The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Mate (Book 1&2)

Emily's POV Thanksgiving! For most of the Shadowcrest Pack, it was a day filled with warmth, laughter, and celebration. For me, it was nothing but a reminder of everything I didn't have. No family. No friends. No mate. And to top it all off, I had to endure another day dodging Caleb and Joey Blackthorne, two-thirds of the infamous triplet Alphas. Or as I secretly called them, the Dickheads. The third brother, Julian, wasn't here this year. Rumor had it that he was betrothed to Monica Radnor, the perfect daughter of Alpha Radnor from the Black Moon Pack. Monica was the epitome of grace and beauty, with golden blonde hair, aquamarine blue eyes, and a sun-kissed complexion. The pack whispered endlessly about how Monica and Julian were a "power couple," destined to unite the packs. Personally, I didn't care. Whether Julian adored her or hated the arrangement wasn't my problem. I had my own issues to deal with. I pulled my scarf tighter around my neck as I trudged toward the packhouse. "Just get through the day, Emily," I muttered to myself. "Do your chores, stay invisible, and maybe tomorrow..." I let the words hang in the air, refusing to finish the thought. Tomorrow was my birthday. My 18th. The day I'd finally find my mate. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to hope—maybe he'd be someone kind, someone strong, someone who could take me away from this miserable life. But the thought dissolved quickly, replaced by bitter reality. Whoever he was, he'd take one look at me—skinny, weak, and pathetically ordinary—and reject me. "Oh, poor Emily," a sharp voice rang in my mind. "Dreaming about a fantasy that will never come true." I clenched my jaw, recognizing the voice instantly. Lila. She was my twin sister, the one who'd died before we were born. Thanks to a forbidden ritual performed by our parents, her spirit had latched onto mine, turning her into the constant voice in my head. A voice that was cruel, unrelenting, and impossible to silence. "Not today, Lila," I whispered, quickening my pace. "Not today, Lila," she mocked, laughing bitterly. "Face it, Emily. You're nothing. And your mate, if you even have one, will see that too. Just like everyone else, a pathetic mess." "Shut up," I snapped, my grip on my scarf tightening. But before Lila could respond, another voice cut through the air. "You talking to yourself again, freak?" I froze, dread pooling in my stomach. Slowly, I looked up and saw Caleb Blackthorne blocking my path, his cocky grin already in place. "What do you want, Caleb?" I asked, keeping my voice steady as I tried to step around him. But Caleb sidestepped, blocking me with ease. "What's the rush? It's Thanksgiving. Shouldn't you be more... thankful?" His hand darted out, and before I could react, he plucked my scarf from around my neck. "Hey!" I yelped, reaching for it, but he held it high above his head. "Give it back, I'm going to be late for kitchen duty." "Relax, Emily," he teased, dangling the scarf like a prize. "I'm just curious—did your dad win this in one of his poker games? Or did you find it in the donation bin?" Heat rose to my cheeks as I jumped to grab it, but Caleb tossed the scarf to someone behind me. I turned, my heart sinking when I saw Gina, Caleb's girlfriend, catching it with a triumphant smirk. "Oh, Emily," Gina said, her voice dripping with mock pity. "Still wearing this old thing? It's practically falling apart. Don't you own anything that doesn't scream 'pity project'?" "Just give it back," I snapped, my voice trembling. Gina's smile sharpened as she leaned closer. "It's sad, really. Your dad can't even afford a decent scarf? Oh, wait, he's probably too busy drowning in his whiskey." Not only did the curse ruin my life, it destroyed my family, it killed my mother after having a rigorous forty-eight hours labor, she died immediately I was born with Lila being a stillborn. My father has hated and blamed me for killing my mother, his mate ever since. He became a gambler and a drunk that he was never around. The words hit me like a slap to the face. My father's addiction was my greatest shame and Gina knew it. "That's enough," Caleb said suddenly, his smirk fading as he shot Gina a warning look. "Give the scarf back," "What?" Gina huffed, clearly annoyed. "I'm just saying what everyone is thinking, babe." "I said, that is enough," Caleb snapped, snatching the scarf from Gina's hands. He handed it back to me without meeting my eyes. I grabbed the scarf and bolted, my vision blurring with unshed tears. By the time I reached the packhouse kitchen, my