Mated To My Triplet Alpha Brothers

[`~♠CORAL~♠]

-Age 17-

The cool breeze hits my skin as the evening sky thickens on dark clouds, leaves rustle around us and my hair dances to the conduct. I hold my dress by the hem and wait for the gust to pass.

"I–I really like you, Coral... won't you reconsider? I won't do anything to hurt you, I promise." Jason probes, professing his feelings for me once more.

"Jason... I like you too, but... not in that way." I say, tucking a stray strand of my fiery red hair from my face.

Jason wears a crestfallen face that pulls at the guilt at my chest, plaguing me once more. He was a sweet boy and a year older than I am. I wanted to give him a chance but I couldn't.

"We're only a year away from getting mated. It's not going to be possible-"

I start to tell him but he doesn't listen, cutting me off halfway. "You don't know if that's going to happen!" Jason argues. "And even so, I don't care about that, you're the only one I want right now."

His words made me smile, bringing a certain warmth to my heart but a dull ache still lingered on. "Right now," I recite his last words. "Until you find your mate and lose all interest in me."

Jason tries to speak but I put out a hand to stop him. "And if I'm still unmated when you find yours, what would happen to me then?"

Jason advances towards me and I step back, my back hits the bark of the tree behind me. "Coral..."

"I'll be left hurt and heartbroken," I admit. "I don't want that, besides, it takes a lot of guts to reject one's mate. You say you don't care about that now-"

"I don't."

I shake my head. "What if you do? Can you truly say that? A mate is your forever, you can't simply throw that away, you'll always feel the emptiness of rejection even if you have someone... as long as they aren't your mate and besides, even if we don't get mated immediately, I–I can't exactly say the same when I find my mate." I muttered, turning my gaze away.

But I didn't need to look at Jason, I already knew the expression on his face right now and I'd be utterly compelled to give him a chance despite the odds.

The odds were too high. Growing up I've heard stories about unmated couples who get together with each other and soon after they're forced to break apart once they find their mates.

And they're always left the same way; heart broken and ruined. In extremely rare cases where one of the individual's love is stronger than the mate bound and the other former partner is not, it could drive the other to become a feral wolf.

A wolf obsessed with gaining what he or she's lost and by all means necessary. They become irrational, crazed and don't mind who they hurt to get back the one they love the most... they become a nuisance, forever lost, consumed by rage, pain and regret.

I didn't want that, not for anyone. I wanted to be with my mate, my own forever, like father and mother.

They make the love of a mate bound look euphoric; they love, trust and cherish each other. I wanted to experience that as well but with my mate.

And that's why I couldn't be with Jason.

"I'm not going to give up." Jason's voice picks up after another gust and I'm compelled to turn my head up at him.

I sigh, he's relentless. "Please don't say reckless things like this."

"It's not reckless," He pauses. "Okay... maybe it's a little bit reckless but still..." He rephrased, moving in quickly before I could react, he grabs my hands into his tougher but smooth ones and pulls me to him.

Jason towers over me. His lean figure is still bigger in comparison to me. His reddish-brown hair brushes against his forehead as the breeze whooshes and he stares into me with determination filling his warm honey brown eyes.

"Coral... I-"

A musky scent that carried the tang of the forest trees filled my nostrils and I knew he was here.

"You'll get away from her if you want to keep your pitiful life, cub."

We both freeze upon hearing my eldest brother's stern voice, his hulking form looms behind Jason like the dark, angry cloud over us and Jason practically whimpers, stepping away from me as though he's been touched by hot water.

He turns around and faces my brother's stoic face but I know behind that exterior facade, he's raging, like he always does whenever a boy within or outside of the pack approaches me. The subtle twist in his brows always tells me so.

"A–Alpha Rae...gan. I–I wasn't doing anything with her... I was just-"

"Run along, now." My brother, Raegan growls slowly, his tone laced with malice.

His snarl always sends a chill down my spine whenever he gets like this-when they all get like this.

Jason scurries away without a second thought. I turn to my brother once he's out of sight. "You didn't have to do that."

