Lizbella was already in the break room when I arrived at work, perched on the counter like the boss she is. She was sipping coffee out of a chipped mug that read, Therapy Is Cheaper Than Murder. Her wild dark curls framed her face, and her expression was as stormy as the dark brew in her hands.“Morning,” I said cautiously, setting my bag on the small table.Lizbella didn’t reply. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and took another sip, her silence louder than any greeting.“Okay,” I muttered, sliding into the chair across from her. “Go ahead. Say whatever it is you’re dying to say.”Her eyes narrowed. “You’re an idiot.”I let out a sharp laugh, more out of disbelief than amusement. “Good morning to you too.”“I mean it, Briar.” Lizbella hopped off the counter, her boots thudding against the tile as she crossed her arms. “You’ve officially lost your mind. Training with those Lycans? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”I bristled at her tone, leaning back in my chair. “I’m not trying
When I got home, the first thing I noticed was the cars parked outside my small apartment complex. Sleek, black, and undeniably expensive.I frowned. They definitely didn’t belong to anyone in my building. Most of my neighbors drove beat-up sedans or pick-up trucks that rattled louder than a werewolf howl on a full moon.My heart thudded in my chest as I gripped my bag tighter and slowly made my way to the door. Something didn’t feel right.Fishing around in my bag, my fingers closed around the hilt of the small knife I always carried. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.The moment I unlocked the door, I heard it—a muffled clatter, followed by low voices and the sound of something sizzling.I slipped inside, shutting the door quietly behind me. My heart was racing now, and my grip on the knife tightened as I followed the noise to the kitchen.What I found made me freeze in the doorway.Standing in my kitchen, shirtless, were three of the hottest men I’d ever seen.Kai, K
I crossed my arms and leaned against the counter, glaring at the three Lycans who somehow managed to look completely at home in my kitchen. Kai was calmly plating the food he’d made, Kieran leaned casually against the fridge, and Kylan… well, Kylan looked like he was mentally planning his next smartass remark.“You can’t just show up here and act like this is normal,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended.Kai set the plates down on the table, his piercing blue eyes flicking to mine. “Nothing about this situation is normal, Briar. But here we are.”I rolled my eyes. “Let’s get one thing straight. Just because you think you’re their fathers doesn’t mean I’m going to let you waltz in here and take over my life.”“You don’t have a choice,” Kai said bluntly, his tone firm but not unkind. “We’re not going anywhere.”“Oh, yes, you are,” I shot back. “The second you finish your little meal, you’re out of here. And you can forget about spending time with Finn and Luna.”“About that…” Kylan
“Not it doesn't.” I replied. “Then where are we staying?” Kieran asked, clearly enjoying my discomfort.“You have money, figure it out.”“But we want to stay here. Training, remember? Kids too.” Kieran added waving at Luna and Finn. “Annoying alphaholes,” I muttered, walking toward the small guest room at the back of the apartment. “There’s one spare bed. Figure it out.”The three of them followed me, their large frames practically filling the narrow hallway.“Okay,” I said, throwing open the door to the guest room. “This is it. Don’t complain. Don’t ask for anything. Just stay out of my way.”Kylan stepped inside, his grin widening as he surveyed the cramped space. “Cozy.”“It’s not meant for three people,” I said pointedly.He shrugged. “We’ll make it work.”Kai crossed his arms, his eyes scanning the room. “This bed doesn’t look very sturdy.”“It’s fine,” I said, exasperated. “Lizbella slept on it just fine.”Kylan plopped onto the bed, and before I could blink, there was a loud
I closed the door to the guest room behind me, letting out a long breath. Dealing with the Lycan kings was exhausting in ways I didn’t have words for, mostly because they made me feel too much, and none of it was simple.But right now, I had bigger priorities.I walked down the short hallway to the twins’ room, quietly pushing the door open. The small nightlight cast a soft glow across the space, illuminating Finn and Luna sitting cross-legged on Finn’s bed, whispering to each other like co-conspirators.“Why aren’t you two asleep?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe with a tired smile.Finn looked up first, his face lighting up. “We couldn’t sleep. We’re… talking.”“Talking, huh?” I raised an eyebrow and stepped into the room. “Mind if I join?”Luna shrugged, making room for me at the foot of the bed. “Sure.”I sat down, pulling my legs up and tucking them under me. “So, what’s so important that it’s keeping you both awake?”The twins exchanged a glance, and Finn spoke first. “Th
The smell of pancakes and bacon greeted me as I stepped into the kitchen, Finn and Luna running ahead of me. Kai stood at the stove, his movements precise as he flipped pancakes onto a growing stack. Kylan leaned casually against the counter, munching on a piece of bacon with his trademark smirk.“Good morning,” Kylan said, giving me a once-over. “Sleep well?”“Better than I expected, considering the circus in my house,” I replied, making a beeline for the stack of pancakes.As I reached out to grab one, Kai’s hand shot out, snapping my wrist lightly.“It’s bad manners to pick at food before it’s served,” he said, his voice as calm and commanding as ever.I glared at him, pulling my hand back. “It’s bad manners to invade someone’s home uninvited, but I don’t see you apologizing.”Kylan choked on his bacon, clearly trying to hold back a laugh.Kai’s lips twitched, though he didn’t smile. “Touché.”“Where’s Kieran?” I asked, glancing around.“Bathroom,” Kai said, flipping another pancak
