Resisting the Alpha Triplets by Cara Anderson

Ch. 19 Whatever It Takes

Clay’s POV

After a lot of arguing and a shit-ton of bad words exchanged, we all agreed to drive to Mallory’s house to apologize. Since we couldn’t agree on a feasible way to do so, we decided just to show up and wing it, rip the bandaid off so to speak. But here we were, about to watch her walk away from us, and

Colt was the only one who’d managed an apology. A fucked-up one, but an apology nonetheless.

I couldn’t let her leave without saying what I came here to say. I knew Cary wanted to say his peace too but I was less confident his apology would be any better than Colton’s. He was too much of a cocky bastard for his own good most of the time. Still, I had to try to make her listen.

“Mallory, wait!” I clamored after her, the words tumbling out with no plan in mind.

“What do you want now, Clay? It’s been a long day and I’m tired.” She really did sound exhausted.

“We’ve already told you what we want. You.” I reminded her. “And we’re not going to just give up because you keep pushing us away. But I know we went about it the wrong way and I’m sorry for my part in that.”

“Me too.” Cary added, more humbly than I’ve ever heard him. “But regardless of our methods, the outcome will be the same. You can hide behind your boyfriend all you want but you know you want us too. Do you really think we can’t smell how aroused you are just being in our presence?”

And there he is, ladies and gentleman. The Cary Collins we all know and love. I rolled my eyes at his blatant arrogance. I scrambled for something to say that would erase the damage he’d just done but couldn’t think of a damn thing.

“Here’s the thing, Cary. My body may be driven by the increased hormone production the closer my wolf gets to the surface, and she may have an innate need to please her Alphas until she finds her fated mate, but I’m not some mindless puppet that has to act on every physical urge I have just because my hormones tell me to. I get that you’ve never mastered that particular talent, preferring the mindless route, but thank Goddess we aren’t all like you!”

Cary’s face remained stoic throughout her tirade but I could feel through our triplet bond that her words ripped him to shreds inside. I didn’t trust him to keep his emotions in check and not lash out at her so I said the first thing that came to my mind.

“Is that what you’re doing with Nathan? Controlling your urges? Because that’s not what it smells like.” I contested.

“Nathan and I are in a committed relationship. What we do behind closed doors is none of your business! And don’t you dare compare me to the shallow sluts who spread their legs for you just because you flash them a sexy smile!” She snarled at me, stripping me to the bone with her words.

Colton wore an unreadable expression, but I could feel his smugness at being excluded from our mutual condemnation. I could tell Cary felt as chastened as I did. But I also knew he was too stubborn to admit it.

“Do you think Nathan would still be so committed if he knew what you’d done with us behind his back?” Cary sneered at her with a cat that got the cream look on his face, finally feeling like he held all the cards.

“I know he would.” Mallory stated with certainty. “Because I already told him.”

All the color drained from Cary’s face at that revelation. He had hoped Nathan would bow out gracefully once he realized there was something between Mallory and us. But judging by the fact she reeked of his scent, that wasn’t going to happen.

“Look, we didn’t come here to argue. This is an emotionally charged situation and it’s getting the better of all of us.” I squeezed Cary’s shoulder, sending him some of my calming energy through our bond.

“That’s the first sensible thing that’s been said all evening. Can we call it a night, now?” Mal suggested again. But I had to give it one more shot before I gave up for the night.

“Mal, I know you think this is all some game to us. But the truth is, we really do want to be with you, to see where things might go between us. Our wolves want that too. We just want a chance to prove to you how serious we are. What can we do to make you trust us?”

“Nothing.” She answered flatly, a blank look on her face. “After everything you put me through, there is absolutely nothing you can do.”

“You know I can’t accept that answer, little wolf!” I yanked her body against mine and murmured in her ear, reveling in the way her body trembled in my arms.

“Come on Clay! You heard her. This is pointless.” Colton’s strong hand gripped my arm, attempting to pull me away.

A low growl escaped me, telling him to back off as I held onto Mallory even tighter. My head dipped to her neck, scenting her to calm my wolf who’d been raging in my head since the moment Mal said there was nothing we could do to win her trust.

“Shut the fuck up. You’re not in charge here, Colt.” Cary demanded tersely.

