Claimed Under The Mistletoe: The Triplet Alphas' Destiny

Chapter 45

Gwen

I found Cain in the common room, stretched out on the couch with one arm behind his head and the other holding a book he clearly wasn’t reading. His green eyes lifted when he sensed me, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Hey,” I said softly.

“Hey, Firefly.” His smile deepened. “Everything okay?”

I nodded, nerves fluttering just beneath my skin. “Would you… come to my room tonight?”

He blinked once, then sat up a little straighter. “Of course. Do you want me to sleep in your bed again?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and gave him a small, nervous smile. “Yeah. But I want more than sleep tonight.”

Cain’s smile faded slightly, replaced with something gentler. Something careful. He studied me for a moment like he was searching for cracks in my words. “You sure?”

I nodded again, slower this time. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

Cain

I knocked once out of habit, then stepped inside. We'd done this before—nights where she asked me to stay close, hold her while she slept, guard her peace with my arms wrapped around her. I thought tonight would be more of the same.

I was wrong.

The room was dim, lit only by the soft flicker of candlelight. Dozens of them lined the shelves and window sills, casting golden light that danced over the walls like a heartbeat. The faint scent of lavender and jasmine floated through the air.

And then I saw her.

Gwen stood near the bed, dressed in a pale blue nightgown that hugged every curve of her body. Her hair fell over her shoulders, her lips parted just slightly when our eyes met. She looked like a vision—a goddess in moonlight.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

“Gwen…” I said slowly, careful not to spook the moment. “You don’t have to do this.”

Her brows pulled together. “I want to.”

I stepped in further but didn’t close the distance between us. “You don’t owe me anything. If you think this is something I expect—or something you’re supposed to give me…”

Her expression softened as she walked toward me. The silk of her nightgown whispered as she moved. “Cain,” she said, stopping just in front of me, “I’m not doing this because I have to. I’m doing this because I choose you. Because I want you.”

My throat tightened. I could feel Achilles, my wolf, stirring under my skin, aching to get closer to her. Not for the s*x—but for the bond. For the connection.

She took my hand, and her fingers were trembling—but steady enough to guide mine to her heart.

“I’m yours,” she whispered.

I bowed my head and kissed her hand.

“And I’m yours,” I said, my voice rough. “Always.”

Gwen

Cain kissed my hand like it was sacred. Like I was sacred.

My heart thundered in my chest. Every nerve in my body buzzed with anticipation, fear, and want. I had made this choice—my choice—and yet my fingers still trembled where they laced with his. But when I looked into his eyes, everything settled.

He looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“Tell me if you need me to stop,” he said gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I mean it, Gwen. The second it becomes too much, I’ll stop.”

That kind of tenderness only made me ache more. I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. I cupped his cheek and leaned up to kiss him.

He met me halfway.

His mouth was warm and slow, reverent. He kissed me like a promise, like he’d waited his whole life for this moment and didn’t want to rush a single second. I felt his hands glide down my sides, leaving fire in their wake. He tugged me close, letting our bodies press together from chest to thigh.

I gasped into his mouth, and he stilled. “Okay?”

I nodded. “More.”

His groan rumbled in his chest as he scooped me up effortlessly and laid me down across the bed like I was made of something precious. He climbed in beside me, his weight shifting the mattress, his warmth surrounding me.

“Can I take this off?” he asked, fingers brushing the strap of my nightgown.

I answered by reaching down and pulling it over my head.

His eyes darkened as he took me in, but his hands remained soft as he ran them up my sides, across my ribs, over the curve of my breast. My breath caught when he lowered his mouth, kissing between them before taking one n****e into his mouth, gently sucking.

I moaned and arched into him. My legs parted on instinct, and I felt his hand slide down, skimming my thigh, my hip, and then between.

He found me wet, aching.

He kissed me again as his fingers teased me, circling slowly before dipping inside. I gasped, clutching his shoulders. He gave me time. Let me feel everything. Let me adjust. Let me want.

He whispered my name like a prayer as he stroked me—Gwen… sweetheart… mine.

When his thumb found the spot that made my hips jerk, he smiled against my neck.

“That’s it, baby. Let go.”

And I did.

I shattered in his arms, crying out softly as waves of heat rolled through me. He held me through it, whispering love into my skin, brushing my hair from my face.

After, he rested his forehead to mine. “I love you.”

I blinked up at him, breathless and open.

“I love you too,” I whispered back, and meant it with everything in me.

Cain

She was still trembling in my arms, breath warm against my neck, heart racing against mine. I held her like she might vanish—soft, sacred, powerful.

And then, slowly, Gwen shifted.

She kissed the line of my jaw, her hands traveling down my chest, fingers grazing my ribs. I felt her touch like a spark—gentle, curious, deliberate.

“Let me,” she whispered.

I swallowed hard as her hand slipped lower. When she wrapped her fingers around me, I nearly lost control right then.

“Gwen,” I rasped, bracing myself, but her eyes locked onto mine with something fierce and tender.

She stroked me with slow, careful confidence, learning the rhythm that made me groan, the pressure that made my hips jerk. There was something almost reverent in her touch, like she wanted to memorize the way I fell apart for her.

I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back, but she was relentless in the best way. And when I finally let go—buried my face in her neck and let the waves take me—it wasn’t just release. It was surrender.

I collapsed beside her, breathless and stunned.

And then I heard her voice, soft and certain:

“I want to have s*x tonight.”

I blinked, unsure if I’d heard her right.

She turned her head to look at me, eyes shining in the dim candlelight. There was fear in them—but also strength. Her strength.

“I want it to be with you,” she said. “If you still want me.”

I pulled her close, cupping her cheek.

“Gwen,” I whispered, my voice rough, “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you. And I will wait forever if I have to. But if you’re ready—really ready—then yes. Yes, I want you. Completely.”

She kissed me then, with no hesitation.

And I knew—tonight would change everything.