The Triplets And Their Mysterious Mate

Fish

Calista POV

Maybe I was too harsh with Dean, the poor guy practically sprinted from the kitchen. But if I let him continue, he may have set fire to the house. The sight of him fumbling with the ingredients made me want to laugh. He had bought fish, and they smelled fresh. The kitchen was a chaotic symphony of clattering pots and pans, punctuated by the sizzle of food on the stove. As I stood there, observing what I managed to salvage from Dean's cooking adventure, I could feel the heat from the stove radiating onto my skin.

I had the option to go out and sit with the triplets and the Vampire they called Colson, but I also wanted to give them some space. Trust was a delicate thing, and I needed to learn to trust those they trusted as well. The thought of having so much support, even involving family, was unfamiliar and overwhelming. It tugged at my heart, making it ache for the mother I missed dearly. A tear welled up in my eye, and I brushed it away with my finger, feeling the dampness against my skin.

Suddenly, a sound echoed from the entrance of the kitchen, causing me to turn my head. It was Cade, and his footsteps reverberated in the room. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice breaking through the ambient noise. I nodded, feeling his presence drawing closer.

His fingers brushed against the spot where I had wiped away the tear, a gentle touch. "You don't have to hide your true feelings from us," he said, his eyes locked with mine. "Your mark, Calista, it allows us to feel more. I can tell you're hurting."

A small smile formed on my lips, albeit tinged with sadness. "I'm used to the pain, in a way. It's become a part of me. Without it, I think I would feel empty," I admitted.

Cade surprised me by wrapping his arms around me, offering comfort and solace. "I don't want you to be in pain, none of us do. You're not alone anymore, Calista. Having mates means we're a team now. When one of us is hurting, we all are," he explained. I sighed, realizing that this was something I had to get used to.

"I guess it's something I have to learn. I'm not used to this," I said, feeling the weight of their support settling upon my shoulders.

"We understand, and you can take as much time as you need," he said softly, his voice filled with understanding.

"You sure about that?" I chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the room. His smile was like a ray of sunshine, bringing a sense of ease and warmth. As he leaned in, his lips brushed against my head, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. It was as if a soft feather had gently caressed my skin.

"What have the three of them done to me?" I wondered, feeling a strange but not unpleasant shift within me. Suddenly, the aroma of something delicious wafted through the air. "Whatever you're making actually smells good," Cade remarked, his voice filled with curiosity.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his comment.

"Tate and I used to eat human food all the time when we were younger, but after our first shift, we started to lose our taste for it. Yet, at times, it still smells appealing," he explained, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

I momentarily pulled away from him and opened the oven to check on the dish. The warmth enveloped me, and the tantalizing aroma grew stronger. "It's done," I declared with a sense of satisfaction.

"You can try, but only if you want. It won't upset me if you say no," I assured him, as I offered him a taste.

"I want to. What you made, I'm assuming it's something you like?" he asked, his curiosity evident in his voice.

"Yes, I mean, I'm a siren. I can eat fish raw, but since I've been on land for so long, this has become one of my favorites. It looks like you guys got all the right ingredients without even knowing," I revealed with a hint of surprise.

As he reached into the oven to grab the pan, I couldn't help but worry about him burning himself. "Wait, you will..." I started to speak, but he interrupted me. "Fire power. I'm immune to heat," he confessed nonchalantly. He handled the hot pan effortlessly, placing it on a cooling mat.

Meanwhile, I attended to the sauce on the stovetop, its aroma filling the room with a tangy sweetness. I drizzled it over the dish, adding the finishing touch. Handing him a fork, I watched as he took a bite. The expression on his face was priceless – a mix of surprise and delight.

"This may be the first things that has actually had flavor for me in years," he confessed, his eyes filled with sincerity. Searching his eyes, I could see that he was being honest.

"I'm happy I made enough for everyone, since you guys got a lot, and fish does not stay good. But again, only eat if you want it," I reassured him.

"I'll help you plate it up. Colson won't eat, but I'm sure Tate and Dean will," he offered, his voice filled with eagerness.

