Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 80

Ashley pov

A few days ago, I came clean with Everett and Ethan. While I was scared back then, and still am a little, these days have been rather beautiful.

Except the fact that the triplets refuse to give me enough space to breathe, of course.

Well, all good things once come to an end, so today, I’m determined to face them all and speak my mind. I want to move back with Anno.

Not only because I miss my best friend like crazy, but also because I miss privacy even more. Just a moment with my thoughts around the triplets is impossible without their excessive worry and questions.

During the lunch break, we agree to head to the apartment and wait until Elias cooks us something. Today, the cafeteria food looks like chewed up leftovers and neither of us wants to eat that.

As we enter the apartment, the triplets are laughing about a joke I didn’t hear and shooting shit as always. I drop my bag next to the door and walk to the kitchen to sit at the table. Soon after, Everett and Ethan take places next to me while Elias gets to cooking.

A comfortable moment of silence washes over us, but I know better than to give into it, so I clear my throat to destroy it. “There’s something I want to talk about.” I announce, keeping my eyes on the table.

“Sure, you know us, we’re always here to listen and give advice if one is needed,” Elias quickly offers.

I look up to see him grinning as he puts on his old lady apron and fetches some eggs from the refrigerator. Everett and Ethan look at me in silence, waiting for me to drop the bomb that’s clearly to come.

A little hesitant, I focus my attention on Elias. “Promise you won’t get angry at me? Promise all of you will listen instead of throwing a temper tantrum? Lately it’s been so good here, I don’t want negative emotions to overshadow the little balance I have these days.”

All of them instantly turn serious and agree.

Maybe this will be harder than I initially assumed. It’s so difficult to toss news like this in their faces while the triplets are so eager to hear me out and please me all of the time.

Sometimes, I even find myself wondering if they would still be this attentive if they found out about the whole mate thing, but that is yet another reason for me to leave. The more time I spend around them, the harder it is to resist the pull only I can feel for some reason.

“We won’t judge, we won’t get angry or throw temper tantrums. We care about your peace and comfort, if you haven’t noticed that yet.” Everett speaks up first and both his brothers quickly agree.

Now or never.

“I want to move back in with Anno.” I blurt out and squeeze my eyes shut, expecting the blow that doesn’t end up coming my way.

In my thoughts, I count to ten and slowly open my eyes only to be met with three sad faces. Ethan even has tears in his eyes and Everett, noticing that, pulls him into a hug. “There, there, little bro, we knew the time would come. We must set the pretty bird free now.”

“It’s too soon. We just got Ash back and now she’s leaving again? It’s unfair,” Ethan mutters against Everett’s chest while Elias pats his back.

I sit completely frozen and watch in amazement how close those three really are. They act like a well oiled engine, knowing the right thing to say and moment to comfort each other.

When Elias’ eyes find mine, I can see the sadness in them, but only for a split second. He has this weird ability to hide every emotion he feels - something he uses even now.

“We will talk about your decision after classes, if it’s fine with you. First, we have our lunch, then we get through another day and later we all come here to talk. I’m not saying I’ll try to talk you out of your decision, but I’m definitely claiming there are a few details we need to discuss to ensure safety. Sounds fair?”

I nod and keep my mouth shut for the rest of the lunch. We all seem to be stuck in our thoughts, zoning out even as we eat, wash the dishes and grab our stuff to get back to classes.

As we step outside the building, the triplets change back into their playful personas, as if their emotions are something so private and dear that they refuse to allow others to see them. It’s a little sad for me, but I deserve that with the news I just dropped on their heads out of nowhere.

Nearing the school main entrance, we run into Nathan. He greets the triplets and then pulls me into a gentle hug, like a father would hug their child. “I’m so glad you’re doing much better, Ash. It would be a shame to have my best student out of my class due to an injury,” he says out loud and quickly whispers, “are you okay around them? Do I need to get you out?”

“I’m okay, they’re not holding me against my will,” I whisper back and he quickly releases me.

“Sorry, guys,” Nathan flashes the triplets a sheepish grin, “can’t help it, Ash reminds me of my nephew and I do miss the little guy.”

The explanation is stupid, but the triplets buy it, so I don’t comment. When Nathan looks back at me, I raise an eyebrow since I instantly notice there’s something wrong with him.

“You don’t have to head to the next class just yet. Now, the headmaster wants every student to join the auditorium for another of his announcements, so I’m making rounds to ensure no one misses it.”

There’s something off about how Nathan says it, but since he doesn’t give me time to question him and runs off, I try to remain as calm as I can. Even when Elias grabs my hand and starts pulling me towards the auditorium, I don’t feel like my world is about to collapse.

But, boy, does it collapse. Big time. The moment we step into the auditorium, the headmaster is already deep into his speech to nearly yell at the students, “with great pride, I can finally announce that our prince has managed to pass the elite tests and soon, he’s joining our rows here.”