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

The perfect little freak

Emily's POV

Thanksgiving dinner was in full swing by the time I made it back to the packhouse. The main hall was lit with golden chandeliers, the tables heavy with plates of roasted turkey, steaming vegetables, and desserts that would've made my stomach growl—if it wasn't already twisting in knots from exhaustion.

Since Joey had brought me back to the coffee shop, Logan had wasted no time piling on the chores, just like I knew he would. Cleaning floors, refilling water jugs, clearing plates—tasks that made my arms ache and my feet throb. But I couldn't complain. That would only make things worse.

No one had mentioned my birthday, of course. Why would they? As far as the Shadowcrest Pack was concerned, I was just the weak omega with no purpose. My eighteenth birthday, the day I should meet my mate, the day I should shift and meet my wolf for the first time was just another Thursday to them.

During the day, I had full control over my body but at night, Lila would possess my wolf and go on a killing spree. Most times, I just wake up at the butt crack of dawn in the middle of nowhere, wondering what hell Lila let loose that night. I had never seen my wolf or know what the demon wolf looks like but tonight I came prepared, wearing a spelled bracelet that my father gave to me many years back, it was to keep my wolf in check but sometimes, it fails to tame Lila because of how much the curse had grown since then.

I carried another tray of empty glasses toward the kitchen, my legs threatening to give out beneath me. As I passed the elite's table, I spotted Tessa Brooks, her thick-rimmed glasses slipping down her nose as she piled up plates with practiced ease. She paused when she saw me and gave me a conspiratorial smile.

"Well, if it isn't the birthday girl," she said softly, her voice bright with excitement.

I stopped in my tracks, nearly dropping the tray in surprise. "You remembered?" I whispered, my throat tightening.

Tessa adjusted her glasses and waved me closer. "Of course, I did! You're my best friend, Emily. I know you don't celebrate because of- you know..." Her voice softened, and I knew she meant the tragedy of my birth. The day my mother died, the day my father started spiraling. "But this isn't just any birthday. It's your eighteenth birthday."

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and for the first time all day, I felt a flicker of hope. Eighteen. The age when everything was supposed to change. The age when I'd meet my mate, see my wolf, and finally feel like I belonged.

"Do you think-" I hesitated, lowering my voice. "Do you think it'll actually happen for me? Meeting my mate, I mean?"

Tessa's smile widened. "Absolutely. You deserve it more than anyone." She leaned in closer, her excitement spilling over. "Oh! And I have a little present for you. Meet me in the maids' quarters later tonight, okay?"

My heart swelled at her kindness. Tessa was one of the few people in the pack who treated me like I was more than my rank. "Thank you," I said quietly, my lips curving into a small smile.

Before I could say anything else, Caleb Blackthorne sauntered over, his presence impossible to ignore.

"Well, well, what's this? A secret meeting?" His deep voice dripped with mock suspicion, and I turned to see him smirking down at me. "What are you two plotting, hmm?"

"Nothing," I said quickly, stepping back, but Caleb just grinned wider.

"Sure doesn't look like nothing, firecracker," he teased, leaning casually against the wall.

"Firecracker?" I frowned, my irritation flaring. "Is that supposed to be funny?"

"Relax," Caleb said, his smirk softening into something almost playful. "You're sassy and your red hair is a big part of your of personality. And it's a lot better than 'Greenie.'"

"Don't call me that either," I snapped, glaring at him.

Red fiery hair, green eyes, 5’6 height, thin and willowy with a pale skin. Yup! That is all me.

Tessa coughed, clearly trying to stifle a laugh, before giving me a quick pat on the shoulder. "I'm leaving. Don't forget to meet me later!"

And just like that, I was left alone with Caleb, who was now circling me like a predator toying with its prey.

"You look tired, Firecracker," he said, tilting his head. "All those chores getting to you?"

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him get under my skin. "What do you want, Caleb?"

He shrugged, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Nothing much. Just wanted to see how you were holding up on your big day."

My heart skipped a beat. "You... you know it's my birthday?"

"Of course I do," he said casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "How could I forget the day the great Emily Greene graced us with her presence?"

His tone was light, but I caught the edge of sarcasm underneath. Before I could respond, the clock on the wall began to chime. Midnight.

My breath caught as a strange heat surged through my chest. My skin prickled, and my knees buckled slightly beneath me.

"You okay, Firecracker?" Caleb asked, his smirk fading as he stepped closer.

"I... I don't know," I murmured, clutching the edge of the table for support. My vision blurred, and pain shot through my limbs like fire.

Caleb watched me for a moment before his smirk returned, colder this time. "You should go," he said, his voice low. "Wouldn't want to break anything expensive when you shift. Go scream it out in the woods or something."

His words stung, but I didn't have the strength to argue. My body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside out. Without another word, I dropped the plate I was holding and stumbled out of the packhouse, heading for the woods.

The moment I reached the tree line, I collapsed to my knees, the pain intensifying. My bones cracked and stretched, my skin rippling as fur began to sprout across it. I screamed, the sound ripping from my throat as my body transformed into something entirely new.

When the pain finally stopped, I stumbled to the edge of the river, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. I looked down at my reflection in the water and froze.