"Colson?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued.

"He's annoying, but I think you will come to really like him. He is someone that will have your back, a fiercely loyal vampire. He may act like a big-mouthed jerk at times and joke around a lot, but deep down, he is incredibly caring," he explained, his voice filled with admiration.

"I've never met a vampire like that. Well, maybe I mean, you three are part vampire," I corrected myself, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation filling my voice.

"I look forward to getting to know your family," I said, a genuine smile playing on my lips as I looked into his eyes.

"I'm delighted to hear that," he replied, a smile forming on his face.

Cade gently grabbed my hand, his touch warm and comforting.

"We've informed our parents," Cade spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of hope. "They'll work with my family to find ways to help you and keep the demons at bay. Amaris Colson's wife will be joining us tomorrow. She'll strengthen the protective barrier around this place. Do you still believe you can't venture far?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

I shook my head, trying to find the right words. "No, I can feel it. It's like an irresistible pull towards this spot. If I go, I fear it will worsen," I explained. Cade nodded, understanding my need to be near the vastness of the sea.

"How are you feeling right now?" he inquired, concern etched on his face.

I hesitated for a moment before responding, "I'm okay. The need to be in the ocean is there, but it's not overpowering at the moment. Going in with Tate earlier helped, and, well..." I trailed off, my cheeks flushing slightly.

Cade finished my sentence with a small smirk, "Having intimacy with us is helping." I nodded, appreciating his understanding.

"Yes," I admitted,

"It's because we're mates. Our kind heals faster when we're intimate with our mate," he explained, his words carrying a sense of reassurance.

"Cade, later, can we have some time alone?" I asked, my voice filled with genuine curiosity. "I've spent time with Dean and Tate, but not as much with you. I believe it's important for me to get to know each of you individually and as a whole."

"I'd like that," Cade replied, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "We can do whatever you want." He grabbed two plates, and I picked up the other two, the clinking of utensils filling the air. As we made our way to where everyone else was, Tate stood up from the couch, his eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Something smells incredible," Tate exclaimed, his voice filled with anticipation. Dean and Colson were nowhere to be seen, but before I could inquire, the back door swung open, releasing a faint hint of smoke into the room as they came in.

"I guess you won," Dean said as he walked over to the table.

"I shouldn't have kicked you out like that," I apologized, feeling a tinge of guilt.

"It's fine, you are hungry and I'm not a good cook," Dean replied. I noticed the sound of the triplets, Tate and Cade, eagerly drooling over the food. Their excitement filled the air with anticipation. "You will have gotten them to eat two meals now since we have met," Dean chuckled, causing Colson to laugh as well. The sound of their laughter was contagious.

"Wait, you two ate food? Man, I missed out on all the good stuff," Colson exclaimed. He turned to me, curiosity evident in his voice. "Tell me, Calista, how did they handle it?" Colson asked.

"With some very interesting faces." I responded. Everyone took their seats, and the triplets immediately started eating.

"Really, only eat if you really want to," I advised, but the triplets assured me that the food was delicious. "It's good, I can taste it," Tate exclaimed. The sound of their satisfied murmurs added to the ambiance of the room.

"How the hell did you learn to cook so well?" Dean asked.

I took a moment to savor the taste of the food before answering, "I've been on my own and took odd jobs to survive, so I learned to cook." I admitted.

"Sorry, we should have gotten you more food earlier," Dean apologized.

“It's all good," I said as I stood up from the table when finished. The room seemed a bit stuffy, so I walked over to one of the windows, the cool breeze brushing against my skin. I turned to Cade and asked, "Can I go outside alone?" Cade nodded in response.

I stepped outside, craving the fresh air. The scent of the ocean lingered in the air, tempting me to go nearer. However, I knew it would be hard to resist, so instead, I focused on observing the house. Climbing up a ladder on the side of the house, I reached a lower part of the roof and lay down. Looking up at the sky, I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. The sensation of peace washed over me as I drifted into a light slumber.

