Good Night

Even though I had spent the last nine years of my life desperately praying for a proper, warm bedroom inside the Draken family mansion, the sheer, overwhelming reality of everything changing so fast makes me stubbornly dig my heels in. I do not want to go to a guest room. I do not want to be paraded into the Alpha wing. The Triplets had made it aggressively clear that they were extremely annoyed by my refusal to stay in one of their massive rooms, but my mind is spinning far too fast to cave to their demands. I retreat straight into my freezing, tiny servant’s quarters, slamming the peeling door shut and shoving the lock firmly into place.

It is well past midnight. I had actually used Kellan’s luxurious en-suite bathroom to take my shower earlier, simply because he had flat-out refused to let me use the ground-floor servant facilities. His reasoning was that he absolutely could not stand the thought of me walking the long hallways in nothing but a thin towel or my worn-out robe—which is exactly what I have been forced to do for the past nine years. I am physically and emotionally exhausted by the absolute whiplash of the day, my muscles aching and my brain pounding. But as I sit down on my pathetic, lumpy cot, my eyes catch the massive pile of wrapped packages stacked up in the cramped space. Curiosity finally overrides my exhaustion.

I pull the first beautifully wrapped box onto my lap, carefully peeling back the expensive paper. Sloane and Tasha had surprisingly come through for me. Inside the boxes are two breathtakingly gorgeous, highly expensive designer party dresses. One is a sparkly baby pink, and the other is a glittering baby blue. The fabric is incredibly soft, catching the dim, flickering light of my room. I run my fingers over the sequins, a genuine smile breaking across my tired face. But it is the towering mountain of presents from the Triplets that completely knocks the breath right out of my lungs.

I tear into the wrapping paper of the first heavy box, my jaw dropping open. A brand-new iPhone. I set it aside with trembling hands, only to uncover a sleek iPad, and then a heavy, pristine MacBook. I am utterly shocked. I know they have always favored Apple products, flaunting them around the school, but I have never owned a single piece of modern technology in my entire life. This is my very first cell phone, and I am eighteen years old. I stare at the glossy screen, realizing I am going to have to ask them how to even set the damn thing up.

I reach for a large, soft package next. I pull the paper away to reveal a heavy, fully insulated winter coat in a beautiful baby blue color. I hold it up to my chest; it is the softest, thickest material I have ever touched. Beneath it sits a sleek envelope with a silver bow securely taped to the front. I rip it open to find a premium, fully funded credit card bearing my actual name, along with a handwritten note from the Triplets detailing the pin number and explicitly demanding that I use it to buy absolutely anything I need. Next to the envelope is a large box containing genuine leather winter boots, perfectly matching the baby blue coat. For a brief second, I wonder how they could possibly know my exact shoe size, but then my nose catches the distinct, heavy scent of Kellan lingering on the fabric of all my clothes. I smile down at the boots.

But it is the final gift that completely breaks my rigid composure. It is an actual, proper school backpack. It is sturdy, filled with pockets, and completely brand new. I sit there on my sagging cot, staring at the nylon straps, and a hot, heavy lump forms instantly in my throat. I do not have a backpack. I have never had a backpack. Every single day, I carry my heavy textbooks stacked in my arms, or I stuff them into a cheap canvas grocery bag that digs violently into my palms and shoulders. Sitting here, completely surrounded by this massive display of wealth, thinking about all the basic, normal teenage necessities I had spent years actively training my brain to never notice I lacked, causes thick, hot tears to well up in my eyes. I swipe my hands aggressively over my cheeks, trying to push down the overwhelming wave of grief for the childhood I was denied.

A sudden, sharp knock rattles the peeling paint of my bedroom door, completely interrupting my spiraling thoughts. I quickly wipe my face again. Is it Zander?

"Come in," I call out softly, forgetting for a moment that I had turned the lock.

The lock clicks open from the outside—an easy feat for an Alpha—and Kellan steps directly into the cramped space. His massive, muscular frame instantly makes my tiny room feel microscopic. He practically fills the entire doorway, his broad shoulders brushing the frame.