chest felt tight, and my hands were trembling. I slipped inside quietly, hoping no one would notice, but Logan Pierce zeroed in on me instantly. The warrior who was in charge of keeping weak omegas in check and assigning tasks to everyone. The Shadowcrest Pack is divided into two, the important and rich ones got all the respect, they lived in better houses while the poor, weak, and old omegas like me had a slum specially designated for us to rent at ridiculous prices anyway. "Well, well, if it isn't Greene," Logan sneered, his voice loud enough to draw attention. "Late again? You're really making a habit of this." "I'm sorry," I mumbled, keeping my head down. "It won't happen again, I promise." "Sorry doesn't cut it," Logan snapped. "What's the excuse this time? Oh, wait—you're just taking after your father. Screwing up everything you touch. What's next, Emily? Gambling away the kitchen supplies?" Laughter rippled through the kitchen, and I felt my face burn with humiliation. Lila's voice joined in, mocking me. "He's right, you know. You're wretched." I clenched my fists, willing myself not to cry, but it was no use. The tears spilled over as I dropped the dish I was holding and ran. As I rounded the corner, I slammed into someone, hard. Strong hands steadied me, and I looked up to see Joey Blackthorne, his playful grin lighting up his face. "Whoa there, Greenie," Joey said, tilting his head. "What's got you running like that? Did someone tell you there's pie in the kitchen?" "Not now, Joey," I muttered, trying to push past him, but he didn't budge. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his grin softening. "Wait—are you crying? You know, you look kind of ugly when you cry." "Leave me alone," I snapped, yanking my arms free. Before he could respond, I turned and ran straight into Tessa Brooks, my only friend at the pack and another omega, they were carrying a large decoration for the feast. "Emily, watch out!" Tessa called, but it was too late. I stumbled, tripping over my own feet. The decoration crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces, and I landed flat on my back. The laughter around me was deafening. "Wow, Emily," someone said. "Can't even walk without breaking something." Lila's voice rang out louder than the rest. "Perfect. Now they all know what a loser you are." I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, too humiliated to move. Tessa rushed to my side, her face full of concern. "Are you okay?" she asked. "Never better," I muttered, closing my eyes. Worst day of my life? Check. Joey appeared above me, his grin replaced by something closer to worry. "You okay down there, Greenie?" he asked, offering me a hand. But I just turned my head away, wishing the ground would swallow me whole. But then something changed. A strange, familiar heat began to build in my chest, spreading like wildfire. My fingers trembled against the cold floor, and my breathing turned shallow and ragged. Once in a while, I get episodes of the demon wolf trying to consume me but it has never happened in public, nobody can find out I'm the Demon wolf, they would hang me on a pile, drench me in wolfsbane and burn me to death. Lila's voice hissed in my head, venomous and triumphant. "You can't keep me locked away forever, Emily." I clenched my fists, trying to push her back, but it was useless. My body began to shake uncontrollably, my teeth chattering as waves of energy coursed through me. "Emily?" Tessa's voice trembled, and I heard her step back. The laughter around me turned to murmurs, then uneasy silence. "Is she... okay?" "What's wrong with her?" someone whispered. "Maybe she's finally lost it," another voice added. The tremors worsened, my limbs jerking violently against the cold ground. My wolf stirred, not in its usual weak, docile way, but with something darker and more feral. The edges of my vision blurred, and I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. "Stop it," I whispered through clenched teeth, though I didn't know if I was talking to myself or to Lila but I couldn't afford to expose my secret before everyone. Sweat drenched my forehead as I tried to fight Lila back. I felt hands grab me suddenly, strong and steady. Joey's voice was sharp, cutting through the panic. "Move back!" The crowd parted as Joey scooped me up effortlessly, his face a mixture of concern and something else—something I couldn't quite place. "She's fine," he said to the onlookers, though his voice wavered slightly. "Mind your own business." He didn't wait for a response. Cradling me against his chest, he broke into a run, the murmurs fading behind us.