Finding Love With Her Triplet Princes

Excitement Followed By Panic

Alaia’s POV

It’s been a month since Mom told me about meeting her second chance mate. Though I have continued to speak with her often, I have yet to make my way back home to meet this new mate of hers. I have had to tune the entire situation out to make it through my last few weeks of school. Admittedly, it has been hard to not think about it, but by the grace of the Moon Goddess, I was able to finish my degree.

Standing here looking at myself in the mirror as I get ready for graduation, the feeling is bittersweet. Although it meant losing my father, I have paved the way for myself to go down a really rewarding path in life. I only hope dad is proud of me as he watches me up there with the Goddess.

I stand in front of the mirror as I make sure everything looks good. I don’t often care what I look like, but today is important. I’m wearing a knee-length deep blue dress to offset the white graduation gown I will be putting on prior to the ceremony. As I’m finishing up my hair and makeup, I hear a knock at the door. I screech with excitement, running to the door, ripping it open, and lunging for my mom. I hear Tommy laughing behind Mom as she wraps me in a hug.

“Oh, Alaia,” Mom says. I can tell she’s getting emotional. “I am so proud of you, my baby girl. I am so, so proud.” The tears start to well up in my eyes. I blink them away, so they don’t mess up the makeup I struggled so hard to put on correctly.

It’s going to be one of those days, girl. You better learn to live with it now.

I chuckle internally at Iris. You’re not wrong, my friend. You’re not wrong.

I finally let go of Mom and immediately go to Tommy. “Hey, little big brother,” I say as I wrap my arms around his neck. I started calling him little big brother about two years ago when he shot up over me. He’s a giant now, standing at about 6’4.

“Hey big little sis,” he says chuckling. I pull away and jokingly punch him in the arm. “Don’t knock my height, Tommy,” I say with mock indignation.

We all go inside my apartment and sit for a few minutes. “So,” my mom begins, “are you ready for this?”

I suck in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “It’s scary, I won’t lie. I will hold much more responsibility than I have been. There is a lot more on the line in this position. I do feel I can help people more in it, though. That’s all I’ve wanted, so I will make the rest work.” Mom reaches over to hold my hand.

“I know without a doubt that your father is up there cheering you on with the Moon Goddess today. He is so proud of you.” The tears start to fall, and there is no stopping them this time.

You might as well give up on that. There is going to be a lot more of that today.

You’re right. Guess I’m just going to have to deal with being red and splotchy.

The time comes, and Mom, Tommy and I head over to the ceremony. It is being held in the auditorium here at school. It is huge, and it’s a good thing it is because there are a ton of people here today. I walk out back to line up with the other graduates. Soon enough, we all walk out to sit in our seats. There are a few speakers, all giving amazing speeches on how we now have the world in our hands and that we need to make the most of our degrees, using them to the fullest. I can’t help but smile to myself, excited about what the future holds.

Soon enough, I am pulled out of my thoughts by them telling us it is time to stand. I feel like I’m here but not at the same time. “Alaia Holt.” I carefully wipe the few tears that have started to trickle down my cheeks and walk across the stage. I smile as I shake the Dean’s hand. I then turn towards the crowd, and she steps behind me. Masters ceremonies are different. It isn’t called a graduation; it is called a hooding ceremony. I carefully remove my cap and stand there as the Dean raises the hood of my gown over my head. I then gently place the cap back on my head.

You did it, Alaia. You did it. I can’t help it as the tears fall freely.

I couldn’t have done it without you, Iris. Thank you for always being there for me.

The rest of the day seemed to go by in a blur. After the ceremony was over, Mom, Tommy and I took a bunch of pictures. We went out to dinner at my favorite steakhouse restaurant, and then I went back to my apartment while they went back home. Over the next week, I packed up the tiny apartment that had been my home over the last few years and got ready to move back home. I could no longer work at the hospital as a registered nurse because I had already passed my licensing exam and am officially a nurse practitioner. When I get back home I’m going to speak with the physician at the pack hospital and see when I can start working there.

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I have been home for a week now. It seems good to be back here in our home pack, with my family. I have grown a lot since being gone, and I am excited to put my new knowledge to use. Mom has been abnormally quiet, and I know it has to do with her new mate. She wants me to meet him. I can’t help but sigh.

You did say you would meet him after school was over.

I can’t help but sigh at Iris’ words. I know, Iris. I did say that. I guess I will have to bite the bullet on this one. I know Mom has been putting things off until I graduated. I may not be ready for this, but she is, and I can’t delay her living her life any longer.

You can do this, my friend. I’m with you all the way.

I walk downstairs and to the kitchen to find my mom sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee and staring off absentmindedly. I sit down beside her and place my hand on hers to get her attention. She jumps slightly, but then smiles when she sees it’s me. “Alaia,” she says as she puts her cup down on the table. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is okay, Mom. I wanted to talk to you though.”

She c***s her head to the side. “About what?” she asks questioningly. I look down at her hand that I am still holding.

“I know that you have put off this whole mate bond thing because you want Tommy and I to meet him. I also know that you put it off because I asked you to. I have finished school and have since graduated. While I may not be ready for a new man to be in your life, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t. Your life shouldn’t be at a standstill because I have some feelings about it all. I just want you to be happy. If this man does that, who am I to stop you?”

I feel my mom’s hand gently cup my cheek, and I look up and meet her eyes with mine. “I know this is hard, Alaia. Change always is, especially change that you never thought would happen. I promise you though, he is a good man. I mean, he has waited almost two months and has not complained about not sinking his teeth into my neck.”

