Mated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 67: Unwelcome Homecoming

“What in the moon goddess’s name happened at the mall?”

Alpha Henry’s voice boomed through the entrance hall as we stepped into the mansion. His imposing figure blocked our path, arms crossed over his chest and eyes narrowed with displeasure.

I instinctively shrank back, the familiar feeling of fear creeping up my spine. Even with the triplets surrounding me protectively, years of conditioning made me want to make myself invisible in Henry’s presence.

“Dad, this isn’t the time,” Lucas said firmly, his arm tightening around my waist. “Hazel’s injured and needs attention.”

Henry’s gaze flicked to my bloodied sleeve, then back to his eldest son’s face. “I’ve just received word that Samuel Williams has been stripped of his position and his daughter thrown in the cells. As the former Alpha and your father, I deserve an explanation.”

The tension in the air thickened. Lucas and Liam exchanged glances while Levi moved closer to me, his hand finding the small of my back.

“Samuel’s daughter attacked Hazel. Again,” Liam explained, his voice tight with controlled anger. “This time in wolf form, in public, at the mall. She could have killed her.”

“And Samuel?” Henry pressed.

“Defended his daughter’s actions and tried to undermine our authority,” Lucas replied coldly. “We can’t have someone in leadership who doesn’t respect our decisions, especially regarding our mate’s safety.”

Henry’s expression darkened. “You’ve thrown our financial advisor in jail? The man who’s managed our pack’s resources for nearly two decades?”

“We didn’t throw him in jail,” Levi corrected. “We relieved him of his duties. Annie is the one in the cells, and rightfully so.”

The sound of heels clicking against marble drew our attention to Luna Evelyn descending the grand staircase. Her face wore its usual mask of cold indifference, but her eyes gleamed with interest at the unfolding drama.

“What’s all this commotion about?” she asked, joining her husband at the bottom of the stairs. Her gaze landed on my bloodied arm, and her lips thinned into a disapproving line. “I see.”

“Annie Williams shifted and attacked Hazel in the mall,” Liam explained again. “She’s in the cells awaiting trial for attempted murder.”

Evelyn raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. “And you’ve dismissed Samuel? Over his daughter’s tantrum?”

“It wasn’t a tantrum,” Lucas snapped. “It was a deliberate attack, and Samuel tried to excuse it.”

“Still,” Evelyn sighed dramatically, “turning the entire pack hierarchy upside down for a mere girl seems excessive, don’t you think?”

My chest tightened at her words. Even now, after everything, I was still just ‘a mere girl’ in her eyes.

“She’s not a ‘mere girl,’” Liam cut in sharply, his green eyes flashing dangerously. “She’s our mate and the future Luna of this pack. I suggest you start treating her with the respect her position demands, Mother.”

Evelyn’s face flushed with anger and shock at being spoken to in such a manner by her son. For a moment, she seemed ready to lash back, but Henry placed a warning hand on her arm.

“We’ll discuss this further after you’ve settled Hazel,” Henry said, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a suggestion. “My office, one hour.”

With that, he turned and strode away, Evelyn following after one last cold glance in my direction.

“Are you okay?” Lucas asked softly once his parents were out of earshot.

I nodded, though the confrontation had left me drained. “I just need to clean up.”

The triplets guided me upstairs to my bedroom. The massive space with its king-sized bed and luxurious furnishings felt worlds away from the small servant’s room I’d occupied for years.

“Let me see your arm,” Liam said, gently helping me sit on the edge of the bed.

I winced as he carefully rolled up my sleeve, revealing the three parallel gashes left by Annie’s claws. They had already begun healing, but still looked angry and red against my pale skin.

“That bitch,” Levi growled, pacing at the foot of the bed. “Should have let us kill her on the spot.”

“Levi,” I lightly scolded, though his protective rage sent a warm flutter through my chest. “We don’t need the pack thinking you’re a tyrant.”

Levi huffed but did not argue.

Lucas disappeared into the bathroom, returning with a first aid kit.

“This might sting a bit,” he warned before pressing an antiseptic-soaked cotton ball to the wounds.

I bit my lip but remained still as he cleaned the gashes. Liam sat beside me, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my back, while Levi continued his agitated pacing.

“I don’t like the way my parents spoke to you,” Lucas said quietly as he worked. “That’s going to change, Hazel. I promise you.”

“They’ve had years of seeing me as nothing but a servant,” I replied, trying to keep the hurt from my voice. “It won’t change overnight.”

“It will if we have anything to say about it,” Liam insisted.

A knock at the bedroom door interrupted us. Levi strode over and opened it, revealing a young warrior standing at attention.

“Alpha Lucas, Alpha Liam, Alpha Levi,” the warrior greeted them formally. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but there are urgent matters regarding Annie Williams’ trial that require your immediate attention. The pack lawyer needs signatures on the formal charges, and the council is requesting a full report of the incident.”

Lucas finished bandaging my arm and sighed. “Now?”

“I’m afraid so, sir. They’re waiting in the pack office.” His gaze flitted to me for a split second before returning to Lucas. “Former Alpha Henry is also present.”

The triplets exchanged frustrated glances.

“You three go,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’ll be fine here.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone,” Levi frowned, returning to my side and pressing a soft kiss to my temple.

“It’s okay. I could use a shower and some rest anyway,” I assured him.

Another knock sounded, and the warrior opened the door again. “I almost forgot to mention—there are two visitors asking for Hazel Bailey. Sophia Reynolds and Callum Parker. They said they heard about what happened at the mall.”

Relief washed over me at the mention of my friends. “See? I won’t be alone.”

Lucas still looked reluctant. “Are you sure you’re okay with them coming up?”

“Absolutely,” I nodded. “Sophia and Callum are good people.”

Liam studied me for a moment before nodding. “That makes me feel better about leaving you.”

“Tell them they can come up,” Lucas instructed the warrior, who nodded and departed.

The triplets gathered their things, clearly still unhappy about having to leave. Each one came to me before departing—Lucas pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead, Liam capturing my lips in a sweet kiss, and Levi giving me a lingering embrace.

“We won’t be long,” Lucas promised at the door. “And if you need anything—”

“I’ll howl,” I finished with a small smile. “Go. The sooner you finish, the sooner you can come back.”

With reluctant nods, they filed out of the room. I could hear their footsteps receding down the hallway, leaving me alone in the large bedroom. Taking a deep breath, I stood and moved to the window, watching as they crossed the grounds toward the pack office building.

I was so lost in thought that I nearly jumped when a knock sounded at the door.

“Hazel?” Sophia’s familiar voice called. “You in there?”