My brother turns his attention to me, wearing a smirk on his face when he meets my scolding gaze. He approaches me silently and my eyes drift over his built shirtless torso. He must have just had his evening run, his golden brown skin is smeared with dirt and he smelled very much like the misty forest's earth and dry sweat.

"I know." He drawls when he neared me.

I could still hear the malice in his voice. "You scared him away."

"I did." He encroaches into my space and I'm forced backwards till I'm pressed against the tree again.

"Why? You're always doing this, the three of you always disrupt each moment I have with a guy." I scold with a pout. I appreciate the brotherly gesture but their protectiveness was bordering on annoying.

Raegan plants his right hand on the tree, above my head, he grabs my chin and closes in on me.

"That's because he wants- I'm simply protecting you."

I cock my eyebrow at him. "I don't need protecting anymore, I'm seventeen now, not a little girl."

Raegan chuckles, a deep rumble leaving his chest. "You're still my little girl."

I scoff and roll my eyes at him, "Whatever floats your boat." I say, slipping out from underneath his cage. "I think it's high time you left the pack."

He turns around, his brow raised as he stares down at me, amused. "Why would I want to do that?"

"Well, to go find your forever person, obviously." I tell him, folding my arms underneath my breast, the action jeers it up and my brother's eyes leeches on it for a slight moment.

He laughs, "I don't need to do that." And I frown at him.

It was a common act for werewolves who remained unmated in their packs for a long time to go on a journey to search for their other half. Raegan and my other brothers, Damian and Rune, though they've taken leadership of the pack and we're doing wonderfully, were still unmated.

It was not a hidden fact but it was also a major concern of everyone in the pack. The Elder council said the power structure was unbalanced because the pack needed a Luna.

Even though mother still filled that position but father had already stepped down. And with the new leadership, a new Luna was essential. It wasn't just a rule, it was tradition and the pack elders never failed to bring it up at every meeting.

"Why not?"

"Because she's here." He comments coolly.

My frown deepens, "You're not making any sense. If she's here, why hasn't any one of you seen or felt each other?" I asked, then my thought hits me instantly and I gasps, "Wait!" shooting my hands out to stop him from speaking.

"You must have, since you know... who is she?" I burst out excitedly.

Raegan laughs at my outburst. I pout, hitting him at the side of his torso, it doesn't do anything to him though.

"Don't tease me!" I whine. "You're so mean sometimes."

"I'm mean sometimes, huh?" He repeats, closing the space between us a bit, enough for him to reach for my red hair, he tucks it behind my ear.

"And when I'm not?" His voice deepens on his question. It sends flashes of heat over my body and I step away from him.

"You're overbearing. Now stop teasing me and tell me."

"Well, you'll know soon enough." He states and I thought I saw a nervous look in his eyes. I was probably imagining it, it wasn't like Raegan to be nervous about anything. He was who I wanted to be like when I get older; strong and outgoing.

"Why not now?"

"Because I don't want her to be frayed." My brother states. "And she doesn't know because she's not of age yet."

I stand at akimbo, tilting my head a little to catch his ice blue eyes. "Have you tried talking to her?"

Raegan chuckles, dipping his hands into his pockets, his bare chest flexes and the air carries his comforting earthy scent.

"Of course, I talk to her all the time, moonbeam." He says, calling me by my nickname and pinches my cheek. "You're awfully interested in her."

"Of course! This is the biggest news ever. The elder council keeps fussing about you."

"The Elders are fussing about Damian and Rune as well."

"Yes but, you're our pack leader."

"True, but we run the pack together."

The sky rumbles above us and the wind picks up, Raegan pulls me in, shielding me from the current.

"It's going to rain soon, let's head back home." I nod and he starts to strip.

"Wh-What are you doing?!" I flush, covering my face with my hands and I hear my brother laugh.

"It'd be faster this way, hop on." He growls and when I open my eyes again, he's shifted into his wolf, his white fur potent against the dark, stormy evening.

"I'm not a little girl anymore, you know." I mutter and he responds by nudging me with his nose.

