The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

Kaden stared directly into Killian’s eyes, and something about the intensity of his gaze made Killian’s skin prickle. His fist tightened at his side as the faint amusement disappeared from his face.

”You’ve fucking lost it,” Killian spat, his voice low and edged with disbelief.

Kaden’s smile widened. Killian hadn’t denied it. Kaden wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb, then stepped closer until there was barely any space between them.

”You knew, didn’t you?” he accused, his voice quiet but sharp. ”You bloody knew keeping her as a breeder was the better option, yet you were the one who suggested the rejection. Why?”

Killian’s jaw flexed.

”That isn’t like you,” Kaden continued, watching him closely. ”You aren’t sentimental. You aren’t the emotional type. You wouldn’t care if she hated the arrangement. If we had insisted on keeping her as a breeder, the court would have made it happen. But you gave her a way out.”

”I didn’t,” Killian snapped, his eyes flashing. ”You’re being emotional, and you’re not thinking straight. I didn’t force you to choose anything, Kaden. You made that choice yourself.”

”A choice you suggested,” Kaden muttered, the corner of his mouth lifting again. Killian stared at him.

”You knew about the breeder option,” Kaden continued, his voice carrying a mocking edge. ”Yet the coldest, most cynical person I know suddenly suggested an option based on emotions.” He tilted his head, studying Killian’s expression. ”Why?”

Killian remained silent. Kaden’s eyes narrowed.

”Why does it feel like you were helping her?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

For the briefest moment, Killian froze. It lasted barely a heartbeat before his expression settled back into its usual calmness. He unclenched his fist and stared at Kaden with an unnervingly composed expression.

”Don’t you love Eloise?” Killian asked, his voice calm but cutting.

Kaden froze.

”If you love her,” Killian continued, his gaze unwavering, ”you wouldn’t be thinking about having another woman in your bed unless you’ve completely lost your fucking mind.”

Kaden stared at him. The words struck harder than he expected. For a moment, he had no answer. Then a short laugh escaped him.

”Isn’t it obvious?” Kaden replied with a crooked smile, though there was nothing amusing in his eyes. ”I’ve lost my mind.”

Killian said nothing, his expression changing subtly.

”Why wouldn’t I?” Kaden continued, his voice roughening as frustration seeped through. ”I’m watching this family fall apart. Mum is breaking. Dad is getting married. Everything we have known is turning into a fucking mess.” The smile disappeared from his face. ”And somehow everyone expects us to sit back and accept it.”

The silence stretched between them. Neither man looked away. Killian finally spoke, his voice quieter.

”So you want her back to get justice for Mum?” Kaden’s jaw tightened. ”Is revenge really the answer?” Killian asked, watching him carefully. ”Or is it something else?”

Kaden looked away. ”I’ve always lived to fuck up Alexander’s perfect life,” he admitted bitterly. ”Everything is falling apart, Killian, and it’s their fault.” His fingers flexed at his sides. ”I want him to lose something too.”

Killian watched him for several seconds before releasing a tired breath. ”But it’s too late to change anything,” he said firmly. ”We rejected her. It’s done.”

Kaden’s eyes snapped back towards him. ”Stop living in the past and fucking move on, Kaden,” Killian continued, his patience wearing thin. ”I don’t have the energy for another one of your tantrums tonight. Get your emotions under control.”

Kaden scoffed quietly. Killian turned towards the door. ”I’m going to see Mum,” he added, his voice flat as he reached for the handle. He opened the door and walked out, then pulled it shut behind him with a sharp slam.

Kaden remained where he was. His gaze stayed fixed on the closed door. Then a faint smile crept across his lips.

”Move on,” he murmured, almost tasting the words. It seemed like a lovely choice of words. He wanted nothing more than to return to the way things had been before. Before the rejection. Before Yuki had become an unwanted thought that kept finding its way into his mind. But the truth was, things could never return to how they had been. The bond was gone. He was sure of that, yet the hollow space it had left inside his consciousness still ached.

He had spent weeks treating the bond like an unwanted parasite, something he needed to get rid of. Now that it was gone, the emptiness somehow felt worse.

Kaden lowered his gaze, his jaw tightening. He just couldn’t forget that little wolf...

*******

Killian’s footsteps echoed through the villa corridor as he made his way towards his mother’s bedroom. His expression remained calm, but his thoughts were still trapped in the conversation he had just left behind.

Kaden had lost his mind. There was no other explanation. The fiercely protective and possessive Kaden he knew would never consider touching another woman who wasn’t Eloise, not even if he convinced himself he was doing it for revenge. Yet tonight, he had spoken about Yuki as though she were an option.

Killian stopped outside the bedroom door. His hand rested on the handle for a moment before he pushed it open. A thin strip of light from the corridor spilled into the dark room, stretching across the floor and touching the edge of the bed. Killian stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind him. The room fell dark again. He stood there for a moment, listening. His mother’s breathing was faint but steady. Killian’s shoulders relaxed slightly.

He walked towards the bed, his shoes barely making a sound against the floor, until he stopped beside her. His gaze settled on Estelle’s face. Her eyes were still swollen from crying, and exhaustion had settled heavily across her features. Killian’s expression hardened.

He knew what the moon lilies meant. He had heard what had happened. Alexander had crossed a line. Perhaps Kaden’s anger was justified. But Killian knew his brother. Kaden’s reaction wasn’t only about their mother. Kaden was possessive, and that possessiveness could come from more than one place.

Killian’s gaze remained fixed on the sleeping woman. ”It isn’t just Mum or Eloise,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. ”It’s anything he considers his.”

His mind returned to Kaden’s expression when Yuki’s name had come up. That brief flicker in his eyes. The change in his voice. The way he had questioned the rejection despite once being so certain about it. Killian exhaled through his nose.

”The arranged marriage is the best bet,” he murmured, his voice tired but resolute. ”Before things get out of hand.”

He looked at his mother again. For now, he would let Kaden believe this was about revenge. But Killian wasn’t convinced anymore.