The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

Yuki’s gaze dropped to Aevia’s wrist. The silver had already left a bright red mark against her pale skin, and tiny blisters were beginning to form around the contact point. Yuki’s chest tightened. This was pure silver. The pain must have been maddening, yet Aevia stood there without so much as a wince. Yuki knew that pain.

She had felt only a fraction of it herself, and even that had been enough to make her stomach twist. A disturbing thought crossed her mind. If she ever accepted a chosen mate, she would have to endure the same thing. The silver thread was the price for choosing a mate instead of being bound by Nyxoria’s golden thread. She quickly pushed the thought away and focused on the ceremony.

Once the knot was secured, both Aevia’s and Alexander’s wrists carried the same silver bond. Yuki released her end and flexed her burned fingers, the tips red and tender. Killian’s gaze dropped to her hand for half a second before he looked away. Yuki stepped closer to Aevia and took her left hand. At the same time, Killian took Alexander’s left hand. They brought the couple’s hands together, placing Aevia’s hand into Alexander’s. It was a symbolic gesture, a public acknowledgement that their families accepted the union.

"I hand over my sister to you, Alpha Alexander," Yuki said softly, her voice carrying across the altar. "Protect her."

Alexander looked at her for a moment before nodding. "I will," he promised solemnly.

Killian’s jaw tightened as he stared at their joined hands. His lips felt heavy when he finally spoke. "Love her, at least," he said quietly, his voice carrying just enough for those on the altar to hear. "Even if you won’t listen to anything else, make sure the sacrifice is worth it."

A brief silence settled over them before applause erupted from the crowd. As the couple’s hands remained joined, Aevia’s fingers shifted slightly against Alexander’s. Yuki’s fingertips brushed Killian’s hand as he released her, a fleeting touch that made his gaze drop instinctively to the red marks covering her palm. His jaw clenched. He looked away before anyone could notice.

Yuki stepped back with Killian, and the High Priestess nodded before beckoning to the lower priestess, who stepped forward carrying a decorated golden cup and a ceremonial dagger.

"Now that you have been bound by thread, you must be bound by oath," the High Priestess announced. She extended her hand towards Killian. "The blade."

Killian accepted the dagger and stepped towards Aevia. She understood immediately and extended her left palm. Killian’s eyes met hers for a brief moment before the blade touched her skin. He drew it across her palm, and Aevia hissed softly as blood welled from the shallow cut. The lower priestess immediately stepped forward with the golden cup filled with clear holy water that glittered beneath the moonlight. Aevia curled her fingers over the cup and squeezed several drops of blood into it. The blood spread through the water like red ink before disappearing completely, and the cut on her palm closed almost instantly.

Killian handed the dagger to Yuki. Yuki reached for it, but the moment the handle shifted against her burned palm, she flinched. A tiny breath escaped her lips. Killian froze. His gaze dropped to her hand.

"Yuki..." he murmured, concern slipping into his usually controlled voice before he realised it.

"I’m fine," she whispered quickly.

He didn’t move for a moment. His eyes lingered on the reddened skin before he finally released the dagger. Yuki swallowed and turned towards Alexander. She had never imagined there would come a day when she would stand before the Alpha King with a blade in her hand, preparing to draw his blood. Her fingers tightened around the handle as she approached him. Alexander extended his palm. Yuki hesitated for only a heartbeat before pressing the blade against his skin.

"I’m sorry," she whispered.

Alexander’s mouth twitched faintly. "Do what must be done."

Yuki drew the blade across his palm. A thin line opened, and blood immediately surfaced. Alexander didn’t flinch. He squeezed several drops into the same golden cup, and once again the blood disappeared into the holy water. The High Priestess accepted the cup from the lower priestess with both hands and lifted it towards the moonlight. The entire cathedral fell silent. Her lips began to move, ancient words flowing through the hall as she called upon Nyxoria, the Moon Goddess. The candles surrounding the altar flickered as the chanting grew louder, their flames bending towards the cup as though drawn by an unseen force.

Aevia stood beside Alexander, her injured hand trembling slightly. Alexander noticed and closed his fingers around hers.

"I’m here," he murmured.

Aevia looked at him, her expression softening. "I know," she replied.

The High Priestess continued chanting until the moonlight shifted. A brilliant beam slipped through the cathedral’s highest window and struck the surface of the golden cup. The water shimmered, and a golden glow appeared inside it. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Aevia’s fingers tightened around Alexander’s hand. The High Priestess lowered the cup.

"Nyxoria has accepted your dedication," she announced. Her gaze moved between them before she raised the cup slightly. "Now seal the deal."

Alexander reached for Aevia’s veil. His fingers caught the delicate fabric, and he slowly lifted it away. Aevia’s face was revealed. For one heartbeat, the entire audience seemed to forget how to breathe. Estelle’s jaw tightened as she stared at the face of the woman who had taken everything from her. Aevia was the kind of beauty that could topple kingdoms without ever lifting a weapon. Her features were almost impossibly delicate, her skin luminous beneath the moonlight and her cherry-red lips curved into the faintest smile. If the goddess herself ever descended from the heavens in human form, Estelle thought bitterly, she might look exactly like this.

Alexander held his breath. No matter how many times he had seen Aevia’s face, he never seemed capable of getting used to it. Aevia looked up at him, her eyes softening as the High Priestess extended the golden cup towards her. Aevia accepted it with both hands and brought it to her lips. Her cherry-red lips touched the rim as she took a slow sip before handing it to Alexander. He accepted it with his right hand, their fingers brushing for the briefest moment before he raised the cup and drank every remaining drop.

The moment the holy water disappeared down his throat, warmth spread through his body. It began in his chest and travelled through his veins, reaching his fingertips before settling somewhere deep inside his soul. Aevia felt it too. Her breath caught as warmth blossomed beneath her ribs, and then his voice entered her mind. A bond was finally forming between them.

’Tonight is perfect,’ Alexander said through the mind-link.

A smile slowly spread across her lips.

’Couldn’t ask for more,’ Aevia replied.

The High Priestess turned towards the gathered crowd and raised both hands. "By the will of Nyxoria, before the witnesses gathered here, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The cathedral erupted into cheers.

"Eternal mates!"

Alexander’s hand immediately slipped around Aevia’s waist and pulled her against him. Aevia’s hands settled against his chest as he lowered his head, and their lips met beneath the moonlight. The crowd roared with applause, the sound echoing against the cathedral walls. Yet among the celebration, Estelle remained seated, her face perfectly still as she watched the man she had once called her husband kiss another woman beneath the moonlight.

Her fingers slowly curled into her palm again, pressing against the fresh crescent marks left by her nails. She didn’t cry. Not here. Not in front of them. But beneath the calm expression she wore for the world, something inside her had gone frighteningly quiet.