Raegan's wolf form is massive and beautiful. His fur is smooth and silky, as a little girl I used to fall asleep on him a lot. I'd tell him to shift and he'd give me a wolf ride on his back all the time. But I was no longer that little girl anymore. Raegan doesn't just get it or he doesn't want to.

As a Lycan he was the biggest wolf in the pack aside from father who's also a Lycan and Damien who's Alpha wolf.

He sniffs the air before his icy blue gaze turns to me, letting me know that it wouldn't be long until the sky falls. I roll my eyes, letting out a defeated sigh, picking up his pant and Raegan crouches on his hinges so I could climb with ease. His furs are so soft and warm against my legs and fingers as I hold onto him.

He glances back at me and I give him a nod and he moves, leaping through the path and it doesn't take long before we reach the house.

Thunder roars and lightning crackles and the sky falls open onto everything below it

[~♠CORAL♠~]

-Age 18-

I stir awake to a warm feeling in my chest and a smile on my face. Sitting up, I stretch, humming as my body comes alive as the sun hits my skin through the open window.

Today's my eighteenth birthday and most likely the day I get mated. I'm so ecstatic that it's nerve wracking. I wonder who it'd be, what he'd be like. Was he as excited as I am?

I hurry downstairs, my tousled red hair flying behind me as I step into the landing and take the flight of stairs till I'm at the bottom. I giggle, feeling the excitement of today. I'll know when the moon comes up.

My hair brushes my face as I hop onto the landing and skittle down the hallway, into the dining room for breakfast. The house is surprisingly quiet as I walk through, I don't see a single person, not even the maids but I hear the whispers of distorted voices as I approach the dining.

Coloured papers rained down on me with a loud pop when I pushed the wooden double door open, then bright lights from the morning sun clouds my gaze for a moment then applause and cheers filled my ears.

"Happy birthday!"

Their familiar voices chorus. I pry my eyes back open to see my parents and my best friend standing in front of me over the lightly but cutely decorated room. At the far end of the dining, just over the fire place are colourful paper cut letters with 'Happy eighteenth birthday Coral' hanging from a connecting hanging rope that ran the long ends of the room.

A wide smile pulls my lips apart till my sets were showing and my best friend rushes to place a crown of white lilies on my head.

"Look who finally turned eighteen!" She hoots, giggling as she hugs me. "Happy birthday, Coco."

"Thank you, Kiara." I respond right before she pulls away and starts to drag me towards the table where the cake is laid out with several other items.

"Happy birthday pearl." I hear my father's deep voice. His hunky form towers over everyone in this room and I smile up at him.

"You're finally eighteen now," Mother says warmly as she reaches out to me. Her smile is warm and gentle as always. It's always comforting being blessed by her smile. "I know you're going to get your biggest wish, tonight."

"Thanks, mother," I smile.

Mother pulls me into her, holding my hands up between us. She wraps them with hers. "I can't believe my little flower's all grown up now." She says softly, her eyes glistening with caged tears.

I chuckled. "I'm just eighteen mother, not getting married." She chuckles softly.

"I know, but still..." She says, sighing then kisses my forehead before pulling me into another warm hug again.

"Err, not be the mood spoiler but can we open the presents already?" Kiara intones behind us and we both laugh, pulling out of each other's embrace. I hear my father's deep chuckle before he comes up behind my mother, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her away to his side. She looks so fragile in his arms but mother's the strongest woman I know.

"Alright! Present time." Kiara sing-songs.

"Before that," I speak out, noticing the absence of my brothers. Their absence was odd because they've never missed this moment. Sometimes they're up before me and disrupting my sleep to sing me a birthday song even before the sun sets.

"Where are they?" I ask plainly, feeling perturbed and solely referring to the three missing pieces of my family.

"Your brothers headed out early this morning, they said there was something they wanted to attend to." My father explained and I raised a brow at him.

"What could be so important?" I frown at my father and at the thought of their sudden actions. My brothers had always prioritized my birthday mornings more than anything else. It was odd they'd leave so early in the morning and with no indication to where they were headed too.

All three of them, at the same time.

My parents exchanged worried glances, "We found it odd as well sweetie but they didn't exactly spare any details about what they wanted to do." Mother explained.