"You’re driving me crazy," Kellan declares, his voice thick with a low, rumbling frustration.

Before I can even process his words or formulate a response, he strides across the two steps it takes to cross my room. He leans down, sweeping his strong, thick arms firmly under my knees and around my back. Without a single word of warning, he scoops me up effortlessly, holding me securely against his hard chest in a bridal style carry.

"Thanks for all the gifts," I whisper softly, wrapping one arm cautiously around his thick neck so I don't fall. "They’re really thoughtful and wonderful."

I rise up slightly and press a quick, shy kiss to his cheek. Kellan’s frustration instantly evaporates, replaced by a massive, triumphant grin. He adjusts his grip on my thighs and back, turning and striding with long, purposeful steps completely out of the freezing servant’s quarters. He carries me straight down the expansive hallway, crossing the boundary into the luxurious Alpha wing.

When we reach the entrance of his massive master bedroom, Corbin and Zander are already there, casually lounging near the doorway. Kellan carries me straight past them, marching into the center of the massive room, and gently deposits me directly onto the edge of the enormous king-sized bed. The mattress is incredibly soft, sinking beneath my weight. As soon as my feet touch the thick carpet, Corbin steps inside and firmly shuts the heavy bedroom door. The metallic click of Zander locking the deadbolt echoes loudly in the quiet room.

My stomach clenches violently. Absolute panic spikes in my chest.

"Where’s my kiss for the presents?" Zander asks immediately. A wicked, arrogant smirk crosses his handsome face as he aggressively taps a thick finger against his own cheek, stepping closer to me.

Utterly terrified of getting anywhere near that massive bed with all three of these massive men in the room, I quickly jump to my feet, eager to put distance between myself and the mattress. I step right up to Zander, rising high on my tiptoes to close the extreme height difference, and press a quick kiss to his cheek.

Zander’s smirk widens into a full-blown, predatory grin. Almost instantly, Corbin taps his large hand against my shoulder. I giggle in surprise as Corbin eagerly bends his tall, muscular frame down right next to me, turning his head and tapping his own face so I can press a soft kiss to his cheek as well.

"Let’s get some rest," Kellan announces, rolling his shoulders as he glares at Zander. "I couldn’t stand her being in that room. It’s really just a cleaning supplies cupboard."

Zander snickers loudly at the comment. I want to feel insulted, but honestly, Kellan is entirely right. My room is practically a closet.

"Time for bed," Corbin agrees eagerly, turning his large body toward the main light switch on the wall.

"Wait!" I blurt out, panic gripping my chest again. I am absolutely terrified of the dark. Years of being locked in small, pitch-black spaces by Darla had completely ruined me. I had literally begged their parents in tears just to be allowed a cheap little nightlight in my room.

Corbin stops immediately. Without me having to explain, he quickly opens the bedroom door, strides down the hall, and returns moments later clutching my embarrassing, childish old nightlight. I stand there, nervously wringing my hands, fully expecting the three of them to brutally mock me for being an eighteen-year-old girl who is afraid of the dark. But they don't even look at the plastic nightlight. Instead, the heavy, possessive atmosphere in the room instantly shifts into absolute chaos as the three identical brothers begin loudly and aggressively arguing over the sleeping arrangements for the night.

"I’m going on two nights of no sleep cause her scent in my room was driving me absolutely crazy!" Corbin insists loudly, his voice raising in desperate frustration as he glares at his brothers, his hands planted firmly on his hips.

"Ok, so definitely Corbin gets a spot," Kellan agrees with a firm nod, stepping into the role of the authoritative Alpha.

Zander crosses his massive, muscular arms over his broad chest, his jaw ticking furiously as he glares daggers at his two brothers.

"You violently rushed her today, in all fairness, Zander," Kellan states explicitly, his voice dropping into a serious, commanding tone. "So tomorrow, when you’re in better control of your wolf, you’ll definitely be one of the two in the bed. Tonight, it’s just me and Corbin."

