The Triplet Alphas's Christmas Gift

Chapter 10 - School again

Teira's POV

After we got done talking about what happened at school, we all enjoyed sitting and roasting marshmallows by the fire for a bit. Tyler kept cracking jokes to make me smile, Matt kept trying to feed me marshmallows that weren't burnt to a crisp, and Ryan just sat behind me, making sure the winter wind didn't hit me too much.

I asked if he wanted to get closer to the fire, but he said he was fine. I guess he just liked listening to the rest of us talk, not that I did much talking.

It was weird having these three boys pop out of nowhere and suddenly enter my world, I had heard of them, sure, everybody in the pack knew about the Mason triplets. But to think they'd pay attention to me, of all people, was odd.

I started yawning a bit later. I was getting tired, and I still needed to clean the dinner dishes before bed. I stood up quietly and the boys did as well, "Well, this has been fun. But I need to get some sleep for the review tomorrow. Finals are next week and I need to study." I said stretching.

Tyler came over and put an arm around my shoulders, "Sounds good, I'll walk you back." he said but I shoved his arm off playfully, "No thanks, I can make my way on my own. See you guys around." I said waving at them, not looking at Tyler's pouting face.

Kyle chuckled and hugged me gently, "Good night, sis, don't stay up too late washing those dishes. I'll try to be back as fast as possible to help." he whispered in my ear, and I nodded.

I turned and headed back the way I had come, following my own scent trail easily through the woods, thinking about which dishes to tackle first; if they were still sitting there by morning, I'd be in for another bad day.

I heard a twig snap behind me and whirled around, growling. Nobody usually came this way, but there was a first time for everything. The triplets were a few feet behind me with their hands up in surrender and I sighed, "What part of 'I can make my way on my own' did you three not get?" I asked quietly. We were too close to the house and I didn't want to wake my parents.

Ryan smiled gently, "Trust us, Teira, we believe you can take care of yourself. But there's no harm in having a few other people watching your back." he said calmly. I sighed, seeing the looks of determination on their faces, proving they weren't going to leave me to get back in the house by myself.

"Fine, but I want you guys to stay back after we see the house, I'd rather my parents not hear us," I whispered. They frowned but nodded and we continued heading back to the house. When the outline showed through the trees, I held my hand up. "This is where we part ways, thanks for the walk. See you guys around." I whispered and the boys nodded. I turned to leave, but a hand grabbed my wrist and held it gently; I looked back, confused, to see Tyler looking at me, concerned.

Are you sure, you'll be alright? I don't like this. he linked and I nodded quietly, "I'll be fine. No worries." I murmured, and he kissed my hand and then released me. I looked at him, stunned for a moment, but he just smirked; something to remember me by. See you around, princess. He said as the triplets headed back towards the clearing, Ryan and Matt grumbling at Tyler quietly.

I looked down at my bandaged hand, the barest hint of tingles and heat was traveling through my fingers. Something about the Mason triplets was dangerous and I was getting a sense that staying away from them would be better for my health.

Unfortunately, my rapidly beating heart didn't want to listen to my head.

~*~*~*~

The next morning, I raced through getting ready and headed downstairs quickly, nearly running into Kyle in the dining room, "Whoa sis! What's the hurry?!" he whispered as I caught my breath.

"Alarm...didn't...go...late...for...cleaning." I panted, and he put his hands on my shoulders, "Calm down, Tei, I cleaned up the dinner dishes last night." he said, and I looked at him, shocked. Kyle had taken the triplets home late last night so he would've only gotten back about two this morning.

"Kyle, Mom and Dad will get angry if you don't get some sleep! I can handle the dishes, go back upstairs, and get a few extra hours before school." I said, pushing him towards the stairs, well trying to; my brother had some muscle from all that training.

He chuckled quietly, "Tei, most warriors have to stay up late during shifts anyway. And it's not like I have extracurriculars after school. I'll just tell them I got a head start on training for graduation. Now come on, there are still a few things that need to be done." he said, pulling me into the kitchen.

I shook my head and sighed. I hated when Kyle put himself at risk, but my brother could be stubborn. I headed to the counter and began prepping the batter for waffles while Kyle washed and diced up some potatoes for hashbrowns. I placed a few chocolate chips in the batter after cooking some regular ones for Mom and Dad. They were strict about Kyle's health and would rarely allow him sweets, but I usually tried to sneak in something without them knowing as thanks for looking out for me.

It always surprised him when he found them so watching his face as he ate was a highlight for me.

