Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 26: Who Pays It?

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Chapter 26

~Author’s POV~

The moment I stood, the noise around me swallowed whatever calm I had managed to gather.

Excitement buzzed through the corridor as the senior class spilt out of the hall in clusters, already arguing about training schedules, combat rankings, and who they thought would make it to the finals.

I stepped into the hallway, Isadora beside me, my bag slung over one shoulder, my mind still replaying Xander’s voice, whether I liked it or not.

That was when I heard it.

Whispering tone, the kind of whisper meant to sting if it reached the right ears.

"I wouldn’t let Jade off this easily. She must pay."

"That’s a good one," one of Vera’s friends voiced.

"She thinks this changes anything," Vera voiced sweetly, and sharply all at once. "Torch Bearer Games or not, Jade Snow is still just pretending she belongs here."

I slowed without meaning to.

Another girl laughed softly. "Honestly, I don’t know why the lecturers keep protecting her. One wrong step and she’ll fold. They always do."

"And when she does," Vera added, her tone darker now, "I’ll be there to remind her exactly where she stands."

Isadora’s hand brushed my arm silently. Rather than feeling vexed, I felt something settle in my chest, not anger, or fear.

Amusement.

I stopped walking. Cleared my throat. The sound cut cleanly through their little circle.

I noticed the way they all froze. As soon as I stepped into view, Vera stiffened. Her friends went quiet almost instantly, eyes darting between us, uncertain whether to stay or disappear.

I smiled softly, letting my gaze lock with theirs, then walked past them deliberately, my shoulder brushing Vera’s as if by accident. She sucked in a breath, surprise flashing across her face.

I took two more steps. Then I stopped and turned.

Vera was already glaring, chin lifted as she dared me to say something.

I met her gaze calmly, my smile still in place.

"Yet another day," I said lightly, "not to waste breath on garbage."

Awkward silence followed as Vera’s lips parted, anger flaring too late to catch up with me.

I turned away before she could respond and continued down the hall with Isadora beside me. Behind me, I felt Vera’s stare burning holes into my spine.

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~Author’s POV~

Two floors above the main hall, behind a set of polished oak doors marked STUDENT COUNCIL, the atmosphere was far less celebratory.

The room was dim, curtains drawn just enough to let in slanted strips of afternoon light.

A long, crescent-shaped table dominated the space, each seat occupied and the students were all seated facing the table except one - the chair at the head.

The Vice President leaned back slightly, arms crossed. He was tall, composed, with jet-black hair neatly brushed back. His eyes, hidden behind medicated contact lenses, flicked briefly to the door before returning to the others.

"This is unprecedented," the Social Representative said, breaking the silence. "The Disciplinary Committee does not pass judgment on a case of that magnitude without notifying the Student Council President."

"And yet," the Secretary General replied calmly, adjusting the tablet in front of her, "they did."

"That is precisely the issue," the Social Rep snapped. "It undermines the authority of this council."

"The ruling came directly from the Principal," the Vice President said evenly. "I confirmed it myself."

That earned him several sharp looks.

"You’re certain?" the Treasurer asked, her eyes narrowing as she gazed on the young man. "Because Kai, if that is a lie, then..."

He nodded once, cutting her short. "I am sure CPrincipal Vale made the call. Immediate suspension. No appeal. No council oversight."

Silence fell.

Then, slowly, the chair at the head of the table shifted.

The President turned.

His movement was unhurried, deliberate. When he finally faced them, his eyes gleamed with something cold and calculating, a sharp contrast to the relaxed posture he maintained.

"Still," he said smoothly, "it sets a dangerous precedent."

No one interrupted him.

"When disciplinary authority bypasses the Student Council," he continued, fingers steepled, "it weakens the strength and influence of the student body. Both in the eyes of the lecturers and the students."

The Vice President studied him carefully. "Are you suggesting we challenge the Principal’s decision?"

The President’s lips curved, not quite a smile.

"I am suggesting," he replied, "that balance must be restored."

The Secretary frowned slightly. "And how exactly do you propose we do that?"

The President leaned back, gaze drifting toward the window, where the academy grounds stretched endlessly below.

"Power," he said calmly, "must always collect a price."

The Social Rep shifted in his seat. "Who pays it?"

The President turned back to them, eyes sharp now, alive with intent.