"What about what she actually wants?" Zander demands aggressively, turning his intense, piercing blue eyes directly onto me.

Instantly, all three pairs of heavy Alpha eyes lock onto me. My heart pounds violently against my ribs. I am still a complete bundle of nervous, frantic energy. A part of my mind flashes with the desperate urge to scream at them, to finally confront them about the absolute darkest memory I hold—the horrifying day they had viciously thrown me into the freezing ice water and nearly drowned me. I want to demand answers for the physical pain they caused me. But as I open my mouth, my throat tightens painfully. I am far too emotionally exhausted, far too upset and drained, to drag that massive trauma into the light right now. I just cannot handle it tonight.

"I’m really tired," I admit quietly, stepping back and actively refusing to get involved in their aggressive territorial argument. I am still incredibly confused by their sudden obsession and very nervous around their massive bodies.

Corbin’s expression softens instantly. He bends down and carefully plugs my childish nightlight directly into the wall socket nearest to the bed. A soft, warm glow fills the lower half of the room. Taking a deep breath, I step up to the massive bed and cautiously climb up, crawling straight into the dead middle of the huge mattress. As I settle into the incredibly soft blankets, it fully dawns on me what is actually about to happen. My inner wolf is practically vibrating under my skin, howling with absolute, uncontainable thrill at the prospect of finally sleeping surrounded by her mates. But my human side is rigidly terrified, my muscles locked tight with anxiety about sharing a bed with the men who bullied me for years.

Corbin eagerly climbs up onto the mattress right beside me. "Spoon me," he requests immediately, practically bouncing on the thick mattress. "And Kellan will spoon you."

I freeze, blinking up at the dark ceiling. "Spoon?" I ask quietly, genuinely having no idea what the term actually means.

Kellan climbs onto the bed on my opposite side, his heavy weight making the mattress dip. Before he can answer, a dark, rumbling chuckle echoes from the far corner of the dim room. Zander steps out of the shadows, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Awww, she’s so innocent," Zander mocks softly, though his tone is fond. The other two brothers chuckle into the dark. "Can I please show her what spooning is, and then I’ll go straight back to the corner?" Zander asks, his voice dripping with heavy, playful manipulation.

"Fine," Kellan and Corbin snap in perfect unison, clearly annoyed but willing to allow it.

I hesitate, but give a small nod. Instead of coming around to the side of the bed, Zander simply climbs directly onto the mattress. His massive hands reach out, his thick fingers grabbing my waist, and he smoothly pulls my entire body directly against his front. He wraps his heavy, muscular arms securely around my back, pulling my spine completely flush against his hard chest. He curves his massive body around my much smaller frame, throwing one of his thick legs over mine to snuggle me tight. The sheer, solid heat radiating off his body sends a massive jolt straight to my core. It is incredibly, overwhelmingly comfortable. I immediately feel my rigid muscles start to go slack, a heavy wave of sleepiness hitting my brain.

"That’s me spooning you," Zander instructs, his deep voice rumbling directly against my spine. "Now spoon me!"

He abruptly releases me and turns his massive body away, showing his broad, muscular back to me. He is so much bigger than me, his shoulders impossibly wide, but I awkwardly shuffle forward, snuggling my front into his hard back. I reach my arm out, wrapping it over his thick waist.

"She gets it now, bring her over here," Corbin demands immediately, completely impatient.

Zander groans loudly in obvious disappointment, but he keeps his word, climbing off the bed and retreating to a large chair in the corner of the room. Suddenly, I am gently lifted entirely off the mattress and deposited straight back into the dead center of the bed. I am not even sure which set of massive hands lifted me, but the sheer, effortless strength of the movement makes my inner wolf howl in absolute delight all over again.

