Alpha queen: fated to three Mates

Aria’s pov My world ended the moment I pushed open the bedroom door. Seeing my boyfriend “Kieran” on top of my best friend Lyra . Together. As the small silver necklace slipped from my trembling fingers and hit the floor loudly. They both noticed as Lyra came forward to explain. (17 years ago) I smiled as I counted the coins hidden in my pocket. They weren't much, but today they were enough to buy the necklace Kieran had admired weeks ago. He had no idea that I would do anything just to make him happy. The afternoon sun warmed my face as I stood outside, watching the breeze stir the leaves above me. Aria! Are you coming or are you planning to melt under the sun?” Lyra’s teasing voice drifted across the yard. I looked up to see her standing with her hands on her hips, her auburn curls bouncing around her shoulders as she grinned at me. Lyra had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. She was loud, fearless, and had a talent for dragging me into trouble. Before I could answer, someone bumped my shoulder. Leave her alone, my breath caught as I turned all the way round from the angel I was standing to know who was speaking, already the voice sounded familiar. “You know she likes pretending she’s deep in thought. ”Kieran said with a chuckle as he stood near the flower. The tension broke when Lyra grabbed my arm. “Food first, drama later.” We all went inside the house to have a meal. I served plates of vegetable porridge plantain, Kieran's favorite... and Lyra's too. Especially Kieran. He was my lover, after all. Lyra pushed her empty plate forward with a satisfied sigh. “You're going to spoil me one day.Lyrae Too late Kieran said as he stole the last slice of the porridge plantain on plates which Aria dished. “Hey!” He laughed, holding it above his head until she jumped for it. Watching them, I couldn’t help smiling. They’d been arguing over food since we were children, and somehow neither of them had grown out of it. “You’re impossible,” I said, collecting the plates. Kieran reached out and caught my wrist before I could turn away He gently said “Thank you Aria.” He smiled, the same smile that made me fall in love with him years ago. My heart warmed, If only moments like these could last forever. “I’ll be back before sunset,” I said, gathering the empty basket beside the door, which I used in order to make my surprise best known to me. Lyra looked up from the table. “Where are you going?” I paused for a second “Just to the market,” I replied with a small smile. “We’re running low on a few groceries. ” She nodded without another question. “I’ll come with you,” Kieran offered, pushing his chair back. I shook my head. "No. Stay."` He frowned. "Aria—"I grabbed the basket and didn’t look at him. At that moment it felt like I had denied him of something but that was the best I could, do, in order not to ruin my surprise. In my head it was simpler. Besides, I trust my man with my best friend. That was already enough reason for me to go. Kieran watched me for a second, then sat back down without another word.` `Lyra kept her eyes soft on Kieran with an affection she could no longer hide. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but the world never came out. Immediately I opened the door with a satisfying smile, the cool afternoon breeze brushed against my cheeks as I stepped onto the weathered wooden porch,and descended on the narrow stairs, each step cracking softly beneath my feet as I gave a pause and checked the coins hidden in my pocket before setting off towards the market. I glanced back once, my smile lingering as I imagined how Kieran will feel if he sees what am about to do for him. The front door clicked shut behind me. Inside the cottage, silence settled for only a heartbeat. A bedroom door eased open. Lyra stepped inside, closing it quietly behind her. Her pulse hammered against her ribs as her gaze found the man waiting by the window. "You should go," she whispered, though her feet carried her closer instead. Kieran didn't move. "If Aria comes back—" "She won't," he cut in, his voice calm. "She'll be gone long enough." The space between them disappeared one hesitant step at a time until only a breath separated them. His hand lifted, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. He pushed her towards the bed. His hands were everywhere at once, and you could feel how hard he wanted her — the way his breath hitched, the way his body pressed against her through the fabric, like he was barely holding back.` Lyra froze. Every instinct told her to step away, to remember the line she crossed simply by letting him into the room,yet her body betrayed her. Guilt flickered across her face before she finally closed the distance between them. Lyra closed her eyes, desperate how she felt. Outside, Aria wandered toward the bustling marketplace, completely unaware. The village was in full swing. Merchants called out cheerful greetings from colorful stalls draped with fresh fruit, woven baskets, and hand-carved trinkets. The rich aroma of warm bread drifted through the air, mixing with the sweet scent of wildflowers. As she just moved towards the jewellery line where many colours and attractive jewellery were sold both original and fake saw some silver bangles that gleamed like water, some glass beads in red and gold that looked almost too bright to be real. The environment was unique and special for an easy spot, for the first time visitors. A jewellery vendor’s stall was crowded with buyers bargaining over necklace and bracelets. “Good afternoon” the vendor said with a smile on her face, my eyes flicking up from a tray of chains. “Good afternoon” I responded, my voice came out smaller than I meant, I cleared it and stepped a bit closer, my hand had already moved before I could think of it. On my hand was a gold necklace from the tray, it caught the stall light and threw it back. The links winked with every tiny shift of my fingers and for a second the whole market went quiet in my head., and for a second I couldn't look away. But for some reason I had to let go. My eyes cut across the tray until they landed on a silver necklace. Cooler. Quieter Exactly the one I wanted. “I want to buy a silver necklace,” I told the seller right away. He followed my gaze, his finger slid a thin silver chain forward which had a shiny stone on it, exactly the one I wanted. This time it was on my palm so close to me. "How much is this one?" I asked. "Seventy five dollars," the old vendor replied. It was more than I'd planned to spend, but Kieran was worth every cent. I reached into my pocket and slowly counted the bills I’d been saving for weeks. My fingers lingered over the last few notes before I placed them in the old man’s weathered hand. Take good care of him with this”, he said as he wrapped the necklace in a small velvet pouch. I smiled, warmth spreading through my chest.