The Triplet Alphas's Christmas Gift

Chapter 13 - Study Hall

Teira's POV

After lunch, Kyle walked me to study hall. Ryan had tried to walk me, but one glare from me made him sit down again. I almost walked out of the cafeteria alone but realized that Kyle and the triplets didn't want me to be alone, so I waited for Kyle to dump his tray before we walked out of the cafeteria together.

Things were awkward between us. We walked beside each other in silence, and you could cut the tension with a claw. I was brooding over the triplets pitying me, and it seemed Kyle was still upset by the things he learned this morning.

Before we got to the library, I stopped and turned to him, sighing, "I'm sorry." I murmured quietly. He looked at me confused for a moment, "What are you sorry for, Tei? You didn't ask to be attacked. You didn't ask to be treated the way you are. Why are you the one apologizing?" he asked, lowering his voice so nobody could overhear.

I looked down at my feet, "I'm sorry for not telling you about Whitley, for not explaining that Mom and Dad don't give me money for lunch. For not being completely honest. I just...just didn't want you to worry about me. I cause enough stress for you as it is, and I know having to ignore how Mom and Dad treat me at home is torture for you. I don't want to be a burden anymore." I said sadly, tears were rolling down my cheeks, and I was trying not to sob.

Kyle hugged me tightly, his bulky frame shrouding me in his warmth, "Tei, you are NEVER a burden to me. EVER. I don't care what Mom and Dad say, I don't care if it makes me worry more, I don't want you to have to endure any more abuse than what you are already going through. I want to know who's bothering you, I want to know so I can help. Despite what Mom and Dad want, I want to be a part of your life. Because, one of these days, they'll learn they were stupid for treating you that way, and I can't wait for you to show them how amazing you really are." he said, gently wiping the tears from my eyes.

I gave him a watery smile, "The Moon Goddess did me a huge favor, giving me an awesome brother like you." I said, wiping my eyes quickly. He laughed, "Well, of course. Someone has to look out for you." he said as he led me to the library door.

I hugged him one more time before going inside, waving to him as he kept walking down the hallway. He didn't have study hall in the library, so him going out of his way to walk me was sweet.

I looked around the large room. Nobody was here yet. The plush brown carpet and white walls were very comforting to me, I loved to read books. Though my parents didn't think it was a good pastime for me to have, Kyle had taken me to the library one afternoon when my parents were working late. I was in heaven, I sat at a table across from Kyle and read a huge stack of books that I had grabbed from the shelves. He had teased me that there was no way I'd get through fifteen books before we had to head home, but I proved him wrong.

Afterward, he had tried to get me a library card, but we needed our parents' permission. He knew they would never sign one for me so he asked Dad for one for himself and would bring books home on training and studying then sneak in a few adventure or fantasy books for me to read at night.

Our parents never knew about this as they trusted that Kyle was only using his card for himself, the book I had been caught reading by the Alpha I hid back in my room after Dad 'chased me off' so they never found it. After that, Mom and Dad increased Kyle's schedule, so he couldn't stop by the library much anymore.

So the library at school was my sanctuary, I looked forward to study hall most days due to the fact that nobody usually bothered me. I sat at one of the large tables on the far side of the room, almost hidden behind a large bookshelf, and opened my bag, studying the notes I'd need for my next two classes. My grades were almost straight A's. Math was the one I had the most trouble in. All the equations we had to learn kind of messed with my head a bit.

I was concentrating so hard that I didn't notice anyone else coming into the library until three stacks of books were set on the table. I looked up, surprised, and then scowled, Ryan, Tyler, and Matt had apparently decided to join me for study hall.

"What are you guys doing here?!" I whispered angrily. Matt looked at me confused, "Studying?" he said as if it was obvious. I rolled my eyes, "You three don't have study hall. You're graduating this year and have Alpha duties in the afternoon. So I ask again, what are you doing here?"

They looked at me stunned, shocked that I knew they left in the afternoon to work with their father before heading to training. Tyler unfroze first, a playful smirk coming across his lips, "You've been keeping track of us, princess?" he teased. I blushed but shook my head, "Kyle mentioned it yesterday." I lied. They didn't need to know that I grew curious about them after they helped Kyle save me.

Ryan looked at me warmly, "Dad's got a few meetings with other pack members today and Mom's getting details set for the packhouse Christmas party, it was either stay until training or get dragged into looking at photos of girls so she'd know who to invite to the party. Plus, it gives us more time to spend with you, angel." he said gently.

I scoffed, "You guys have been with me practically all day, plus you gave me a ride this morning. How much more time should we spend together?" I asked. They looked at each other, and then Matt smiled, "Let's just say we want to get to know you better. Now, is there any studying that you need help with?" he asked. I looked at him curiously, wanting to ask, but decided against it, I didn't need any more complications in my life right now.

I pulled my math book out and explained the problem I was having, Ryan was apparently great at math and helped me understand it a bit better.

Study Hall passed quickly, and soon enough, we were gathering our books and heading to my next class. People stared at the triplets in awe, as most of them hadn't seen them in the afternoon, then they would look at me in confusion because my being surrounded by the triplets was out of place.

I tried not to pay it any attention and kept walking, for once not putting my head down. They could say what they wanted, but I wouldn't be made a victim anymore.

A few hours later and I was back in the SUV with Ryan, Matt, and Tyler. We were talking about the rest of our day when the phone rang on the dash, and Ryan answered it, "Hello?"

"Ryan sweetheart, how are you?" a simpering woman's voice asked through the speaker. I looked at the dash curiously, but Tyler had me sit back, "We're fine, Mom. Everything ok?" Ryan replied. The woman laughed, "Of course it is, I was just wondering where you three were. You didn't forget our dinner tonight, did you?"

Matt and Tyler looked confused before Tyler said, "How could we forget when you didn't tell us Mom?" he asked, and she sighed, "I told you boys about it this morning. The Pierce's and their lovely daughter are joining us for dinner, so you boys are to come straight home after training to wash up."

I froze, Whitley was going to be at the packhouse this evening. No wonder she tried to flirt with Matt earlier today. I grew angry, no idea why, at the thought of her flirting with the triplets all evening. Matt rubbed his eyes, Tyler gave a disgusted look towards the dash, and Ryan sighed, "We'll be there as soon as we can, Mom. Don't worry." he said tiredly.

"Wonderful! See you boys later, love you!" she chirped before hanging up the phone. Tyler groaned loudly, "Why do we have to have dinner with that leech? All she's going to do is s*ck up to Mom, then try to get us to sleep with her. So, not interested." he complained. "She tried to flirt with me while I was waiting on Teira earlier today, too. I shoved her off, but it took a while to detach her claws." Matt replied. "Yeah, like she'd make a good Luna. Power hungry wh*re who'd sleep with anybody given the chance." Ryan agreed.

I giggled, feeling better knowing that the triplets didn't want to be anywhere near her. Still not sure why I felt this way, sure I didn't like Whitley due to the way she treated me, but it's not like the triplets were mine. I shook my head, clearing my mind of the confusion, I didn't have time for this.

We pulled up to the training gym next to Kyle's car and were about to get out when Tyler growled, "What is she doing here?" Matt and Ryan looked up, and I followed their gazes, freezing in place.

Whitley was heading towards the car dressed in workout gear.