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Colton’s POV * Flashback:Earlier That Night * Every step I took away from Mallory was like a knife to my heart. Shame followed me like a rain cloud over my head, threatening to drown me in its downpour. But no matter how many different ways I played out various scenarios in my mind, this was the only solution that led to the desired outcome: finding out the enemy's plan and stopping him before he could hurt my mate. Betraying her was the hardest thing I would ever have to do. But after hearing those rogues threatening Mallory, admitting that shitty excuse for an Alpha had eyes on her, I knew there was no other way. It was the only thing that kept me putting one foot in front of the other. My gut instinct told me Darcy was involved somehow and I needed to find out what she knew. I needed her to trust me again, get comfortable enough to slip up in my presence so I could find out the enemy’s plans. I’d considered using my Alpha command to try and force the information from her
Cary’s POV I’d heard it said that multiples have stronger bonds than single born siblings and the more in the birth litter, the stronger the bonds. Quads were closer than triplets who were closer than twins, etc. I’d only ever been a triplet so I couldn’t confirm the veracity of that theory but I could say my bond with my brothers had always been extremely tight. Some might resent the life of a triplet, always sharing everything. Hell, even my face wasn’t my own. But I never once felt sorry for myself. In fact, I loved everything about having two ready-made best friends. At least that was true until just a few minutes ago. When Clay left to confront Colton, he was fuming and I couldn’t blame him. After what he’d put Mallory through, I wouldn’t have minded going a few rounds with him myself. But as time wore on, Clay’s rage intensified. And thanks to our bond, I felt every bit of it as if it were my own. Mallory’s body still shook from the aftershocks of Colton’s betrayal. I di
Mallory’s POV I woke up the next morning to the sound of water tinkling from the rainfall showerhead in the attached bathroom. Whoever was showering had left the door open just a crack. I threw my legs over the side of the bed and padded to the door only to stop dead in my tracks. Because damn! The sight that greeted me was mouthwatering. Cary stood under the water, suds sliding down his body as he rinsed his shoulder-length blond curls. The man was ripped in all the right places, slab upon slab of solid muscle. I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip, biting back an appreciative moan as my eyes followed the arrow of his v-line all the way to the impressive member between his powerful thighs. “Fuck.” I groaned to myself, my core aching with the memory of his thick length inside me. “Are you going to stand there and drool or are you going to join me?” Cary’s deep voice made me jump and he chuckled at me. “I wasn’t drooling!” I was totally drooling. But despite my aggravation at
Mallory’s POV “You can do this Mallory. All you have to do is be honest. And don’t cry! No matter what he says, don’t cry! He’ll only feel guilty and you’re the only one who gets to feel guilty in this scenario.” I talked myself up while wearing a path on Clay’s bedroom floor. I could almost hear my wolf’s eyes rattling as they rolled back in her head. She found it utterly ridiculous that I would be so concerned about the feelings of a man who wasn’t our mate. From the moment she entered my life, the triplets were the only men who mattered in her mind and she refused to even acknowledge my feelings for Nathan. That was all well and good for her. But part of me was still human, with human weaknesses and human emotions. And when I had to look in Nathan’s eyes and see the heartache and sorrow I caused him, I would have the same reaction any human with a conscience would have. A stifling sense of shame and regret. Not that I didn’t deserve it. “Might as well get it over with. Gue
Cary’s POV “What do you mean Colton’s no longer my mate?” Mallory demanded. “We haven’t rejected each other so how is that possible?” She was close to hyperventilating, her panic rising, and Clay was looking at her with a befuddled expression. I doubted he meant it in the literal sense. It was much easier to close the door on a familial bond, no formal rejection or magic required, though it didn’t have to be permanent. The door could always be reopened. But the fact Mal hadn’t felt any further betrayal did have me curious. I couldn’t think of a single instance of mated triplets where one was shut out so I had absolutely no reference for how his decision would affect Mallory or their mate bond. I could only hope her reprieve from the agony he put her through earlier was the result of Colton’s own choices and Not Clay’s. “Our triplet bond is broken. I pushed him out.” He confessed to her. “I was trying to protect you. I thought you’d be happy to be rid of him after what he did.”
Colton’s POV The last few hours had been pure fucking misery. I couldn’t feel my brothers through our bond anymore. An empty, hollow feeling sat where the connection to their souls had always been. A source of strength and comfort I’d taken for granted for a lifetime ripped away in a fraction of a second. I’d always thought of myself as selfless, the triplet most willing to sacrifice for the good of others. This whole ordeal put paid to that delusion. I was a fucking selfish bastard. That’s all there was to it. Foolishly, I’d hoped that once I’d vanquished her enemies like the knight on the white horse I saw myself as, Mallory and I could find our way back to each other. Maybe, just maybe, she’d let me fix what I’d done, make up for all the pain I’d caused her in the name of protecting her. Clay’s beat down had forced me to see the truth of the situation. I’d expected Cary, the hot-headed triplet, to rain hell down on me. But when my even-keeled, not easily riled middle brothe
Clay’s POV A tenuous peace settled over us for the next few weeks. Cary and I went to work during the day, though less of our time was spent on actual pack duties in favor of discussing our future and how to move forward without Colton. Our parents thought he was away gathering intel on Alpha Quade and none of us disabused them of that notion. Mallory spent most of her days with our mother, determined to perfect her future role as Luna by absorbing every detail the current Black Moon Luna had to impart. The three of us spent our nights together, Cary and I wrapped around our mate. And from the outside, it would appear that we’d never been happier. But despite her best efforts to hide it, and our best efforts to reassure her, a tinge of self-loathing permeated Mallory's otherwise vibrant scent. Others might miss it, but as her mates who lived just to breathe her in, it was unmistakable. “It’s killing me to watch her beat herself up this way.” Cary mentioned for the hundredth
Colton’s POV I let Kai run for hours that night after turning my back on Darcy and letting Alpha Quade walk away with her. Every instinct screamed at me to find Mallory, explain the truth behind my actions and beg her forgiveness. But I’d needed time to think before facing her, so I gave my wolf free reign while I considered my next move. In the end, I’d decided maybe time was my best ally. I’d come running to her with assurances that I was over Darcy twice before and as far as she knew, I’d lied both times. After betraying our bond, the only way she might believe me was if some time passed without me hurting her again, Kai in no way approved of that plan, harassing me daily to go see our mate. And every time, I would talk him down, explaining that we needed to put her needs first and what she needed was space. But like every other day, he wasn’t having it. “Raven needs me!” He insisted, demanding to see Mallory’s wolf. “Just a little more time, Kai!” I countered. “No!” H