Mated to Triplet Alphas After Rejected by One

Chapter 9: Counterattack and Welcome Party

My mother, Helen, rushed forward, her eyes wild. Behind her came Lilith, my sister, and Marcus - the sight of him sent a fresh wave of pain through my chest, but it was dulled by the protective presence of the triplets around me.

"Seraphina!" my mother shrieked, her voice hitting that shrill pitch that had always set my teeth on edge. "What have you done? How could you be so selfish?"

I stared at her, unable to believe what I was hearing. *I* was the selfish one?

"You couldn't keep Marcus's heart," she continued, her words like poison darts, each one finding its mark. "So you ran away like a coward, leaving us to clean up your mess. Do you have any idea what you've put this family through? What you've put your sister through?"

Each word was a knife, twisting in old wounds. But something in me, something that had been building for years, finally snapped.

"My mess?" I said, my voice low and dangerous. "My *mess*? You want to talk about messes, *Mother*?" I spat the word like a curse. "How about we talk about the mess you and Father made of me? How about we talk about years of neglect, of favoritism, of making me feel like I was worth less than dirt?"

My mother's face paled, but I was far from finished. The dam had broken, and years of pent-up pain and anger came pouring out.

"And you want to talk about Marcus?" I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Fine, let's talk about your precious Marcus and my dear, sweet sister. Shall we discuss how they were f*****g behind my back long before he rejected me? How they betrayed me, humiliated me, and then had the audacity to act like *I* was the problem?"

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lilith's face had gone white, while Marcus looked like he'd been slapped.

"You little b***h," my mother snarled, her eyes flashing dangerously. "How dare you spread such lies about your sister? About your mate?"

"Ex-mate," I corrected coldly. "And they're not lies. They're two-faced, cheating *dogs*, and you're no better for defending them."

With a roar of rage, my mother began to shift. Her body contorted, bones cracking and reforming as she took on her Beta form - larger and more powerful than a regular wolf, but not quite as imposing as a full Alpha.

She lunged at me, teeth bared, claws extended. For a moment, terror gripped me - without my wolf, I was no match for her. But before she could reach me, a wall of silver-gray fur interposed itself between us.

Asher, in his full Alpha form, was magnificent and terrifying. He towered over my mother, his presence so overwhelming that she faltered mid-leap. Fear flashed in her eyes, and in the next instant, she had shifted back to her human form, cowering before him.

"You dare," Asher growled, his voice deeper and more menacing in this form, "to attack your own daughter? To side with those who betrayed her?"

My mother whimpered, unable to meet his gaze. The sight of her, usually so proud and imperious, reduced to this cowering form, sent a confusing mix of emotions through me - satisfaction, pity, and a lingering ache for the maternal love I'd never truly had.

Marcus, apparently emboldened by jealousy or sheer stupidity, stepped forward. He reached for my arm, his face a mask of possessive anger. "Seraphina, what is the meaning of this? Who are these-"

But before he could touch me, Lucian was there. He didn't shift, didn't even raise his voice. He simply fixed Marcus with a look so cold, so filled with promise of violence, that Marcus stumbled back as if physically struck.

"Who are we?" Lucian said, his voice deceptively calm. "We are the future Alphas of the Shadow Ridge Pack. And Seraphina is under our protection."

The revelation sent shockwaves through the gathered crowd. The Shadow Ridge Pack was legendary, their power unmatched. And here were their future Alphas, standing as my defenders.

Lilith, ever the opportunist, seemed to sense the shifting tide. She stepped forward, her face a perfect mask of concern and gentleness. But I knew her too well - I saw the calculation in her eyes, the hint of jealousy as she took in the protective stances of the triplets around me.

"Sister," she said, her voice honey-sweet, "I know you're angry. I know you hate me, and I don't blame you. But please, this has gone on long enough. Mom and Dad have been so worried. Why don't we all go home and talk about this calmly?"

I didn't answer. The silence was deafening. However, Marcus's voice cut through the tense silence. His tone was suddenly calm, almost jovial, as if the last few minutes hadn't happened at all. "Yes, to celebrate Sera's return and the arrival of our esteemed guests from the Shadow Ridge Pack, we're preparing a welcome party."

I stared at him, unable to believe what I was hearing. A party? After everything that had just transpired? The irony wasn't lost on me - the last party I'd attended here had pushed me to the brink of despair. And now, here they were, proposing another to "welcome me back."

But as much as I wanted to refuse, to turn my back on this place and never look back, I knew I couldn't. Dr. Emerson's words echoed in my mind - I needed to find my wolf to completely sever the bond with Marcus. Until then, I was still vulnerable.

I forced a neutral expression onto my face. "That sounds... lovely," I managed, the words tasting like ash in my mouth.

