Their Little Wolf

Chapter Four

"Wait, stop!" I screamed.

Sebastian's body tensed at my words, his eyes flashing with a primal intensity and a fight for control he seemed to be losing, lost to the instinct of his Wolf.

Warrick was suddenly there, ripping us apart with a fierce growl.

“Sebastian, let her go!” He shouted, his voice shaking the room and his Alpha’s aura unleashed and filled the air with a heavy tension that made Seb’s body lock up on instinct, his hands releasing me at the command.

Heath’s arms wrapped around me, catching me before I could fall and pulled me tightly to his chest in protection, stepping away as Warrick slammed his fist into the side of Sebastian's jaw when he tried to reach for me again. “Control yourself!”

Seeing blood spill from the cut of Seb’s lip tore something in me and a pained whine left me, my Wolf begging them to stop.

“Don’t fight!” I begged.

“Ari, don’t-” I slipped from Heath’s tight grip before he could stop me, throwing myself between my Alphas.

“Stop it!” I yelped, Warrick moving impossibly fast and grabbing a hold of me, pulling me away from Seb as his eyes darkened again, smelling my scent so close.

The words slipped. “Seb, please!”

Sebastian's eyes shone green again, freezing for a moment to stare at me. He went to take a step forward, his eyes wide with guilt and sadness.

Warrick snarled, pulling me behind him protectively, glaring. "Take another step and I'll put you down permanently."

I'd never heard the Trio threaten each other.

Sebastian looked at me, his eyes shining as if he was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry, Ella." He whispered, his voice rough and my body bristled at the nickname, wanting to fight against Warrick’s grip to go to him.

Seb’s jaw ticked, watching me and seeing the defiance building; he turned his head away, his jaw clenching. "Heath,"

Heath hesitated, glancing at Warrick who nodded at him, releasing me gently and guided me to his younger brother. I stumbled, glancing at Seb who still didn’t look at me, my heart tearing that I’d done something wrong.

Heath’s hand touched my waist, drawing my attention up to his cloudy green eyes, emotions swirling. He brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes softening with understanding as he guided me from the room.

I glanced back, a small whine leaving me as I met the eyes of Warrick and Sebastian, a look of hurt and want to pull me back to them shining.

Heath led me down the hall, tugging me into his side and spoke softly. “You remember when we had to go to Homeworld?” He asked, glancing down at me with a guarded look as I nodded, remembering my adoptive-family being enraged the Alpha, the triplet's father, allowed three sixteen-year-olds to go.

“Jack said you guys never talked about it when you got back,” I muttered, unsure how to approach the topic – no one asked the trio what happened, there were whispers, but some were so wild I wasn’t sure I could believe them.

Heath shook his head, his expression distant, as if he was trying to block out a memory. “We don’t,” he clipped, his voice tight, his eyes flicking to me and softening. “But, we will.” He promised, moving to take my hand in his. “Just know, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

I nodded, not entirely sure I believed him until he squeezed my hand, pulling our entwined fingers up to his lips and kissing my knuckles, a mischievous grin spreading as he added. “Seb’s just more of a savage than the rest of us,”

A rough chuckle left me, finding myself rolling my eyes at him, but his words did settle some of the panic I had. It wasn’t uncommon for powerful Alpha’s to have issues controlling their primal urges, especially when it came to their mates' scent.

I chewed on the inside of my lip as we moved through the quiet of the Packhouse, considering ways I could help.

A soft chuckle from Heath drew my attention from my thoughts of hormonal rebalancing. “Are you thinking of experimenting on my brother?” He teased, as if he could read my thoughts.

I blushed. “Uh...not really?” I answered, shooting him a sheepish grin knowing I sounded unconvincing.

Heath chuckled, his grin sweet and charming. “Always in the medical books, aren’t you?”

I shrugged, glancing across the hall as we crossed it to the kitchen hallways, “I like to help. I’d rather that be with a scalpel than my claws.”

He hummed in consideration, “So, you’re going against Morton’s recommendation?” He asked, my face twisting at the thought of my lecture of medicine and his latest recommendation for my medical placement in the clinic – a nurse. Heath noticed, a laugh escaping him.

“That was the look Warrick had when he saw it too.” He admitted in a chuckle, surprise taking over.

