Fated To The Triplet Alphas

Episode 2

Scarlett’s standpoint.

"Who are you?"

His piercing blue eyes, flecked with silver, locked onto mine as he stepped closer. The scent of pine and wild herbs clung to him, a heady mixture that made my senses reel. His arm extended, a gesture both welcoming and slightly wary.

"Kaiden," he said, his voice deep and firm, resonating with an unmistakable air of authority. “Alpha of the Blue Locket Pack."

My heart raced, its frantic rhythm echoing in my ears. An Alpha? Here? Instinctively, I stepped back, my mind whirling with questions and possibilities. Why had he come to our territory? What did this mean for our Pack?

His brow furrowed, noticing my retreat. "No need to fear," he said, his tone softening. "I won't hurt you."

I stiffened, pride flaring within me. "I'm not scared," I shot back, my voice sharper than intended. "I'm just... careful. Why are you here?"

A small, almost playful grin tugged at his lips. "Careful, huh? Smart." He lowered his hand but maintained his ground. "I had business with your Alpha. But now... maybe fate had another reason."

The way he said "fate" sent a shiver coursing through me, a mixture of anticipation and dread. I knew exactly what he was implying, and it rattled me to my core. "No," I said, shaking my head vehemently, "You're getting it wrong. Whatever you think is happening... it's fake."

His eyebrows arched in surprise. “Fake? You can't tell me you don't feel it — this pull, this bond between us."

"What I feel doesn't matter," I said, wrapping my arms around myself as if I could physically hold back the tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "Believe me, you don't want this... you don't want me.”

"Why don't you let me choose that?" Kaiden moved closer, his presence both comforting and unsettling. I remained rooted to the spot, caught between flight and an inexplicable desire to move closer. "What's your name?”

I hesitated, then sighed in resignation. Hiding it seemed futile at this point. "Scarlett."

"Scarlett," he repeated, savoring the sound. "It suits you."

Warmth crept up my neck despite the cool breeze, a blush I couldn't control. It had been so long since anyone had looked at me like that — like I was someone of value, not something to fear or pity.

But I knew better. I knew how this story always ended.

"Listen," I said, forcing steel into my voice. "Whatever you think this is? Walk away. Trust me, it's best for both of us."

His gaze sharpened, his jaw tightening. "You're pushing me away. Why?"

"I'm trying to save your life!" The words burst from me, raw and desperate, echoing in the train grounds.

A heavy silence fell between us. Kaiden's face softened, realization slowly dawning in his eyes. "You've lost someone," he said gently. "Your mate."

I laughed, but it was a bitter, hollow sound. "Not one. Four. All dead, right after we were bonded."

His eyes widened in shock. "Four? But that's..."

"Impossible? A curse? Yeah, I've heard it all before." I turned away, no longer able to face the pity I expected to find in his eyes. "So now you know. I'm the cursed she-wolf, the one who brings death. Still feel like chasing this mate bond?"

I braced myself for the sound of retreating footsteps, for him to run far and fast like any sensible wolf would. But instead, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, gently turning me around.

Kaiden stood closer now, close enough that I could see the flecks of silver in his blue eyes. He spoke low and serious, his words filled with a conviction that made my heart ache. "Scarlett, I'm truly sorry for what you've lost. I can't even begin to imagine the pain you've endured."

I tried to look away, but he placed his hand on my cheek, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Curses and bad luck don't scare me. I'm an Alpha. I decide my own fate."

A chill ran through me, equal parts fear and something dangerously close to hope. A part of me wanted desperately to believe him, to surrender to the pull of the mate bond tightening around us. But the other part, hardened by years of pain and loss, knew better.

I pulled back, breaking free from his touch. "You're foolish for thinking that way," I said coldly, even as every fiber of my being screamed in protest. "Go back to your Pack, Alpha. Just forget me. It's safer that way.”

I didn't wait for his reply. I turned and began running, my body shifting as I moved. Black fur replaced my clothes as I shifted into my wolf form, sprinting away from Kaiden, away from the promise of another heartbreak I knew was inevitable.

I didn't stop until my lungs burned and my legs trembled with exhaustion. When I finally paused, I found myself at the cliff's edge, overlooking the valley below. Our Pack's lands spread out before me. It looked peaceful. Serene. Everything I wasn't.

As I caught my breath, the sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears. Tension flooded my body, thinking Kaiden might have followed me. But then my nose caught a familiar scent — pine, earth, a hint of tobacco.

"I figured I'd find you here."