"I'm sure they'll be back soon, honey." My father tries to reassure me. He knew how much my brothers' presence mean to me at times like these; they all knew. And they knew too well that they'd never miss it, not for anything in the world.

My face is crestfallen but I nod silently and the sudden quiet in the room was enough to tell me how sour the room had become.

A box is pushed into me and I hear my best friend's chirpy voice. "Well who cares about them," she huffs with a pout on her face. "You're going to open my present with or without them and I'm sure there's a good explanation to all this, so, no sad faces. It's your freaking birthday for goddess's sake."

I start to say something but she cuts me off with a pointed look, her arms folding across her chest. "Okay?"

I couldn't help the chuckle that escapes me, Kiara has the cutest face when she's vexed and nothing beats that. I perked up instantly, smiling and nodding. "Okay."

"I worked really hard on that, you know." She whines like a child, I could see the steam puffing off her head as she fuzzed.

I laughed. "I know, I'm sorry."

She smiles. "Don't be, just open it already."

I nod and she pulls out a chair for me to sit on. The box is lightweight and wooden with intricate spiral design carved around the edges and tied with a soft pink ribbon that forms a flower shape at the center.

I pull at the string and it comes undone, looking up to watch Kiara's face beaming down at me, she nods enthusiastically, gesturing for me to go ahead and I open the box. The smoothest, softest looking faux fur greets my eyes.

I pick it up and the fur unfolds, falling onto my lap, exposing its true form-a deep green, strapless dress. The top is covered in faux fur and the skirt is long and a slit that ran down the sides of the dress with a golden rope attached in a crisscross pattern along the openings on the sides.

A soft gasps pries my mouth open. "It's..."

"Sexy? I know right! It's my masterpiece. Do you like it?" Kiara rambles with a proud smile on her face.

"Of course, I love it. It's very beautiful Kiara, thank you."

"I'm glad you like it." She says warmly.

I return her warm smile, momentarily forgetting the absence of my three brothers. "I love everything you make."

"I know, I'm awesome, right?" Her laugh is contagious and mine rolls out, unrestrained.

"Yes, you are."

"Next up, it's mama's turn." My mother says in a melodious singsong tone and swoops in with another box in hand, it's smaller in comparison to Kiara's but it's just as beautifully designed.

"What is it?" I question, excitedly. She drops the box in front of me and chuckles softly.

"Open it." I do just that, lifting the lid of the box to reveal the item sitting inside dark red velvet.

I gasp at its beauty, the circlet is a whitish-grey colour that's twined with strong twigs and adorned with an onyx stone at the center. The opaque nature makes it look as though there's a million stars gathered in it.

"Do you like it?"

I don't know how long I've remained speechless, just staring down on it.

"Mother... of course, I love it... so much." I tell her earnestly. Picking it up, I replace the flower crown on my head and mother pushes a mirror into my hand.

It's set perfectly on my head and blends well with the flame red of my hair, the black stone rest on my forehead. I awe at my reflection in the mirror. "Thank you, mother." I say, looking up at her and I meet her warm, proud smile.

Another gift is presented to me and it's the smallest of them all but covered in red velvet. "And this is for you, pearl." My father hands me the box. I open it and my eyes beam when they see what it holds inside.

A crystal pentagon shaped pendant. It's a pale purple on the top half that turns into a deep amethyst purple at the bottom half. "It's so pretty." I pick it up from the box, gushing over it as it twirls from the rope. "Can I wear it now?"

My father chuckles, "Of course sunshine, it's yours."

"Oh thank you." I giggled, slipping the pendant over my head, the cool gemstone sits right above the swell of my bosom. The stone catches the sunlight and the glow pricked my brain and reminded me of my brother, Rune's eyes. The ever glowing ring of light in his purple eyes.

[~♠CORAL♠~]

Soon nightfall came with the passing of the sun as the moon toppled over the reddish-orange hues of the sky and the day became even buzzier.

I was overly excited- I was nervous and I was almost about to implode.

It's the night of my birthday and my parents had invited every member of the pack. The celebration is customary since I'm the daughter of the pack leader.

