did Beta Lance. Now the cabin is yours. Liam and Wes are welcome to stay with you for as long as you want them there.”

I pushed past Wes and threw myself into my mother’s arms. The key pressed cold against my back as she tucked it between my shoulder blades. A few stray tears slid onto my shoulder.

“You’ll always be welcome wherever I am, Mom,” I whispered. “I love you so much.”

She pulled back with a smile, and I took the key from her fingers. Without another thought, I bolted through the door. I clenched the key sideways between my teeth, a primal urge rising within me. Run. Faster than my lungs could handle.