Amara's POV The tension in the house was unbearable. I could feel it growing between the triplets, the air thick with unspoken words and raw emotions. Ryder’s words echoed in my mind: You belong to me. And now, it was as if the entire universe was testing that claim.I tried to ignore the undeniable pull, to stay focused on keeping my distance, but everything changed when I walked into the living room that night.Caden was there, pacing with his hands buried in his hair, his face contorted in frustration. Jaxon sat on the couch, his usual cocky expression gone, replaced by a darker mood. They were arguing—again—but this time, it was different. This time, it was about me.“I told you to stay away from her!” Ryder’s voice was like ice as he stood in the doorway, watching the two brothers.“Like hell you will!” Jaxon shot back, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and something darker. “She’s not yours to control, Ryder!”I froze, standing just inside the doorway, uncertain whether to
Amara's POV Alex’s words were soft, laced with the kind of comfort I hadn’t felt in what seemed like years. His hands reached out hesitantly, brushing against my cheek, wiping away the tears I couldn’t seem to stop. There was something gentle about him, something I desperately needed right now. “Amara, you don’t have to go through this alone,” he said, his voice almost a whisper. His thumb lingered on my cheek, and I felt the warmth of his touch. “You’re stronger than this... stronger than him.” I opened my mouth to respond, to tell him how much I appreciated him being here, but before the words could escape, a sound pierced through the fragile bubble of calm we’d created. “Amara.” My heart stopped. The way my name rolled off his tongue – sharp and commanding – was enough to make me freeze. I didn’t need to turn around to see who it was. I knew that voice better than my own. Ryder. A chill ran down my spine as I heard his footsteps, each one deliberate, echoing in the silence be
Amara's POV I barely made it a few steps before I heard him behind me, his footsteps pounding against the ground. "Amara," Ryder called, his voice rough and urgent. Before I could react, his hand wrapped around my wrist, halting me in place. His touch sent a jolt through me, awakening a part of me I’d been trying so hard to suppress. “Let me go, Ryder,” I whispered, my voice shaky and unconvincing. “No,” he said firmly, spinning me around to face him. His eyes burned into mine, wild and desperate, as if he was afraid I’d slip away if he loosened his grip. My wolf stirred within me, her resolve crumbling at the closeness of him. She begged for him, for his touch, his warmth, his love. And as much as I wanted to resist, I could feel myself breaking, my walls crumbling under the weight of everything I felt. “Amara, please,” Ryder said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Don’t walk away from me. Don’t do this.” Tears welled in my eyes, and no matter how hard I tried to hold th
Amara's POV It was already past midnight, but sleep wouldn’t come. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts tangled in a whirlwind of Ryder, Alex, and everything I was too afraid to confront. My wolf was restless, pacing in the back of my mind, her emotions oscillating between frustration and longing. And then, a knock. The sound jolted me, making me flinch. My heart skipped a beat as dread pooled in my stomach. Who could it be at this hour? I pulled the blanket tighter around me, hoping whoever it was would go away. The knock came again, more insistent this time. My body tensed, a shiver running down my spine. Ryder? Caden? Jaxon? No. I didn’t want to face either of them. Not now. Not when I felt so raw. I held my breath, waiting for the sound of retreating footsteps. But instead, the door creaked open. The scent hit me before I saw him—cedarwood and the faintest hint of rain. Jaxon. My wolf stirred instantly, her desperation surging to the surface. She begged me to
Amara's POV The house was unusually quiet, the kind of silence that pressed against my ears and made me hyper-aware of every sound. The triplets were already gone to school, leaving me alone with my thoughts—thoughts that seemed to circle back to him. Caden. I didn’t know if I was avoiding him or if he was avoiding me. Weeks had passed since that night, and though I tried to push him out of my mind, he lingered, like a ghost haunting my every waking moment. With a sigh, I grabbed my coffee and started toward my room, hoping to drown myself in something—anything—to stop the endless loop of thoughts. But as I passed by Caden’s room, a sound stopped me in my tracks. It was faint, muffled, but unmistakable. A low groan, followed by a sharp intake of breath. My wolf stirred instantly, her concern flooding through me. He needs us, Amara. He needs our help. “No,” I whispered, trying to push her voice aside. “It’s not our business.” But she was relentless, her worry wrapping around m
Amara's POV As the first light of dawn crept into the room, Caden stirred, his fevered breaths softening into something steadier. I stayed by his side, watching the tension slowly ease from his face. He looked so peaceful, so vulnerable. It was a side of him I rarely saw, and it tugged at something deep inside me. I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, my fingers lingering for a moment longer than they should have. My wolf purred softly in the back of my mind, her warmth washing over me. He needs us, Amara. Just like we need him.I pushed the thought aside, my heart too tangled with confusion to process it. Caden had always been a storm—a whirlwind of emotions he tried to keep hidden. But last night, his walls had cracked, letting me see the raw, unfiltered truth beneath. “Amara?” His voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. I blinked, startled. His eyes were open now, slightly glazed but far more focused than they had been hours ago. “You’re awake,” I said