I blinked at him. “Is that why Morton was removed from the board?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

Heath didn’t answer, he shrugged, gesturing them and I realised we were at my door.

I gave him a teasing scowl. “I’m taking that as a yes,” I grumbled at him, as I found my hide-a-key and unlocked the door, his brows narrowing when it opened to my small room that was the size of his bathroom.

"Wasn't this a supply closet?" He asked, his voice almost angry.

I nodded and shrugged, not meeting his eyes as I stepped in. "It was the only place my smell wouldn't bother the others, it mixes with the food and supplies." Given tonight’s reactions to my amplified scent, I wasn’t so angry about the isolation anymore, though a pit of loneliness struck me when I inhaled the barren smell of my room – wishing it smelt like Seb and – I faltered, seeing Heath's eyes scanning the room, taking in the tiny bed wedge in the corner, the sink beside it and a cubbyhole where I had my clothes stashed on the other side.

I dashed across my small space, shoving the lacy underwear out of sight.

Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice. His gaze lingered on the bed, glancing around the room that he filled nearly half of.

"Ari, I...I had no idea," Heath said, his voice softening. He gave me a look of guilt and pity.

I shrugged, going to dismiss it when I stopped, seeing a jewelry box on my bed, my eyes narrowing on the foreign red object. "What’s that?" I asked, looking up at him.

Heath's eyes met mine, and the faint smell of hazelnuts filled my small space.

He gave me a shy grin. "I made it for you, but after everything I wasn’t sure,” he shook his head, stopping himself with a small, embarrassed chuckle I didn’t expect as he scratched the back of his raven head. “Warrick knew and must have put it here when he grabbed your towel." He stepped towards it, picking it up off the bed and giving me another shy look. "I wasn't sure you'd accept it...or us.”

I stepped towards him, taking it gingerly and opened it, curious.

A smile on my lips as I took in a shimmering crystal wolf, hanging from a twisted metal that looked feign but familiar, the almost white metal shining oddly in my yellow light. "It's really beautiful," I whispered, looking up at him and then through my lashes, hesitating to ask the question that danced on my tongue.

A look of worry flashed across his face, looking at the box in my hand, and it forced the words out of me, realising I’d made him think I didn’t want it.

I gave him a shy smile of my own. "Will you put it on me?"

"You like it," he smiled, a look of relief in his eyes.

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat as he grinned brightly, seeming ecstatic.

He pulled the necklace free, smiling at me as I turned and moved my hair.

"You really made this?" I asked quietly, more trying to distract myself from the sudden realisation of how close he was.

He stepped behind me, his arms reaching around my shoulders, his skin brushing mine and sparks ignited.

"I did," he said proudly, his fingers caressing me as he tied it into place. "I've honestly been carrying it around for a while, trying to be brave enough to give it to you."

I turned, blinking at his admittance.

He chuckled, scratching the back of his head and shrugged. "I've liked you for a while," he paused for a moment, adding. "We all have."

I stepped back, squeaking when I hit my bed and fell into a seat.

Heath laughed, his eyes wide for a moment with worry before turning to emeralds of joy.

I scowled at him, a smile pulling at my lips. "So....you tease me because..."

He shrugged, coming to sit next to me.

Only, my bed wasn't made the best and, pretty sure, older than both of us.

His weight cracked the supporting, splitting my bed clean in half.

I squeaked, suddenly rolling and fell on top of him. Heath caught me, his face just as shocked as mine.

He tilted his head up from the debris of wood and fabric, looking at me. "Ugh....sorry about that." He gave me an apologetic grin.

The expression on his face, the way he held me gently but safely.

I burst into laughter. "You broke my bed!" I choked out.

Heath chuckled, shuffling and cradled me, suddenly standing with me across his chest and looking down at the broken wreckage. "Yeah..." He drawled. "Not exactly how I wanted to break your bed...." He shrugged them, his eyes glinting as he looked down at me. "At least you were in it, so I get to say you helped." He grinned at me, bright and mischievous. I laughed again, blushing at the same time.

I giggled, slapping his chest to make him put me down. He seemed upset about it, but did, watching me as I tried to salvage my bedding.

He chuckled, grabbing my wrist as I went to start excavating. "How about you go get some new bedding and I'll clean this mess?"

