Trap of the King Alpha Triplet
Chapter 34 Magical Culinary Adventure

Emily's POV.

The kitchen of the packhouse was bustling with activity, filled to the brim with more people than it was probably designed to hold. But then again, packhouse kitchens were built for pack life, which meant they were essentially industrial-sized compared to normal homes. Still, with the triplets, Alpha Christ, Luna Olivia, and myself all crammed in there, it felt like we were sardines in a very luxurious can.

The occasion? Luca's discharge from the hospital. Mom had insisted on cooking a "small" celebratory dinner, which in Olivia-speak meant enough food to feed a small army. Or, you know, a pack of hungry werewolves.

I leaned against the counter, watching in amusement as Mom worked her culinary magic - literally. Vegetables danced through the air, lining up to dive into bubbling pots. Knives chopped on their own accord, creating a symphony of culinary percussion. Even the spices seemed to have a mind of their own, sprinkling themselves into dishes with perfect precision.

"Holy shit," Logan whispered beside me, his eyes wide with wonder. "Is that tomato doing the salsa?"

I snorted, nudging him with my elbow. "I think it's more of a cha-cha, actually."

Luca, who was seated at the kitchen island with his newly healed leg propped up on a stool, let out a low whistle. "I've gotta say, Em, your mom's magic is something else. Think she'd be up for catering our next pack gathering?" Before I could respond, something poked the back of my head. I whipped around to find Logan grinning mischievously, a French fry held between his fingers like a dart.

"Did you just assault me with a potato product?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

His grin widened. "Maybe. Want a taste?"

Without waiting for an answer, he popped the fry into my mouth. I rolled my eyes but chewed anyway, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

"You know," Leo said, his voice low as he leaned in close, "I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most memorable dinners we've ever had."

I swallowed the fry, very aware of Leo's proximity. "Well, get used to it," I teased. "This is pretty much standard operating procedure for Mom. You're in for a lifetime of magical culinary adventures."

The triplets exchanged excited glances. "Does this mean we can look forward to trying all sorts of supernatural specialties?" Luca asked eagerly. "Like, I don't know, pixie dust pancakes or mermaid sushi?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Guys, we've been over this. Magic can't create something out of nothing. If Mom can't imagine the dish, her magic can't make it. So if you want something specific, you'll have to find a recipe and give it to her." "Aw, man," Logan pouted. "There go my dreams of werewolf ambrosia."

As Mom continued her magical cooking extravaganza, with Alpha Christ watching on in clear adoration, the four of us fell into easy conversation. It still amazed me sometimes, how comfortable I'd become with the triplets. The boys who had once been the bane of my existence were now... well, I wasn't quite sure what they were. Friends? Mates? Both?

"So," Luca said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "heard any good gossip from the witch world lately, Em? Any scandalous love potions gone wrong or familiar rebellions we should know about?"

I snorted. "Please, like you three are ones to talk about gossip. I've seen your group chats. You're worse than a coven of chatty witches."

Leo gasped in mock offense. "I'll have you know our group chats are filled with very important, manly discussions."

"Oh yeah?" I challenged. "Like what?"

The boys exchanged glances before Logan shrugged. "Okay, you got us. We may have spent an embarrassing amount of time debating whether Thor or Loki would make a better werewolf."

I burst out laughing. "Seriously? That's what you guys talk about?"

"Hey, it's a valid question!" Luca defended. "I mean, Thor's got the whole alpha vibe going on, but Loki's got that trickster energy that could make for a really interesting wolf."

"Plus," Leo added with a wink, "we had to figure out which one you'd find hotter. You know, for science."

I felt my cheeks heat up. "Oh my god, you guys are ridiculous."

"You love it," Logan teased, throwing an arm around my shoulders.

And the thing was, I kind of did. This easy banter, the way they included me in their inside jokes and ridiculous debates - it was nice. It felt like belonging.

Our conversation continued to bounce between supernatural speculation and pop culture debates. We argued over whether vampires would be able to see themselves in smartphone selfies, debated the logistics of a werewolf boyband (Logan was adamant it would be called "Howl at the Moon"), and tried to figure out if witches could use their magic to cheat at video games.

It was during a particularly heated discussion about whether mermaids would prefer Netflix or Hulu that Mom finally announced dinner was ready. And holy crap, was it a spread.

The dining table - which was already massive to begin with - was completely covered in dishes. There were at least three different types of meat, more side dishes than I could count, and what looked like an entire bakery's worth of desserts. "Mom," I said weakly, "I think you might have overdone it a bit."

