Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 88

Ashley pov

Initially, I thought that talking to Nathan could help me make the right decision. Okay, maybe not the decision itself, but at least his support might steer me in the right direction.

However, that definitely didn’t happen. If anything, as I walk back to the apartment and step inside, closing the door behind me, I feel more at war with myself than I was hours ago. It’s like my mind, my heart and my soul are playing a stupid game of tug of war and I can’t pick a side.

I’m so confused and scared at the same time, it’s not funny anymore. And what’s worse is that all those emotions make me worry about the possibilities of slip-ups. What if I fail to control my own emotions and end up blurting out something that has to be kept secret?

Taking a deep breath to ground myself, I drop my bag in the hallway and take off my shoes before heading to the main living space, where all three of my roommates are having a heated discussion.

I stand and watch them for a bit, my eyebrow raising as I try to follow their conversation, but can’t seem to grasp all the details. When they finally notice me standing, all three of them suddenly become deathly silent.

Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms in front of my chest and huff. “Oh, don’t mind me, keep arguing, I’d love to hear what this one is about.”

Ethan jumps to his feet and raises his hands, shaking his head frantically. “Ash, no secrets, I promise no secrets, this is just another sibling argument, I promise.”

Yeah, I can smell a lie when I see one. Is that the saying? Doesn’t matter.

Looking between Elias and Everett, I try to read their expressions to decide which one might tell me the truth, but both decide to avert their gazes and act like I’m not here.

“Okay, and who’s going to tell me the truth before I lose my mind here, huh? Seriously, guys,” I groan and drop my arms to my sides, pulling my hands into tight fists. “I’m not a baby so don’t treat me as one. I know, for a fact, you were discussing me, otherwise you wouldn’t drop the arguing as soon as you notice me standing.”

It’s almost funny how ashamed the triplets look, but none of them dares to speak up.

I wait for a little while and eventually decide this stalling isn’t worth it. Not anymore. I have bigger problems to deal with these days, my unsuspecting mates will have to wait.

“Alright,” I sigh. “I give up. Keep all of your secrets, I don’t care. Just don’t expect me to share more of my own. This one-sided friendship is unfair only towards one person and that’s me. I share my secrets and fears while you guys keep all of yours from me. Very fair, equality here I come.”

Something about what I tell them must have worked because as soon as I turn to walk to my bedroom, all three of them shout for me to stop and Ethan nearly cries out that he’s going to tell me everything.

“We were discussing our ideas about how we could keep you safe and away from that dickward. Very passionately discussing, not arguing,” Ethan announces.

He has this weird vibe about him so most of the time, it’s not hard to say if he’s lying or not. And this time, he’s telling me the truth.

A little reluctant, I decide to sit down and hear them out. “Okay, any ideas?”

Elias clears his throat and reaches out to grab my hand and hold it while he speaks. Everett and Ethan both glare at our hands the entire time.

“We were thinking that maybe we could convince you to go and stay in our pack. You see, we know Kaiden for our own reasons and neither of us could say that those are good ones. We’re not on the best terms and neither are our packs, so staying in ours could benefit you.”

“Oh?” Is all I can say.

“Yes,” Elias grins and nods his head. “We’re kind of in a middle of disagreement these days and it just so happens that Kaiden has more reasons to hate us recently. More or less blame the fact that his glorious army couldn’t take our territory and returned home like wounded bitches.”

“Just think about it,” Everett speaks up. “Yes, maybe this would be a risky move, but what do we have to lose right now? There’s no way he’ll step even close to our territory anyway and if you leave the Academy, he’ll most likely think you left because of his bullying. Once he realizes what he seeks isn’t here anymore, he will leave and you can come back. There, problem solved.”

Ethan suddenly plops down next to me and tosses his arm around my shoulders. “For once, I agree with my brothers. I think their idea is the best.”

“I’m very grateful,” I start and look at their hopeful faces, already hating the idea of breaking their hearts and ignoring their effort.

“But?” Ethan drags.

“But, I really don’t want to cause even more trouble for you guys. I get it, the trouble is already there given the relationship between your and his pack, but adding me to the mix might cost dearly. It’s not worth it.”

All three exchange glances and for a second there, I fear they might turn against me and try to pressure me, but that doesn’t happen.

Not even close.

Instead of what my fears are screaming, the triplets drop the topic completely and suggest we go to the beach to relax a little. From what I gather, they’ve been planning a beach trip for a bit and want me to go there with them.

I’m not the biggest fan of the idea, but I can’t turn them down either so within the next five minutes, I find myself standing in the bedroom, packing a bag for the beach while the triplets grab some snacks and necessary stuff.

Then, an hour later, when we arrive at the beach and start setting up our relaxing area, I learn how to breathe with ease again. The sound of the waves, the light breeze of wind and the intoxicating scent of the water mix together to put my mind at the most ease it has ever been.

Just sitting here with these men I feel happier than I’ve been for many, many years. And somehow, against all odds and secrets, we still manage to grow closer with every adventure we share, every little thing we do together.

When the time comes, saying goodbye will shatter me.