Trap of the King Alpha Triplet
Chapter 21 Cabin Fever

Emily.

I stood in front of my closet, staring at the explosion of new clothes like they were some kind of alien life form. Tomorrow was the big "date" with the triplets at their cabin in the woods, and I was utterly lost.

"What does one even wear to a potential hookup in the middle of nowhere?" I muttered to myself, rifling through hangers. "Should I pack for overnight? Do I bring a swimsuit? Ugh, why didn't I ask for more details?" A small voice in my head whispered, "Because you didn't want to seem too eager, you dummy."

I was about to tell my inner voice to shut up when a shrill sound made me jump.

"EMILY! Hello?!"

I blinked, focusing on my laptop screen where Arya's face was contorted in exasperation. "Sorry, what? I zoned out for a sec."

Arya rolled her eyes. "I could tell. I've been trying to get your attention for like, five minutes. What's got you so distracted? Wait..." Her eyes widened as she took in the clothes strewn across my bed. "Did the Triplets give you all these clothes?" I nodded, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

"Holy shit!" Arya exclaimed, her jaw-dropping. "Are we talking about the same goggle-eyed, narcissistic Alpha assholes?"

I snorted, reaching for a particularly scandalous piece of lingerie. "Oh, trust me, their egregious nature hasn't changed," I said, dangling what was essentially two strings connected by a scrap of lace in front of the camera. "Exhibit A." Arya's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "Damn, girl! They're not subtle, are they?" She paused, her expression turning serious. "So... how are you feeling about all this? About them?"

I sighed, flopping back onto my bed. "Honestly? I have no freaking clue. One minute they're insufferable jerks, the next they're... I don't know, almost sweet? It's giving me emotional whiplash."

"Well," Arya said slowly, "they did seem pretty worried when you passed out at the party. I've never seen them look so anxious."

I chewed on my lower lip, remembering the foggy glimpses I had of their concerned faces. "Yeah, but is that just because their wolves are going crazy over this mate thing? Or do they actually care about me as a person?"

Arya shrugged. "Maybe both? Look, Em, I think you should just follow your feelings on this one. Love is always full of surprises, right? Just like in those romance novels you pretend not to read."

I threw a pillow at the screen, even though I knew it wouldn't hit her. "Shut up! I do not read those!"

"Sure," Arya grinned. "But seriously, think about it. If you end up as their Luna, you could make Jasmine and her minions miserable. That's got to count for something, right?"

I snorted. "Please. We don't need to rely on some boys to get back at those jerks. Girl power all the way, baby!"

We burst into laughter. "Speaking of Jasmine," I said once we'd calmed down, "has she been giving you a hard time since I've been out of school?"

Arya's brow furrowed. "That's the weird thing. She hasn't been at school for the past few days either."

I frowned, a niggle of unease worming its way into my gut. But before I could dwell on it, Arya clapped her hands.

"Enough about her. Let's see you try on some of these fancy new duds!"

The next hour was spent in a whirlwind of fashion shows and giggles. I tried on dresses I never thought I'd wear, reveling in the feeling of soft fabrics against my skin.

"Damn, Em!" Arya whistled as I twirled in a slinky black number. "If the triplets don't drop dead from heart attacks when they see you in that, they're clearly blind."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the pleased flush that warmed my cheeks. "It's a bit much for a cabin trip, don't you think?"

In the end, I settled on my trusty jeans and a comfy t-shirt. But as Arya and I said our goodnights, I found myself eyeing my swimsuit. Just in case, I told myself as I tossed it into my bag. I refuse to skinny dip with those mangy mutts. The next morning, I was jolted awake by sunlight streaming through my window. I groaned, fumbling for my phone. 8:30 AM. Ugh.

After a quick shower and change, I headed downstairs, only to stop dead in my tracks at the sight that greeted me.

The kitchen looked like a war zone. Flour dusted every surface, eggshells littered the counter, and in the middle of it all stood the triplets, looking utterly lost.

