The Flame-bound Wolf and Her Triplet Mates

16

Chapter 16

The kitchen felt heavy with tension as I leaned against the counter, watching Evan carefully. His usually confident demeanor was subdued, like he was treading on thin ice.

“For our marks to stick,” he began, his voice calm but serious, “it’s not as simple as a regular bite. We’d need to do a blood exchange on the night of a full moon.”

I blinked, my fingers gripping the edge of the countertop. “A blood exchange?”

Orion stepped closer, his presence steady and grounding. “Yes. It’s different for us because we’re Alphas. The bond is stronger, deeper. And since it’s not just one of us but all three, the process is more... involved.”

Evan nodded. “We’d also need a witch to oversee the ceremony. And because we’re Alphas, the pack has to witness it, to prove they agree with you becoming their Luna. It’s tradition.”

My chest tightened. The thought of being bound to the triplets forever was daunting enough, but in front of the entire pack?

"And what happens if they agree with me being their Luna?" I asked.

I had completely overlooked that I would become Luna after being marked by the triplets. Was I ready for that responsibility?

"Why wouldn't they agree with you being our mate?" Flint immediately asked.

I don't think the triplets had ever thought about being rejected growing up. They grew up to confident and knew they would assume leadership roles from a young age. That wasn't the case with me.

One of the few people who accepted me for who I was outside of my family immediately was Jessa, with the rest, it took a bit time to warm up to me. Would it be the same when the pack found out I was going to be their Luna?

I shrugged my shoulders and moved on from that line of thought. I thought back to what I had heard about mating ceremonies and remembered once crucial detail. My voice came out quieter than I intended. “And… what about consummation?”

Flint’s soft chuckle broke through the tension, but it only made my cheeks burn hotter. Orion shot him a warning glare before turning his attention back to me.

“That part isn’t required for ourbond to take hold,” Orion said, his tone gentle. “Since we are doing a blood exchange, s*x is something we can do later. At our leisure. When you’re ready of course. There’s no rush.”

Relief washed over me, but the nervous energy still lingered. Before I could dwell on it, Flint clapped his hands, breaking the moment.

“Enough of this heavy talk. Food’s ready, and I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

He steered us toward the dining table and began dishing up the food he’d made. When he placed a plate in front of me, I noticed it was piled high way more than what he gave his brothers.

“You gave her the biggest portion,” Orion pointed out, raising a brow.

Flint shrugged with a grin before winking at me. “I cooked so I decide who get what size and my mate will always deserve the biggest piece of her favourite meal."

I frowned, tilting my head at him. “How do you even know that? We’ve never eaten a proper meal together before.”

Flint leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. “We know more about you than you think, Plum.”

That playful way he used my middle name softened my annoyance, but his statement brought up a bitterness that I had wanted to hide and eventually bury. His playful tone didn’t erase the bitterness of all the secrets they’d kept.

“That reminds me,” I said, setting my fork down. “You hid that we were mates for over 2 years from me. You knew but you didn’t tell me immediately.”

Evan sighed, guilt flashing in his eyes. “We didn’t think it was our place to tell you—not until we were sure. We handled it wrong, and for that, I’m sorry.”

I studied him for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But from now on, no more secrets. If we’re doing this, I need to trust you. All of you.”

The triplets exchanged a glance before Flint spoke up. “No more secrets, Plum. You have our word.”

With that settled, the tension eased. We finished our meals in relative peace, and soon the triplets decided to call it a night. As I made my way back to the guest room, Flint caught my arm, his blue eyes glinting with mischief.

“You know,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “my bed’s big enough for two.”

My heart skipped a beat, heat rushing to my face. “I—uh—no, thank you.”

"Come on. The others don't have know." Flint, said in a husky tone. "We can continue what we were doing in the kitchen and if you want to do more, I won't stop you."

Flint took a step closer which made me take a step back. Flint chuckled, leaning closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Still so innocent. Adorable.”

Mortified, I yanked my arm free and hurried down the hall, his laughter echoing behind me. Once I reached my room, I flopped onto the bed, burying my face in a pillow.

“Why am I like this?” I groaned, the memory of his teasing replaying in my mind. Making me feel like I would never fall asleep.

Eventually, exhaustion won out, and I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

***

When I woke, the house was eerily quiet. For the first time in what felt like forever, the triplets weren’t hovering nearby. Taking advantage of the solitude, I decided to head back to my own home.

As I walked through our packlands, the weight of curious stares and whispered conversations followed me. I didn’t have to hear the words to know what they were talking about. Me. The triplets. My powers.

I kept my head high and pushed forward. By the time I reached the familiar door of my house, the knot of tension in my chest loosened.

The smell of pancakes greeted me as I stepped inside. My dad was in the kitchen, flipping pancakes while my little sister giggled at the table. The sight made my heart swell.

“Milli!” my dad exclaimed, dropping the spatula to pull me into a warm hug. “You’re back.”

“Hey, Dad,” I said, smiling. I pulled away from him and pulled Maddie into a hug and kissed her cheek, “Miss me?”

“Always.” He stepped back from the pan, looking me over with concern. “You look tired. Sit. Have some breakfast.”

I joined my sister at the table, savoring the normalcy of the moment. I didn't ever think there would be a point in time were this was almost taken away from him. As we ate, Dad started reminiscing, his tone light and nostalgic.

“Do you remember when you were five and tried to climb that big oak tree in the yard?” he asked, chuckling.

I laughed. “You mean the one I fell out of?”

“You didn’t just fall,” he said, shaking his head. “You got stuck halfway up and refused to come down. I had to climb up and get you and when you realised I was close to getting you off the tree, you then flung yourself off the tree and landed on your behind.”

I grinned. “I guess I’ve always been stubborn.”

“Not just stubborn,” he said, his expression softening. “That was the biggest tree in our yard and you with your determination climbed up it without any help. Milli you are strong. Brave. It’s who you are, Milli. Don’t ever forget that. Your mom would be so proud of the woman you have become.”

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and for the first time in days, I felt at peace. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew I had the strength to face them.