Amara's POV “Ryder…” I whispered, but the word felt heavy and useless. Ryder’s eyes flicked to me, the betrayal in them cutting deeper than any blade could. “So, this is it,” he said, his voice low, trembling with restrained emotion. “This is what’s been happening behind my back?” I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could I say? How could I explain something I didn’t fully understand myself? “You said you needed space,” Ryder continued, his voice rising with every word. “You said you were trying to figure things out! And now I find you… here, with him?” His gaze darted to Caden, his expression darkening. Caden stood, his posture rigid, shielding me instinctively. “Ryder, this isn’t what you think—” “Don’t you dare!” Ryder snapped, stepping into the room. His voice cracked slightly, his mask of anger slipping just enough to reveal the pain beneath. “Don’t stand there and act like you didn’t know what you were doing.” “Ryder, stop,” I said, finally finding my
Jaxon’s POV The weight in the house was unbearable. Ever since Ryder stormed off, the tension between all of us had been thick enough to choke on. I hated it. I hated feeling like we were slowly unraveling, like everything that held us together was being tested because of her. Not that it was her fault. How could it be? None of us had chosen this bond. And yet, here we were, caught in the madness of it all. I grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge and headed to Ryder’s room. His door was still closed, but the faint sound of his restless pacing reached me before I knocked. “Ryder,” I called out, rapping my knuckles against the door. No answer. “Come on, man. Open up. It’s just me.” After a long pause, the door creaked open. Ryder stood there, his face drawn, his eyes red-rimmed like he’d been fighting off tears. It was rare to see him like this—he was usually the strongest of us, the one who kept us grounded. I held up the beers. “Truce?” He hesitated before stepping aside,
Amara’s POVThe morning sun streamed through my bedroom window as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my sweater. My hair was still damp from my shower, and I was debating whether to leave it down or tie it up when I felt a warm presence behind me.Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against a familiar, solid chest.“Morning, princess,” Jaxon’s deep, teasing voice murmured against my ear.I rolled my eyes but didn’t pull away. “You do know there’s this thing called personal space, right?”Jaxon chuckled, his breath warm against my neck. “Never heard of it.”His arms tightened slightly, holding me close as he dipped his head. Before I could protest, I felt the sharp nip of his teeth against the sensitive skin of my neck.I gasped. “Jaxon—”He pulled back just enough to admire his work, a smug grin tugging at his lips. “There. Now everyone knows you’re mine.”I spun around, narrowing my eyes at him. “You marked me?” I reached up, touching the tend
Amara's POV The days passed in a blur, each one filled with moments that chipped away at the walls I had built around my heart. Caden, Ryder, and Jaxon were proving themselves in ways I hadn’t expected. They were changing—slowly, steadily—but undeniably.Every morning, one of them would wake me up with breakfast, though it usually ended up being a playful argument over who would get the honor.“I made it first,” Caden would grumble, holding out a plate of toast and eggs.“Yeah, well, I made pancakes,” Ryder would counter, flipping one onto a second plate.Jaxon, always the wildcard, would slide a cup of coffee in front of me with a lazy smirk. “And I made sure you get caffeine before dealing with these two idiots.”I’d roll my eyes, but deep down, the warmth of their efforts settled in my chest like a quiet comfort.Throughout the day, they went out of their way to make sure I felt safe, taken care of—even cherished. Ryder would insist on driving me anywhere I needed to go, opening d
Amara's POV The SurpriseBy the time I had finished eating, showered, and dressed, Caden was nowhere to be found.I searched the entire house. No sign of him.Where was he?Just when I was starting to get frustrated, my phone chimed with a text.Come outside.Caden.I slipped on a pair of shoes and headed out the front door, curious.My jaw dropped.A horse-drawn carriage was parked in the driveway, decorated with a garland of flowers. Caden stood next to it, dressed in a suit and tie. He held a bouquet of roses in one hand and a picnic basket in the other.My face grew hot.He was insane. Absolutely, utterly insane.I marched up to him, crossing my arms.His eyes sparkled with amusement.I shook my head.He grinned.I sighed.Then, I grabbed the roses and kissed him.After All...It was a perfect day—blue skies, gentle breeze, the smell of fresh earth and blooming flowers. We strolled through the town, stopping for a bite to eat, admiring the architecture. He held my hand the entire