Olivia waved off my concern. "Nonsense, dear. Growing wolves need their nutrients. Now, let me tell you about each dish. This roast here is excellent for bone strength, and these greens will help boost Luca's immune system..." As Mom went on, detailing the magical and nutritional properties of each dish, I exchanged amused glances with the triplets. Even Alpha Christ looked a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of food.

Finally, Mom produced a large pitcher filled with a shimmering, multi-colored liquid. "And this," she said proudly, "is a special healing tonic. It's fermented from several types of magical herbs and fruits. Everyone gets a full glass!"

We all raised our glasses, toasting to Luca's recovery and the pack's continued safety. As I took a sip, I was surprised by the pleasant, fruity taste. It was nothing like the bitter potions I was used to.

Dinner was a lively affair, filled with laughter and conversation. By the time we finished (or rather, by the time we admitted defeat - there was still enough food left to feed another pack), I felt warm, content, and maybe a little bit tipsy from Mom's magical wine.

After helping with clean-up (which, thanks to Mom's magic, took about five minutes), I retreated to my room to start packing for our upcoming trip to Lunaris. As I rifled through my closet, trying to decide which dresses to bring, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my stomach. A werewolf metropolis. It still seemed surreal.

I was in the middle of trying on a dress I'd never worn before - a slinky black number that hugged curves I didn't even know I had - when my bedroom door burst open.

"Em, you've gotta try this new game we- whoa."

I whirled around to find the triplets standing in my doorway, their eyes wide and noticeably redder than usual. For a moment, we all just stared at each other. I was acutely aware of how the dress clung to my body, and how the boys' gazes seemed to be taking in every inch.

"Guys!" I finally managed to squeak out, grabbing a robe to throw over myself. "How many times do I have to tell you to knock?"

They didn't seem to hear me. Leo's eyes were dark, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. Logan was gripping the doorframe so hard I was worried he might splinter the wood. And Luca? Luca looked like he was about to pounce. "Um, guys?" I said, a little unnerved by their intensity. "Are you okay?"

Luca was the first to speak, his voice rough. "Can't you hear it?"

I frowned, confused. "Hear what?"

Leo shook his head as if trying to clear it. "Right, sorry. You can't... your wolf..."

"What are you talking about?" I demanded, frustration and confusion battling with the butterflies in my stomach.

Logan's eyes narrowed, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Sweetheart, let's just say that your mom and our dad are having a very... intense forging session. In bed."

It took a moment for his words to register. When they did, I immediately clapped my hands over my ears. "Oh my god, shut up! I do not need that mental image!"

The boys laughed, but it was different from their usual teasing chuckles. There was an edge to it, something almost predatory that sent a shiver down my spine. "You know," Leo said, taking a step into the room, "I think there must have been something extra in that fruit punch your mom made."

I swallowed hard, very aware of how the three of them were slowly advancing into the room. "W-what do you mean?"

Luca's grin was downright wolfish. "Let's just say we're finding it very hard to resist certain... urges right now."

My heart was pounding so hard I was sure they could hear it. "Urges?" I repeated, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

Logan nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Mhmm. Like the urge to see if that dress looks as good on our bedroom floor as it does on you."

I gasped, heat flooding my cheeks - and other parts of me I didn't want to think about. "You guys are drunk," I accused, trying to inject some sternness into my voice. "Or high. Or both."

Leo chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Maybe a little. But mostly? We're just tired of pretending we don't want you, Emily."

"All of us," Luca added.

"Every inch of you," Logan finished.

They were so close now, I could feel the heat radiating off their bodies. Part of me wanted to run, to hide from the intensity of their gazes and the feelings they stirred in me. But a larger part - the part that was tired of fighting this connection between us - wanted to stay right where I was.

"I..." I started, not even sure what I was going to say.

But before I could figure it out, there was a loud crash from downstairs, followed by Alpha Christ's booming laughter and Mom's delighted squeal.

The sound seemed to break whatever spell had fallen over us. The triplets blinked, shaking their heads as if coming out of a daze. I took the opportunity to tighten my robe around myself, putting some much-needed distance between us. "We should, uh..." Leo cleared his throat. "We should probably go. Let you finish packing."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

As they filed out of my room, each casting one last heated glance my way, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and disappointment. Whatever had almost happened - whatever was brewing between us - it was clear that we were standing on the edge of something. Something big, something that would change everything.

And as I turned back to my packing, trying to calm my racing heart, I couldn't help but wonder:

Was I ready for that change?