The Triplets And Their Mysterious Mate

Conditions

Calista POV

I've got to give it to the damn triplets - they really meant they were staying. At one point, I was going to try and kick them out, but they were bringing in business. After word spread that they were at the pub, the place was buzzing with excitement.

I actually started to feel a little bad for Dean. It was clear he was uncomfortable with crowds. The sight of his tense shoulders and nervous glances revealed his unease. I remembered noticing the same thing at the club, but it was even more evident here. He constantly stepped out, seeking solace, and I was pretty sure he polished off an entire pack of cigarettes in the process.

As I stood behind the bar, finally getting a break for a few precious minutes, I leaned against the wall, feeling the rough texture against my skin. My body burned with fatigue and a sense of uneasiness, making me feel sick.

I needed to escape, to submerge myself in the ocean. The urge to find a way to do so, without getting caught, consumed me. I glanced out at the triplets' table, relieved to see that they were engrossed in their own conversations, paying no attention to me. What if I told them who I really was? The thought crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. I was out of my mind for even considering such a risky move.

“You don't look good, hun. How about you step out for some fresh air and take your break?” one of the other servers offered, her voice cutting through the noisy atmosphere. I nodded in gratitude, my head pounding in agreement.

"I guess I'll take a few minutes, thanks," I replied, my voice strained.

As I made my way towards the back entrance, the sounds of the pub faded, replaced by the cool breeze brushing against my skin. I inhaled deeply, hoping to find solace in the fresh air. But the smell of cigarette smoke greeted me, reminding me of Dean's presence. I turned my head and saw him leaning against the pub, his own break from the chaos. "Finally got a break, I see," he said, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

"You should take a break from smoking," I said to him, the haze of cigarette smoke swirling in the air around us. "I can tell you're not comfortable here, so why not head back to the hotel? I'm sure with school, you had a long day."

"It's fine," he replied, his voice laced with exhaustion.

"It isn't," I insisted. "Are you worried I won't come back to the hotel?"

He hesitated for a moment before admitting, "Yes."

I shook my head, the weight of the situation pressing on me. "This really isn't fair. You three are doing this because of a mate bond, a crazy connection that drives you towards someone. And to make matters worse, you all ended up with me, someone not interested in mate bonds. You all deserve better." My words hung heavy in the stillness of the evening.

"I still don't know any of you well, but you are all kind and protective, even of a stranger. This is all making me feel bad," I confessed.

"If you feel bad, give us a chance. Don't just push us away," Dean pleaded, his voice filled with sincerity. "Like Cade said, try this week."

"But if I try, won't it only hurt you three more at the end of the week?" I questioned, the doubt clear in my voice.

"It will hurt less for me. If you reject me without even getting to know me and giving me a chance, that's not fair. Get to know me first, then make up your mind," Dean urged.

"Even if I want to be with you, I can't," I murmured under my breath, the weight of my secret crushing me. Yet, he caught my words, moving closer, his gaze intense.

"What trouble are you in, Calista? We can help you," Dean said softly, his concern evident. "Don't lie to us and say you're not when we can all sense you are. The fact that you say even if you want to be with us, you can't, is proof."

"It's nothing I can't handle on my own. I refuse to drag anyone else into it, including you three," I replied. "But I will give you a chance, just for this week, if that's really what you three want. But I have a few conditions, and you can share them with your brothers."

His eyes seemed to light up, a glimmer of hope shining through. Did they truly want me, or was this simply the bond tugging at their hearts?

"What are they?" he asked.

"You can't touch me without permission. No pulling, grabbing my hand, hugging, or kissing unless I say it's okay. I've had enough experiences with strangers wanting my attention, constantly grabbing at me, and it annoys me."

Dean nodded in understanding, his eyes showing empathy. "Fair enough," he responded. "I understand, and my brothers will too."

"You three are only here for me," I continued, my voice softer now. "You told me your brothers don't often eat human food, if ever. But tonight, they did, and I have to admit, it was comical to see how they didn't enjoy it. However, please, don't bother me while I'm working. I don't need babysitters. It's been awkward, constantly knowing you three have been watching me. I promise I won't leave this town for a week, unless something comes up. And if it does, I'll find a way to let you know. I won't just vanish on you."

Dean leaned back against the building, his eyes focused on me. "Okay, we won't bother you," he promised."But will you be working every day this week that we have with you? What if we asked you not to work doubles and maybe take a day or two off?" Dean asked.

I closed my eyes briefly, trying to find a balance. "It's the money, right?" he said, his voice filled with understanding. I nodded.

"I'll make up for what you would have made," he offered, but I shook my head.

"I am not comfortable with that. I can manage," I replied. "I already have two days off this week. I have tomorrow off, then I work Tuesday morning, Wednesday dinner rush, Thursday morning, Friday late-night rush, and I have Saturday off."

Dean nodded, accepting my explanation. "Okay, we can work with that. We won't bother you," he assured me.

"My final condition is that at the end of the week, you three can't try to force me to stay with you. I am giving you all a chance because that's what you want. But I will remind you of my warning: I have to leave. I don't want to hurt you three, and that's why I have to be honest upfront."

"Okay," he said softly, his voice tinged with sadness.

"Perhaps in this week, maybe you will find that you can trust us enough to tell us why you skip town and what danger you are in," Dean said, his tone filled with hope. "I understand you not wanting to drag others into it, but we are destined to be with you. The moon goddess selected you as our mate, and you may not agree with that. But our souls are bound, Calista. We would much rather be dragged into what you are facing and help you than lose you. I know you don't understand that yet or perhaps simply don't accept it, but by the week's end, you might."

"Try not to smoke so much," I said to him.