Well, former pack leader, since my father, Knox Hendrix, is retired and my eldest brother, Raegan has taken over leadership as the next head.

It's the night I get to discover my other half, my second piece.

My mate.

So it was an important event and it was going to be grand.

My brothers had turned eighteen years ago and the same was done for them, although they hadn't been able to find their mates, even after taking over the leadership position from father. It's been sixteen years since turning eighteen and it's also been five years since their enthronement as pack leaders so I understood the worries of the pack's elder council.

But even with all the nagging, the elder council couldn't do anything about it; especially with Raegan because he was the pack's true leader. A true alpha.

And a true alpha is born from the strongest of the strongest werewolf within the pack-when the right to leadership of being the pack's leader is challenged but only by a mated beta or deltas-when the pack's leader is unable to find his mate after a year of enthronement. It was a long held tradition and it had no ending date until the supposed leader was either defeated in the duel or had finally found his mate.

So the elder council couldn't do any more than nag at Raegan because he had won every duel challenge. His reputation from his battles had earned him the fear and respect accorded to him both by the council themselves and very members of the pack but it didn't keep them from worrying and being persistent about the matter.

But it's also been two years since Raegan had told me about his mate. She'd be turning eighteen today, just like me-that made us age mates and I've really wondered what she was like but I couldn't tell who she was because I could never really track his movements so I'd given up after a while. Since we were age mates, it wouldn't really be long till I find out who she was. Sooner or later, Raegan would have to introduce her to the council and the pack members.

I wondered if she was the reason he'd missed the morning mini celebration. If it was then I could understand even though begrudgingly but was it the same for Damian and Rune as well? They were triplets, though non-identical and no one knew for sure the sort of mating they would get but still their absence left an ache in my chest I couldn't quiet fathom.

"Oh my goddess... my flower... you look absolutely gorgeous." Mother fawns as she walks into my room. I turn on my seat to look up at her from the dresser where I'm sat. The golden lights from the hanging chandelier bulb in my bedroom illuminates her platinum blond hair and her cobalt blue eyes glowed intensely under the warm spray of the lights.

She pulls me up just as Agatha and Kiara did a finishing touch to my hair and makeup, my dress already fitted on me. The soft cotton of the skirt flowed down and brushed the floor in a light spin as mother twirled me gently in her arms. Then her smooth, firm palms catches my face by the underside of my jaws. Aga curtseys behind me and mother gives her a regarding nod before she leaves us.

"How are you feeling, my love?" Mother asked, a faint smile curls up her lips

"Excited and nervous."

"Everything will be perfect, I'm sure of it." She says reassuringly and I nod, returning her smile. "It's almost time, let's head out so we can greet the guests."

"I'll head out first," Kiara says as she starts towards the door of my bedroom. "See you later, coco."

"Okay." I respond to her disappearing figure behind the door.

"Shall we?" Mother asked as she comes up beside me and I smile, nodding as I link an arm with hers.

The drawing room is packed with members of the pack when we step in and everyone in our way turns, parting when they recognize us walking through-the room is decorated in white and gold draping and designs. We maneuver around round tables filled with food assortments that drew the attention of many members while the others idly chatted with each other over wine.

It wasn't until I met up with father did I feel at ease. I've never been a fan of big events and most importantly, I've never liked to be the star of the show-being under the spotlight was excruciatingly exhausting but for some reason, the opposite was the case for my three brothers-actually, it was just Raegan and Damian but my brother, Rune was a little different from them and; he didn't particularly like the spotlight but he didn't hate it.

It was more like, out of necessity than feeling. Raegan and Damian always stand out-they would still stand out even if they weren't current leaders of the pack. I wouldn't be in this spotlight if I wasn't customary. Everyone was watching so I had to play the part; the smile, the pleasantries while being shuffled from one important guest to another.

The gifts though was the part I mostly enjoyed, my hands were so full, I couldn't see my path or handle my dress sweeping over the floor, mother had to call up the maids to relief me.

"Knox." Mother calls softly to grab father's attention from behind the man that blocked our path. The man was just as tall as father, his shoulders just as broad but he was a bit slender in physique.