"Mom, I'm not sure where you are, if you are alive or if you have passed," I whispered in my mind. The sound of my voice mixed with the gentle rustling of the wind. "But I found my mates. You always told me when I found the one meant for me, I would find my safety. And for the first time, I think I may actually be safe. You would like them; they even stuck with me when they learned who I am."

After some time passed, a voice interrupted my thoughts. "Interesting place to rest.

I opened my eyes to Colson, realizing that the sun was already starting to set. I must have dozed off for a little while. "Where is Dean, Tate, and Cade?" I asked.

"They've been talking on and off with their family inside," Colson admitted. "But mostly, they've been waiting for you."

I chuckled. "They could have come out," I teased.

Colson sighed, and I could almost feel the weight of his breath on my skin. "They don't want to upset you," he explained.

I let out a weary sigh of my own, feeling the tension in my shoulders release. "I guess that's my fault," I confessed. "I told them I was leaving at first, even after finding out I was their mate. I just didn't think I could really stay with them."

"I have been with their family for a long time, and one thing I've learned from their father and grandfathers is that they are not at ease unless they are with their mate. Once they find them, they become very protective. This family has faced a lot, and you will discover that you have a lot in common with their mother and grandmother. Those three furry devils inside may be a handful, but they will protect you no matter what," he said to me.

"I know they will," I replied. "I just don't want to see others harmed because of me. The triplets are not the first to call me a monster because of what I am. I am seen as dangerous, yet I have never harmed anyone unless they were attacking me. I know the triplets are strong, I've seen it, but I have also seen what some of those after me are capable of. I lost my mother to them, and I don't want Dean, Cade, or Tate harmed because of me, or even you and your family."

"I'll tell you something I've learned, and trust me, it's not something I have always believed in. I was not good. I've done things, hurt people. Hell, I have even killed innocent beings in the past. If anyone is a monster, it's me. I thought I was on my own, a human turned into a lowly bloodsucker. I acted like I loved that life, but I did not. I was simply surviving the only way I knew how. But then the triplets' grandmother came into my life, and things started changing. I started to see how working with others, forming trust, and being part of a group can make you a hell of a lot stronger. I became a part of their family, not by blood, but that's not needed. We can choose our families, and I learned that love, support, and working together can help us face any challenge. Sure, we all worry about the danger, but do you really think you can handle this on your own, Siren? Sure, you've been doing a great job hiding, but aren't you sick of it? Become a part of this family and let us all fight with you. I'm sure what we are going to be facing is huge," he said to me.

"I understand, don't worry. I'm not leaving them, and I also understand the danger that could be unleashed if the demons get to me. I don't want that. I mean, there were times when I wanted to say 'f**k you' to the world just because I was miserable, but in reality, I can't let that happen. If I am used, it will surely result in the death of many innocents," I admitted.

"So, the kids told me that the witch is Phelen's mate," Colson asked.

"Yeah, that's what my mother told me," I admitted.

Colson clicked his tongue and shook his head. "We thought he just wanted to unleash hell for fun. I mean, it's something he would do, but now it makes a lot more sense," he said.

"In a way, I feel bad for him," I admitted.

"You feel bad for that creep?" Colson asked.

"Well, yeah. I mean, she is his mate and all. It has to be hard knowing she is locked away and he can never see her, right?" I said.

"I guess. I mean, we could always find a way to just lock him away with her," Colson chuckled.

"It's not that easy. I even said that to my mother. I would have to break the lock with my voice for someone to join her. And from the rumors, it's not like she will just wait, remaining trapped for her mate. She is pure evil. I can feel it. Some of the power I hold was hers," I admitted.

"Ready to head in now?" Colson asked me.

"I will in a few. I won't make the triplets wait much longer," I said.

"Phew," he joked as he jumped down, leaving me alone. I guess he really wasn't that bad. I started to hum a song. My goal was to create another storm, but after a few notes, a sharp pain radiated in my chest, stopping me.

"Looks like the potion is messing even with my powers now," I sighed as I jumped down. Colson was right. I need to fully accept the triplets. I need to let them mark me. Dragging this out, even for the week, is not fair to them. And I need them just as much as they need me.