Kael shot me a concerned look. "Sera, we don't have to-"

I cut him off with a slight shake of my head. "No, it's fine. We should attend." I met his eyes, trying to convey my unspoken message. We need more time. I need to find my wolf.

He nodded almost imperceptibly, understanding passing between us. It still amazed me how easily I could communicate with the triplets, how in tune we seemed to be after such a short time.

The atmosphere in the hastily prepared banquet hall was thick with tension. Pack members milled about, their eyes darting between me, the triplets, and my family. Whispers followed in our wake, a constant susurrus of speculation and gossip.

As we moved through the crowd, I was struck by how different everything felt. People who had never given me a second glance before were now falling over themselves to greet me, their eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and calculation as they took in my proximity to the Shadow Ridge alphas.

Vanessa, my longtime tormentor, sidled up to us, her face a mask of fawning admiration. "Sera! I'm so glad you're back. We were all so worried about you."

The audacity of her false concern ignited a fire in my chest. Gone were the days when I would meekly accept such blatant lies. I was done playing the victim.

"Worried?" I echoed, my voice sharp enough to cut glass. "That's rich coming from you, Vanessa. Tell me, were you worried when you were spreading rumors about me? Or perhaps you were concerned when you and your little gang cornered me in the locker room? "

Vanessa's smile froze, her eyes widening in panic as she glanced between me and the triplets.

By now, a small crowd had gathered, watching the confrontation with a mix of shock and morbid fascination. Vanessa's face had drained of all color, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," she stammered. "We were friends-"

"Friends?" I laughed, the sound harsh and humorless. "Is that what you call it? Well, allow me to extend the same friendship to you, Vanessa. "

Kael, picking up on my mood, smoothly interjected. His tone was light, but his eyes were hard as flint. "You know, Vanessa, where I come from, we have a special way of dealing with such friends. Would you like a demonstration?"

Vanessa blanched, taking a step back. "I... I have to go," she muttered, before turning tail and all but running from the room.

As Vanessa ran out, I noticed Lilith approaching, a glass of deep red wine in her hand. Her face was set in that sweetly false expression I knew so well, but I could see the calculation in her eyes.

"Lucian," she said, her voice dripping with honey, "I brought you something special. This is a rare vintage, unique to the Crimson Moon Pack. Only our most distinguished guests are offered a taste."

She held out the glass, and for a moment, I tensed. But Lucian's face remained impassive as he accepted it. "How thoughtful," he said, his tone giving nothing away.

Lilith's smile widened, triumph flickering in her eyes. But it was short-lived. In one smooth motion, Lucian turned and handed the glass to me.

"Then it seems only fitting that the most distinguished person here should enjoy it," he said, his eyes meeting mine with a warmth that made my heart skip.

A rush of warmth flooded through me. In that simple gesture, Lucian had not only put Lilith in her place but had also affirmed my worth in front of the entire pack. I took the glass, nodding my thanks.

As I raised it to my lips, I caught a flash of something - panic? - cross Lilith's face. For a split second, she seemed about to reach out, to stop me. But then her expression smoothed over, and she did nothing.

The wine was rich and heady, with an undertone I couldn't quite place. As I drank, I saw Lilith's hands clench at her sides, her knuckles white with tension.

As the party wore on, a strange heaviness began to settle over me. My head felt fuzzy, and an odd heat seemed to be building in my core. I tried to shake it off, to focus on the conversations around me, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

By the time we were ready to leave, I could barely stand straight. The room spun around me, and every brush of fabric against my skin sent shivers through my body.

"Sera?" Asher's concerned voice seemed to come from far away. "Are you alright?"

He reached out to steady me, and the moment his hand touched my arm, a jolt of electricity shot through me. Suddenly, all I could think about was how good his touch felt, how much I wanted - needed - more.

I leaned into him, unable to stop myself from pressing closer. "Asher," I murmured, my voice husky even to my own ears. "I feel... strange."

Lucian was there in an instant, his brow furrowed with concern. He reached out, his hand hovering just above my skin as he used his Alpha senses to assess my condition.

His expression darkened. "The wine," he growled. "It wasn't just wine. We need to leave now."

When we returned to the room that Pack had prepared for us, I leaned against Asher's body. "Help...me..." The heat in my body building to an almost unbearable level.

"Are you really willing? We can try other methods." I saw Asher's eyes darken, and it seemed that there was desire flowing in his eyes.

"Yes, help me, please" I almost hung on Asher, twisting my body unconsciously, just instinctively wanting to be more comfortable.

"Do you want the three of us?" Lucian's voice was hoarse, and Kael looked at me quietly, his eyes gradually becoming hungry.

"Yes, yes!" I cried out.

Asher's grip tightened on my waist, his breath hot against my ear. 'We will give you everything you desire," he whispered, his voice a seductive promise.

Lucian and Kael moved in unison, their hands roaming over my body with practiced ease.

"Please..." I begged, my voice breaking with need.