The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

"Go and rest. I’ll come for you when breakfast is ready," Aevia urged gently.

Yuki could tell from the knowing smile on her sister’s face that she had no intention of revealing the surprise. Aevia had practically forced her to return early, and it wasn’t even ten in the morning yet. Whatever she had planned, Yuki knew better than to waste her breath trying to pry it out of her.

She nodded and turned towards the staircase. Olivine immediately moved to follow.

"I’ll help you upstairs," Olivine offered, already reaching for the handle of Yuki’s walking stick.

"I can manage," Yuki assured her with a small smile. "Really."

Olivine hesitated, her eyes lingering on Yuki’s legs before she finally nodded. "All right, but call me if you need anything."

"I will." Yuki tightened her grip around the walking stick and began climbing. Each step required concentration. Her legs were stronger than they had been a few weeks ago, but they still protested when she pushed them too far. She moved slowly, placing one foot carefully after the other while the faint tap of her walking stick echoed through the grand staircase.

By the time she reached the upper floor, her thoughts had already wandered far from the effort of climbing. The hospital, the wedding, the moon lilies, the things people had said about Aevia, Kieran and even the rejection. Everything seemed tangled together inside her head, one thought pulling another behind it until she couldn’t separate them anymore.

The corridor stretched ahead of her, impossibly tall and spacious. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one side, allowing streams of golden morning light to spill across the polished marble. Beyond the glass, the vast forest surrounding the pack residence stretched towards the horizon, its dense green canopy shifting gently beneath the breeze. Sunlight caught between the branches, scattering pale flashes across the treetops while distant birdsong drifted through the sealed windows. It should have been beautiful, but Yuki barely noticed it.

The towering walls suddenly felt too close, despite the enormous space around her. She lowered her gaze and continued walking, her mind replaying the conversation at the hospital. There will always be someone better. She swallowed. She knew better than to let the words bother her, but they had lodged somewhere unpleasant in her chest.

Her thoughts drifted back to Kieran. She hadn’t seen him since the rejection. What was she supposed to say if she met him? I’m sorry you nearly died because of me? The thought made her stomach twist.

She turned around a corner without looking where she was going.

Thud.

Her forehead struck something solid.

"Ouch!" Yuki recoiled, immediately bringing one hand to her forehead. She rubbed the spot with a small grimace before frowning at whatever had been unfortunate enough to stand in her way. She reached out to steady herself. Her palm landed against something warm.

Yuki froze. There was a familiar scent in the air. Pine. Her heartbeat stumbled. Slowly, she lifted her head. A pair of sapphire eyes stared down at her.

"Kieran," she whispered.

Kieran Ravencourt stood directly in front of her, looking nothing like the stern doctor she remembered from the hospital. He wore a cream knit polo beneath a perfectly fitted dark cardigan, paired with tailored trousers and polished loafers. Everything about him was understated, expensive and effortlessly neat, the kind of casual elegance he always had.

Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows behind him, catching the edges of his dark hair and outlining his broad shoulders. His expression, however, remained calm. Unreadable.

Yuki’s fingers tightened around her walking stick. The moment their eyes met, memories came rushing back. The regenerative drugs, the accident, the nurses’ conversations, the revelation that Kieran had nearly lost his life while working on the very treatment that had helped her recover. She hadn’t seen him since the rejection, and suddenly she found herself standing inches away from the man who had nearly died for a woman he didn’t even love. Her throat went dry.

An awkward silence settled between them. Neither moved. Yuki’s mind raced through dozens of things she could say, yet none seemed appropriate. Should she ask him why he had done it? Should she thank him? Should she pretend she hadn’t heard anything?

She had never been this nervous around Kieran. Not at Xyrus University when she had carried a ridiculous crush on him. Not when she discovered he was a Ravencourt. Not even when she discovered he was her fated mate. But now, standing in front of him after everything that had happened, she suddenly couldn’t remember how to form a normal sentence.

Kieran noticed. His sapphire eyes flickered briefly over her face, catching the nervous twitch of her fingers around the walking stick and the way she kept opening and closing her lips without speaking. He could tell she was uncomfortable. Who wouldn’t be when they unexpectedly ran into their former mate? He spared her from having to say anything. After another moment, Kieran stepped aside and gave her a subtle nod.

"Excuse me," he said calmly.

He walked past her. Yuki watched him take two steps away. Then her courage finally caught up with her.

"Kieran."

He stopped without turning back. Yuki swallowed and turned towards him, watching his back.

"Thank you," she blurted.

His brows drew together slightly. "For what?"

"The drug." Her words came rushing out before she could stop them. "I heard you worked on it. The nurses said you spent so much time on it, and my recovery was faster because of it, so I just wanted to thank you." She realised halfway through that she was speaking far too quickly. "I mean, I know it probably wasn’t easy, and I heard about the accident, and..." She stopped herself, cheeks warming. "I just wanted you to know that I’m grateful."

Kieran stared at her. For the first time, his composure cracked. A brief flicker crossed his face, surprise first, followed by something she couldn’t quite identify. Kieran’s heart skipped. She knew. He hadn’t planned on her finding out.

Kieran recovered quickly. His expression became neutral again as he adjusted the cuff of his sleeve.

"It’s no big deal," he said firmly.

Yuki blinked.

"But..."

"You were lucky," he interrupted, his voice calm but final. "That’s all."

Her mouth fell slightly open. "Lucky?" she blurted.

Kieran gave a small nod. "Get some rest, Yuki. You just happened to need the drugs." That was a bloody lie, but Yuki couldn’t tell.

Before she could ask another question, he turned and walked away. Yuki remained where she was, staring after him. The sunlight shifted across the corridor as his figure disappeared around the far corner. Her brows pulled together. She had the sinking feeling Kieran wasn’t going to tell her.

*******

Half an hour later, Yuki stepped into the dining room. The lavish space was already alive with activity. Sunlight poured through the enormous windows, illuminating the long dining table and the elegant arrangements of fresh flowers placed between the silverware. Servants moved quietly around the room, setting down dishes while the scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meat and sweet pastries filled the air.

Aevia was the first to notice her.

"Yuki!" she called warmly, immediately lifting a hand.

Yuki made her way towards her, the steady tap of her walking stick drawing several glances around the table. Her gaze swept across the room. The triplets were already seated, although none of them looked particularly interested in being there.

Yuki’s eyes moved over them quickly. Then they stopped. A familiar figure sat further down the table. Yuki’s steps faltered. Her eyes widened.

"Aunt Lydia?" she breathed, disbelief filling her eyes.

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