Chapter 7

My heart dropped into my stomach as I recognized them—the three men who had shown up at my doorstep just hours earlier. Now, standing in front of the entire town, they looked even more powerful than before. Their presence seemed to command the crowd without a single word, and people instinctively parted, allowing them to walk through with ease.

Rachel’s grip tightened on my arm, her excitement palpable. “Briar, that’s them! The Lycan kings! Oh my god, they’re even hotter in person!”

I barely registered her words, my mind reeling as I stared at the brothers. 

They were…the Lycan kings…the…triplets born on a leap year. Who had rules for years. 

I had called them a scammer…I couldn't believe it. 

Kai was the first to spot me, his intense gaze locking onto mine from across the crowd. My stomach flipped. Kylan and Kieran quickly followed his line of sight, and all three of them began walking straight toward me.

Panic surged through me, and I instinctively took a step back. I didn’t want to cause a scene, but I couldn’t let them corner me here, not with half the town watching.

These people were powerful. And with power comes bad deed. And hell no am I going to let them come close to me or my kids. 

That's if I believe them being the father or fathers.

Shit. 

“What are you doing?” Rachel asked, frowning as I tried to retreat. “This is your chance! Go talk to them!”

“Are you insane?” I hissed, my pulse racing. “I’m not talking to them. I’m leaving.”

Before she could respond, I spun on my heel and headed toward the exit. But I wasn’t fast enough.

“Briar, wait!” Kylan’s voice boomed from behind me, drawing even more attention from the crowd. 

Fucking hell. 

Great attention.

I cursed under my breath, speeding up my pace.

But I hadn’t gotten far when Kai appeared in front of me, his eyes narrowed. He moved so fast, I hadn’t even seen him coming.

“Get out of my way,” I snapped, trying to push past him. But he didn’t budge.

“Briar, we need to talk,” he said, his voice low and firm.

“I have nothing to say to you,” I shot back, my anger bubbling to the surface once more. “I told you already—stay away from me and my kids.”

Kai’s jaw clenched, but before he could respond, Kylan and Kieran caught up to us, flanking me on either side. I felt trapped, surrounded by the three of them, their imposing forms blocking any route of escape.

“This isn’t the place for this conversation,” Kieran said, his voice softer than his brothers’, but no less insistent. “But we’re not leaving until you hear us out.”

“Indeed, you are quite a hard to find.” Kylan said with nonchalance.

I glared at him, crossing my arms defensively. “I’ve already heard enough. You’ve said your piece. Now go.”

I was nervous looking at the way everyone was looking at me. 

I didn't want to be the talk of the town. Simple, alone life that's what I had wanted. 

Kylan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, we know this is a lot to take in, but we’re not lying, Briar. We have proof.”

I scoffed. “Proof? Proof of what? That you’re all insane?”

Kai took a step closer, his eyes searching mine. “That we’re your children’s fathers.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine, but I quickly shook it off. “You’re delusional. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not interested.”

“Quite a way to talk to your king.” Kai said. 

“You are not my king. I am a werewolf. I do not call to Lycans, in case you have forgotten the treaty. You accept refugees, but we are not deemed to serve you.”

He smirked making me tick.

“It’s not a game,” Kylan said, his voice taking on a harder edge. “We don’t play games when it comes to our family.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could say anything, Finn and Luna came running over, their laughter ringing out as they darted between the stalls. 

I forgot, they had shorter day at school today because of the fair. 

My heart dropped as they headed straight for us.

“No,” I muttered under my breath, my panic rising. I needed to get them out of here before the brothers could say anything. “Stay away from them.”

But it was too late. Finn spotted me first, his face lighting up with a big grin. “Mama!”

Kai’s eyes widened as he looked down at Finn, and I could see the shock and recognition in his expression. Kylan and Kieran both went still, their gazes shifting between the children and me, as if they were putting the pieces together in real-time.

“Briar…” Kylan’s voice was low, almost a whisper. “Is that…?”

I stepped in front of Finn and Luna, blocking them from view. “Don’t even think about it,” I warned, my voice trembling with both anger and fear.

Kai’s gaze softened as he looked at me, but there was something else in his eyes now—something deeper, more primal. “Briar, they’re ours. We can feel it.”

I clenched my fists, every muscle in my body tensing. “You don’t know anything.”

“They’re Lycan,” Kieran said quietly, his eyes locked on Finn. “We can sense it.”

My breath caught in my throat, and for a brief moment, my resolve faltered. But then I remembered everything I had fought for—everything I had sacrificed to keep my kids safe.

From Slade. From power. To have peace. For someone who have had a taste of popularity and power once, it never ended well for me. I couldn’t let them tear my world apart with their wild claims.

“I don’t care what you think,” I said through gritted teeth, my voice shaking with emotion. “I don't care who you are. I don't care if you kill me for disrespect. But you must know they’re my children. Not yours. Now get the hell out of my life.”

Before any of them could respond, I grabbed Finn’s hand and Luna’s as well, pulling them away from the brothers. My heart was pounding in my chest as I hurried through the crowd, desperate to put as much distance between us as possible.

But even as I walked away, I could feel their eyes on me, could hear their words echoing in my mind.

“They’re ours.”

I shook my head, t

rying to push the thought away. It didn’t matter what they said. They couldn’t be right.

Could they?