The Flame-bound Wolf and Her Triplet Mates

3

Chapter Three

The moon hung low in the sky, casting silver light over the forest as I tore through the trees. The cool night air stung my cheeks, and my breath came in sharp puffs, but I didn’t slow down. Running was the only way I could outrun my thoughts, and tonight, they chased me like wolves nipping at my heels.

Malcolm. Chelsy. The Thorn triplets. It was all too much. I had left my room through my window, fearing waking up my father by leaving through the front door, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to get to sleep anytime soon.

I pushed myself harder, my wolf stirring just beneath the surface, urging me to let her out, to shift and run free. But I resisted. I needed control right now, not the primal chaos my wolf offered.

The forest was quiet except for the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle of wind in the branches. It should have been calming, but tonight, the silence felt heavy, almost watchful. I slowed my pace, my senses prickling with unease.

I wasn’t alone.

I came to a stop, my heart pounding for reasons that had nothing to do with exertion. I scanned the shadows, my breath catching when a figure stepped out from behind a tree.

Orion.

His broad frame was cloaked in darkness, but the moonlight caught on his sharp features, illuminating his chiseled jaw and those piercing blue-gray eyes. He leaned casually against a tree as if he was waiting for me to finish my assessment of him.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked, his voice low and smooth, but there was an edge to it that made my wolf bristle.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I shot back, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the wild thrum of my pulse.

He straightened, taking a slow step toward me. “Patrol. My wolf needs to get used to the lands again after being away for so long, and then I smelt you. Thought you might need some company.”

Smelt? Where did he know my scent from?

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Since when do you care if I need company?”

Orion’s lips curved into a small smirk, but his eyes remained serious. “Maybe I’ve changed.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right. And I’m supposed to believe that after years of torment? A tiger doesn't change its strips.”

He stepped closer, and I instinctively took a step back, only to realize that that was the only step I could take. I was pinned against a tree. The bark pressed into my shoulders as he came closer. Only stopping when there wasn’t much between us. He loomed over me, his presence overwhelming.

“Look,” he said quietly, his smirk fading. “I know we weren’t exactly… kind to you. But things are different now. All those games we used to play are over. Our training really whipped us into shape. Our priorities are different. We’re different. I’m different. ”

I opened my mouth to retort, but the sincerity in his eyes stopped me. For a moment, I saw something raw in his expression, something vulnerable that made my chest tighten.

Orion smiled crookedly. “You don’t have to worry about us teasing you anymore, I mean unless you ask for it.”

I narrowed my eyes. Of course, he had to ruin the moment. Whatever I was feeling before was gone. Before I could respond, a gust of wind rustled the branches above us, and I glanced up. My breath caught in my throat.

A cluster of mistletoe hung from the tree above us, its small white berries gleaming in the moonlight.

“Seriously?” I muttered, more to myself than to him. Fate was playing a cruel trick on me. It had to be.

Orion followed my gaze, and when he saw the mistletoe, a slow, wicked grin spread across his face. “Looks like fate has a sense of humor.”

“It’s a human tradition,” I snapped, my cheeks heating. “It doesn’t mean anything to us.”

“Doesn’t it?” He leaned in, his voice dropping to a murmur that sent shivers down my spine. “Because from what I’ve heard, you have been taking it very seriously while we’ve been away. With that mutt, Malcolm, is it?”

I glared up at him, my heart racing. Who was telling them about me and for what reasons? “Who—”

But my voice faltered as his face came closer, so close I could see the faint stubble on his jaw, the way his eyes darkened with something I couldn’t quite name. My wolf stirred again, her interest unmistakable, and I hated her for it.

“You’re not scared of me, are you, Milli?” he asked, his voice soft but teasing. His tongue peeked out of his mouth, taking a swipe of his bottom lip.

“Of course not,” I lied, even as my pulse hammered in my ears.

He reached out, his fingers brushing a stray curl of hair away from my face. The touch was light, almost hesitant, and it sent a jolt of

heat through me. His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of us, standing beneath that damn mistletoe.

I thought he might kiss me. For one wild, reckless second, I wanted him to.

But before he could move closer, a distant howl shattered the moment. It was sharp and mournful, cutting through the stillness of the forest like a warning.

Orion stiffened, his body going taut with alertness. His gaze darted toward the sound, and his expression darkened. His eyes shifted between the normal blue-gray and the golden of his wolf as he scanned behind me. “You shouldn’t have been out here alone,” he said, his voice suddenly serious.

“I can handle myself,” I said, though the tremor in my voice betrayed me.

“This isn’t a game, Milli.” He stepped back, his protective alpha instincts taking over. “Something’s wrong. Go home.”

I hesitated, my pride warring with the unease creeping up my spine. “What about you?”

“I have to check it out.” His tone left no room for argument. “Go.”

I wanted to argue. Our pack was small, so we rarely had any surprises. Surely whatever was out there was nothing and, besides, why did he want to take the risk of finding out alone? Wouldn't it be better to stick together?

Another howl—closer this time—made my decision for me. Orion moved further away from me and with one last glance at him, I turned and ran back toward the pack house, the weight of his gaze heavy on my back.

***

Back in my room, I paced restlessly, my mind spinning. I had gone out to clear my head, hoping I would tire myself out enough to sleep, but I knew that was an impossibility now.

The encounter with Orion had left me shaken in ways I didn’t understand and with more questions than I cared for. He’d always been cruel, a bully who thrived on making me miserable. But tonight, he was… different. And that almost-kiss under the mistletoe? That was something I couldn’t even begin to process. If his brothers were anything like him, then I knew this was only the beginning of my trouble.

Jessa’s voice echoed in my mind: “Imagine how much they’ve matured since then.”

Had they really changed? Or was this some new game they were playing, something even more dangerous than before?

I didn’t know. But one thing was certain—whatever was happening with the Thorn triplets, was far from over.