It's Dark Inside

Three Kings

        “My feet hurt.” Giana whined while I took a sip of water from my cup.

                I shook my head at her. “You do this to yourself every time, babe. Why don’t you go change?”

                She shrugged. “I think I’m just going to ditch them.”

                “Go on with your bad self.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

                Giana kicked off her shoes and fiddled with her mask. “I’m getting really tired of wearing this thing. I feel like its suffocating me.”

                “Giana, take it off too. I’m surprised you even still have it on.” I said, setting my cup down to help her.

                I leaned forward to pop the clasp, unwrapping it from the back and then letting her do the rest. Giana tossed the mask onto the table and let out a deep breath. She fanned her now exposed skin and smiled big before freezing completely.

                “MINE!”

                “Bloody hell!” I squeaked as a loud booming voice echoed through the great hall.

                We both looked over to see a built man with short dark brown hair and light amber eyes heading directly towards them. Giana was awestruck as she bit down on her bottom lip hard.

                “Congrats, babe.” I said while I took a step backwards.

                The man instantly took Giana in his arms and took her scent like it was the last thing he was ever going to do. Out of the corner of my eye I could see my mother talking to Makah as they watched Giana and her newly found mate. They looked like they were up to something, it gave me the chills knowing they could be planning something.

                I felt like Giana and her mate needed some space, so I left.

                I made my way to the massive drink table they had set up and pondered what to get this time. I was so tempted to go back to my room and get more alcohol. I had enough for one more cup to spike, time to make it count. I picked a black cup that had some kind of pink drink it and shrugged. It smelled sweet, and I thought maybe it would be okay with vodka in it. When I thought no one was looking I unscrewed the top of the bottle and dumped it in the cup.

                With a sigh, I took a long swig, tasting the sweet and the bite from the vodka. Suddenly I felt someone strong next to me, and Nyx seemed to perk her ears up. I glanced over and was shocked. The man was tall and beautiful. His hair was shorter, but not buzzed, and messily tossed about. He had a calm feeling about him, one that made me smile from a little feeling it wash over me. His eyes were nearly identical to Royce’s and that’s when it hit me. This was one of his brother’s, a triplet and soon to be King. I watched as he glanced down to my cup and raised an eyebrow.

                I nibbled on my bottom lip, feeling his gaze then shift to the rest of my body. When he finally looked back up to my face he smirked.

                “Aren’t you a little young to be drinking?”

                I shrugged. “Nope. Not when your me.”

                He nodded. “What’s so bad that you have to drink to feel better?”

                “I don’t have to drink, I’m choosing to so I can feel better about my best friend finding her mate. She’s going to be leaving the temple and I’m going to still be here.” I said before taking another drink.

                “I see. So, you’re a priestess then?” He asked with a hint of something in his voice I couldn’t place.

                With a light sigh, I shook my head. “No. I just wear the mask to events like this so I don’t find my mate.”

                He raised an eyebrow again at that comment. “I thought all she-wolves wanted to find their mates?”

                Feeling slightly embarrassed, I swallowed another gulp of my pink drink. “Since Giana is leaving with her mate, I don’t want to be alone. I rather stay here with my mother than be alone in a foreign pack. Maybe one day I’ll get the courage to find my mate.”

                The future King nodded. “I get it, but what if you’re hurting your mate by not finding him sooner? Then, wouldn’t that be worse than being scared in a different pack?”

                I was shocked. I hadn’t looked at it like that, but maybe he was right. What if I was doing damage to my mate and I didn’t even know it. “I didn’t think about it like that. Thank you for the insight, my King.”

                At that he rolled his eyes teasingly. “I’m not King just yet. You can call me Ranger.”

                “I’m Samara Morningstar. Thank you for talking to me, I think I have to make some life adjustments now, thanks to you.” I said, biting down on my bottom lip.

                He winked at me, sending shivers down my body. “Anytime. I really enjoyed talking with you. Hopefully I’ll see you before I leave.”