I couldn't help it - I burst out laughing.

"Oh. My. God," I wheezed, clutching my sides. "What in the name of the Moon Goddess happened here?"

Leo glared at me, a streak of flour across his cheek making him look more adorable than intimidating. "We were trying to make breakfast," he grumbled. "Trying being the operative word," Logan added, eyeing the smoking toaster warily.

I shook my head, still chuckling. "I can't believe it. The mighty King triplets, brought low by a simple kitchen appliance. A historic moment."

Luca pouted, his lower lip jutting out in a way that was definitely not cute. Nope. Not at all. "We just wanted to do something for you," he said.

I felt a slight twinge of guilt, mixed with something warmer that I refused to examine too closely. "Alright, alright. Step aside, amateurs. Let me show you how it's done."

With a flick of my wrist and a whispered incantation, the kitchen began to clean itself. Dishes floated to the sink, spills vanished, and ingredients danced through the air.

The triplets watched in awe as I whipped up a breakfast of fruit salad, sandwiches, and steaming mugs of coffee in record time.

"Whoa," Logan breathed, his eyes wide.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool even as I preened a little under their admiration. "It's nothing. Just a little kitchen witchery."

As we sat down to eat, Leo cleared his throat. "So, Em, we have something for you-"

I held up a hand, cutting him off. "If the next words out of your mouth involve any kind of surprise, I swear to the Goddess I will turn you all into toads."

They exchanged guilty looks before raising their hands in surrender.

"No surprises," Luca promised. "We just wanted to show you something. You ready to head out?"

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously but nodded. "Let me grab my bag."

"No need," Logan called, already heading up the stairs. "I've got it."

Before I could protest, he was back, my suitcase in hand. Show-off.

We piled into their ridiculous silver Porsche convertible, Leo sliding behind the wheel with a grin that was equal parts excitement and mischief. "Buckle up, buttercup," he said, revving the engine. "It's gonna be a wild ride."

As we tore down the driveway, the wind whipping through my hair, I couldn't help but ask, "Just how far is this place, anyway?"

Luca smirked. "Why? Worried about spending too much time alone with us?"

I rolled my eyes. "Please. I'm more worried about your lead foot getting us all killed before we even make it there."

Leo's grin widened as he expertly maneuvered around a tight curve. "Relax, Em. I've got skills you've never even dreamed of."

"Oh, I'm sure," I drawled. "This clearly isn't your first time chauffeuring some poor, unsuspecting girl to your little love nest, is it?"

The temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees as the triplets exchanged loaded glances.

"Jealous, babe?" Logan asked, his voice low and teasing.

I scoffed, ignoring the way my stomach flipped at his tone. "As if. I'm not about to get all possessive over you three. You can do whatever - or whoever - you want."

"Oh really?" Leo's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, dark and intense. "Because our wolves seem to think differently. They're quite... territorial when it comes to you."

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Yeah, well, your wolves need to chill. This is the 21st century. We're all independent beings here."

Luca chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Keep telling yourself that, little witch. But don't be surprised when you find yourself getting a little... protective of us too."

I opened my mouth to retort, but the words died in my throat as we rounded a final bend and the "cabin" came into view.

I breathed, my eyes widening. "You guys call this a cabin?"

The structure before us was less 'cozy woodland retreat' and more 'luxury resort meets architectural digest cover'. Gleaming wood and glass stretched up two stories, surrounded by lush forest. And was that a jacuzzi I spotted through one of the windows?

The triplets laughed at my slack-jawed expression. "What's wrong, Em? Not rustic enough for you?" Logan teased.

I shook my head, still staring. "A jacuzzi is not in any definition of 'cabin' I've ever heard," I muttered.

Luca wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "We needed something big enough for all four of us to enjoy together."

The mental image that conjured up made me flush from head to toe. "Over my dead body!" I squeaked, jumping out of the car.

"I am not getting naked with you three maniacs! NO! Don't even think about it!!!"