Jonathan, our Beta, emerged from the treeline. His salt-and-pepper hair was disheveled, and heavy bags hung beneath his eyes. He looked as though he hadn't slept in days.

I shifted back to my human form, not bothering to cover myself. Jonathan had known me for years; modesty had long since ceased to be a concern between us.

"What's wrong?" I asked, noting the lines of stress etched into his face.

He let out a long, weary sigh. "We have visitors. The Alpha of the Blue Locket Pack and his entourage arrived a few hours ago."

My heart plummeted. So Kaiden hadn't been lying about his official reasons for being here. "What do they want?"

"An alliance, it seems. But that's not why I sought you out." Jonathan fixed me with a serious look. "Scarlett, did you encounter the Alpha in the forest?"

My body stiffened. "How did you know?"

"Because he's requesting a meeting with you. Says it's urgent." Jonathan ran a hand through his already messy hair, a nervous habit I'd observed over the years as he dealt with Pack politics. "Scarlett, what happened out there?"

I turned away, gazing back at the valley. "Nothing of consequence," I replied quietly. "Tell him I'm indisposed."

He remained silent for a long moment. Then, hesitantly, he spoke. "He says you're his mate."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I spun around, my eyes blazing. "He's mistaken," I growled. "Even if he weren't, it doesn't matter. I refuse to go through this again, Jonathan. I won't."

"Scarlett," Jonathan spoke softly, his voice filled with compassion, "I know you're scared. After everything you've endured, who wouldn't be? But maybe this time is different. Maybe you could finally find some happiness."

I let out a laugh, but it felt hollow and broken. "Happiness? Have you forgotten what happened to the last four wolves who thought they could bring that into my life? They're gone, Jonathan. All four of them."

“Not by your hand," he argued. "You didn't choose this. Why do you insist on punishing yourself for something that was beyond your control?"

“Why not?" I shot back, my voice rising. “This is my curse. No one else's."

Jonathan stepped closer, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It doesn't have to be this way. Scarlett, I've known you since we were pups. I've witnessed your pain. Watched you push away everyone who cared. It pains me to see you like this."

Tears stung my eyes, and I blinked rapidly trying to fight them back. "So what, Jonathan? You want me to risk another life now?"

"I want you to live," he said firmly. "Really live, not just exist from one day to the next. And if this Alpha believes he can handle the risks, what right do we have to stand in his way?"

My head shook in denial, but inside, the edges of my resolve began to waver. The mate bond pulled at me even from a distance, and a small, treacherous part of me whispered... what if?

"Come back to the Pack house," he urged gently. "At least hear what he has to say. No one's asking you to make any decisions now."

I shut my eyes, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. When I opened them, I found myself yielding. "Fine," I said quietly "But I'm not agreeing to anything."

Jonathan nodded, relief evident on his face. "That's all I hoped for. Here," he said, shrugging off his jacket and handing it to me. "You might want this before we head back."

I took the jacket gratefully, suddenly aware of my state of undress. As we began the walk back toward the Pack house, I tried to steel myself for what lay ahead. But nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted us.

Alpha Kaiden stood on the porch of the Pack house, his powerful presence impossible to ignore. Other wolves surrounded him, likely his advisors or guards, but my eyes were drawn inexorably to him. The porch light cast his features into sharp relief, emphasizing the strong line of his jaw and the breadth of his shoulders.

He turned as if sensing my approach, our eyes locking across the distance. The mate bond surged between us, stronger than ever, and it took every ounce of strength I possessed not to run to him.

Kaiden moved toward me with purposeful strides. I stood my ground, even as every instinct screamed at me to either flee or throw myself into his arms.

He stopped mere inches away, his eyes roaming over me as if checking for injuries. "Scarlett," he said, his voice a mixture of relief and frustration. "We need to talk."

I lifted my chin defiantly. "Then talk."

His eyes narrowed, but he pressed on. "Not here. Somewhere private."

I was on the verge of refusing when Jonathan interjected. "Use my office, he said, gesturing toward the Pack house.

Kaiden nodded his thanks, then extended his hand to me. "Shall we?"

I stared at his outstretched hand, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. This was it. The moment that would change everything.

Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand in his. A jolt of electricity ran through me — the mate bond singing with joy at the contact. Hisfingers closed around mine, warm and strong.

As he led me toward the Pack house, a knot of anticipation tightened in my chest. What awaited me? Another devastating loss, or the possibility of something new and beautiful?

Just before we crossed the threshold, he leaned down, his breath warm against my ear. His words stopped me cold, a mixture of fear and curiosity coursing through my veins.

"I know about the curse, Scarlett. And I have a offer for you."