I shutter at the thought. “I appreciate that mom, but there are some things I don’t need to hear about.” She chuckles and shakes her head.

“You’re a grownup now, Alaia. You are also in the medical field. Mating and marking are natural things in our world. You should be used to them by now, whether it comes from your mother or not.”

I shake my head as I see Iris rolling around laughing in my head. She’s not wrong you know. Some day we will meet our mate and you will know firsthand about mating and marking – she says with a smirk on her face and a raised eyebrow. I always thought I wanted my mate, but after seeing what mom went through when we lost dad, it makes me question the whole thing.

It is better to be loved for even a short time by your soulmate then to never have there love at all. I can’t help but sigh. I still don’t know what to think about it all. I just hope I have some more time before I meet him, whoever he is.

I’m brought back to the present. “Well, I’m glad that you’re okay with meeting him now, because we are going to have dinner with them tonight.” I look at her curiously, and she shakes her head. “I made plans for us to join him and his sons for dinner tonight because I was going to talk to you about meeting him. You beat me to it though.”

I nod my head in agreement, my mood turning serious suddenly. “So, what should I wear?” Mom smiles at me. “Whatever you’re comfortable in, sweetheart. This is just a casual dinner at his home.” I smile at her then lean in to give her a hug and a kiss.

“Well, I’m going to get some things done while I have some free time. What time should I be ready?”

“I’d say by 5. I told him we’d be there by 6.” I nod and head off to get things done.

Soon enough, the day has gone by, and I am dressed and ready to go. I hope this is okay. Iris pulls forward and looks at our reflection in the mirror. You look beautiful, Alaia. Blue is your color. It goes well with your skin tone and hair color. Besides, didn’t mom say to wear whatever you’re comfortable in?

I sigh. She did, but I still want to make a good impression. I don’t know what his impression is of me considering mom has held off completing their bond because of me.

He’s a parent himself, girl. I’m sure he understands. I nod, hoping she is right, then go downstairs and meet up with Mom and Tommy. We get in the car and drive out of the pack lands, staying in neutral territory for a bit. We come upon a pack border. I look around, trying to figure out where we are. We pull up to the border patrol, and one of the very large men there comes up to the car. Mom rolls down the window and smiles at them.

“Good evening, ma’am.”

“Hello,” mom says. “I am Maria Holt, and these are my children Alaia and Tommy. We were invited to dinner by the Alpha.” My eyes nearly bulge out of my head. Say what now?

Iris seems equally confused. I look up to see the man looking at his clipboard. “Okay, ma’am. Please drive straight down the road about a half a mile. It will be on your right. You can’t miss it.”

I pause for a minute as mom thanks them and starts driving. “Mom…” She looks at me briefly, concerned, then turns her head back to the road. “Where are we?” She looks really nervous to tell you, Alaia.

“We are in the Black Moon Pack.” My jaw drops and I sit there staring at her like she’s crazy. “We’re where, Mom?!” I ask almost screeching.

Pretty much as soon as I ask that, I see a massive castle coming into view and my jaw drops once again. That’s a damn castle! Iris shouts in my mind. The Black Moon Pack is a Lycan pack, Iris. It’s where the damn king of Lycans lives! Iris drops her jaw just as I did when we first pulled up to the pack.

I continue looking out the window as we get closer and closer to the castle. We pull up around the circle and park in front of the entryway. I look up and see this massive man standing there. I assume that must be the King coming to greet us. I don’t see any other man there though. Why wouldn’t mom’s mate be out here to greet her?

Iris goes silent in my mind and soon I am thinking the same thing I know she is. “Um, Mom?”

She pauses then answers. “Yes, Alaia?”

“Where is your mate? I assume the guy standing outside is the King, right?”

Mom looks super nervous. “Let’s get out, sweetheart. Come on, Tommy.” I get out of the car and walk around to Mom’s side before she can get too far. “Mom? Where is your mate?” She takes my hand and nods for Tommy to walk with us. We walk up the stairs. “Mom!” I whisper to her. “What is going on?” She continues to walk and not answer me. We end up at the top of the stairs where this very handsome man smiles gently at us.

“Connor,” my mom says, “thank you for inviting us.” He smiles, but a slight blush appears on his cheeks. “It’s my pleasure, Maria. You must be Alaia and Tommy,” he says to my brother and I. Tommy shakes his hand, then he looks over to me. “Alaia, it’s so nice to meet you.” I shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you too, sir.”

He scoffs. “Please, just call me Connor.” My eyes bulge out. I turn to Mom and my brow furrows. I mind link her. “Okay, mom. Now is the time to tell me what’s going on.” She sighs deeply and looks up to my eyes. “Alaia, this is Connor Black, the Lycan King.” She pauses. “He is also my second chance mate.”

My jaw drops once more, and I start to panic. That means that she’s going to have to move here. Is she going to want Tommy and I to move here to? I just got home! I don’t want to leave our home again so soon. What do I do? Calm down, Alaia. Take some deep breaths. You’re having a panic attack! I try to slow my breathing, but I can’t. Everything is changing and I’m not ready for it. I’m not ready to leave my home behind, or my dad.

Suddenly, I smell a combination of apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and maple syrup. It’s an odd combination, but all are fall scents, and I love them. I look up and am met by three sets of eyes, all blue with green flecks in them. “Mate!” I hear them all say with a low growl. Then Iris surges forward and shouts back, “Mates!” That is the last thing I hear before my world goes dark.