Now knowing what to do, I shift my body and spoon Corbin, pressing my chest to his back and throwing my arm over his side. Instantly, Kellan slides up right behind me. He wraps his thick, heavy arm securely around my waist, pulling me flush against him. His chest is a solid wall of muscle against my back, and he buries his face directly near the sensitive skin of my neck.

I am firmly, completely sandwiched between Corbin's broad back and Kellan's muscular chest. The sheer, overwhelming body heat radiating from the two massive Alphas is intense. It bleeds straight through my clothes, melting the last of my rigid muscles and making my eyelids incredibly heavy. A deep, conflicted part of me desperately wants to hate them. I want to push them away. I want to use this newfound mate bond and their obvious desperation to utterly break their triplet hearts in revenge for everything they put me through. I have to actively fight the urge to smile. Because despite my brain's desire for vengeance, my traitorous human body and my wolf undeniably, desperately crave their absolute closeness.

"You smell really good," Kellan whispers into the dark, his nose brushing directly against my neck, his hot breath sending a violent shiver straight down my spine.

I bite my lip, trying to ignore the intense physical reaction my body is having to his proximity. He seems to have a lot he desperately wants to say, now that we are finally lying here together in the dark, stripped of all the school drama and pack politics.

"You’re so beautiful," Kellan whispers, his deep voice thick with emotion. I am incredibly glad the room is dim because I can feel a massive flush of heat spreading rapidly across my cheeks. "I’ve always thought that, you know."

My defenses flare up instantly. I absolutely cannot let a blatant lie like that slide. "As if," I retort immediately, my tone dripping with annoyance as I try to pull an inch away from his chest.

"Yes, I have," Kellan insists immediately, his grip tightening around my waist, refusing to let me pull away. His voice drops to a serious, raspy whisper. "I’ve always loved your hair. I’ve always pulled on the curls. You know that."

I frown in the dark. I had always considered him yanking on my curls in the hallways to be a direct part of their cruel physical bullying. It always hurt, and they always laughed.

I hear the distinct rustle of fabric behind me. In the dim, soft glow of the nightlight, Kellan reaches his large hand into the pocket of his sweatpants and brings it around to my front. Resting in his massive palm is the small, black hair tie. It is the exact same one he had physically stolen from me just the other day in the kitchen.

"I stole this before I even knew you were my mate," Kellan confesses softly, his thumb running over the cheap elastic.

I gasp out loud, my eyes going wide in the dark. The realization hits my exhausted brain like a physical blow. Their bizarre, aggressive, childish physical bullying over the years—the pulling of my hair, the constant attention, the stealing of my things—was actually because they thought my hair was pretty and they were too emotionally stunted and immature to know how to handle their attraction? Guys are so incredibly weird.

The heavy revelation hangs in the air, but the room slowly falls into a heavy, incredibly comfortable silence.

"Good night, Amity," Kellan whispers softly against my hair.

"Good night, Amity," Corbin murmurs sleepily from in front of me, his hand reaching back to rest over mine.

"Goodnight, baby," Zander says from the dark corner of the room.

"Good night guys," I reply quietly, the overwhelming heat of their bodies fully pulling me under.

Just as my eyes drift shut and my breathing evens out, Kellan’s voice breaks the silence one last time. He whispers so softly directly against the skin of my neck that I almost miss it completely.

"Can I kiss you?" he asks. His tone is incredibly hesitant, completely stripped of his usual Alpha arrogance, sounding so raw and vulnerable.

"Um, Ok," I murmur back, my heart fluttering wildly in my chest.

I expect him to shift and try to turn my face to claim my lips, but he doesn't. Instead, Kellan leans forward slightly and presses his warm, soft lips directly against the highly sensitive skin of my neck—right over my would-be marking spot. He holds his lips there firmly. The contact sends intense, electric tingles violently shooting through my entire nervous system. The sensation makes my whole body flush with an extra, heavy, absolute warmth. Completely caged in their strength and surrounded by the overwhelming scent of my mates, I finally stop fighting my exhaustion and drift off into a deep, incredibly peaceful sleep.