"I'll put out my cigarette if you let me hold your hand for a minute," he proposed, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

I raised an eyebrow, finding his request peculiar. "Crowded places put me on edge," he explained. "But you can help me with that. Your touch can calm me, as we are mates."

Could the simple act of holding hands truly provide comfort? I voiced my skepticism, trying to make sense of it all.

"Yes, it will," he insisted, his voice tinged with conviction. "Even without the bond, I can feel it." I hesitated, unsure if I should comply with his request. But curiosity got the better of me, and I extended my hand, palm facing up.

He extinguished his cigarette and gently took my hand in his. His touch was surprisingly warm, his rough fingertips telling a tale of hard work. The sensation sent a strange tingling through my body, as if every nerve was awakening. It was both exhilarating and unnerving, leaving me craving for more.

"You're sick," he stated matter-of-factly. The intensity in his eyes made me feel exposed, as if he could see through my every thought.

I tried to deny it, pulling my hand away from his. "I'm okay," I insisted, my voice wavering.

He sighed, a mixture of concern and hesitation in his voice. "I should have noticed it when you came out here. You're not as full of energy," he admitted, his eyes never leaving mine. "But holding your hand, I could feel it."

Insisting that I was fine, I brushed off his concern. "I'll be off in one hour. I'll be okay," I reassured him, hoping to put his worries to rest. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze locked with mine, before reluctantly letting me go back.

As I walked away, a mix of uncertainty and regret washed over me. Perhaps I was losing my sanity by giving him a chance, but deep down, I knew that ignoring them would only invite more pestering.

I got back to work and watched as Dean went to his brothers, Tate held his hand up, clearly flagging me over. "Bill," he simply said.

When I placed the bill down, they all seemed calm, their expressions relaxed. Even Tate, who had been tense before, now exuded a sense of ease. "We all accept your conditions,"Tate said. "See you at the hotel, but if you are later than 11, at least call so we don't worry."

Cade handed me a new phone. "Here, we will swap. We got you a phone," he said, his eyes filled with sincerity. I looked at him, surprised by his gesture. "I know you don't want to take from us, and I honestly like that about you. But for at least this week, use the phone so we can stay in touch," he requested.

"Okay, thanks," I said, taking the new phone and pulling Tates' phone from my pocket. "I'll see you three later," I said, and continued with my shift.

It was a little past 10 when I finally finished. I rushed, trying to avoid being seen by too many people. Finally, I found a secluded spot by the ocean, the sound of crashing waves providing a calming backdrop to my thoughts.

I knew it was a risk, but I had to try. The feeling of the cool sand beneath my feet grounded me as I took in the sight of the vast ocean stretching out before me. I could only afford five minutes, but even that short amount of time would be difficult for me. However, I needed it.

I removed my clothing and stepped into the water, feeling the coolness envelop my body. The sound of the rushing water filled my ears as I quickly shifted and submerged myself, seeking the rejuvenation my body desperately needed. Emerging from the water, I swiftly transformed back into my human form and hurried towards my belongings. However, just as I reached them, a pungent scent wafted through the air, signaling the presence of demons. Panic surged through me as I sought a hiding place, knowing that they were closing in on me.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are, little siren," one of the demons called out, his voice echoing in the distance. "We won't harm you. Our boss only wants to work with you. Don't you wish to no longer hide and run?"

I remained silent, my breath catching in my throat. The demon's words hung in the air, mixing with the faint rustling of leaves and the distant sound of a car passing by. I could sense their presence lurking nearby, but they seemed to be moving further away. I needed a distraction, something to buy me time. Reluctantly, I pulled out the phone Cade had given me.

"I need a ride, the demons are here," I quickly typed and sent to cade, my heart pounding in my chest. Within seconds, the phone buzzed with an incoming call. I answered, but could not make a sound. "I'm on my way. I'm heading to my car now. The phone you have has gps tracking. Try to stay hidden for me, can you do that?" Cade's voice was urgent, filled with concern.

It was too late; the demons had found me. I heard one of them call out, their voice echoing in the darkness. All I could do now was pretend to be a nobody.

"Shesh, you're loud," I muttered. "Can't you see I'm trying to get some rest?" I said, the phone pressed to my side now.

I quickly gathered my clothing, feeling the rough fabric of my pants against my skin. I hastily pulled them on over my bikini and slipped on my shirt, the fabric clinging to me. As I glanced up, I noticed one of the demons approaching me. His disguise was feeble, his eyes betraying his true nature. He studied me intently, his gaze like ice piercing through me.

As he scanned me, his piercing gaze felt like a weight on my skin. Suddenly, he shook his head, his disapproval whispered softly. "Human," he said.

Holding my nose, I said, "and your stinky back up." The putrid smell filled the air, assaulting my senses.

His tongue darted across his lips, a sinister anticipation gleaming in his eyes. "Boss said nothing about us having a small snack," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. The sound of his voice made my skin crawl, like nails on a chalkboard.

"Please, Mr. Creepy looking dude, don't hurt me," I pleaded with a smirk.

A chilling laughter escaped his throat. "Aww yes, isn't this funny? You're the one who is about to die," I taunted.

Suddenly, a distant sound reached my ears, a low rumble in the distance. It was growls.

Another demon, standing further back spoke, "It's the dragon wolves," he revealed, his voice filled with caution. The demon closest to me huffed, his annoyance palpable.

"You're lucky this time, human. You would have made a good meal," he sneered before vanishing into thin air, along with the others. Relief washed over me, but not far away, I spotted Cade, Tate, and Dean. They had come to my rescue, their presence offering a glimmer of hope. It was a rare feeling, having someone I could depend on other than my mother. And in that moment, their arrival brought a sense of comfort.