Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 34: Training Transfer

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Chapter 34

~Jade’s POV~

Javelin growled deeply in my chest as my thoughts spiralled.

I still couldn’t believe the words Xander said. "Which Adrian?" I asked, hoping there were miraculously two Adrians in my class now.

Seeing my expression, Xander’s shoulders slumped a little. "It’s the truth," he said. "I know it sounds impossible. But based on his history, there’s no way he could’ve done it."

I did not release a sigh of relief; I simply held my breath. What was happening? Yesterday, Adrian looked every bit as shocked and worried as I was. He wasn’t playing me, right?

"He has an alibi, and CCTV shows him at a restaurant and at an arcade later on with friends at the time still dressed in his uniform."

My head spun. "Then... it was staged?"

"Exactly," Xander said. "It’s carefully planned, but we’re working on it. The real culprit will be found."

"Did the pictures spread far? How bad is the damage done?" I found myself asking, more to myself than him.

Xander replied still. "Hopefully, just within the school. I know your fear. I doubt the King has seen it. If he had, then everyone would have faced something terrible in school."

"He shouldn’t," I blurted out. "Doing so would expoe my identity and..."

Xander stepped closer. I suddenly felt too small before him. "Jade, the way things are going, it wouldn’t be a bad idea. People need to fear you."

"Then no one would believe any merit I get," I shot out before I could stop myself.

Something flickered in Xander’s eyes briefly as he let out a sigh. "You are right. Which brings me to the second reason."

I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding. But he wasn’t done.

"The second reason concerns the Mock Trials."

I frowned. "The Mock Trials?"

"I assessed your fight with Silvie that day," he said. "She’s trained. Take it from me, who grew up as a Lycan, and the son of the Lycan King’s beta. Our trainings were vigorous, something you lack. You outsmarted her, but in terms of strength, you were at a disadvantage. To protect you and help you improve, you’re going to undergo special training with me."

My mind flashed to that day in the male restroom. The tension. The almost-kiss incident with Xander. That alone made my pulse pick up.

"I mean business," he added, probably noticing my now flushed, warm cheeks. "Training starts tomorrow after school. I’ll contact your mother, or I can come over if you want to inform her of this development."

"No," I objected quickly. "I’ll handle it myself. I’ll tell her."

A small smile touched his lips. Xander stepped back, tucking his hands into his pockets. "See you soon, little princess."

*************

By the time I got home, I headed straight to my room. Thankfully, Mum wasn’t around. I really couldn’t handle one of her long, dramatic gossip sessions tonight.

A small note was taped to my door, written in her familiar looping handwriting.

Gone on a date. Don’t wait up. Love, Mum.

I paused, smiling despite everything. "Good for her," I murmured.

After all she’d been through, she deserved to be happy. She deserved someone who made her laugh again, someone who didn’t look at her like life had already taken too much.

"You’re deflecting," Javelin said quietly.

I paused, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag.

"Maybe," I replied under my breath, pushing the thought aside as I unlocked the door and stepped into my room. "But I’m also exhausted."

I dropped my bag on the bed and started peeling off my clothes, not even bothering to fold them. Right now, all I wanted was a cold bath. My core was still in a complete meltdown, and it was entirely Xade’s fault.

Just thinking about his kiss made my skin feel warm all over again. And the worst part? I honestly wouldn’t mind doing it again.

"You see?" Javelin muttered, clearly pleased with herself.

I rolled my eyes, though my lips curved slightly. "Don’t start."

"Oh, I’m definitely starting," she said smugly. "You’ve been pretending all day, Jade. Your body isn’t pretending at all."

"Traitor," I told her, heading into the bathroom and turning on the shower. "You’re supposed to be on my side."

"I am on your side. I’m just not on your denial."

I snorted despite myself and stepped under the cold spray, letting the water wash away some of the heat in my skin—and some of the chaos in my head.

About twenty minutes later, I came out feeling a little more human. I changed into something simple and comfortable, tied my hair back, and ordered a pizza before flopping onto my bed with my laptop.

The screen had barely finished lighting up when a new email notification popped up.

The sender’s name made me blink.

Duchess Ember.

"...How did she even get my email?" I muttered.

"She’s a duchess," Javelin replied dryly. "I’m more surprised she doesn’t already know what you ate for lunch."

"Fair point," I sighed, clicking it open.

The greeting was formal. Very formal.

Dear Jade,

I frowned slightly and read on.

She asked how I was settling back into school, and whether I was taking care of myself. It was polite, careful, almost distant.

Then the tone shifted.

"How are you, Princess Jade? My informants at your school told me what happened. I will not comment on your personal life, even if you did it—but I must remind you, you are a royal princess."

My shoulders tensed. "She really doesn’t miss anything, does she?" I murmured.

"At least she’s honest," Javelin said. "Keep reading."

I did. And then, right there in the middle of the email, it changed completely.

That is what I would have said if I were sent to you as a delegate. But... I believe you and I have surpassed that during your brief stay at the palace, Jade.

I swallowed.

"I know you wouldn’t do it. Not just because of your character, but because I have once seen your birthmark and know it was photoshopped. Though whoever did it is good. It’s a masterpiece."

"...She noticed that?" I whispered.

"Of course she did," Javelin replied. That woman notices everything.

I kept reading, my fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the laptop.

"That aside, Alpha Xavier assured me it is well handled."

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

"At least that’s something," I said quietly. Then my eyes moved to the next part.

"The real reason for reaching out is to remind you of your training. And I do not mean etiquette. That, I am sure you have grasped. However, your Luna warrior training is still lacking. I need you to train with the Zevran triplets.

My heart skipped.

"...The triplets?" I repeated.

"Your mates," Javelin added far too cheerfully.

I stared at the screen. "She knows," I said slowly. "She actually knows or was she the one who asked Xander to come to me?"

"She also knew about the gossip that happened the other day," Javelin pointed out. "Are you really surprised?"

I sighed and rubbed my temples. "Which means... my father knows too."

That thought alone made my head ache. I forced myself to keep reading.

"They have and know all it takes. You could not have asked for better trainers than your mates."

I shook my head slightly, half amused, half overwhelmed. "She really doesn’t waste time, does she?"

"Nope. She wastes territories, not time. The king chose her for a reason."

Another line followed.

"I will send a formal email to them, transferring your mentorship to them after this."

My stomach twisted. "Great," I muttered. "No pressure at all."

"Liar," Javelin teased. "You’re nervous."

"Maybe a little," I admitted. "Okay, a lot."

I kept going.

"When you ascend the throne in the future, you must prove to the kingdom that you are not a trophy case, but a leader worthy of the crown. And any man who stands by you must—and will—know that."

That one hit deeper than I expected. I sat back against my pillows, staring at the words.

"She really believes in me," I whispered.

"So do I," Javelin added softly.

The last part made my chest tighten.

"Allow me this gesture as a last respect to your mother, Arista, my best friend. Make me proud and win the Lunar Crown. I look forward to your crowning ceremony."

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I exhaled slowly.

The email ended with:

Yours truly,

Duchess Ember.

I closed the laptop halfway and stared at the ceiling.

"Well," I said quietly, "that changes everything."

It doesn’t change who you are, Javelin replied. It just means it’s time you start acting like the future queen you already are.

I swallowed, my heart beating a little faster.

"And training with the triplets?"

"Complicated," she said with a hint of amusement. "But also kind of inevitable, don’t you think?"

I huffed out a small laugh. "My life was already complicated."

"True, Javelin said. But now? Now it’s getting interesting."