Trap of the King Alpha Triplet
Chapter 17 The Pact

Emily.

"You say you want to protect the pack," I said. "But what about the day we first met? When you were beating up that poor Omega wolf like the sadistic bullies you are?" "Geez, dramatic much?" Leo said. "What are you even talking about, Emily?"

I took a deep breath, the memory still vivid in my mind. "It was my first day at Spring Lake High, you ignorant meathead. I saw you three cornering this scrawny kid behind the gym. He was crying, begging you to stop. But you just kept hitting him, over and over, like the sick fucks you are."

My hands clenched into fists. "I tried to intervene, to ask what the hell was going on. But you just laughed in my face like the arrogant pricks you are. Told me to 'mind my own business if I knew what was good for me.' Real original, by the way."

Logan frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Em, I seriously don't remember that at all. Are you sure it was us and not some other devilishly handsome trio of wolves?"

"Are you kidding me right now?" I snapped. "You think I could forget something like that, you narcissistic ass? The way you looked at me, like I was nothing. Like I was just another freak for you to put in my place."

Luca held up his hands, his expression pleading. "Whoa, okay, let's just take a step back here. Emily, I swear on my designer sneaker collection, we've never hurt anyone without a reason. If we did something to that Omega, he must have done something to deserve it."

"Oh, so that makes it okay?" I scoffed. "You're the big bad alphas, so you get to decide who deserves a beating? How very noble and wise of you."

Leo smirked. "Careful, baby girl. That sharp tongue of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days."

I glared at him, my cheeks flushing with anger and something else I refused to acknowledge. "Don't call me that, you overgrown fleabag. I'm not your baby girl, and I will never be."

Luca sighed, running a hand through his artfully tousled hair. "Look, can we just start over? This whole 'enemies to lovers' thing is so cliché. Why don't we kiss and make up, maybe do a cool training montage, and then ride off into the sunset together?"

I stared at him, my mouth hanging open in disbelief. "Are you...are you seriously quoting teen movie tropes at me right now? God, you are so unbelievable."

Logan grinned. "You know you love it, babe. Admit it, life would be so boring without us around to keep you on your toes."

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I can't even with you three right now. Just...just go away and let me wallow in peace, okay?"

But even as I said the words, I knew it was futile.

Damn them.

"Look, Emily, we're not perfect," Leo said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "We've made mistakes, done things we're not proud of. But we're trying to be better. To be the kind of alphas our pack deserves." He paused, his eyes searching mine. "But please, give us a chance to make it right."

I stared at him, my heart doing a traitorous little flip in my chest. Damn him and his stupidly sincere eyes. "I can't...I can't promise anything," I said finally. "But I won't reject you outright. Not until I know for sure whether Eartha is coming back or not."

Leo nodded, a small, relieved smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That's all we ask, Emily. We won't pressure you about the mate bond, not until you're ready." His expression turned serious, a hint of that familiar alpha arrogance creeping back in. "But in return, I need you to promise me something."

I tensed, my guard instantly up. "What?" I asked warily, narrowing my eyes at him. "If you're about to ask me to do your laundry or some shit, I swear to the moon goddess, I will chuck this bedpan at your head."

Leo snorted, shaking his head. "Tempting, but no. I want you to promise me you won't get too close to Damien," he said, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

I bristled, my hackles rising at the commanding tone in his voice. "Excuse me? Last time I checked, you don't get to dictate who I can and can't hang out with. That's my business, not yours." Luca stifled a snicker, earning himself a sharp elbow to the ribs from Logan. "Dude, not helping," Logan muttered.

Leo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That's not what I meant, and you know it," he said, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. "Look, Emily. He's not your mate. He can't give you what you need like us. He can't understand what it's like to be a wolf, to have an inner beast clawing at your insides. Not like we can."

I scoffed. "Oh, so that's what this is about? You're jealous?" I shook my head in disbelief. "News flash, your highness. Just because the moon goddess says we're meant to be together, doesn't mean you get to control every aspect of my life." Logan cleared his throat, stepping forward with his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Okay, let's all just take a deep breath and calm down," he said, his blue eyes darting between me and Leo. "Emily, we're not trying to control you. We just want what's best for you, as your mates and as your future pack leaders."

I opened my mouth to retort, but Logan kept going, his voice taking on a soothing, almost hypnotic quality. "And Leo, bro, you gotta ease up on the alpha act. Emily's not some delicate little flower you need to protect from the big bad world. She's a badass hybrid with a mind of her own. You've gotta respect that."

Leo's jaw clenched, but after a moment, he gave a short, sharp nod. "You're right," he said, the words sounding like they physically pained him to say. "Emily, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off like some possessive asshole. I just...I care about you, okay? More than I probably should."

I stared at him, my throat suddenly tight with an emotion I couldn't quite name. "I...I care about you too," I said softly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. "All of you. Even when you're being insufferable pricks."

Luca clutched his chest, a look of mock-hurt on his face. "Emily, you wound us!" he cried, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "And here I thought we were your favorite insufferable pricks."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't quite stop the small, reluctant smile from tugging at my lips. "Don't push your luck, pretty boy," I warned, pointing a finger at him. "I still haven't forgiven you for that stunt you pulled with my shampoo last week." Luca grinned, completely unrepentant. "Aw, come on, you gotta admit it was hilarious. The look on your face when your hair turned green? Priceless."

I huffed, but before I could come up with a suitably scathing retort, the door to my hospital room swung open, revealing Alpha Christ and my mother, their faces etched with worry and concern.

"Emily, sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Mom rushed to my bedside, her hands fluttering over me like anxious birds. "We came as soon as we heard what happened."

"I'm okay, Mom," I said, trying to keep the exhaustion out of my voice. "Just a little tired, that's all."

Alpha Christ stood at the foot of my bed, his massive frame seeming to fill the small room. "I'm glad to see you're recovering, Emily. You gave us quite a scare."

He turned to the triplets. "Boys, we need to talk. I've just received word from our informants. They believe they've found the rogue's accomplice."

Leo and his brothers immediately straightened, their faces hardening into identical masks of determination. "Who?"