My wolf was small and white, its fur shimmering in the moonlight. But my eyes, my eyes were glowing red, and two sharp black horns curled from the top of my head.

"No," I whispered, backing away from the water. "No, no, no..."

Lila's voice purred in my mind, full of cruel satisfaction. "Look at you. Beautiful, isn't it? The perfect little freak."

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "This can't be happening."

A twig snapped behind me, and my heart leapt into my throat. Someone was nearby.

Panicked, I shifted back into my human form, grabbing a set of clothes hanging on a nearby line. My legs felt like jelly as I pulled them on and stumbled back toward the packhouse, my mind racing.

—

The packhouse had finally quieted. The laughter, clinking glasses, and bustling energy of Thanksgiving night faded into the cold, still hours of early morning.

My body felt heavy with exhaustion, but my wolf wouldn't settle. She was restless, pacing in my mind like a caged animal.

No one can ever see you, I thought to her as I stood on the porch, hugging my arms against the chill. The biting wind nipped at my skin, but the cold was welcome. It cleared my head, drowning out the lingering scent of roasted turkey, spiced cider, and pine that still clung to the air.

"You're hiding me," Lila's voice hissed, cutting through the silence. "You're afraid. Weak. As always."

"Shut up," I muttered under my breath.

My wolf stirred, not in agreement with Lila, but in a way that was entirely new—excited, alert. I rubbed my temples, frustration building, when suddenly something in the air shifted.

A strange, delicious scent hit me like a wave. It was unlike anything I'd ever smelled before, strong and masculine, with hints of leathery sandalwood and rich coffee. But there was something else, too, softer and sweeter, like creamy vanilla. The combination made my heart race. It was overwhelming, intoxicating, and so distinctly new.

My feet moved on their own as I followed the scent, my senses heightened in a way I hadn't experienced before. My wolf urged me forward, and I realized with a sinking feeling that I was no longer in control.

The trail led me back inside the packhouse, through the dimly lit halls and into the main entryway, where the mistletoe still hung in the doorway from earlier festivities.

And that's when I saw them.

Caleb and Joey Blackthorne.

They were leaning casually against the wall, laughing about something I couldn't hear. Caleb's jet-black hair fell into his eyes as he grinned, while Joey's sharp brown eyes sparkled with his usual playful mischief. They looked perfect, like they always did. The golden boys of the Shadowcrest Pack, adored by everyone. Everyone except me.

But then Caleb looked up.

Our eyes locked, and I froze as something inside me shifted. His laughter stopped mid-sound, his smile fading as his expression turned to shock. He inhaled sharply, his gaze intensifying.

"It's her," he whispered, his voice low and almost reverent.

Joey frowned, his laughter dying too. "What are you—" He paused, sniffing the air, his eyes narrowing before widening with realization. "No. No way."

I stood there, rooted to the spot, as the mate bond crackled to life between us. It was like a spark igniting, a pull so strong it made my head spin. My wolf howled in delight, but I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

"You've got to be kidding me," Joey muttered, his usual confidence faltering. "Greenie?!"

I flinched at the nickname, but it barely registered over the pounding of my heart. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.

Caleb stepped forward, his expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "Emily..." His voice was softer now, almost questioning. "You're... you're our mate?"

"No," I whispered, shaking my head as I stumbled back. "No. This can't be right."

Joey scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Of all the wolves in the pack—" He stopped himself, his jaw tightening as he exchanged a glance with Caleb.

I took another step back, panic rising in my chest. "This... this isn't possible."

"It's possible," Caleb said firmly, his golden eyes locking onto mine. "You feel it too. Don't lie to us, Emily."

My breathing quickened, the weight of their gazes suffocating me. My wolf was practically vibrating with joy, but I felt like I was drowning. The same boys who had spent years tormenting me, stealing my scarf, mocking my father, pushing me into the mud were now looking at me like I was the answer to something they didn't even know they were searching for.

It was too much.

"Emily, wait—" Joey started, stepping toward me with his hand outstretched.

But I didn't wait.

I turned and bolted, the cold night air stinging my face as I ran blindly into the woods. My heart thundered in my chest, my thoughts spiraling.

Mated to Caleb and Joey? To the Blackthorne brothers? How could this be happening?

And if Caleb and Joey were my mates, did that mean Julian was too? The thought made my stomach twist. Julian, who was practically royalty, was betrothed to Monica Radnor, the most beautiful she-wolf I'd ever seen. I couldn't compete with someone like her.

"This is wrong," I whispered, my voice shaking as I slowed to a stop once I spotted my home.

"Of course it's wrong," Lila purred in my mind, her tone mocking. "They'll never truly want you, Emily. They'll only destroy you. Just like everyone else."

"Shut up," I snapped, clutching my arms around myself.

But Lila wasn't done. "Reject them," she hissed. "Reject them before they find out the truth. Before they see the monster inside you."

I imagined what they would see if they ever discovered my secret. My wolf wasn't normal. It was tainted, corrupted by Lila's spirit.

No one could ever know.

I leaned against the nearest tree, my legs trembling. The bond with Caleb and Joey burned in my chest, a constant reminder of the impossible truth. My mates were the very Alphas I'd spent my whole life trying to avoid.

And if they ever found out about my curse, they'd destroy me, kill me, and rip me into pieces.