The Alpha Triangle

Secrets Unveiled

“ Move.” It was the only word I could force out.

Wes’s icy gaze met mine, cold and unreadable. I glanced over my shoulder. Alpha Alex was already disengaging from Liam’s attempt at distraction.

“Please,” I begged, softer this time.

For a long heartbeat, Wes didn’t budge. Then he shifted just enough for me to slip past. I darted through the narrow gap, expecting the door to slam shut behind me, but it didn’t. The hinges groaned, left cracked open by Wes. He looked torn between wanting to follow me, but tethered to his duty of shadowing Alex. With one last glance in my direction, he stepped back inside, letting the door click closed.

I jogged to the front of the diner and waited. Minutes dragged like hours until Liam finally burst out the door, a little too loud.

“That was a rush!” he laughed.

“I guess I’m not safe anywhere but your bedroom,” I muttered, half-serious, half-teasing.

“Still hungry?” he asked.

“Starving,” I admitted.

We called for a ride and climbed into the backseat together.

“Hey, you got anything to munch on?” Liam asked the driver.

“Sorry, man. Just a few Altoids and a stick of gum.” A click followed as he flicked on the radio.

Liam slumped in defeat, his stomach growling in agreement.

Back at the pack house, he bolted from the car without a backward glance. Typical. I rolled my eyes and followed at a slower pace while muttering a thank you as I closed the car door.

By now, breakfast was long over and lunch was being served. Fresh-carved turkey sandwiches, homemade chips, and steaming bowls of cheddar broccoli soup. The scent alone made my mouth water. I grabbed two sandwiches, a bowl of soup, skipped the chips, and poured a tall glass of raspberry iced tea before scanning the room for Liam.

There he was, waving like a lunatic with half a sandwich in one hand and the other half crammed in his mouth.

When I got closer, my stomach sank. He hadn’t just grabbed any table. Sitting with him were several pack members, including Madisen. Of course. Dozens of open tables, and this is the one he picked.

Too late to retreat without looking like a coward, I sat down beside him. Madisen barely tore her eyes away from Liam long enough to shoot me her usual venomous glare.

“Liam, are you going to the shifting ceremony tonight?” she asked, twirling her hair like she hadn’t been planning the line for days.

“You know I wouldn’t miss it,” Liam replied easily. “All pack members who’ve shifted are required to be there.”

“Oh, that’s right,” she giggled, fake-sweet, as if she’d truly forgotten.

I don’t know why men think it’s cute when women act dumb, but thankfully Liam didn’t take the bait.

Madisen’s gaze slid to me, her smile sharpening. “Unfortunately, I’ll have to share my special day with that ragamuffin, but let’s be real. All eyes will be on me anyway.”

I clenched my jaw, too hungry to waste words on her. She obviously didn’t have the same impact of the shifting pains the way I did.

The cranberry sauce smeared across my turkey sandwich oozed from the edges of the bread, slipping between my fingers and leaving them sticky. I grimaced. It was almost time to prepare for my first shift, and the mess reminded me of what my mother would say about cleanliness. Even though I’d showered that morning, her standards were high.

I drained the last of my raspberry iced tea, managed three-quarters of one sandwich, and stirred halfheartedly at my soup. The fog from the medication Liam had given me earlier had finally lifted, but I still felt… lost.

Without a word, I slid out from the bench and scraped my tray clean. Liam was instantly at my heels.

“Wait for me!” he called, as if it were life or death.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked once he caught up.

“I need to get ready for the ceremony and see my mom before it starts. You should probably do the same,” I said firmly.

“Well, before you go, I’ve got one last gift for you.” His grin softened the tension. From his pocket, he produced another small brown box wrapped in a golden bow.

Curiosity flickered in my chest. I loosened the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside lay a delicate emerald bracelet, the polished stones separated by gold and silver spacers.

“It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

Liam handled the bracelet as if it were fragile glass, waiting patiently for me to extend my wrist. The clasp clicked shut, snug and perfect, as though it had been made for me.

“I hope you like it,” he said, his eyes unusually serious. “It’s almost as beautiful as you’ll look tonight.”

Emotion swelled in my throat. I threw my arms around his neck and held him tight.

“Don’t forget. It’s your birthday too,” I murmured. “I might have something up my sleeve for you as well.”

His grin returned. “I’ll meet you at the party?”

“You can count on it,” I promised.

We parted ways, but my thoughts tangled the moment I was alone. I usually liked solitude, but now my mind betrayed me.

Would my father ever allow me to lead the pack even though I was female? Would Liam and my relationship survive if we weren’t destined mates?

If we were mates… what would that mean for the pack, with a beta bonded to an alpha?

And why did Wes, and even Dallas, have such a hold on me?

The questions jumbled together until I barely noticed my feet carrying me home.

When I reached the porch, my mother was waiting. She rose instantly, enveloping me in a warm, tight hug.

“Happy birthday, my beautiful girl,” she whispered into my ear. Her breath tickled my neck, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

For a moment, I belonged. My father’s compassion for me had long since vanished, but my mother’s love never wavered. She didn’t defy him, but she didn’t treat me like Alex did either. The mate bond between them was unshakable, yet she found a way to still make space for me.

“I have a surprise waiting for you inside. Once you’ve cleaned up, I’ll give it to you.” She pulled back, smiling the same warm smile that had carried me through childhood.

I returned it, my chest loosening, and bounded up the stairs toward my bedroom.

Once inside my bedroom, I shut the door behind me and slipped out of my casual clothes. My bare feet padded softly across the hardwood floor as I stepped into the bathroom. The cool water of the shower greeted me, sliding through my hair and tracing paths down my back until goosebumps rose along my arms.

I tipped my head back, savoring the water trickling across my face. With a deep breath, I squeezed shampoo into my palms, massaging it into my scalp, rinsing, and following with conditioner. The familiar mango scent of my body wash quickly filled the air as I lathered it over my skin, then let the suds swirl away down the drain.

Unwilling to step away from the comfort, I finally shut off the water and reached for the fluffy blue towel waiting on the counter. I pressed it against my skin, soaking up the droplets before twisting my hair into a tight wrap. On the counter beside it, a black sports bra and lace boyshorts were neatly folded. My mother’s touch, no doubt.

When I opened the bathroom door, my mother sat on my bed, her posture graceful, a large box wrapped in metallic maroon paper resting on her lap. It shimmered in the light, almost too pretty to open.

“Here’s that gift I promised you,” she said lightly, her eyes warm.

I eased onto the bed beside her, sliding my fingers under the delicate tape, careful not to tear the wrapping. The paper slipped away and I pulled a white box free, setting the wrapping neatly behind me. My breath caught as I lifted the lid. Inside lay the most stunning gown I had ever seen.

I pulled it out slowly, letting the fabric unfold and spill across the floor. The emerald green satin shimmered, the surface adorned with crystals that caught the light like tiny stars. A daring slit climbed high up the left side, leaving little to the imagination. Small cutouts started at the right shoulder and angled down toward the slit, each outlined with iridescent jewels. The design was bold yet elegant. Three jeweled straps graced the right shoulder, while the left side was daringly strapless.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, my throat tightening as I fought back tears. “It’s beautiful.”

“You’ve lost quite a bit of weight this summer,” my mother said softly. “I’m hoping it will fit you.”

Her eyes shimmered with quiet pride. “Let’s get it on so I can start your hair and makeup.”

I cringed inwardly at the thought of layers of makeup, but the joy on her face was enough to make me relent. With a small smile, I nodded.

The dress slid onto my short frame with surprising ease, and my mom zipped the back without hesitation. It hung a little loose in places, but it was stunning all the same.