My father's attention shifts and catches hold of my mother's gaze, his Amber eyes glows intensely as he takes her in. Then he side-steps the man in front of him and reaches her in two quick strides before pulls her, twirling her gently in his arms before wrapping an around her. He mutters something into her ear and she flushed.

I clear my throat up and both their heads turn up immediately and they pull apart as they realized themselves. Father clears his throat, standing tall while mother stuck to him, still fawning over whatever it was he told her.

"Pearl, you look lovely." My father greets me with an unbridled smile when he sees me. And like some of the people in the room, he's holding a goblet in his hand.

"Thank you, father. You don't look bad yourself." I say, returning his smile. He was perfectly dressed for the occasion, one would thing he was the celebrant. His long black kaftan bore gold embroidery design along the middle, wrist and shoulder areas. He lets out a quiet chuckle amidst his smile.

"Well, it's my beautiful daughter's special birthday, I have to look the part as well."

The air, filled with slow, soft, soothing music, soon shifts into a slightly fast but danceable tune, indicating the time for the first dance, the first formal activity that set the celebration in motion.

"Looks like it's time." Father comments and takes a step towards me, "Would you grant your father this hour of a first dance with his beautiful daughter." He says with a courteous bow. A smile pulls my lips up, I nod, taking his hand.

"Of course."

Father takes my hand and pulls me into an open space with all eyes are painfully etched upon us, he pulls me closer, "Are you ready, Pearl?"

"Whenever you are." He nods, smiling and takes the lead in the dance.

In my brother's cases, it was mother who took the first dance with them. And once again, for the umpth time today, my mind drifts away, in wander of their whereabouts.

It's been hours since anyone last saw them. It's almost as if they had disappeared but no one just up and disappear, do they? I felt a panic start to rise up my chest after endless search of them amongst the gathering of people in the room. Why weren't they here yet?

"Relax, Pearl..." My father's voice drives me out of my thoughts. "I trust your brothers would be here soon, definitely." His eyes held assured absolution and a flicker of something else. "They wouldn't miss it for the world."

His strong arms on my waist tightens a bit; a little bit of his anger and disappointment wafting off him but he was holding himself up for me because he couldn't go off to find them himself.

I smile at his resistance, nodding as I try to hold onto his words. They wouldn't miss it for the world. Then the music slows before it quietly stops. The dance was over but the moon was almost at its highest. It was almost midnight; when the moon would get brighter and completely unclouded and like the moon goddess was delivering her gift, its ray would-through the window panes -reflect upon he who is meant for me.

My heart thuds painstakingly against its ribcage because what comes next would change my life. I knew it. My parents knew it. The entire pack new it. Because the second dance was supposed to be led by my mate. That is how the custom has always had it done.

I waited.

Then I felt it; the threadlike pull that surged through my soul and linked me to my soul mate. Like my mother told me about when she felt her wolf being called out by my father's. Every cell in my body was driving towards overheat.

Then I smelt it-the most enticing smell I've ever inhaled.

The smell of musk and earth filled my senses, an instantly addicting yet somewhat familiar scent that blocked off every other smell in the room.

But another overbearing scent sizzled my skin and it gave off a rooty and citrus fragrance. A combination of wood and earth with a hint of leather and smoke; like the smell of a crackling campfire.

My body turns as it caught wave of another scent-the most alluring of the previous, potent scents. Cinnamon and a perfect balance of spiciness, sweetness and earthiness.

I felt faint from all three powerful scents and they all felt nostalgic and distinct and that was when our eyes locked.

At the far corner of the room, covered in the shadows of the night and the splay of moonlight flowing in behind them. Three glazing orbs watched me with a primal hunger that struck my core.

Time and space stood frighteningly still and everything fell apart and it felt as though we were the only creatures in the room, devouring the sight of each other in deafening silence. My dread was instant and bone crushing when I realized who they were.

Glowing eyes dominated the darkness, the very same darkness that now hovered around me as that dread transformed into something more malevolent. It twisted my core but failed to extinguish the heat that pooled at it and lit up my skin.

My mouth pulled apart and through the clogs I pushed out words.

"It...can't be."