                I smiled. “Yeah, I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

                After talking to Ranger, I moved out of the great hall to get some air out in the courtyard, even though I know I should have stayed. They were about to crown the triplets as the new King’s, but I had to get out of there. Don’t get me wrong, I was overjoyed for Giana. I just didn’t want to be alone. That thought scared me more than anything. After everyone else was gone, who was I going to be left with? Myself?

                ‘Am I just chopped liver?’ Nyx asked sarcastically.

                ‘You know what I mean, Nyx.’ I sighed as I looked up to the stars.

                ‘Then take off the mask, let’s see if mate’s here? What’s the harm in taking the chance?’ She pleaded with me.

                ‘I don’t know, Nyx. I’m scared as hell. I don’t know if I can do it.’ I said embarrassed at my own weakness.

                I heard Nyx snort. ‘At this rate, we are going to be alone. We’re already twenty. Our mate’s been waiting for us for at least three years on our part. Let’s find him, please.’

                ‘Let me think about it.’ I said before inhaling deeply, noticing someone coming up from behind me.

                I glanced over my shoulder to see that Beta from the beginning of the party that grabbed my hand staring at me. “Do you need something?”

                He nodded. “I can’t stop thinking about you. I think you are my mate, please, take off the mask.”

                “No. I’ll take it off when I feel ready.” I stated before turning back around to look at the garden.

                The guy moved fast, snapping the clasp open before I realized how close he was. I grabbed the fabric and held it on as I whipped around to glare at him.

                “What the hell are you doing, you psychopath?” I tried desperately to keep the mask on.

                He sighed. “Just let it go. It will only take a moment to see. I know you like me too, so, let’s just see if we belong together.”

                I rolled my eyes. “I doubt even your mother likes you, f**k off.”

                “Don’t be a b***h. Let the mask go, Omega. This is an order.” He lunged forward again.

                I was able to dodge him, moving under his arm effortlessly, but it was getting harder to hang onto the mask. I darted to the great hall, making it right to the doorway as his hand grabbed my arm.

                Here’s what Mr. Grabby Hands doesn’t know. I’ve been taught to defend myself. Not attack, but counter and defend like a motherfucker. Every priestess is taught this. So, him getting a hold of my arm just gave me the leverage I needed. I wind milled my arm, breaking his grip, then I grabbed his arm and used all my weight to toss the man around me over my hip which is center of gravity for a person. Short term, I hip tossed him into the crowd.

                All around the others whispered and wondered what the hell was going on. I’m sure because the new Kings have just been crowned and everything, then all of a sudden, this man is flying through the air. To my right I could see my mother sigh and put a hand to her forehead, but I didn’t care. This man touched me far too many times, and deserved the toss. What I didn’t see, was that in the action he had incidentally yanked my mask off with him when he flew.

                My hands went to my exposed mouth and neck, letting out a sigh. ‘You got your wish, Nyx.’

                In an instant, the Beta was on his feet and charging for me again. I beckoned him forward with both hands and got ready to toss him again.

                “MINE!”

                I jumped out of my skin again. “Damned everything to the Goddess! Why does this keep…happening…”

                I barely made out my sentence before the crowd parted like the sea, exposing a panting Royce, a smug Ranger, and who I was assuming was the final brother striding towards me.

                “Oh no. No. No. No.” I whispered.

                ‘Oh yes, yes, yes, yes.’ Nyx cooed.

                ‘Did you know? Nyx Did you f*****g know we had not one, not two, but three f*****g mates?’ I asked, never breaking eye contact from the triplets.

                Nyx shrugged. ‘I had…a feeling, but I couldn’t know for sure. I just knew ‘mate’ was here at the temple.’

                “If you so much as touch her again, I will have you disowned and thrown to the rouges with a bow on your f*****g head.” Royce’s husky voice said as he came up behind Mr. Grabby Hands. “Move out of our way.”

