Chapter 48
1307 Words
Gwen
Cain helped me put the new sheets on the freshly delivered King-size bed before dinner, shooting me that half-smirk of his every time our hands brushed. The bed looked massive in my room now—but it felt right. Like it was finally ready to hold what we were building.
After dinner, with my heart thumping wildly, I caught Cash and Cole lingering in the hallway, quietly bickering over who got to walk me to my room.
“Can I talk to both of you for a second?” I asked, cutting in before they could drag it out.
They turned toward me in unison, their expressions softening as I led them back to my room.
I stepped aside once we reached the door and gestured for them to look inside. The new bed took up nearly the entire wall, freshly made with dark green sheets and a few mismatched pillows we’d pulled from the linen closet. My heart pounded as they stepped in, both taking in the change.
“Is this for…?” Cole began, trailing off.
I nodded, closing the door behind me. “I want all three of you to stay with me tonight. Not for anything else,” I added quickly, glancing at Cash, “just to sleep. Together.”
They exchanged a look—one of those silent twin-like glances I was still getting used to—and then turned back to me.
“I don’t want to feel separated from you anymore,” I said, feeling heat climb into my cheeks. “You’re all mine. And I’m yours. I want to feel that.”
Cash stepped forward first, surprisingly quiet. He brushed his thumb down my cheek. “You sure?”
“Completely,” I whispered.
Cole smiled, eyes warm. “Then you’re stuck with us, Gwen. All night.”
Cash grinned. “We better draw straws for who sleeps closest.”
I laughed, the tension melting away. “Cain said the same thing.”
Cash rolled his eyes. “Of course he did.”
Cole stepped toward the bed, pulling back the sheets. “Well, if this is happening, I’m claiming the left side.”
Cash shoved him lightly. “You always take the left.”
They bickered as they got ready, and I stood watching them—my mates—and felt peace settle in my chest. This was home. This chaos, this warmth, this love.
This was us.
The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. I stood by the edge of the massive bed, heart fluttering in my chest as I watched each of my mates file in.
Cain entered first, carrying a glass of water and his usual quiet protectiveness. Cole followed, already in sleep pants, stretching his arms above his head and yawning. Cash trailed behind last, shirtless—of course—and tossing me a wink that made me roll my eyes.
The King-size bed looked smaller now with all of us here.
“Alright,” I said, trying to wrangle the nerves that danced under my skin. “No fighting over spots.”
“I call left,” Cole said quickly, sliding in like he’d lived here forever.
“I was gonna take that,” Cash muttered, climbing in on the other side instead.
Cain raised an eyebrow at me. “Where do you want me?”
I walked to him and reached for his hand. “Behind me.”
He smiled at that—soft, slow, and devastating—and crawled in, tucking himself in behind me as I lay down between him and Cole. Cash lay facing us, one arm under his head, watching with warm eyes that didn’t quite hide the flicker of emotion.
I sighed deeply as Cain’s arms wrapped around my waist from behind and Cole curled toward me, his knee brushing mine.
This—this was the feeling I’d been craving. Not just safety. Not just love. Unity. Connection.
Cole leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Comfortable?”
“Perfect,” I whispered.
Cain nuzzled against my neck, his breath warm. “You smell like home.”
My throat tightened at that.
Cash reached out and tangled his fingers with mine over the sheets. “We really doing this, huh?”
I squeezed his hand. “Yeah. We are.”
For a long moment, no one spoke. The silence stretched, but it wasn’t empty. It was full—of emotion, of breath, of hearts beating in sync. I could feel each of them against me, warm and solid, and I knew no matter what came next, I wouldn’t be facing it alone.
Cain’s breathing slowed first, then Cole’s. Cash stayed awake longer, his thumb rubbing over the back of my hand in gentle, grounding circles. I turned my head just enough to meet his eyes.
“You okay?” I whispered.
He nodded. “You?”
I swallowed. “Yeah. Finally.”
He leaned in, kissed my knuckles, then let go, settling back.
Surrounded on all sides, I closed my eyes and exhaled—wrapped in love, shielded by fate, held by my mates.
Third Person POV
The clearing reeked of moss and blood.
Alpha Karl stood just beyond the circle of stones, boots sinking into the damp forest floor. The moonlight filtered weakly through the trees, catching on the silver threads woven into the hem of the witch’s black cloak as she stepped into view.
“You’re late,” he growled, though the flicker of unease in his stomach reminded him that even an Alpha could not command magic without consequences.
The witch only smiled. “And yet, you waited.”
Karl stiffened. She was beautiful in a cruel, alien way—tall and sharp-edged, with hair the color of midnight and eyes that flickered between violet and black depending on her mood. Tonight, they were nearly void.
“Have your spies confirmed it?” she asked, drifting closer. “The bond still isn’t sealed?”
Karl nodded. “She’s been sleeping in the palace. No mark. No mating. They’re vulnerable.”
“And what of your charming little puppet?” she asked. “Justin. Is he still playing his part?”
Karl’s lip curled. “He’s desperate. It makes him useful. But if he screws this up—”
“I’ll turn him into a frog,” she purred, then rolled her eyes. “Or something more original.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Tell me it’s ready. The talisman. The illusion bond.”
The witch’s grin widened.
“I gave it to him already.,” she whispered, “It will convince her that she’s bonded to him. Her mind, her instincts, even her wolf will feel the pull. It won’t last forever—but long enough.”
Karl’s eyes gleamed. “Long enough for the triplets to believe she chose him instead of them.”
“And for the kingdom to doubt her claim,” she added with a tilt of her head. “A mated Queen bonded to a rogue instead of a royal? Scandalous.”
“The plan hasn’t changed,” he said. “We take her. Use her to draw them out. Once she wears this, the rest will fall apart on its own.”
The witch stepped in close, almost nose to nose. “Just remember, Alpha. You owe me more than coin for this. When this kingdom crumbles—what rises next will do so on my terms.”
Karl nodded, jaw tight. “Fine. Just give me Gwen.”
The witch smiled, then vanished in a swirl of wind and smoke.
Alone in the clearing, Karl stared at the talisman. Victory was within reach. All he needed now… was the perfect moment to strike.
- Writer