"Troy," he said first, without hesitation and then a pause. "And Jade."

The name settled heavily in the room.

The Vice President’s brows knit together. "Jade did not initiate the altercation."

"That is irrelevant," the President replied coolly. "Perception matters more than truth. She is central to the disruption, whether she intended it or not."

The Secretary hesitated. "She has influence and attention."

"Exactly," the President cut in. "Which makes her the perfect example."

A slow silence followed.

"We will not move openly," he continued. "Not yet. Let the academy believe this matter is closed. Let them celebrate their games and grand announcements." His gaze darkened slightly. "And then," he added, "we remind them who truly governs student order."

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~King Ash’s POV~

The gardens were quiet at this hour in the evening, which was why I preferred them.

The roses lining the marble path were in full bloom, their scent sharp and grounding, and the trimmed hedges stood like disciplined soldiers beneath the pale afternoon sky. I walked at an unhurried pace, hands clasped behind my back, my crown absent but my authority very much present.

Several maids who passed bowed their heads before moving.

Beside me, Lord Caelan—my chief advisor—kept step, silent as he always was when my thoughts ran deep.

"You should rest, Your Majesty," he finally said. "The council meeting ran longer than expected."

"I will rest when the kingdom allows it," I replied calmly. "Until then, I walk."

He inclined his head, accepting that answer for what it was. My beta and close friend was busy fixing a thing or two for me.

As such, I had to rely on Caelan, my insistent chief advisor.

We had barely reached the fountain at the heart of the garden when I sensed it—the familiar pull of approaching soft, controlled footsteps.

A messenger emerged from between the hedges and dropped immediately to one knee. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing low. "Forgive the interruption."

I stopped. Turned in his direction. "Rise," I ordered gently. "And speak."

The messenger stood, eyes lowered. "There have been... developments at Prestige Lunar Academy."

I turned slightly, my gaze sharp now. Any news about my daughter was very important to me. "Continue."

My messenger hesitated briefly, just enough to be noticed.

Caelan frowned. "Choose your words carefully."

"Yes, my lord," the messenger said quickly, then looked back at me. "Reports confirm that the Lycan Triplets, Beta Zevran’s children, Xander, Xavier, and Xade, have all formed confirmed mate bonds."

I waited for the next news to come because there was no way in hell there wouldn’t be more.

"Shouldn’t this news be for their father?"

"Yes, Your Majesty but it concerns you, Your Majesty. It concerns Princess Jade Snow," he finished.

Silence followed as only the sound of the fountain continued its soft murmur, water spilling endlessly into stone, unaware that the world had just shifted.

I exhaled slowly through my nose. "All three," I said at last.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Caelan stiffened beside me. "That has never happened."

"No," I agreed. "It has not."

I resumed walking, my boots echoing faintly against the marble path. My mind moved swiftly, already calculating the ripples this knowledge would cause. Political. Social. Ancient.

"The Zevran line is not reckless," I said. "They would not allow such a bond unless fate itself demanded it."

Caelan glanced at me. "Does Her Highness know?"

A pause followed.

"Yes," the messenger answered carefully. "She has not denied it."

I nodded once. That sounded like my daughter. But then, the memory of what I had told the triplets the other day—about one of them marrying my daughter and ruling after me, resurfaced.

"And the academy?" I asked about a minute later. "Have there been disturbances?"

The messenger swallowed. "A disciplinary incident involving a student named Troy escalated recently. Professor Xavier Zevran was involved."

Caelan’s jaw tightened. "I assume Jade was the cause."

"The insult was directed at her," the messenger confirmed.

I stopped again. This time, my expression did not soften. "Then he showed restraint," I said quietly. Caelan looked at me in surprise. "I know my future sons-in-law," I continued. "If he still stands, restraint was shown."

The messenger bowed again. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

I looked up at the sky, at the open stretch of blue above the palace gardens, and allowed myself one private thought.

Jade had always been different, so the investigations showed. But recalling what she said, I knew I had to be patient.

"Watch," I said finally. "Do not interfere. Do not reveal my knowledge."

Caelan raised a brow. "Even knowing this changes everything?"

"Especially because it does," I replied.

I turned back toward the palace.

"Fate has made its move," I said calmly. "Now let us see who is foolish enough to challenge it."