                I blinked a few times. This Royce was a completely different person. This Royce was frightening and demanding, a bully. And it was turning me on way more than I wanted to admit. Ranger was smiling like he knew this entire time and was happy to be right. And the last triplet, whose name was Redford if I remember my mother correctly, looked both angry and as horny as a w***e in a dugout.

                “I can handle myself thank you very much.” I said narrowing my eyes at him. Everything in me wanted to reach out and touch them, but I was afraid. Maybe they would reject me, or I’m not what they were expecting or wanting. What if they want separate Omega’s? Wait…maybe I need to reject them? Three Alpha mates? This has never occurred ever, ever, ever, never in Wulfkin history that I was aware of. This was different. Weird.

                ‘Mate’s would never reject us. We are too special for something like that to happen. We can handle three. Trust me. They belong to us.’ Nyx said confidently.

                Royce smirked that devilish smile at me. “I don’t doubt that for a second, sweetheart. I just wanted to warn him before I do something I don’t regret.”

                I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s how the saying goes.”

                He was now directly in front of me, and I forgot everyone in the room was watching the four of us. His hand moved to touch the side of my face gently, moving his thumb to trace my bottom lip. His gaze was intense, making me swallow so I remembered to breathe. His touch was electrifying and soothing all in one. It was like I have waited my entire life for this moment, for these Alpha’s. Everywhere they touched or looked at was set fire. I felt the heat on my cheeks, neck, and between my thighs. Ranger was behind me with both hands on either side of my hips, taking in my scent as he gripped my dress hard. Redford was confused, but took my hand gently in his and laid kisses on the back of my hand and up my arm.

                “I was kind of hoping it was going to be you.” Royce said softly.

                I smirked. “Did I make that good of an impression?”

                “Baby, your sass is going to get you punished.” Ranger said in my ear before trailing his tongue across it.

                Royce wet his lips as I exposed my neck to them, knowing what it was going to do to the Alpha’s. “Is that a submission I’m sensing, sweet Omega?”

                “Nah, I was just showing you what you have to look forward too, if your good that is.” I said teasingly. Then to be an ass, I nipped his thumb a little as I smiled.

                I watched as his eyes went dark. “How I wish we weren’t in a room full of people right now.”

                “You’re not the only one.” Ranger said in nearly a growl.

                “Why do I get the feeling your all talk and no bite?” Oh, how I liked teasing them.

                Redford leaned in and planted a few more kisses to my exposed shoulder. “I think this Omega is going to be a defiant pain in the ass.”

                Royce’s eyes seemed black at this point, his eyes finding the spot where he will be placing his mark. “There’s only one kind of biting I will be doing.”

                “Son’s, you need to reject her right now.”

                At that all three seemed to still and all their eyes went black. Their wolves were taking over with the sudden idea.

                Ranger shook his head, growling low. “What the hell are you talking about, father?”

                I took a deep breath. This was intense, and I was in the center of it.

                Dorian held out his hands in a pleading way. “Boys, it’s not right. You each need your own she-wolves to bare heirs. You cannot share an Omega.”

                “Wrong.” Redford said as he glanced over his shoulder at his father. “Omega’s can carry up to four pups in her womb at once, all can have different fathers even. It just happened in a different pack not too long ago. One she-wolf bore three children, to three different wolves.”

                Their father shook his head. “Please, is it not enough that you share the crown? Must you share your Omega too?”

                Royce huffed. “It only makes sense, father. We share just about everything in life. Why wouldn’t we have the same mate? Plus, I have no intention on rejecting Samara. I happen to like our mate, very much.”

                “Second. I’m not rejecting her.” Ranger chimed in, not being able to help squeezing my hips in his hands.

                Redford sighed. “Is there a real reason I should reject her? A logical, real reason?”

                Both Royce and Ranger glared over at their brother, they both were stunned to see him even entertaining the idea of rejection.

                “Well…It’s not normal.” Dorian said under his breath. “You all should each have an Omega solely focused on each of you. It’s what you deserve as Alpha King’s.”

