Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 33

Ashley pov

On the bright side, it’s not rogues who find me. On the not so bright side, it’s Elias. And just to make this mess a little bit worse - the branch under my feet breaks and I fall right into Elias’ arms. Plus, even after the initial moment of shock, he doesn’t even look like he’s planning to let me back to my feet.

“Sorry, I mistook you for rogues or some shit,” I try to wiggle out of his hold and laugh about my thoughts. “I’ve been training a lot and all, but I didn’t think my chances against a few guys would be as great as sparring against one, so I didn’t want to take the risk, you know. Turns out I’m not as light as a feather after all, the branch didn’t survive my weight.”

I know I’m blabbing right now, but I’m so nervous about being this close to Elias - in his arms - I can’t stop spilling nonsense.

The man, however, appears more amused by me than annoyed. He lifts me a little a couple of times as if testing how much I weigh and grins. “Light as a feather you actually are. The branch is a bitch if it can’t hold this little weight. Smart move, but next time, choose something more reliable so as not to end up in the wrong hands.” Elias explains and winks at me.

If anyone were to ask me, I’m already in the wrong hands.

My cheeks burn so hot, I can picture how stupidly flushed I become, so I quickly look away and clear my throat. “I can walk, you know.”

“I know,” Elias replies, spins on his heel and starts walking back in the school’s direction, carrying me around bridal style.

“You can let me down,” I add a little sharper to get the point across.

“I can,” he chuckles.

“Will you?” I question, a little more aggressively than I intend to.

“Nope.” Is his simple, yet brilliant answer.

“And why not?”

Elias looks down at me and flashes me a bright smile. Goddess, if I didn’t know how much it hurts to be rejected and tossed aside like some trash, I can only imagine the things I would do just to see that smile again and again.

“If I let you go, there’s a chance you’ll take off again and I’m not in the mood of chasing you around the forest for hours. Don’t get me wrong, I’m crazy fucking into all that chase foreplay and shit, but I’m not Ethan, I don’t do guys, so running around wouldn’t be fun for me. If you really want to, you’ll have to arrange that fun with my brother. I’m here just to get you back to the Professor in one piece - safe and sound.”

His words surprise, shock, amuse and hurt me at the same time. How is that possible?

I know, I know, none of them know that they are my second chance - for whatever reason, really - but that doesn’t make my situation any less complicated.

While those three assholes just live their lives being unaware of my inner troubles, I have to spend every day yearning and reminding myself that giving in would be the worst idea ever.

Sure, I come from a long line of Alpha blood wolves, but who would ever consider accepting an Alpha female without a pack, huh? The same Alpha female that has spent years of her life accepting her role as dirt under everyone’s feet, cleaning and cooking for an ungrateful pack of shitheads. The same woman who pretends to be a man just to win herself some time before she figures out what to do next..

“If you promise you won’t run, I will let you walk on your own,” Elias’ voice breaks through my thoughts and I’m quick to nod in agreement without fully processing his words.

Truth be told, I both want to get some distance between us and don’t want to. If only for a little while, being this close to a man who would surely reject me if he knew half of my truth, is somewhat.. nice?

I can’t remember the last time I’ve been held by someone who truly made me feel this safe.. I felt safe in my dad’s embrace. Or used to feel that way before he was brutally killed. This is the closest to that sense of safety I have had ever since.

“Promise? Use your words, I’m not the ‘nod’ reader, Ash. For all I know, you are nodding at your thoughts - like silently plotting how you’ll ditch me and nodding that it’s a good idea. I can’t take any chances with you, you’re a flight risk.” Elias tries to sound serious, but I can hear the hint of amusement in his voice.

Without thinking, I roll my eyes at him. Not because he’s being an absolute dick, which he really is being right now, but because his doubt of my character annoys me to no end.

While it is true he doesn’t know me at all, it is also true that this guy is the last person to judge me. Once he would learn even a small part of the hell I’ve been calling my life so far, maybe then I wouldn’t mind the judgment, but now, I don’t want to let him get away with the attitude.

As a result, to my utter surprise, Elias slaps my ass and growls. “I told you to use your words, not show off how much of a brat you can be. Drop the attitude and promise you won’t run for fucks’ sake.”

Clearly, I’m not the only one who is surprised by his behavior, he is too. Elias’ eyes widen just a little once he realizes how he is acting, but it takes the asshole just a few seconds to hide the surprise and start grinning.

“I promise I won’t run away and make you chase me around the forest,” I grumble under my breath, mainly to get out of this weirdly stupid situation.

It takes longer than expected, but eventually, Elias gives in and lets me back to my feet. That would be the positive part of this whole situation. The not so positive part is that Elias actually has the gall to walk so close to me, our arms keep on bumping against one another.

As we near the school, just because my life isn’t a mess already, Elias decides to drop a bomb on me. “I’ll tell the Professor you’re back and safe, but you need to go to the apartment and have a shower first. I heard through the grapevine we’re having some high-profile guests arriving soon, hence why the whole spiel with sparring happened. You’re supposed to be on your best behavior and present yourself as the Alpha you’re claiming to be.”