The Triplet Alphas's Christmas Gift

Chapter 22 - The Luna

Teira's POV

"What is she doing here?" Tyler growled as Whitley walked into the room. The woman glared at him, "Mind your manners; Whitley is here to visit the young woman you rescued a few days ago before you take her to dinner." she stated, and my heart sank.

Dinner? The triplets were taking Whitley to dinner? Why? Was she their girlfriend? My blood boiled at the thought, and my heart raced; thankfully, the doctor had taken the heart monitor off yesterday, or everyone in the room would hear how hard it pounded at those words.

What I didn't understand was why. They were my friends; saving me from Dad earned them that, at least, but that was all. We weren't dating or even mates as far as I knew, so why did the thought of them going to dinner with Whitley make me so angry?

Tyler stiffened, and Ryan shook his head, "Mom, we already told you what happened that night. We didn't ditch Whitley deliberately to go and visit Teira. We really did leave to go study when her brother linked us for help. It was not intentional." he said calmly. The Luna smiled brightly, "Yes, I know. Your father explained everything a few days ago. But seeing as how dinner was cut short, it's only fitting that you boys treat Whitley to dinner. Especially since you haven't been able to see each other much with," she looked me in the eyes, "How busy you've been." she finished smiling sweetly.

I looked down; living with Mom and Dad had taught me not to look people in the eyes, especially the higher-ranking members of the pack. The Alpha was the exception as he insisted on looking me in the eyes when we spoke, but it was obvious the Luna was not like him. She gave off the aura of being better than everyone around her, and she knew it.

Tyler growled, but I put my hand out gently on his arm. He looked at me, anger melting away when I shook my head, "Go, I need to study anyway. Kyle will be here in a few minutes." I whispered. He looked at me, torn; Princess, I don't want to leave you alone. he linked. I smiled, You won't be. I need to study, and I'll go for a walk with Kyle when he gets here. You won't be gone long. I don't want to be the reason your family tears apart. I replied.

Tyler looked at Ryan, who glanced at me, his eyes hardening in anger. I shook my head, silently showing I wouldn't be swayed. He growled quietly, and the Luna stiffened. She was obviously not used to fighting with her sons. "Don't growl at me, boy. You will do as I say." she snapped until Alpha Christian placed his hand on her arm, "Megan dear, go easy on them. Their friend just started to get well, and we just found out some things about how she was treated." he said gently. Luna Megan huffed and crossed her arms, but Whitley shuffled up beside her calmly, "The Alpha's right, Luna. Teira's been through a terrible ordeal, and it's obvious the boys are a bit protective. We can do dinner another time." she said gently.

Ryan flinched as his mom glared at him angrily, then turned a sweet smile on Whitley, "That's very gracious of you, Whitley dear, but I'm sure Teira will be fine alone for a few minutes. Won't you dear?" she asked, turning a sickly sweet smile on me.

I swallowed. It was obvious to me that the Luna didn't like me. But was it because of Whitley or me in general? I needed to figure that out. I nodded, "Of course Luna, my brother should be here shortly." I said calmly. Luna Megan smiled, "Wonderful. Boys, why don't you head home to freshen up and take Whitley to dinner. I'll stay here with Teira until her brother shows up." she said gently.

Tyler and Ryan looked from their Mom to me and back again, concern washing over their faces. Go. I'll be fine. I linked. Princess. Tyler linked hesitating in the doorway, Angel. Ryan replied sternly. Go! I retorted, and they sighed and then left the room. Whitley followed behind them, a huge smug smile lighting her face before the door closed.

Alpha Christian stood, typing into his phone, "Teira, thank you for speaking with me. I'll be sure to go over the evidence as well as search David's house again before starting the trial. The boys will let you know when the trial will take place." he said gently. I nodded, smiling. "I'm sure the doctor will keep you updated on my progress. Thank you for the room." I replied quietly. He smiled and nodded before kissing the Luna on the cheek. He gave her a sharp look, and she scoffed, then nodded as he left the room.

As soon as the door closed behind the Alpha, Luna Megan rolled her eyes. "My mate and boys seem to be quite taken with you." she remarked as she scooted the chair the Alpha vacated closer to the bed. I shrugged, "The triplets are friends with my brother and me. And they are the ones who found me when my Dad was whipping me. It's only natural they'd be worried." I replied casually.