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the fireplace and the distant rustling of the trees outside. The night air was cool, but inside, the warmth from the fire wrapped around me like a blanket. I was curled up on the couch, a book resting open on my lap, though I wasn’t paying much attention to it. My mind was too preoccupied. With him.Caden.I could still feel his touch from earlier—the way his fingers had brushed against my skin, the way his lips had lingered against my shoulder. It was different with him. It always had been.A creak from the doorway made me glance up, and there he was, leaning against the frame with that signature smirk tugging at his lips. He was dressed casually—gray sweatpants and a fitted black shirt that did nothing to hide the way his muscles flexed beneath the fabric. His golden hair was tousled like he’d just run his fingers through it.“You’re still awake,” he mused, stepping into the room. His voice was a soft rumble in the q
Amara's POV The mansion was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came when the world outside was asleep. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across my room as I lay beneath the covers, staring at the ceiling. My mind was restless, replaying every touch, every stolen glance from earlier. Caden. The way he held me. The way he looked at me like I was something precious. A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I knew who it was before I even answered. Caden. He leaned against the doorway, his golden hair tousled from running his hands through it, his black t-shirt hanging loosely over his toned frame. His eyes, however, were focused—on me. “You’re still awake,” he murmured. “So are you.” A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Couldn’t sleep.” I sighed, sitting up against the headboard. “Me either.” Without hesitation, Caden crossed the room and slid into the bed beside me. His warmth instantly su
Amara's POV I leaned in, my lips barely a whisper away from his. “Then take me,” I murmured. Caden’s breath hitched, and then— His lips crashed against mine. The kiss wasn’t slow this time. It wasn’t teasing or hesitant. It was raw, hungry, filled with everything we had been holding back. His hands roamed up my back, pulling me closer, pressing me flush against him as if he couldn’t bear even an inch of distance between us. I gasped into his mouth, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that sent shivers down my spine. His grip on my hips tightened, grounding me as heat flooded my entire body. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling slightly, and he let out a low, satisfied groan that sent warmth pooling deep in my stomach. God, this man was dangerous. We broke apart just enough for me to catch my breath, but Caden didn’t let me go. His lips trailed down my jaw, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses along my neck, lingering at the sens
Amara’s POVThe fire crackled softly in the massive fireplace, casting a warm glow throughout the dimly lit living room. Caden and I had somehow shifted from lounging on the couch to lying on the thick, plush rug in front of the hearth. His arm was lazily draped around my waist, his fingers tracing light circles against my hip. It should have felt strange—being this close to him after everything—but instead, it felt… natural. I stared up at the ceiling, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest behind me. “You’re quiet,” I murmured. Caden chuckled, his breath fanning against the back of my neck. “Just enjoying the moment.” I turned slightly, resting my head against his shoulder, my fingers absentmindedly tracing the hem of his hoodie. “That’s new. You usually don’t shut up.” His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. “Are you saying you don’t enjoy my charming commentary?” I smirked. “I’m saying I enjoy the rare moments when you’re not talking.” Caden let out a dramatic sigh,
Amara’s POVThe warmth of Ryder’s body against mine, the slow rise and fall of his chest, the steady rhythm of his breathing—it was grounding. It had been so long since I felt this… at peace. But I knew better than to trust it completely. I pulled away slightly, tilting my head up to look at him. “Why are you doing this, Ryder?” My voice was quiet but firm. He turned his head, his green eyes locking onto mine. “Doing what?” “This.” I gestured between us. “Sitting here with me. Saying all these things. Trying so damn hard to fix something that’s already shattered.” Ryder sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Because I don’t believe it’s shattered,” he said. “Cracked? Yes. Broken? Maybe. But destroyed?” He shook his head. “Not a chance.” I exhaled sharply, my heart warring with my mind. “I don’t know if I can forgive you.” His jaw clenched, but he nodded. “I know.” “I don’t know if I can forgive Jaxon or Caden either.” He hesitated before replying. “I know that too.” “Then why
Amara’s POVThe drive back was quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. Jaxon’s hand rested lazily on the gearshift, his fingers occasionally grazing my thigh, sending small shivers up my spine. The radio played softly in the background, an old rock song that he hummed along to under his breath. I stared out the window, my mind still spinning from what had just happened. From that kiss. I had told myself I wouldn’t fall back into this—not with him, not with any of them. And yet, here I was, sitting in his car, my lips still tingling, my heart still racing. “You’re thinking too hard,” Jaxon murmured, glancing at me. I exhaled, shaking my head. “No, I’m not.” “You are,” he countered, smirking. “I can practically hear the gears turning in that pretty little head of yours.” I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips. “Maybe I just like thinking.” “Or maybe you’re just trying to find a reason to run,” he said, his voice softer this time. I stiffened slightly, my fingers t