I set the table and poured the milk, juice, and coffee, the way Dad specifically liked it, into the glasses, then stood to the side as my parents came through the door. Kyle had run up the back stairs a few moments earlier, so I just bowed and greeted my parents calmly, "Morning Mother, Father."

Mom sniffed, but Dad grunted in response. I said nothing more, not expecting a greeting from either one. Kyle came in a moment later and sat down, not looking at me. Dad glanced at his coffee mug, "I hope you got it right this time, girl. You know I hate to repeat myself." he growled before he sipped. I didn't react, and he said nothing which meant it was fine.

Mom nibbled at the fruit on the table and ate a bit of the hashbrowns, but pushed the waffle away. "I told you to watch putting too many fatty foods on the table, I'm trying to watch my weight. But since you got me some fresh fruit this time, I'll let it slide," she growled and I nodded. Mom always found fault with something in the meal so I didn't take her seriously unless she was yelling.

Kyle stood and kissed Mom on the cheek before slipping past me, putting something in my hand as he walked by, "My bag's by the door, Dad. Let's head out." he said calmly, and Dad nodded, heading down the hall behind him. Mom stood, "No more fatty foods for dinner, I want fresh vegetables and salad. Understood?" she asked and I nodded looking down at the floor. She huffed and walked down the hall as well, and I waited until I heard her car leave, then looked down at the note in my hand.

Tei,

Thanks for the chocolate, it was amazing.

The pots and pans are clean, just scrub the dishes and you should be good to go.

I'll see you at school.

Love,

Kyle

I smiled at the note, I couldn't believe he'd waited til I went to set the table to scrub the pans before heading upstairs. He could've gotten caught and me punished for being lazy. My brother was amazing.

I grabbed the plates and put them in the sink, scrubbing them real quick before heading to the door. My backpack was ripped to pieces yesterday during the attack, and I couldn't afford a new one, so I grabbed my old beach bag I had and placed my notes and books in it, hoping it wouldn't snow and my things get soaked.

I locked the front door and began to walk down the sidewalk, heading to school when flurries began to fall. I sighed; of course, it did. I folded the bag as best I could under my arm and kept walking, letting the snow hit my head as I did.

A horn beeped at me halfway to school, and I jumped; a gray SUV pulled up beside me and was driving slowly along. I looked at it suspiciously, who would want to see me?

The passenger window rolled down and Tyler waved, "Teira! Need a lift?" He asked. I shook my head and kept walking, what were they doing here? Didn't the Alpha drop them off at school in the morning?

Tyler pouted, "Come on, why not? No use shivering out here when we've got a nice warm seat for you. Aren't we friends?" he asked whining a little. I looked at him confused, "You've only known me for a day, how does that make us friends?" I asked. The SUV stopped, and Matt hopped out, "Why wouldn't we be? We're friends with Kyle, and that makes you our friend by association." he said, holding the door open for me to jump in.

I looked at him suspiciously, "Friends by association didn't stop what happened yesterday." I retorted and he winced, "That's why we want to make it obvious to everyone that you are our friend and we won't put up with you being treated that way again. Can't you just give us a chance?" he asked.

I sighed and nodded, hopping in the back seat and scooting over. Ryan was driving, and he smiled at me through the rearview mirror, "Good morning." he said, and I nodded in response as we pulled away from the curb.

Matt looked at my shabby beach bag, "I saw your bag was ripped yesterday, so I brought this one. It may not replace the old one, but it should do until break." he said handing me a large black and light blue backpack with white trimmings. It looked practically brand new and I instantly fell in love with it, "It's beautiful, thank you." I murmured as I started to put my things inside. He beamed.

Ryan parked the car and opened my door, helping me out so I didn't stumble. I think it was just so he could hold my hand. Matt took my backpack and carried it for me while Tyler draped his coat around my shoulders, "It's colder out here with the snow; my coat's warmer than Kyle's, so you should use it." he said gently. I looked at him confused, "But won't you be cold?" I asked, and he shook his head, "I have an extra in my locker. No worries." he said, and I smiled.

As we walked in the door, we noticed a crowd in the foyer. Kyle was standing by my locker as usual but he looked p*ssed. I sighed, wondering what happened now. We walked over and I stiffened in shock, pictures of the boys crawling over me, s*cking on my breasts, with their faces blurred out were plastered all over my locker, poster style. A big red word, w***e! was written underneath with a caption, 'Want to see what the school loser does while everyone's at lunch? Check the link below."

Tears filled my eyes and the triplets growled, ripping the posters down, Tyler turned to Kyle, "We go to the principal. NOW!" he roared his eyes turning black.