Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 180

Constantine pov

Walking through the ruins pains me. The once mighty and beautiful place now doesn't exist anymore.

I'm overwhelmed by the memories of the experiences I once shared here with my late friends and their smiles that I can still remember far too vividly.

A part of me wishes things wouldn't have gone the way they did, maybe even that I wouldn't have been saved by my friend to begin with, but the other part waves those filthy thoughts away.

Dwelling on the past won't bring me any benefit. That, and the fact that Greg doesn't need to be weighed down by my issues.

I side glance at him as Greg strides by my side, looking excited and happy.

That's how I wish all of my brothers were, carefree and joyful, no matter what fate tosses our way. Sad shit I can't be the same.

I keep thinking about Ash, about her whereabouts and the possible danger she might be putting herself in.

I might be making a massive mistake by coming here, by thinking she could come back to the place she once called home, but I must take the risk. I can't overlook the possibility, no matter how tiny it might be.

Worst case scenario, the fucking hunters got her, but if that's the case, I have a feeling that certain someone would keep her safe. If not because that's the right thing to do, at least he might do it for me.

Or, to get closer to me. What better way to earn my trust again than to care for someone who means the world to me, right?

Greg clears his throat right before my thoughts sink into a dangerous, bottomless void, kind of saving me from myself.

“I don't want to be a buzz kill or anything, but I can't help but wonder,” he mutters, eyes trained on something ahead of us. “What if she's not here? Where do we go? What do we do? Do we have a plan of action if this turns out to be nothing but a waste of our time?”

Truth be told, all of his questions are valid. If I were him, I'd probably ask the same things. But I'm not. And being me, I'm supposed to have those answers.

Sucks to be me right now, because I have no idea how to put his mind at ease.

“Honestly,” I mutter and blow out a heavy breath. “I have no idea. None at all. Whatever comes next, I suppose I can only hope I’m strong enough to embrace it and keep on fighting. All I know is that I can’t leave Ash in fate's hands.”

Greg nods eagerly, as if he understands my worries to their core. “Yes, yes,” he says and slaps a hand on my shoulder. “I think fate already proved it has nothing good planned for that girl and we need to ruin the plans it has for the poor creature. She might be a thief, but she’s our thief and I want to see her happy too.”

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. The way this guy explains what he thinks, what he feels is so immature, yet endearing that I can’t help but feel proud to call him one of my brothers.

I stop right where the living room used to be in the pack house. Now, there’s nothing but the leftover concrete here and there, nature has already overtaken what used to be the house. It feels surreal to stand here, to still be able to remember perfectly, to the smallest details, how this place used to look like and don’t see it at all.

Greg clearly can feel my unease as he steps aside and mutters under his breath, “I’ll check the surroundings, you take your time okay? I get it has to be hard for you, so seriously, just take your time and don’t mind me at all.”

With that being said, he spins on his heel and slowly walks away, as if he’s unsure if I might call after him or not.

I don’t. He’s right, I need a little time with myself, not a soul close by.

Under different circumstances, I would love to take Ash here. To tell her everything about her parents, to build a mental image of the place she once used to call home for her. To tell her, in great detail, just how beautiful and powerful was the pack her parents once led.

But it’s not anymore. And that fucking pisses me off more than anything.

Kaiden and his father, those assholes took everything from Ash, ruined everything she loved the most, made her into their personal maid and now, they’re trying to take her too. How fucking unfair is that?

How much more can one person suffer before they break her beyond repair?

Taking a deep breath, I sit down and close my eyes, pulling my knees to my chest. I imagine some of the warmest memories from this place, the smiles on my friends faces that I have almost forgotten, the warmth and embrace they offered without asking for anything in return.

The truth of the matter is that by ruining this pack, by killing the Alpha and Luna, the king took from this world something that can’t be replaced. He took the light, the kindness, the acceptance no other person could offer.

A tear slides down my cheek, but I don’t hurry to wipe it away. If it makes me look weak, so be it, I don’t care anymore. I’m in pain, for Goddesses sake, so much pain that it’s hard to explain at this point.

And more than anything, I feel pain and sorrow for Ash. She can’t live her life without some pompous assholes making her a casualty of their sick games.

My thoughts nearly bring me away from the pain, but the process is ruined by Greg, who storms up to me like his ass is on fire, wild eyes and heavy breaths, “we need to leave. The king’s guys are here, they’re packing up our brothers, claiming we kidnapped and beat Ash to near death.”