I could hear my brother bristle at being told what to do by who he considered his “baby” brother, if only by fifteen minutes. But apparently recognizing a lost cause when he saw one, Colt released my arm and stepped back. Still, it wasn’t far enough for me.

“Both of you, get the fuck out! I need a moment alone with Mallory.” I blared at them.

Cary made a choked sound and I knew it was the beginning of a protest but thankfully, Colton cut him off.

“Come on, let’s give them a minute.” He said, followed by the sound of reluctant footsteps. “We’ll be in the car.”

As soon as the door closed behind them, I backed Mallory into the wall, crowding her with my bulky form. Her arms were trapped at her sides, held at bay by my arms around her tiny but solid frame. She had nowhere to go so I took a moment to admire her beauty, my warm breath fanning her face as I looked down at her. Her breath was coming in soft little pants, making my skin tingle where it hit me.

“I can feel the effect I have on you, Mal. You’re quivering from my touch. Your whole body turned to jello the second you were in my arms.” I pinned her with a look that dared her to deny it, but she didn’t. Instead, her cheeks turned a ravishing shade of pink under my gaze.

“Clay, I-” I’d never know what she was about to say because I didn’t let her finish.

“Shh! Don’t talk, little wolf. Just listen.” I hushed her, having my own agenda for these few precious moments together. “I know you’re hurt. I know you’re proud. I know you’re stubborn. None of that makes any difference to me. I will do whatever it takes to break down your walls and heal your pain. And so will my brothers. You might not be able to see where this ends right now, but we can. Even if one of us refuses to admit it. And where it ends is with you in our arms every night, trembling under our touch just the way you are now. So don’t tell me there is nothing I can do to earn your trust, because I am in this for the long haul and I won’t stop until I prove you wrong.”

A small whimper slipped from her lips and golden flames danced with curiosity in her gorgeous hazel eyes. At least in that moment, she wanted to know what that future looked like and I would give my last breath to make sure she found out. Because I could see it, a life with this fierce, loyal, sassy, strong little Goddess in my arms. And I wanted it. No I needed it, like I needed air.

Mallory’s plush lips were taunting me, the tiniest tremor revealing to me what she refused to say with words. She knew I wanted to kiss her and she wanted me to, I ached to taste her the way both my brothers already had and I couldn’t step away, couldn’t let her go until I felt her soft, pink mouth against mine just one time.

Without thinking, I hauled her off the ground, bringing her face level with mine. Her eyes widened in surprise but fluttered closed a fraction of a second before my lips pressed against hers. Mallory didn’t respond at first, just stilling in my hold as I nibbled and licked her full bottom lip, relishing her sweet, citrusy taste. But in less than a minute, she let out a moan and her tongue darted out to meet mine.

From the moment she gave in, it was like we’d been doing this dance our whole lives, knew all the steps as our tongues twirled together in perfect rhythm. It was the most sensual, tantalizing kiss I’d ever had, and I’d had many. With that one simple act, she’d ruined me. I would never crave the taste of anyone else as long as I lived.

The needy sounds floating around us only heightened our arousal. The scent of Mallory’s need for me was the most fragrant perfume I’d ever smelled and the throbbing ache in my cock was almost unbearable. But I knew to push this further, to take advantage of her lust-filled haze would only backfire in the long run.

So I reluctantly set her back on her feet and took the smallest step backward. Unable to deny myself one more taste, I pressed one more gentle kiss to her swollen lips, swiping my tongue over them one last time. Then leaned over to blow my warm breath over her ear as I whispered to her.

“Think about what I said.”

I turned and forced myself to walk out her front door, not allowing myself to turn back even when I was sure I heard her slide to the floor in a wobbly heap.

“What happened?” Cary demanded to know the second I opened the car door.

Refusing to cower to his demand, I waited until I’d comfortably settled into the back seat and clicked my

seatbelt in place. The low growl rumbling in Cary’s chest while I situated myself was merely entertaining, feeling nothing could rattle me after that life-altering kiss. But finally taking pity on them, I chose not to say a word, simply opening the link between us and replaying the scene in their heads.

They both moaned loudly, and Cary shifted in his seat, adjusting his erection while Colt threw the car into drive and peeled away, clearly frustrated at his own reaction.