Kai stood nearby, as stoic and intense as ever, his blue eyes watching me like he was trying to solve a puzzle.That's how he always looks though . Watchful.It was annoying sometimes, but there are sometimes, especially now when I am in nothing but a T-shirt, shorts, and my hair in a mess, it felt like he could see my body from within my shirt. Kieran was the least distracting, for once, but only because he was busy coaxing the twins into the car.I let out an exaggerated groan, throwing my hands in the air. “Can you guys please be less hot?”Kylan turned, his grin widening. “You think we’re hot?”Kai’s lips twitched, though his voice remained cold as ice. “We’ll try harder to be less of a distraction for you.”“Oh, shove it,” I snapped, flipping him the finger.---This was a welcome change of scenery. The hum of activity, the soft beeps of monitors, and the soothing scent of disinfectant helped ground me. I made my way to Lizbella’s office, holding a small paper bag containing h
“Are… are you alright?” I asked, my voice hesitant as I watched the young woman. She turned to me, her face glowing with a creepy happiness. Her earlier grief seemed to have vanished, replaced by an unsettling calm. She looked different from when she first came in, more happy, at peace for someone who just lost her twin.Then again, what was that…song.“I’m more than alright,” she said, her tone bright and airy. “I feel… free. Like the pain was never there to begin with.Did I lose anyone, I don’t even know.” My stomach twisted. “Do you remember your brother? Your loss?” She frowned, her brow furrowing for a brief moment before her face cleared again, her grin returning. “No,” she said simply. “I’ve forgotten it all. The pain, the sadness—it’s gone. Completely gone.” “That’s… good,” I said, though the words felt strange on my tongue. She stepped closer, her eyes brimming with what could have been joy. “The rumors weren’t wrong. You’re the best therapist, Briar. You make peo
Kai’s POVShe hadn’t moved in over an hour.Not even a twitch.I stood near the window, arms crossed, eyes locked on her still figure as the storm inside me brewed heavier than the clouds outside. The kids had fallen asleep again, one on each side of her, their small hands curled against her arms like they were trying to keep her tethered to the world.I couldn’t stop staring.Because if I stopped staring… I might have to admit how scared I actually was.The power he felt emitted from her wasn’t wolf. Wasn’t anything I’d seen in a long time. It smelled old. Too old. Old like the vampires. Kylan entered the room quietly, a bottle of water in his hand and his entire posture screaming guilt.I hadn't asked him what had happened because I was thinking about ways to sort this out. I didn’t look at him when I asked, “What happened out there?”He sat on the edge of the table across from me, rubbing the back of his neck. “She passed out. After vaporizing a group of rogues and vampires. All
Kylan’s POVI could feel her heart beating erratically against me, her body still limp in my arms as I carried her through the forest, away from the wreckage.Briar was barely conscious, her breathing shallow, and that alone sent a panic that ran through me faster than I’d ever run in my wolf form.I knew something was wrong, but the sight of her collapsing—her body betraying her like that—had set off every protective instinct I had.I couldn’t wait for any help. I didn’t even think. I just needed to get her somewhere safe.Her head hung in my arms like a ragdoll, and I felt her weak pulse in my hands, her skin clammy with the sweat of whatever fever she’d caught from the siren power taking over.I abandoned the car the second I realized she wasn’t waking up. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t alone. What mattered was her. Always her.I shifted fast, fur sprouting across my body. The moment my Lycan form took over, I scooped her up, feeling the heat of her skin against my fur. My paws hit
The silence was suffocating.The last rogue fell as ash to the earth, drifting like dust on a dead wind.My chest heaved. My vision blurred.I didn’t understand what just happened. My scream—it had done something. Something terrifying.How? I had killed someone. Well not someone. Couple of people. Wait…Kylan.The screwdriver was still at my feet, but I barely noticed it now.I pushed open the car door stepping outside. “Kylan!” I screamed. Please no. Ease let me not have hurt him.“Briar!” He called out. I turned to see him and I sighed in relief. He was already shifting mid-sprint, fur retracting into skin, claws vanishing as his towering figure emerged from the trees, shirtless, panting, his eyes wild.“Briar!” he called, panic etched into every corner of his voice. “Where are you—”His eyes locked on me.And something in his face… froze.I turned to him fully now. I didn’t run to.him. I didn’t cry or shout in anger. I… smiled.My lips curved, slow. Calculated. Seductive. My
