Chapter 5 The third brother

Ava's POV

Before I could even react, he was on his feet.

In one swift movement, he pulled me into the room and shut the door behind us. My back pressed against the wall as he leaned in, his face dipping into the crook of my neck.

"Damn," he murmured, his voice low and rough. "You smell so good."

I stood frozen, too stunned to move, too overwhelmed to speak.

His scent wrapped around me like smoke and fire. His breath was warm against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

Then he pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes.

And that's when I saw it.

The same sharp jawline, same piercing gaze and same dangerously beautiful features.

He looked just like Zack.

Too much like him.

But this wasn't Zack.

And it definitely wasn't Kane.

Could this be... Lucas?

The third brother.

"Could this be Lucas?" I whispered, barely able to breathe.

His smirk deepened, eyes glowing slightly with amusement or maybe hunger. "So you've heard of me."

I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away.Everything about him screamed danger.

He took a step closer and my body tensed as my back hit the wall behind me. "Kane and Zack didn't tell me you were this... breathtaking."

"L-Lucas..." I said, trying to push down the heat rising in my chest and lower.

"I saw you last night," he murmured, brushing a lock of hair from my face. "You stood in front of Zack, glowing like moonlight, claiming him but he rejected you"

"And then Kane you found out he is also your mate."

His fingers grazed my jaw, making me gasp.

"But you're not just theirs, are you?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Lucas leaned in, his lips barely brushing my ear. "You felt it too, didn't you? When you walked in just now. That jolt, that fire crawling under your skin."

My heart pounded like a drum. "No... it can't be..."

"Oh, but it is," he whispered, his breath hot against my neck. "We're mates, too."

"No," I shook my head, trying to pull away. "That's not possible. Mates... it can't be, first Zack, then Kane now you, I'm supposed to have only one mate."

He chuckled darkly, pinning me in place with just the weight of his presence. "Normally, yes. But nothing about us is normal. We're triplets, born under a blood moon. Blessed or cursed with a shared bond, a rare phenomenon."

His hand moved to my waist, sliding up the curve of my side, stopping just below my breast. I froze.

"My brothers Kane and Zack, they won't admit it, but they feel it too. All of us were born to crave the same soul."

I shivered.

"But I'm the one who'll make you feel it first," he murmured, his voice dropping to a sinful promise. "Let me show you what it means to be desired...truly desired."

I gasped when his lips brushed mine, just a feather-light touch but enough to set me on fire.

"Lucas, stop..." I managed to say, but my body betrayed me. My legs felt weak, my fingers clutching his shirt instead of pushing him away.

"Tell me you don't want this," he challenged, eyes dark with lust and something deeper...obsession. "Tell me you don't feel how your body responds to mine."

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Because he was right, my body was buzzing, every nerve on edge.

"You can have us all," he said, voice low, sensual. "You can belong to all three of us, we were made for you. And you-" his eyes glowed gold for a heartbeat "were made for us."

Just then, the door slammed open.

"Kane," I breathed.

He stood there, chest heaving, his wolf close to the surface. His eyes locked on Lucas's hands, still on my waist and a snarl ripped from his throat.

"Get your damn hands off her."

Lucas didn't move. "Relax, brother. I was just introducing myself."

"She's not yours."

Lucas's smirk faltered. "You feel it too, don't you? You've been trying to ignore it but you can't lie to yourself forever."

Kane strode across the room and shoved Lucas back. "She's mine. Touch her again and I'll forget we're blood."

Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Then maybe it's time we stop pretending we aren't all bonded to her. You're not the only one hurting when she's not near."

"Kane," I whispered, stepping in front of him, my hands on his chest. "Please, don't fight."

His breathing was rough but he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him protectively. "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head quickly. "No. Just confused me. I-I don't understand what's happening."

Lucas's voice softened, though it still held a wicked undertone. "You're not just any she-wolf, Ava. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. She gave you to all three of us."

I looked between the two of them, dread and curiosity battling in my chest.

Three mates?

Zack rejected me, Kane wants me. And now... Lucas?

"I need air," I whispered, slipping from Kane's arms and darting into the hall, my legs shaky beneath me.

I ran until I reached the balcony overlooking the forest. I sucked in breath after breath, the wind cooling my burning skin.

What was I supposed to do?

I was mated to two alphas and possibly a third.

Kane stepped beside me quietly, resting his hand gently on my back.

"I'm sorry," he said. "He's always been... impulsive but he's not lying."

"I don't know if I can handle this," I whispered. "It's too much."

"I'll protect you, from him, from Zack. From everyone. Even if that means protecting you from myself."

I turned toward him, heart thundering.

"I'm yours, Ava," he said. "And one day, when you're ready...you'll be mine too."

His lips descended on mine, slow and possessive. I melted into him, overwhelmed by the bond, the fire and the promise in his touch.

When we broke apart, I was breathless.

"I'll give you time," Kane murmured, brushing his thumb over my lip. "But just know, my wolf already howls for you."

I bit my lip, nodding.

As we stood under the moonlight, the wind whispering through the trees, I realized my world would never be the same.