Three Alphas One Mate

Four

I snorted. “What the hell do you mean by ‘claiming me’?”

Rosie leaned closer. “You didn’t see what I saw after you fainted. Those three were practically fighting over who got to carry you to the car. If there’s something beyond this attraction they feel for you, it’s big.”

I glared at her. “There’s nothing attractive about being sniffed like I’m dinner. They’re creepy.”

Rosie smirked. “Creepy? Please. You’ve always had a thing for dangerous boys—crybabies, stalkers, guys who fake their own deaths instead of breaking up with you.”

Her grin widened. “And now, you’ve upgraded to three hot Lycan triplet brothers.”

“Don’t,” I snapped. “Don’t joke about that.”

Rosie shrugged. “I’m just saying, Professor Hale told me they’re about to be crowned—one as Alpha, the others as sub-Alphas. Imagine what you could do with that kind of power backing you. You could make Desmond regret every damn thing he did.”

I stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “Are you crazy? I don’t want revenge, Rosie. I just want to go home.”

Rosie sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. But like it or not, those three are circling you like you’re the last piece of prey in the forest.”

“Stop romanticizing this,” I bit out. “They’re holding me here against my will over some vague ‘trouble’ I supposedly caused; and even if I wanted to play nice, why would Lycans like them want anything to do with me?”

Because I knew how Lycan society worked. Alphas didn’t marry humans. Betas like Desmond could, barely tolerated, but even then it was whispered about behind closed doors.

And these three weren’t just Alphas; they were royalty.

So why the hell were they looking at me like that?

Before Rosie could answer, the rumble of an engine drew our attention. A black Jeep rolled into the drive, kicking up dust. Benedict and Nicolas climbed out, moving with a grace that screamed power.

I groaned loudly and rubbed my temples. “Here we go. Watch, they’re going to start fighting over me or something stupid like that.”

Rosie’s eyes sparkled as she nudged me.

Their voices rose, sharp and heated, as they argued with Alexander near the van.

Rosie smirked, lowering her voice to a whisper. “You have to admit, they’re insanely hot. Especially the one on the left with the highlights. He’s trouble.”

Despite myself, I glanced over. Nicolas stood rigid, his gold-tipped hair catching the sunlight as his gaze pinned me in place.

“He is trouble,” I muttered.

Rosie’s grin turned wicked. “The best kind. And the one on the right?” She tilted her head toward Benedict, who was speaking with the professor. “He’s giving off serious aftercare kink energy. You know, the kind who holds you sweetly after he ruins you.”

“Rosie!” My face flamed. “You need therapy.”

She giggled behind her hand, then sobered as her gaze shifted to Alexander.

“He doesn’t even need to try. He just is. You can tell he’s the leader. All power, all control.”

“More like all scowl,” I muttered.

Rosie hummed. “Scowl or not, that man would destroy anyone who tried to hurt you.”

“Stop,” I snapped. “Desmond lied about dying, Rosie. Dying.” My voice cracked, the old wound tearing open again. “And now you want me to flirt with these guys?”

The betrayal still burned. Desmond had been my safe place, and the one person I’d trusted completely. I’d told him everything about myself. About always feeling like an outsider. He’d promised to build a life with me.

Then he faked his death like a coward and left me here, surrounded by these Lycans.

I wasn’t even Lycan-girl beautiful. I was average height, had no deadly grace. Walked with a limp that made me self-conscious and curves I didn’t fully appreciate. Why would men like them want anything to do with me?

Alexander’s sharp tone cut through the noise.

“They’ll have to stay until the Passing of the Moon.”

My stomach twisted. I marched forward, my limp more pronounced under stress. “Excuse me? What is the Passing of the Moon, and why are we staying?”

Three pairs of gray eyes snapped to me at once. The intensity of their focus nearly made me stumble.

Alexander’s voice went calmer. “It’s how we identify threats. Every outsider goes through it. If you pass, you leave. If you fail…” He paused deliberately. “You stay here. Permanently.”

My heart pounded. “I’m not an intruder! I came here with Professor Hale. I have witnesses. Desmond knows me!”

Nicolas’ lip curled in disgust. “Why would you let that pig f**k you?”

Benedict growled. “Watch your mouth, Nicolas.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. Shock stole my words.

Before I could react, Alexander closed the distance between us. His gaze locked on mine, and then his hand slid to my waist.

My breath caught.

Whatever this was, it was far bigger than Desmond’s lies.