Betrayed By One. Bound To Three-Chapter 17: Feeling safe

Selena.

I woke screaming, my chest heaving. sweat clinging to my skin, my heart hammering in my chest. My dream hadn’t just been vivid—it had been terrifying.

Was it a dream? God. It felt so real.

I’d dreamed about standing between the triplets and Silas. I was asked to choose with whom I wanted to be. Without thinking I started walking towards the triplet with a smile on my face. But then...suddenly, all three of them were gone, lying lifeless, and before I could even react, Silas was pulling me toward him.

I was crying and struggling against Silas when I woke up.

Just then, the door burst open.

"Selena! Are you okay?" Kael’s voice was sharp but calm. His hands were on mine in an instant, steadying me.

"I... I had a bad dream," I whispered, my voice shaking. I didn’t tell them what happened. Not yet. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"You’re safe," Kael said, pressing a hand to my shoulder. I could feel the warmth through my shirt, steady and grounding.

Ronan stepped closer, sliding a hand to my arm. "It’s probably the fight last night. Your mind is just replaying it."

Edris didn’t say a word, but his dark gaze was fixed on me. I could feel him there, alert, concerned, the kind of presence that made fear feel manageable.

Kael leaned closer, his breath brushing my ear. "We were waiting for you to wake up. We decided to move."

"Move?" I asked, sitting up, wiping sweat from my face.

"Our second home," Ronan said quietly. "Closer to the woods, more private, safer."

I froze. "I... I still need to go back to the palace soon."

Edris’s voice, calm and steady, cut through the panic twisting in my chest.

"Selena, this isn’t to hold you hostage. It’s to protect you, to help you shift fully, to connect with your wolf. You need that before you return."

Kael grinned. "And if you still want to go back, we can come with you. Make sure nothing happens to you."

My chest warmed. I didn’t have to say it—I knew they meant it. I still hesitated, but the bond, the trust, pulled me forward.

We went underground, slipping through hidden stone passages that led to their cave home.

The underground cave was warm, hidden beneath the forest, the walls rough but lived-in, safe. Close by, a stream glistened under the early sun, the water clear and inviting.

Kael stripped first, grinning at me over his shoulder. "Ronan, she’s watching you too," he teased. Ronan smirked, shrugging off his shirt with an easy confidence.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, but I couldn’t look away. The power and ease of their bodies, the way they moved, how their wolves lingered beneath the surface—it was mesmerizing.

"Join us," Kael said, his voice low, teasing.

Without hesitation, I stepped closer. Water lapped against our skin, cool and shocking against the heat of our bodies. Fingers brushed, teasing, exploratory. They kissed me, softly at first, then with more insistence, their hands mapping me, holding me close, pressing me into the rhythm of the stream.

I gasped as Ronan’s lips found mine again, teeth grazing softly, his hands tangling in my hair. Kael pressed into me from the other side, heat rolling between us. Every touch, every glance, every brush of skin against skin made me ache, made me pulse with need.

"This place is beautiful," I commented

"We are glad you like it," Ronan said.

"Are you feeling better?" Kael asked.

"Yeah," I replied.

Kael leaned closer, brushing lips against mine lightly, teasing. My stomach fluttered. Ronan’s hands found my waist, guiding, grounding, pulling me closer. Every touch made the warmth inside me spread.

"Careful, mate," Kael said with a smirk. "You’re driving us insane with your scent."

I laughed, breathless, and leaned into him, letting him press me against him.

Ronan’s hands trailed over my back, steadying, exploring, protective. I could feel their desire and care like a tangible weight pressing against my chest.

I splashed water at them, and they splashed back, playful, teasing. Their touches lingered—hands brushing, teasing, fingertips skimming my skin.

"We want to touch you," Kael whispered, I nodded my head in approval, but Ronan spoke next.

"You have to say it mate, say you need us," Ronan whispered.

"I want you to touch me," I say.

Kael kisses me again while Ronan gently massages my breasts from the back.

Need crashed through my veins.

Edris emerged from the cave, carrying dinner. He paused, his gaze sweeping over us. Calm. Observant.

He didn’t interfere, but I could feel his presence, taste his desire, and I could tell he was interested but holding himself back.

Ronan dipped his hand in the water, brushing it lightly along my thigh, a teasing caress that made me shiver.

"Selena," he murmured against my skin, voice husky. "You feel like... everything."

I could barely answer, lost in sensation, in the intensity of him. "You... make me feel... everything," I whispered.

I moaned softly against them, shivering as their mouth and hands worked together, every touch pulling me deeper into them.

The forest around us felt alive, with sunlight filtering through the leaves and the stream burbling softly. And in that moment, I felt... safe. Really safe. Not just from threats, not just from enemies, but from the chaos inside me. From the fear, from the weight of everything I had to do.

Kael pressed his forehead to mine, and I could feel the warmth radiating off him. Ronan’s hand lingered on my waist, steady, grounding, and I realized I was melting into both of them, letting the tension of the past days wash away with the water.

Edris’s gaze remained steady, unspoken, a silent reassurance that whatever came next, we would face it together.

I laughed softly as Kael splashed me again, water dripping down my arms. "You’re relentless," I said.

"And you love it," he countered, grinning.

Ronan nudged me gently with his shoulder. "Ignore him. Just let it happen."

And I did. I let myself laugh, let myself be touched, let myself feel. Their closeness, their care, the bond... it was intoxicating, grounding, and thrilling all at once.

Even as I reveled in the moment, I could feel it — the truth I didn’t want to face: Silas wasn’t finished with me