                “If I may intervene, Alpha’s.” Fawn, my mother interjected with a mischievous look over her features. “It may not be normal, but neither is triplet King’s, and here we are accepting all three as our King’s. Do not doubt my daughter’s abilities and hidden talents. She could amaze you. But, to me, this should be her decision. It will be relatively easy for your boys, but for my daughter it will be…difficult. Everything will be harder. So, it should be Samara you’re asking to reject them, not your boys.”

                I sucked in a breath as Ranger nipped the skin at the base of my throat gently. It was where my mark from him was going to go, it made my whole-body quiver, and inside Nyx was trembling with anticipation. Royce turned his attention back to me and licked his lips. I knew they could smell my arousal, I could feel the inside of my panties getting wetter by the moment. Especially when they called me by that old-fashioned name for she-wolves, Omega.

                Maybe their father was right? Could I handle all this, all the time? Honestly, yes. But, what if this wasn’t best for the Wulfkin whole? Should I reject them? But, Nyx is in complete bliss. She is in heaven with the three wolves surrounding her. What if I drag them down? I’m nothing but an unwanted wolf, thrown away by my parents. They should have someone worthier. Right?

                “I don’t like that look in your eye, sweetheart.” Royce said pulling me out of my thoughts.

                I let out a deep breath. “I’m not worthy. I’m a nobody, a discarded wolf. Let me help you.”

                “Don’t you dare.” Ranger growled.

                Redford glanced up and shook his head.

                “I, Samara Morningstar rejec-“

                Ranger growled deeply. “Stop her, Royce.”

                Without hesitation, Royce leaned forward and cut me off by locking lips with me. He deepened the kiss before nipping at my bottom lip teasingly.

                 I sighed. “Let me do this for all of you. You need someone better than me.”

                “Shut up, Omega. You belong to us.” Redford commanded in his Alpha tone, knowing fully well that I would stop talking.

                Nyx shivered as she yipped happily. ‘Mate with them. I don’t care. Mate with them now for the love of the Goddess. I want them!’

                I resisted rolling my eyes at her lustfulness, although the idea sounds great at this point in time. ‘Calm down. You realize I was just about to reject them, right?’

                ‘No! You must not! We need them. ALL of them. They are our mates and Alpha’s. We need them. And I want their knots right damn now.’ Nyx said heatedly.

                ‘Calm yourself, I’m not getting knotted right in front of my mother. What is wrong with you?’ I said sighing at her.

                “If you try that again, I’m going to make sure to punish you when we get home.” Ranger said into my ear, lust dripping from every word.

                “I don’t think you understand. I was thrown away, not wanted. You need someone who has status. I’m just a priestess’s daughter.” I barely made out as Ranger’s hands slid a little more inward and Royce stepped over to let Redford in.

                Redford’s husky voice echoed into my ear. “You belong to us, and we have no intention of letting you go.”

                “Boys-“ Dorian started, but was cut off by his mate and wife,

                “Excuse me son’s, but you need to introduce Samara as your mate and queen before you proceed with anything any further. And do remember, you are in a holy temple with all your Wulfkin watching. Please refrain from roaming any lower, Ranger.”

                All of us looked over to see Makah standing there with a bliss like expression over her beautiful face. Royce shrugged, seemingly back to his normal self. Redford nodded, and Ranger laughed a little seeing his parent’s differences in opinions.

                “Oh, yeah. We can do that.” Ranger said in a low voice.

                “It has to be done now, and we have to have a formal meeting with the rest of the U.S. packs.” Makah said as she bowed her head to me. “Welcome to the family, my Queen.”

                I cringed. “I am not going to get used to that.”

                Royce nodded. “It’s weird, isn’t it?”

                “Very.” I couldn’t help the little giggle that escaped my lips as I felt hands all over my body.

                Ranger yawned, pulling me back against him. “Let’s go then. We’ll get this over and then I’m ready to go home and “relax”.”