Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 104

Constantine pov

“Why are you here only now? After all those years,” Ashley screams at me, new tears forming in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks.

For a moment, she looks so lost, so damn confused that all I want to do is to pull her into another hug and never let the kid go. She needs family now more than ever before, but how do I explain everything to her when she’s not ready to hear the truth?

In a blink of an eye, her sorrow and desperation turns into anger. Ashley balls her fists and starts banging them against my chest as she screams profanities no young woman should know, let alone say out loud.

I try to grab her wrists and stop her, but she manages to wiggle out of my hold like a little worm, proving that it wouldn’t be easy to take her away from anywhere if she really didn’t want to go.

While she screams, punches and kicks me, I look at my friends, my family and nod. They all understand it’s time they get out of her view for a bit, so she’s not so overwhelmed and I have enough time to talk to her.

Eventually, she calms down, but I believe it’s because she tires herself out, not because her mind is at peace now. Ashley is a fighter, just like her parents were, so she wouldn’t give up this easily.

She sags against me and lets out the most pained scream I’ve ever heard. Like she’s finally allowing herself to be weak and vulnerable, using the moment to let go of the hurt that’s been building up over the years.

Slowly, I wrap my arms around her tiny body and let out a sigh of relief when she nuzzles against me, like she’s seeking comfort.

We stand like that for what seems like hours but couldn’t be more than a couple of minutes until she starts swaying on her feet. She’s falling asleep and there really isn’t a better moment to get her away from this hell.

“Form up, we’re leaving,” I call out to the guys and I carefully scoop her in my arms and follow them deeper into the forest.

I stay silent until her breathing evens out and I’m sure she’s asleep.

“What do we do next, boss?” Max whispers the question next to me, struggling to keep up.

He’s one of the smaller bears of the bunch. We’re the same age, but the size difference sometimes really puts him at a disadvantage but the guy will never allow anyone to see his size as that. He’s fast in his movements, at least for most part, and can fit in places the rest of us can’t.

“We take her to the safe house up in the mountains and from there, we will figure out what’s our next move. The problem is that I don’t know how big of a role she was supposed to play in the king’s game.” I grumble, stealing glances at the sleeping girl in my arms, just to make sure she doesn’t overhear something that might cause another outburst.

“What do you mean, what role?” Max nudges my side, ever the curious one.

I roll my eyes and huff. “We have no business with wolves, but we know those mutts are preparing for war. I think the king had a plan for our niece, we all clearly saw she wasn’t following that little dickhead willingly. I can’t say that a drugged bride is a willing bride. There has to be a reason why they stooped so low to get her.”

“Ah, yes, it makes sense. We gotta protect her then, we really do,” Max mumbles, more to himself than to me.

I nod, absentmindedly, already planning how to help Ashley to get back what is rightfully hers. I’m not entirely sure, but from what I’ve heard, the war is happening because of the territory.

Ashley’s parents used to have an extremely large pack, one with rich lands and many opportunities, so many are eager to get their hands on the land. However, since the Council is very persistent in following the laws, nobody really can claim it now.

Or at least yet. Until Ashley is pronounced dead, the bloodline of the Alphas is still living, which means the rightful heir can still claim back what is theirs. Up to that moment, the king’s damn pack is taking care of the lands, of course.

As we climb further up the mountains, I start wondering how am I going to lay out all of my cards to the little one. She needs to know why the bears and I had to stay away, she has to know the truth we’ve been hiding for all these years.

But are there any words to describe the events? Any words I could use to put her mind at ease without adding more weight to what she’s already carrying on her shoulders?

No, I don’t think this task will be anything near easy or calm. She might break down completely, she might lash out or even try to run. But I can’t let her run again, without us around, she’s too easy of a target.

“You’re thinking about it again, aren’t you?” Max asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

At first I consider ignoring him, but since I know how he is, I know for a fact he won’t back down until I give in and eventually spill the beans.

“Can you please lower your voice so she can sleep a little? I know it must be hard for you to understand how it works, but please, do try. She’s been through hell and back, the girl deserves a moment of rest,” I mutter loud enough for him to hear me.

Max barks out a laugh and slaps a hand over his mouth, looking at me with that kicked puppy look on his face. “Sorry,” he whispers and shakes his head. “I just know you’re thinking about it again.”

He’s not wrong. That one bloody thing is the only thought that has plagued me over years and now that I have my brother’s daughter in my arms, the memories are becoming hell of a lot more real than ever before.