Five

As we finally pulled into the carpark of Greenvale's larger shopping mall, Sam reached over and ruffled my hair, that was already looking a little windblown. After I got out of the car, I tried to straighten it a little in the car window's reflection, and suddenly there were two extra reflections either side of mine, almost identical to each other.

"It looks just fine to me, sweetheart," one deep, smooth, masculine voice said from my right, "Mmmmm, smells just fine too," the other said, stepping closer and burying his face in my neck, nuzzling right near my marking spot. "Get off me," I said impatiently, tring to turn and step away, but they blocked me from each side, the first putting his face near my neck now, from behind.

"She tastes good too," he said, making me frown, "And when the hell did you.." I started to say, but as the other grinned down at me, I froze, and my breath caught in my chest as I realised exactly where we'd met before. Sam's voice came from behind the car then, his tone a low, threatening, growl, "You're going to want to step away from her, now."

My eyes went wide, and I shook my head, "No, Sammy, don't," I said, my voice sounding only half as afraid as I felt. He sensed it though, "Laila?" he asked, hesitantly, and I just shook my head, as their eyes narrowed, turning towards my brother.

"He's my brother, he's just protective," I said hurriedly, and a pair deep black eyes turned back to mine, a stark contrast to the golden eyes of the beast. "Oh?" he said, raising an eyebrow at me, "Well it's good to know our little mate has someone watching over her." He ran the backs of his fingers along my cheek then, and I shivered.

'Mate?!' I thought incredulously, I didn't think it could be possible, but Sam's comment outspoken thought was far more horrifying, "Our?" he repeated, looking between the two of them, making my eyes nearly pop out of my head. "Identical Lycan twins, then?" he asked, catching on.

My heart was beating so hard in my chest I thought it would burst, but I'm sure it almost stopped dead completely as the one behind me spoke again. Two horrifying words: "Triplets, actually." He licked my marking spot again then, in exactly the same way, following it up with another gentle nip, which seemed to break the spell of the shock.

"No," I said shaking my head, my eyes still wide, "it's not possible," and the one in front of me just laughed. "I can assure you it is, our other brother stayed behind, we can't really leave our territory all at once, our Gamma would go mad trying to keep our pack in line on his own."

"I.. I meant the mate part.." I said softly, my mind still processing what he'd just said. Sam's seemed to have no trouble though, "You're the leaders? Of Nightfall Pack?" he said, and my legs suddenly felt weak. This was way too much, it had to be some kind of sick joke.

But how did they even know I'd be here? My mind was reeling, and they didn't help it any as the one in front of me responded, "Mmhmm, us two, we're both Betas. Our brother is Alpha, seeing he's eldest, by just a few minutes." I sank down to the ground, my head in my hands in shock. The one behind me chuckled softly, bending down and lifting me in his arms, bridal-style, which only made the other look jealous.

This was completely insane, and I shook my head again, still in disbelief. "It's okay, baby, we've got you," the one holding me said, and his brother frowned, looking at my feet. My bandage was showing, I noticed, and he growled softly, "Did someone hurt you?" he asked, with all the ferocity of a protective mate coming through in his voice.

I shook my head, avoiding their gaze, "No, I.. I just twisted it," I said, still not really sure exactly when it happened, only that it was while I fled through the dark the night before, in complete terror. The one holding me frowned, "It was fine last night, before you ran.." he said, earning a growl from his brother, as though it were his fault.

"You terrified our mate so much she hurt herself running," he said, getting his brother all defensive, "I didn't mean to, I was being nice, I can't help it if we're intimating to these little wolves!" He looked at me apologetically, still holding me.

"Stop it!" I said suddenly, trying to squirm out of his arms, "I can't be your mate! Lycans don't mate with us, it's madness! Just put me down and leave me alone!" I was almost shouting by the end of it, and I realised people were beginning to stare, but he at least put me down, looking sulky.

Sam spoke up again then, "She has a point, we've never heard of such a thing, how could it even be possible for her to be your mate?" They stared at each and shrugged, but didn't back down. The one in front stroked my cheek lightly again, his fingers pausing at my chin, tilting it upwards, "I don't know how, but I know it's true," he said simply, and the other nodded agreement, "It's undeniable, if you had your wolf already you'd know it too, I'm absolutely certain of it."

The look in their beautiful, deep black eyes seemed to hold truth, and I swallowed, wrapping my arms around myself. The one who'd held me, that I'd met the night before, continued, "Laila?" he said uncertaintly, waiting for me to nod, "I'm Cole, and he's Finn. Our other brother is Thane. He took my hand, lifting it, "I promise you, we'll treat you well," he said, bringing it to his lips and placing a soft kiss on my knuckles.

Finn did the same with my other hand, "Please, give us a chance to prove it," he said quietly, his voice sounding earnest. I nodded slowly, not sure I could say no even if I wanted to, and for some insane reason, I didn't even want to, something about them just felt.. right.

"Okay," I said, my voice still a little shaky, "but, if I don't feel it when I have my wolf.." They both nodded, "Then we'll back off," Cole said, followed by Finn, "You have our word." I gave them a small smile, and they both beamed at me with the most gorgeous smiles I'd ever seen. It completely changed their faces, that looked so intimidating when they were serious, all chiseled, strong, and masculine.

Their thick, wavy, jet black hair and matching, heavy brows, along with those pure black eyes, only added to their dark and dangerous appearance. Combined with their tall, muscular frames - even larger than any werewolf I'd seen - it was undeniably attractive.

I realised Sam had come around the car now, and was smirking at me, likely reading exactly what I was thinking, and I couldn't help but blush. Finn noticed, and his eyes darkened with arousal, which only made it worse. "Hmmm," Cole said softly, arousal in his voice too, "Try not to tease us too much, little wolf, it's hard enough to control ourselves as it is."

Finn smiled coyly at me, and I couldn't help but feel the same, which only made them look at me even hungrier. Sam laughed suddenly, "I feel like we should start shopping now, or we're never going to get there," he said, grinning at the three of us. Cole immediately put an arm around my waist, starting to walk towards the doors to the mall, with Finn and Sam both joining, on my other side.

"What do you need?" Cole asked, "We'll come with you." I gave him another shy smile, "It probably won't be very exciting, I just need some new jeans, and whatever Sam needs here too." Both brothers' eyes wandered downwards, to my ass and legs, "But I like these ones on you," Cole said, making Sam laugh again.

Finn added, with a smile, "Time with our mate is exciting enough, for us, we're just happy to have finally found you." I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth inside at that, and I smiled back. Compared to most of the men I've known in my life, which really only included Grey Marsh pack members, they seemed incredibly sweet.

It was completely at odds with their pack's reputation, which somehow made it feel oddly thrilling, and I found myself looking forward to getting to know them.