I faltered, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them. "Thank you, Heath."

He smiled brightly, hearing me say his name, a blush touching my cheeks.

Within half an hour, Heath had cleared out the debris of my ruined bed, helping me set up a den of fabric and bedding.

He went to the bathroom while I mused around, preparing for bed, raising an eyebrow when he came in.

"Did you..." He shrugged at me.

"Move over, little one." He instructed, making me shuffle across as he crawled into the bedding, throwing his own blanket across us and leaning back, sighing at his work.

I giggled, reaching under my sink and found the small box that wasn't ruined.

Heath raised a brow at me, smirking when I sat back.

"Wanna cookie?" I smiled up at him, offering him the half-eaten packet.

He chuckled, taking one. "You have a secret stash?" He asked.

I nodded. "Perks of handling inventory, if we get too much, it goes to 'waste'" I grinned, directing two thumbs at me when I said the words waste.

Heath frowned. "You're not waste, Ariella."

I rolled my eyes at him, bit into a cookie and leaned against the wall. My knees curled, and I slumped. "Not anymore," I muttered.

Heath flinched, my Wolf snarling at me for being a b***h.

I growled back; just because she didn't like it didn't mean it wasn't true.

After a moment of silence, I felt bad, realising I'd been completely spiteful...and he'd just been so lovely.

I glanced up at him, seeing the brooding expression of thought on his face.

"Alpha?" I whispered. He didn't move almost as if he didn't hear me.

"Heath?"

That seemed to work, but when he spoke, his voice was deep and melodic. "I can't erase the damage we caused, little wolf," his eyes moving to lock with mine. "But, I promise it was never done in hate. Only inability to understand the call so early."

My brows narrowed. "So, you were cruel because you knew, on some level, I was your mate?"

He nodded once.

It didn't make it okay, but a part of me understood. It was why, I realised, they were the only men who could submit me, and I had submitted freely.

They never forced me to my knees.

I had started it.

I sighed, thinking for a moment and then, giving into my Wolf's demands, I leaned against his arm.

"Stay til I fall asleep?" I asked, my cheek pressed against his large arm.

He chuckled softly, raising it and I fell into his chest, his arm falling around me to tuck me in closer. "You have me forever, princess." He pressed his lips to my hair, the action causing tiredness to wash over me and I found myself fast asleep in his arms.

I woke up at some point, my breathing a little funny.

Only to open my eyes and realise why.

Heath had gathered me in his lap, his arms banded around me and his cheek resting against the top of my head.

I tried to move, only for him to squeeze me, stopping me from moving and cutting off my breathing for a moment. "Shh, you're fine." He grumbled at me when I dramatically wheezed from his grip, but he still loosened his hold on me slightly.

I chuckled into the darkness of my small room, filled with his scent of coconuts.

"You're still here?" I muttered, turning slightly in his arms to rest my head on his chest.

He leaned over me and nuzzled into my cheek, kissing me sleepily.

"I couldn't let go," he admitted, his hold tightening for a moment in emphasis.

I gave a soft giggle as he nuzzled into my cheek again.

"I hope that's okay," he whispered, his stubble rubbing against my face.

I nodded, drifting back to sleep. "You're much comfier than my bed was."

"I make a pretty great pillow too." He chuckled, shifting us to curl up in the den of fabric we'd made, pulling me onto his chest as a pillow.

His large fingers toyed with my hair absently, just as mine circled lazy patterns across his chest.

"I hope you'll give us a chance," he whispered, his voice thick.

I continued tracing invisible patterns. "I'm still scared this is a joke you're playing on me," I admitted, feeling him tense under me.

"Ari-"

"You can't blame me, can you?" I tried to sit up, but his arms held me against him.

"Please don't," he begged, my Wolf sobbing ad I relaxed. He waited a few moments, hugging me to him as if he was trying to memories the feeling of me in his arms. "I don't blame you..." He said finally, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't blame you if you reject all of us....but please, give us a chance to show we're serious. We want to be with you, Ariella."

The room was incredibly quiet for a few moments, my Wolf pleading with me before I finally answered.

"Okay," I whispered, relaxing into his shoulder.

“Thank you, princess,” he whispered back and kissed my forehead, the tension easing from his body as we drifted.

He really did make a great pillow.

We fell asleep within seconds.