Silence settled between us again. Information overload. I was confused on how to feel. How to react. I had kids. I had a life. And right now, I am not sure who I am. I have something growing inside of me and surprisingly, I am from a bloodline of sea creatures. How? All my life I had grown up at the orphanage. Yes, people listened to me. Yes…my beauty and sometimes my voice…had…attracted people to me. A crown marred my forehead. As I looked to the ground. Kylan was the first to speak. “So, what’s our next move?”Theo exhaled. “You need to learn control. Fast. Before someone figures out what you are and comes looking.”A chill ran down my spine. “Someone is looking, aren’t they?”Theo’s expression didn’t change. “Wouldn’t you be?”I didn’t know what to say.I was just… confused.Me? A siren? It didn’t make sense. It didn’t fit.I wasn’t some mystical creature from a legend. I wasn’t powerful. I was just… me. An adopted girl with too many scars, too much baggage, and a history of r
I was surprised. Not because of the book or the drawing or even the words coming out of Theo’s mouth. I was surprised because, deep down, something inside me already knew that I wasn't okay. But being told this, not on my list of things. Kylan sat beside me, staring at the page with a deep frown, his fingers tapping against the table as if trying to piece everything together. But I couldn’t look away from the image in front of me. A woman, drawn in ink so old it had faded into the parchment. Long, flowing hair. Eyes that seemed to glow even in the faded artwork. Strange, swirling snake marks along her arms—marks I had seen before. On me. Theo exhaled, leaning back slightly. “She was a Siren Goddess,” he said simply. I finally forced my eyes away from the book. “A what?” Kylan let out a low whistle. “I was hoping for something dramatic, but this? Yeah…it didn't fit what I had in mind.” Theo ignored him, his sharp green eyes locked on me. “She wasn’t just any siren.
I sat in my car outside the diner long after Kylan had left, staring at my phone screen, debating how to even start this conversation.A trip.It was reckless. Dangerous, even. I should’ve shut it down immediately. But Kylan was right—I was lost.And if this person he knew really could help me…I inhaled sharply and opened the group chat with Kai and Kieran.Me: We need to talk. It’s important. I’ll be home soon.A response came almost immediately.Kai: What happened?Kieran: Are you okay?I stared at their messages, hesitating before replying.Me: Just meet me at the house.I put my phone down before they could respond, gripping the steering wheel tightly.This was going to be a fight.---By the time I walked through the front door, they were both already there—Kai leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, and Kieran sitting at the table, watching me closely.The moment I stepped inside, Kai’s eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?”I exhaled, dropping my keys onto the counter. “
After dropping the kids off at school, I felt useless. I sat in my car for a while, staring at the wheel, trying to figure out what to do with myself. There was always something to handle, always another crisis waiting, but today, there was nothing. It felt wrong. I exhaled sharply and checked my phone. A single message stared back at me. Council Hall. Now. I sighed. No explanation, no warning, just an order. By the time I pulled up to the hall, my mood had soured. The council building was old, built with stone that made it look more like a relic than a functioning place of authority. I pushed through the heavy doors, the cool air inside making my skin prickle. Elder Ama was waiting at the long table, along with three other council members. They watched me with expressions that gave nothing away. “Briar,” Ama said, motioning for me to sit. I didn’t move right away. “This about the clinic?” “It is.” I sat down, crossing my arms. “If this is another attempt to pin som
“I messed up,” Kylan said, groaning and running his hand over his face.“You think?” Kieran said, standing up, his silver eyes sharp with irritation.Kylan growled, his hands clenching into fists. “You… How dare you bring up Kayla?”“Because you’re trying to do the same thing to Briar,” Kieran shot back, his voice rising. “You don’t connect with her. You don’t listen. And now you’re throwing yourself at her like that’s going to fix anything. Kayla is six feet under because you couldn’t hold yourself together, and now—”“You bastard!” Kylan roared, his voice breaking as he swung at Kieran.The punch landed hard against Kieran’s jaw, the sound of it echoing in the room. Kieran staggered back, but his silver eyes flashed with fury as he wiped at his lip, which was already swelling.“You want to do this?” Kieran growled, his voice deeper now as his wolf pushed to the surface.“You brought her up,” Kylan spat, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. “You know how she was to me. You know
There was a weird thing between triplets. The called it ‘the tingling.’When one was going through a single vulnerability, they all felt it.And Kylan felt it from Kai. This wasn’t the first time. Or the second.Anytime Kai was with Briar, he softened. His tone changed, his walls cracked just enough for it to be noticeable. It was like a gravitational pull existed between them, and Kylan, no matter how hard he tried, felt like an outsider.A goddamn third wheel. It stung more because, out of all of them, Kylan had been the first to meet Briar. He’d noticed her spark, her fire, before either of his brothers had the chance. And yet, it was always Kai who seemed to draw her attention.Kylan stood in the living room, arms crossed, watching Kieran gently arranging blocks on the coffee table.“Aren’t you jealous?” Kylan asked suddenly, his voice tight. “Of the fact that Kai is the closest to her?”Kieran sighed without looking up. “I’ve known since the day Mother spat us out of her womb