The Triplet Alphas' Secret Mate

Chapter 21: Mate!

​Scarlett’s POV

​"Mate," my wolf howled again.

​My heart stuttered, then raced as her words sank in. Could it be? Was my mate here in the packhouse tonight?

​The thought sent a rush of excitement through me as my wolf urged me to go investigate, but I didn’t want to go in my wolf form. Consequently, I shifted back into my human form, and this time, the pain wasn’t quite as unbearable.

​I hurried to my closet, searching for a dress since the one I had been wearing was torn during my shift.

I picked the first dress my hand touched and got dressed.

​Taking one last glance at my reflection, I stepped out of my room, following the intoxicating scent that was pulling me forward.

​The scent was leading me toward the garden. My heart pounded in sync with my wolf’s excitement. Could it be that one of the guards was my mate?

The closer I got, the stronger the intoxicating scent became.

​The mansion was quiet, as everyone had already retired to sleep. It was past 12 a.m.

​As I stepped into the garden, my breath hitched. The air was thick with mint and dark spices; it was so intoxicating that my wolf howled in satisfaction. I moved faster, searching for him, and suddenly, I saw a shadow standing in the middle of the garden. His hands were tucked in his pockets, but his back was turned toward me.

​"Mate!" My wolf howled excitedly, but I stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding loudly in my chest. Who is this? Who was my mate, and why did his posture and his physique look so familiar?

​Slowly, and with a racing heart, I made my way toward him, trying to get a better look. The closer I got, the clearer he became. I kept moving, moving until suddenly, my eyes widened and he turned around.

​"Liam!" I exclaimed in shock. The man in the dark was Liam, the eldest of the triplets... my mate?

​"Mate!" My wolf howled loudly, confirming that Liam was indeed my mate.

locked gazes with Liam, who had a blank look on his face,

my wolf was silent, as she could feel the tension. There was no noise apart from the flowers rustling in

so many things to say, so many things to ask, but I didn’t know where to begin. Liam was my mate? Did he

trusting my voice to

right away. He just stood there, watching me, his expression unreadable and his eyes cold

he spoke.

word felt like a blade driven

my mate would be a moment of pure joy—an instant, undeniable connection that neither of us could resist. But here he was, standing right in front of me, emotionless, as if the bond

My voice cracked as I took a shaky step toward him. "Why didn’t

silly joke, and then he raised a brow. "I should claim you? Why should

world tilted. I felt my

me inhale the fascinating scent radiating from him. "I was waiting for this day, Scarlett. For the past

in my mind, making my wolf whimper in pain. She had just awakened, just felt the joy of finding our mate, and now—this? A rejection before we

swallowed hard, trying to steady my trembling hands and racing heart. I knew there was no need to plead with him to accept our bond. Liam hated me,

through a rejection just a few minutes after getting

She’s weak. I—"

could feel the heat radiating off him, the intoxicating scent of mint and dark spices wrapping around

in

me off coldly. "You are their daughter. You carry their blood." His jaw

it in the weight of the air between us, in the anger brewing in his dark eyes. My wolf let out a distressed whine, pleading with me to stop

I did the only thing I

trembling with desperation.

Uncertainty? But just

his head. "I don’t want a mate, Scarlett. And if

I couldn’t stop

this. He’s our mate. He’s supposed to love

no love in Liam’s gaze. Only

to breathe past the pain tightening my chest. "Just give me time," I pleaded again, my voice raw. "I—I just got my wolf. And—" I inhaled shakily. "She’s too weak to survive a rejection right

at me,

an eternity before he finally