The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

No one spoke for several seconds after Killian’s speech. The only sound in the study was the faint ticking of the antique clock mounted above the fireplace and the soft, rhythmic tap of Alexander’s fingers against the polished surface of his desk.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Alexander’s gaze remained fixed on Killian, his expression unreadable as he silently turned over every argument his eldest son had presented. Kaden stayed in his chair, unusually quiet. He had walked into the room intending to make almost the exact same argument, yet Killian had already dismantled the entire proposal before he could say a word. Eventually, Alexander’s fingers stopped. His dark eyes shifted towards Kaden.

"Why are you here?" he asked calmly.

Kaden’s brows lifted. "That’s a surprisingly warm welcome." He couldn’t help but snicker.

"Kaden," Alexander hissed, his headache worsening.

The warning in Alexander’s voice wiped the amusement from his face. Kaden sighed, leaning forward in the chair and resting his forearms against his thighs.

"It’s something similar," he admitted. "Not exactly, but along the same lines."

Alexander’s mouth twitched as he looked between his sons. For two men who had been determined to reject Yuki as their mate, they suddenly seemed remarkably interested in making sure no one took her anywhere.

Killian’s eyes narrowed slightly. Kaden continued, his voice losing its usual sarcasm.

"I came across some intelligence suggesting there may be resistance forming against the Alpha King position. There are people who believe Ravencourt shouldn’t hold the throne again."

Something changed in Alexander’s face. The colour drained subtly from his features. For a brief moment, the room seemed to become colder. The past had returned like an old wound splitting open.

"You heard this from where?" Alexander asked quietly.

"Multiple sources," Kaden replied. "Nothing concrete enough to act on yet, but enough to make me uncomfortable."

Alexander leaned back slowly, his fingers tightening against the armrest. "I’ve heard similar rumours," he admitted.

Killian’s expression hardened. "How long?" It was the first time he was hearing of this.

"Long enough to know we shouldn’t dismiss them."

Kaden exchanged a brief look with Killian before continuing. "Which is another reason sending Yuki away right now could be a mistake."

Alexander’s gaze settled on him again. "You agree with Killian?"

"At least for now." Kaden nodded. "We can’t guarantee her safety outside Ravencourt. If someone is already looking for leverage against us and we willingly send her away, we’re practically handing them an opportunity." He paused, rubbing his thumb against the edge of his ring. "And if something happens to her after we send her away, it won’t simply look like a personal tragedy. It’ll look like Ravencourt abandoned one of its own."

Killian nodded once. "This just got more complicated."

Kaden’s gaze moved towards him. "And there’s another problem." His voice lowered. "Declan has nothing we can use as leverage."

Alexander’s brow furrowed.

"No parents. No mate. No siblings. No children. No family members we can threaten or negotiate with." Kaden leaned back again. "He’s practically untouchable."

Killian folded his arms across his chest. "Which means he has far more to gain from this arrangement than we do." There was a part of Killian’s thought that he left unspoken. If there was an uprising, Declan, with his resources, might be one of the first targets.

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. "Explain."

"If Yuki marries into Silverthorne, Declan gets access to Ravencourt through her." Killian’s voice remained measured. "Even if he has no interest in the throne himself, the connection gives him influence. Meanwhile, we lose control over where she is, who surrounds her and how she’s used."

Kaden nodded. "And if there’s already a resistance forming, that’s even more dangerous."

Alexander fell silent. His gaze moved from Killian to Kaden and back again. It didn’t appear as though his sons had planned this conversation together. They had arrived separately, carrying separate information, yet somehow both had reached the same conclusion. The Alpha finally released a slow breath.

"I’ll think about it."

Killian’s lips curved faintly. He knew his father well enough to recognise the difference between dismissal and reconsideration. He knew they had convinced him already. "I’m glad we were able to pass the message."

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t become arrogant."

Killian’s faint smile widened. "I can’t make promises," he chuckled.

Kaden snorted before rising from his chair. "I’ll leave you two to your touching father-son moment."

"Get out," Alexander muttered.

"Gladly," Kaden said without missing a beat.

Kaden turned towards the door, but Killian followed a moment later. The door closed behind them.

*******

Outside, the cold night air immediately wrapped around Kaden. He descended the stone steps, his helmet tucked beneath one arm, while the faint scent of damp earth lingered in the evening breeze. He had barely reached the bottom step when Killian’s voice came from behind him.

"I wasn’t expecting to run into you here."

Kaden stopped. He glanced over his shoulder. Killian stood at the top of the stairs, his long coat shifting gently in the breeze. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his expression calm, but his sharp eyes remained fixed on Kaden. Kaden turned fully.

"I could say the same about you," Kaden replied.

Killian smiled faintly. "That was quite a speech," he added.

"Yours wasn’t exactly terrible," Killian mentioned. "Didn’t take you to be such a talker."

Killian descended the steps slowly, his boots making quiet sounds against the stone. When he reached Kaden, his expression changed. "Did you leave with Yuki last night?"

Kaden’s shoulders stiffened for the briefest moment. He shrugged, deliberately casual. "She was drunk out of her mind. I thought leaving her alone was a bad idea."

Killian studied him. "Really?" he said, his sharp eyes remaining on Kaden.

"Yeah. Maverick already took her away this morning. I am never handling her drunk arse again." Kaden turned towards his motorcycle. "That’s all you’re getting."

He had taken two steps when Killian spoke again. "You didn’t ask about Eloise."

Kaden stopped. His fingers tightened around the helmet. Slowly, he looked back. Killian’s expression held the faintest trace of amusement. Kaden stared at him for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Eloise is safe with you and Kieran. I had nothing to worry about," he said, trying to sound casual and not troubled by the fact.

"If you say so," Killian chirped.

The mocking edge in Killian’s voice made Kaden’s jaw tighten. He hated that tone, mostly because Killian was very good at using it when he had already figured something out.

Kaden turned away without answering. Behind him, Killian walked towards his car. The engine roared to life a moment later. Headlights suddenly flooded the courtyard, forcing Kaden to squint against the brightness. Killian lowered the window.

"Goodnight, Kaden."

Kaden raised his middle finger without turning around. Killian’s quiet laugh drifted through the night before the car rolled away. Within seconds, the sound of the engine faded into the distance. Kaden remained where he was. His gaze lingered on the empty driveway.

One uncomfortable thought settled heavily in his mind. He hadn’t thought about Eloise. Not once. And somehow, that bothered him more than it should have.