The Triplet Alphas Doctor Mate

CHAPTER 3 - MATES - AZANA'S POV

We followed Martha into the living room, where Beta Harrison was talking to the boy Emmet shared a room with.

''That little snitch better not be ratting us out.'' Emmet whispered as we walked over.

''What can they do to us if he does?'' I whispered back.

''Beta, I have them.'' Martha called out, and he turned to us.

''Wonderful,'' He smiled at us. ''Jackson, why don't you head to training now?''

''Yes, Beta, thank you.'' He said happily and rushed away.

''So, how did you both settle in?'' He asked us. ''Did you sleep well?''

''Would it matter if we didn't?'' Emmet asked, and I quickly held his hand when Beta Harrison looked angry.

''We did, thank you.''

''Good,'' He smiled at me, ''Now, the King and Queen would like to speak with you about Alpha Emory and anything you can tell us.''

''I can do it.'' Emmet said quickly, ''Zan can wait here.''

''The King and Queen want to see you both,'' He argued. ''Now come along.''

I exhaled and followed him out of the orphanage and down the pathway leading towards a line of cars, but I noticed several pack members looking at us. I remember being here as a child and feeling comfortable in the pack, but now, all I saw were potential enemies who could have sold me out.

''Hello, Beta!' A pregnant woman waved as she passed us.

''Hello Barbra,'' He greeted her back. ''How's the baby?''

''Oh, cooking nicely.'' She smiled and touched her stomach affectionately. ''Any day now.''

''Well, make sure you send word,'' He told her. ''I'll need to send my gift.''

''Of course, Beta.'' She said as she looked at me, but then I noticed her eyes widen a little before she composed herself and rushed off.

''Who was that woman?'' I asked as we climbed into the back of one of the cars.

''Barbra,'' Beta Harrison old me, ''She's one of our healers.''

Emmet casually showed me our secret gesture, and I opened the link.

''What's wrong?''

''I'll tell you later,'' I whispered.

''What was that?'' Beta Harrison asked. ''I didn't hear you.''

''Nothing,'' I lied and looked out the window and watched the city flying by.

It didn't take us long to get to the castle, and when I stepped out on the familiar path, I felt my heart skip a beat as memories surged back.

FLASHBACK



''You remember what we talked about, Ezzy?'' My mother tapped her finger on my nose, and I giggled.

''Yes, momma. I'll be good.'' I nodded my head with enthusiasm.

''We're here representing our Kingdom, so you will be respectful.''

''Yes, momma.'' I repeated.

''That means no climbing trees. No beating up the boys.''

''I didn't beat up Calab. He fell.''

''After you hit him.''

''He deserved it,'' I told her. ''When can we go home? I miss daddy.''

''We're here for just a week, and then we have to go to another kingdom, and then back home.'' She answered as she pulled out her small mirror to check her gorgeous dark hair was perfect in its bun. ''And then we'll continue returning once a year to keep the peace talks going, and when you're older and take over as Queen, you'll do that same.''

''I don't want to be Queen, momma. I want to help people. I want to be a Doctor like Aunty Violet.''

''A Queen helps people, my flower. Now come along.''

We both climbed out of the car and I looked up at the castle, watching the flags fluttering in the wind and the shining of the sunlight off the white and royal blue stained-glass windows.

''Queen Akaiah!'' A man called out as he rushed down the front steps with 3 young boys in suite. ''I'm Beta Harrison, welcome. The King and Queen are waiting for you in the throne room.''

''Wonderful, thank you, Beta.'' My mother greeted him. ''This is Princess Azana, and who are these young boys?''

''These are the triplet, Princess.'' He answered and touched one of the boys. ''Prince Zaiden, Prince Christian and Prince Tobias.''

''Hello, Princess.'' Christian stopped forward and gave me some flowers. ''I'm Kit.''

''Christian, you know your mother hates nicknames, use your proper name.'' Beta Harrison scolden him. ''Shall we, your majesty?''

END OF FLASHBACK

''Zan? Come along please.'' Beta Harrison told me, as I paused.

''Right, sorry.'' I started walking again.

As we walked inside, I ducked my head, fearful that I'd be recognized by someone and then I'd lose my chance of revenge, but as we turned down a corner, I froze and grabbed Emmet's arm as I quickly masked my scent.

My heart raced, and Zora began to wag her tail. ''MATE!''

''What?'' He linked me.

''He's my mate,'' I mouthed the words to him as one of the triplets walked towards us, smelling the air.

Sh*t, he'd smelt me too.

I could tell by his light layer of freckles on his nose and the dark silverfish gray eyes, that this was Tobias, the youngest of the twins. He hadn't changed much, just matured and his jaw was more defined, along with his muscles, and he was very tall.

Goddess, he was so sexy.

''I have to go.''

''Easy, don't panic!'' He linked me. ''Harrison is looking, let's just get through this meeting, and we'll go. We can't afford to stay here for revenge now.''

''Is something wrong?'' Beta Harrison asked as he looked over at me, but when he saw me staring at Toby, he smiled. ''Don't worry about the Prince. He's harmless, and wouldn't hurt a fly.''

"Prince?" Emmet exclaimed, turning to me with a look of disbelief.

"Who are you calling harmless?" Toby intervened as he approached us, his gaze quickly landing on me.

Please don’t notice. Please don’t notice.

"Wow, she’s gorgeous." I heard Toby remark to his Lycan.

"Indeed, she is." Came a voice I didn’t recognize. "But who cares? I think I smelt our mate!"

"You’re mistaken, so stop it." Toby commented.

"Why is she masking her scent?" Toby’s Lycan questioned, making my heart race. "Maybe it’s her."

No... no.

"This is Alpha Tobias." Beta Harrison informed me, interrupting my effort to eavesdrop on Toby’s thoughts.