Luna Megan looked at me shrewdly, "Oh please, Teira, let's not play dumb here. The boys worry for you goes farther than friendship. They are obviously smitten." she stated calmly. I looked at her like she was crazy, the triplets? Smitten with me? Yeah, right. "I don't know where you got that idea from, Luna. But you're mistaken. The triplets are just good friends, nothing more." I replied calmly. The Luna sighed, "Fine, stay in the dark. But know this, I evaluate all future mates for my boys as well as candidates for future Luna of this pack. You do NOT qualify for either position." she stated sternly.

I laughed in her face, I couldn't help it. The idea that I would be the triplet's mate as well as the future Luna of the pack was hilarious. I couldn't even stand up to my parents to keep them from beating me or treating me like a maid. What made the Luna think that I would ever think of taking that position?

The Luna frowned then grew angry, her eyes darkening to black, "How DARE you laugh at me! You should learn your place, girl!" she yelled, raising her hand to slap me. I flinched but didn't move bracing myself for the impact as I closed my eyes.

It never came, a growl sounded from my left and I opened my eyes to see Kyle standing on the other side of my bed, his face contorted in rage, gripping the Luna's wrist in a gentle but firm grip. "Surely, I didn't just walk in to see the Luna of the pack about to strike a bedridden hospital patient." he said softly. The Luna huffed, "Of course not, warrior. There was a fly above the girl's head, and I was trying to swat at it." she replied coldly. Kyle growled but released her wrist slowly, "Very well, Luna, my apologies for grabbing you." he said, bowing. She nodded her head, and her blue eyes were as cold as ice. "I'll leave you to your studying. Remember what I said, Teira." she stated as she grabbed her bag and then left.

Kyle stared at the door for several minutes after she left and then blew out a breath before looking at me, "What was that about?!" he asked as he handed me my textbooks and notes to go over for class. I grabbed my books and began looking at the list of notes my teachers gave him at school for me to go over, "What was what about?" I asked innocently, not looking at him.

Kyle scowled, "Come on Tei, when I left for school, Ryan was going to stay with you until Tyler got here with the Alpha, then both were supposed to be here when I got back. Not only do I come in to find them gone, but the Luna is standing over you about to slap you across the face!" he exclaimed. I rolled my eyes and explained what had happened with the triplets. Kyle sighed and shook his head, "Whitley, why does the Luna approve of her so much? The entire pack, including the triplets, knows she would make a horrible Luna." he grumbled as he settled down in a chair and began to study.

"Probably because she reminds the Luna of herself." I muttered under my breath, but Kyle's snort of laughter told me he'd heard. I didn't look at him and began to study earnestly, trying to memorize all the facts that would be on my finals in two days.

We were studying so hard that we didn't hear the door open until my textbook was taken out of my hands and placed on the tray beside my bed. I looked up and saw three sets of gray eyes staring back at me in a mix of frustration, confusion, and irritation on the three handsome faces that came with them.

I smiled winningly at them, "Hi guys, how was dinner?" I asked gently, and Kyle smothered a laugh behind his hand. Tyler growled, "I don't want to talk about it." he said gruffly as he climbed into bed beside me. He curled up on my right side and buried his face in my neck, breathing deeply, and I c****d an eyebrow at Matt for an explanation. He rolled his eyes, "He's being dramatic because you made us go eat with that witch. She just pulled her usual tricks, nothing more, nothing less." he said tiredly as he kicked his shoes off and got in the other side of the bed.

"Speak for yourself. You didn't have to deal with her trying to give you a lap dance when you guys left the table. I had to act like I was going to vomit on her to get her to leave me alone." Tyler grumbled, and I choked back a laugh. Whitley must've been desperate to do that in a public place.

Ryan grimaced, "Better than actually throwing up on her. Her perfume got to me, and I emptied my stomach all over her shoes." he said, embarrassed. I did laugh at that, I wished I could have seen her face when that happened. I patted Tyler's head and let Matt lay his head on my shoulder before squeezing Ryan's hand in sympathy, "I'm sorry, I just didn't want you guys to ruin your relationship with your Mom because of me." I whispered. Ryan sighed gently and kissed the back of my hand, "Angel, if Mom wants to ruin our relationship with her, that's not your fault. She will be the reason for that, but after tonight, we won't be going out with Whitley again." he mumbled, and I smiled.

Kyle yawned then looked at me, "Well, we haven't eaten since you left, and it sounds like you guys didn't get much food either. Pizza, anyone?" he asked. The boys nodded excitedly, and I smiled. This atmosphere was exactly what I wanted, and the peace that came with it washed over me gently.

I just hoped that it would last.