The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

”Announcing Lord Killian Ravencourt, Lord Kieran Ravencourt, Lord Kaden Ravencourt and Miss Miyuki Donovan.”

The declaration echoed through the enormous chamber. Every conversation stopped. The silence that followed was so complete that Yuki could hear the faint rustle of fabric as people turned in their seats to look at them. Yuki’s eyes swept across the room.

There were so many people and curious faces. Some were openly staring at her. Others whispered behind their hands, their voices too low for human ears but perfectly audible to a werewolf.

Yuki kept her expression calm. She refused to let them see how uncomfortable she was.

Kieran moved past her, his face completely devoid of emotion. Kaden followed with his usual irritated expression, while Killian remained close enough that Yuki could feel his presence beside her. Yuki took a slow breath. Whatever this was about, it was clearly bigger than she had expected.

Maddox, Alexander’s Beta, stepped forward from beside the throne. The older man held a rolled decree in his hand, his expression solemn as he surveyed the assembled crowd.

”We have all been summoned here for an emergency meeting and public hearing concerning a matter of great importance to the future of the Ravencourt Pack,” Maddox announced, his deep voice carrying effortlessly through the hall.

No one spoke. Yuki’s gaze moved towards the three brothers. Killian’s expression had become noticeably colder. Kaden stood with his arms crossed, his jaw tight. Kieran was completely still. Yuki’s stomach tightened.

Her eyes returned to Maddox. He slowly unrolled the decree in his hands.

”On the day of the Spring Festival, in the presence of many witnesses gathered here today, we witnessed the formation of a mate bond between the Alpha heirs, Lord Killian Ravencourt, Lord Kieran Ravencourt and Lord Kaden Ravencourt, and Miss Miyuki Donovan.”

A ripple went through the room. Yuki’s expression remained calm, although her fingers curled slightly at her sides. Maddox continued, his tone steady and formal.

”The bond was subsequently confirmed by the Goddess Nyxoria herself during the blood trial.”

This time, the murmurs were louder. Yuki glanced briefly at the brothers. None of them reacted. Maddox’s gaze lowered to the decree before he continued reading.

”According to the laws governing the sacred mate bond in the Alpha family, when circumstances arise that prevent the bonded parties from fulfilling their obligations to one another, either party may petition for a formal decision regarding the bond.”

Yuki’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Either party? She knew exactly where this was going. Maddox looked up.

”This evening, the fate of this bond shall be decided.”

The words settled heavily over the room. Yuki’s eyes drifted towards Eloise. The woman’s smug smile had not disappeared. Yuki almost laughed. So this was it. Eloise had really been impatient. Yuki had expected them to at least wait a little longer before dragging everyone into a public hearing, but apparently some people simply could not stand the possibility of losing control of a situation.

She looked towards the three brothers again. Killian’s face was unreadable. Kaden looked furious and conflicted. And Kieran... Yuki’s gaze lingered on him. His expression was impossible to read, but there was a tension in his jaw that had not been there earlier.

Maddox folded the decree. ”Lord Killian, Lord Kieran and Lord Kaden Ravencourt have been summoned before the Alpha and the council to publicly declare their decision regarding the bond.”

A strange silence followed. Yuki could feel the attention of the entire room shifting towards the three brothers. Then Maddox turned towards her.

”And Miss Miyuki Donovan has been summoned to do the same.”

Yuki lifted her chin. She could feel Aevia’s worried gaze on her from across the room. Her sister’s concern almost made her falter. Almost. But Yuki refused to let fear take control of her. She had already made her decision. She had offered them freedom. She had asked Killian to speak to his brothers. She had expected this. Maybe not this quickly, but she had expected it.

Yuki glanced towards Eloise once more. The smugness on her face irritated her more than it should have. Yuki’s lips curved into a small smile. Fine. If Eloise wanted a public rejection ceremony, then Yuki would give her one. This was for the best.

Maddox cleared his throat. ”Before the declarations begin, the council will hear any statements or objections from the involved parties,” he announced.

Yuki’s eyes narrowed slightly. There were going to be objections? Of course there were. This was the Ravencourt Pack. Nothing could ever be simple.

Alexander finally moved upon the throne, his gaze sweeping over the three brothers before settling on Yuki. His voice carried the weight of absolute authority. ”Miyuki Donovan.”

Yuki straightened. ”Yes, Your Highness.”

Alexander’s expression remained stern. ”Do you understand why you have been summoned here?”

Yuki held his gaze without flinching. ”I believe I do.”

A few people shifted in their seats. Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly. ”And are you prepared to make your decision?”

Yuki glanced at the three brothers. For the briefest moment, her eyes met Kieran’s. Something flickered in his expression. It was gone so quickly that she might have imagined it. Yuki looked away. ”Yes,” she answered firmly.

The word had barely left her mouth when a quiet gasp came from somewhere in the crowd. Eloise’s smile widened. Yuki noticed. Yuki’s fingers curled into her palm. She had never wanted this bond more than she wanted freedom from the three men who had spent days making it painfully clear that they did not want her.

If rejecting the bond was what they wanted, then she would not stand in their way. She would not beg. She would not fight. And she certainly would not allow anyone to make her feel guilty for choosing herself.

Maddox turned towards the three brothers. ”Then we shall begin with the Alpha heirs.”

Yuki’s stomach tightened despite herself. Killian stepped forward first. The entire room seemed to hold its breath. Kaden’s eyes followed his brother. Kieran remained where he stood, his face unreadable. Yuki watched Killian approach the centre of the hall.

This was it. The moment she had been preparing herself for. And yet, as she stood there surrounded by hundreds of witnesses,

Yuki suddenly realised something that made her chest feel strangely tight. She had thought she would feel relieved. Instead, she felt afraid. Not because she wanted the bond, but because once those words were spoken, there would be no going back.