"Toby," He said with a smile, extending his hand. I hesitated to take it, fearful that he would sense the bond between us. While I could hide my scent, there was no way to contain the current of the connection, unless I rejected it, so I instinctively pulled back.

"Emmet," He said as he accepted Toby’s handshake. "Nice to meet you, Toby.''

''Alpha Tobias.'' Tobias corrected. ''I said she could call me Toby, not you, and you will use my title.''

''If we’re not from your pack, why should we call you Alpha?"

"Because you're in our pack, boy." Beta Harrison replied, drawing my attention back to Toby, who was still fixed on me.

"Don’t call me boy, old man." Emmet replied heatedly.

"That’s enough," I interjected, placing a hand against Emmet’s chest, but I heard Toby growl in his mind.

"What’s the matter?" His Lycan asked.

"I’m not sure, I just don’t like her touching him." Toby admitted, sounding perplexed.

''See, she must be our mate then.'' His Lycan called out.

"Have we met?" Tobias inquired of me.

I shook my head, unable to meet his eyes, and looked away.

"Are you two mates?" He pressed.

"No," Emmet replied, clearly annoyed.

''What's your name?'' Toby asked.

''Zan,'' Emmet answered for me.

''Can she not speak for herself?'' Tobias asked as he looked at me.

"Can we just get this over with?" Emmet asked, so I didn't have to speak.

"Certainly," Beta Harrison said, turning to lead the way.

"She’s incredibly sexy," I overheard Toby's Lycan link him again.

"I’m happy they’re not mates." Toby said as he followed behind, his eyes on me. "I want her. She’s so beautiful, just look at that hair, it’s like fire."

''Nice ass too,'' His Lycan commented. ''Tell her to stop masking her scent. She has to be our mate. I know it!''

I quickly shut him out and shifted in front of Emmet as we walked into the throne room, filled with several higher-ranking pack members, all standing around talking, but once again, I froze when I looked at the King and Queen. There was another man standing there and from the look on his face. I knew who it was. It was Zaiden, and he, too, was my mate. This can't be happening.

Zaiden was even more handsome than I remembered. His dark black hair was neatly brushed back, and his dark green eyes, matching his mothers, had somehow gotten even more stunning. He was dressed in usual formal attire just like when we were children. His beard was short and neat like his hair, but I also noticed he has a small scar on his cheek, though it didn't hinder his looks. In fact, it made him looks more rugged.

''Are you alright?'' Toby reached out to touch my shoulder, but I quickly flinched away from him and Emmet pulled me safely into his arms. ''I'm sorry.''

''She doesn't like to be touched!'' Emmet snapped at him. ''Why the hell is everyone in your pack so damn touchy-feely!?''

''Watch your tone.'' Beta Harrison ordered.

''No, it's my fault,'' Toby said quickly. ''I didn't mean to frighten you.'' He said to me, and I looked down.

''Come on,'' Beta Harrison started walking again.

As we got closer to the thrones, I opened the link again and focused on Zaiden, who was looking at me.

''Sexy,'' He commented. ''Not much of a dresser though. What's she wearing? That body is hidden under all that material.''

''I wouldn't mind waking up to her.'' His Lycan said back.

''Doesn't seem to like Toby though.'' Zaiden laughed, ''Hey,'' He linked his brother. ''What did you do to the beauty?''

''I don't know,'' He answered. ''Do you... do you feel anything from her?''

''Your Majesty,'' Beta Harrison bowed his head to the King and Queen.

''No. I don't feel anything.'' Zaiden answered. ''Why?''

''I've brought them as instructed.'' Beta Harrison continued. ''This is Emmet and Zaniah,'' He gestured to each of us.

''Zan,'' I corrected him.

''I don't know,'' Toby answered his brother. ''She just... I feel... Scout thought he had smelt our mate earlier. He thinks it's her, but-''

''Sorry, I'm late!'' I heard Kit, and I turned to see him running over to us, but when he saw me, he paused and stared at me, and I realized he was my mate too. ''Hello gorgeous, you are?''

NO! Christian was just as sexy, just as attractive as his brothers, though he looked a little more unkempt than them. He was wearing a loose white shirt with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his tattooed left arm. He has a beard too, though he kept it even shorter than Zaiden and his dark blue eyes and tanned skin seemed to go perfectly together. His hair was short like his brothers, though it was messed as if he'd been outrunning.

''Christian,'' The King snapped. ''Stop flirting and get up here. It's bad enough you're late.''

''Sorry,'' He looked me over again before walking up on the raised platform. ''I was in a meeting.''

''Who's that?'' Kit linked his brothers. ''She's a stunner, isn't she?''

''You feel it too, don't you?'' Toby asked. ''There's something about her.''

''Dibs,'' Zaiden said quickly.

''Sc*w you,'' Toby snapped back. ''I saw her first.''

''I saw her last.'' Kit joined in.

This can't be happening! I can't have 3 mates. I don't even want 1!

I couldn't help but think back to Kit's words the day I was taken.

FLASHBACK

''What is it?'' I asked as I extended my hand, curious. Christian placed a tiny, carved boat in my palm, about the size of a small toy car.

"I made this," He declared, with a hint of pride and a slight flush on his face.

I gazed down at the boat. During the Goddess festival, men crafted wooden boats for the women they admired, which the women filled with letters detailing their affection for the men. The intent being, that your love would sail away into the future.

"Why did you make this for me?" I asked, searching his eyes.

He stuttered slightly, "I... Zanny, I..." He faltered again before finally confessing, "I love you. I hope you’ll be my mate."

END OF FLASH

Is this why I always felt safe with them? Is this why he thought he loved me when he was only 13, and I was 10? Because we were mates. This is bad... This is so bad!