The Triplets’ Bookworm

CH 18 - AMBER

AMBER POV

I stormed out of the bathroom, Daisy and Violet’s words still echoing in my ears.

“Alan’s going to make Rose his Luna. You know he can’t resist her.” Daisy’s smug voice was coated in honeyed venom.

“Of course. She’s perfect for him. And poor Amber? God, she’s just… sad.” Violet’s laugh was sharp and cruel.

My nails dug into my palms as I forced myself not to react. I wasn’t going to cry. Not anymore.

Alan’s Luna. Perfect Rose.

I just remember when in 10th grade she said ti the teacher Italy was in Africa and the capital was Paris. Do I have to say anything else? I don’t think so.

The worst thing was that their words stung more than I wanted to admit, more than anything Christian had ever done to me.

Why? Why did i still feel something for him? For them? I didn’t want. I didn’t want to feel hate either.

I just wanted to be like switzerland and do not give a f**k about anything or anyone else.

When we were kids Alan had looked at me like I was the only thing he saw in the room. I’d started to believe it might mean something, but then he changed, they all did.

And now I knew the truth. Of all the girl in the pack, hell in the f*****g world, he chose dumbest one. Rose was his choice.

I was just the punchline to their jokes...

Well, not tonight.

I lifted my chin, squared my shoulders, and marched toward the gym. If they thought they could break me, they were wrong.

I’ll face them all, I told myself. Christian, Alan, Rose, Daisy, Violet—every single one of them.

I didn’t care anymore. I was 24 hours away from meeting my wolf, Who knows, maybe i’ll find my mate and move the hell away from this pack, from this mess had be come my life…

And if tonight became too much? Well, someone had probably already spiked the punch. I’d get drunk, make a fool of myself, and maybe—just maybe—forget.

The thought made me laugh bitterly as I turned into the hallway leading to the gym. The sound echoed, sharp and hollow.

Then a gust of wind swept through the corridor, cold and unsettling. I quickened my pace, my senses prickling. It had to be a door left open somewhere, but still, my heart raced.

The gym doors were just ahead, glowing faintly from the light and music beyond.

Almost there. Just a little further.

I was done. Done caring, done hoping. If tonight was destined to be a disaster, then so be it.

The music grew louder, muffled laughter and the bass vibrating through the walls. I was ready to face them all, to walk in there like I didn’t give a damn. But just as I reached the door knob, a sudden gust of cold air prickled my skin.

Before I could turn around, something—or rather, *someone*—grabbed me.

A strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back with a force that knocked the air from my lungs. My body collided with something solid—broad, unyielding—and then a hand clamped over my mouth, stifling the gasp that rose in my throat.

Panic surged through me, my pulse skyrocketing as I struggled against the hold. But the scent that filled my nose stopped me cold.

Aaron.

His scent was unmistakable—wood smoke, rain-soaked earth, and something sharper, wilder, that made my wolf stir despite herself.

"Stop squirming," he growled, his voice low and commanding, his breath hot against my ear. "You’ll only make this harder on yourself."

His grip tightened, pinning me firmly against him, and I hated how my body betrayed me. My traitorous heart raced for an entirely different reason now, and my skin burned where his arm pressed against me.

"Let me go!" I tried to snap, but the words were muffled against his palm.

He leaned closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he whispered, "Not until you calm down, sunshine."

The nickname sent a fresh wave of anger coursing through me, sharp and biting. "Calm down? Sunshine?” I echoed, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Are you out of your mind?” " I thought furiously.

My nails dug into his arm as I twisted, trying to break free, but it was like struggling against a wall of steel.

"You’re an asshole," I hissed the moment he let go of my mouth.

"And you’re beautiful," he shot back, his voice rough, his words hitting me like a physical blow.

"What?" My breath hitched, and I turned to glare at him over my shoulder, but his face was so close that the movement brought my nose mere inches from his. His blue eyes burned with an intensity that made my stomach flip, a storm brewing behind them.

"You heard me." His hand slid down from my waist but didn’t release me entirely. Instead, he turned me around, pressing me back against the wall with maddening ease. His hands caged me in, braced on either side of my head.

My heart hammered against my ribs, my breathing uneven as I glared up at him. "What the hell do you want, Aaron? Is this some new game you and your brothers cooked up? Compliments first, then public humiliation? Let me guess—you’re going to break me in front of everyone this time?"

He frowned, the storm in his eyes darkening. For a moment, he said nothing, just studied me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t solve.

"I’m not playing games, Amber." His voice was softer now, but no less commanding.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Right. Because I should trust you, Aaron. You’ve done nothing but make my life hell since the day you decided I wasn’t your friend anymore. Four f*****g years ago. So excuse me if I don’t believe your bullshit."

I tried to duck under his arm, but he was too quick. His hand caught my wrist, pulling me back before I could get far.

"Wait," he said, his voice sharp but not harsh. "I’m not done."

"Well, I am," I snapped.