Trap of the King Alpha Triplet

Content warning: This chapter contains mild language, suggestive themes, and mentions of bullying. Emily.

I can't believe what I just witnessed. Damien, the golden boy of Spring Lake High, publicly rejected by his supposed "fated mate." And not just rejected, humiliated, crushed.

But then Jasmine, the one who just ripped his heart out and tap-danced all over it. She's standing off the side, examining her perfectly manicured claws like she didn't just destroy a boy's entire world.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I'm shoving through the crowd, ignoring Arya's startled yelp of protest. I rush towards the triplets. All I know I can't let them torment Damien, not after the crushing rejection he just faced. He doesn't deserve any more pain, especially not from these arrogant, entitled fleabags.

As I approach, the triplets turn to face me, their expressions ranging from amusement to annoyance. "What do you want, little hybrid?" Leo drawls, his golden eyes glinting with mischief.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation. "Cut the crap, Leo," I snap, my hands curling into fists at my sides. "I know you're planning something, and I'm here to tell you to back off. Damien's been through enough today."

The triplets exchange glances, their lips twitching with barely contained laughter. "We weren't going to do anything," Luca says, his voice dripping with false innocence. "But since you're so concerned, maybe we should reconsider." Leo lets out a low chuckle, his tawny hair falling into his eyes as he shakes his head. "And what makes you think we were planning anything, sister?" he asks, his tone sickeningly sweet. "Maybe we just wanted to offer our condolences to the poor, rejected wolf."

I scoff, rolling my eyes so hard I'm surprised they don't get stuck in the back of my head. "Please. You three wouldn't know empathy if it bit you in the ass," I retort. "I know your game, and I'm not going to let you play it. Not this time." "Emily!" Arya shouts, rushing to my side. "Are you okay? What's going on?" Before I can answer, another voice cuts through the tension.

Jasmine saunters over, her lips curled into a smirk. "A freak show defending my rejected leftover? How touching."

I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches. "Fuck off, Jasmine."

She laughs, a sound like shattering glass. "Ooh. Tell me, Emily - how does it feel knowing you'll always be nothing more than a charity case, a pity project for the pack to feel good about themselves?"

My blood boils, my vision blurring red at the edges. I can feel my wolf stirring under my skin, the prickling heat of her anger, her disgust. But I shove her down, refusing to let Jasmine see how deep her words have cut. "You don't know anything about me," I spit, my hands balling into fists at my sides. "And you sure as hell don't know anything about Damien. He's worth a thousand of you, you prissy, inbred bitch."

Jasmine's eyes flash, her pretty face twisting into an ugly sneer. "How dare you speak to me like that, you filthy mutt? I am a Delacroix, a daughter of the most ancient and noble bloodline in the Windridge Pack. And you? You're nothing. A genetic mistake, a freak of nature that should have been drowned at birth. I don't know how you dare talk to us.

She leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "You're trying to get the triplets' attention with your poor little freak show? Let me tell you! I've always known that I'm the only one worthy of being their mate. The future Luna of the Windridge pack. It would never be a freak like you."

Her words hit me like a slap, and I feel a surge of anger rising in my chest. How dare she act so entitled, so superior? She's no better than the rest of us.

Jasmine turns her attention to Arya, her eyes narrowing. "And you, little wolfless wonder. Why don't you run along and play with your little human toys? Leave the real wolves to their business."

Arya flinches, her face flushing with hurt and anger. I feel something snap inside me, a dam bursting as years of pent-up rage and frustration come pouring out.

Red. All I see is red, the fury burning through my veins like acid. Before I can stop myself, I'm lunging at Jasmine, my claws extending, my fangs bared in a vicious snarl.

But she's faster, her wolf exploding out of her designer dress in a blur of cream and gold. She slams into me like a freight train, sending us both crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs and fury.

I can hear Arya screaming my name, can feel the crunch of gravel beneath my back as Jasmine's claws rake down my face, my neck, my chest. Pain explodes through me, hot and bright and blinding.

But then, something shifts. A power, ancient and primal, surging up from the depths of my soul. My wolf, awake and angry, a wildfire raging through my blood.

I let her take control, let her burst free from the cage of my human skin. And suddenly, I'm on my feet, a sleek black shadow towering over Jasmine's snarling form.

I can feel the strength in my limbs, the coiled power of my muscles. I can smell the fear in Jasmine's scent, the acrid tang of her rage. And I can hear the gasps and whispers of the crowd, the disbelieving murmurs of "hybrid" and "freak" and "abomination."

Before I know what's happening, I feel my body begin to change. My bones crack and realign, fur sprouting along my skin as my teeth elongate into fangs. I'm shifting, for the first time in years, my wolf soul finally awakening from its slumber. And I will not be cowed by the likes of Jasmine Delacroix.

I lunge, my jaws closing around her throat, my fangs sinking deep. She yowls in pain, her claws scrabbling uselessly against my fur. I taste blood, hot and coppery, feel the frantic flutter of her pulse against my tongue.

It would be so easy to end her, to rip out her throat and leave her bleeding in the dirt. But I won't. Because I am not a monster, no matter what they say.

I release her, stepping back as she collapses to the ground, whimpering and bleeding. I shift back to human form, my clothes shredded, my skin sticky with blood and sweat. "Learn your fucking place, Jasmine," I growl.

I turn my back on her. My wolf regained her senses slightly from the rampage we had just gone on. I limp over to where Damien is still crumpled on the ground.

But before I can reach him, I catch a scent on the breeze. A scent that sends my wolf into another frenzy, that makes my heart thunder and my blood sing. Mate.

The scent hits me like a tidal wave, strong and unmistakable, emanating from the three boys standing before me.

No. It can't be.

The King Alpha Triplets can't be my mates.

It's impossible.