Trap of the King Alpha Triplet

Emily.

Their laughter followed me as I stomped towards the front door, my cheeks burning. What had I gotten myself into?

As Leo unlocked the door, I couldn't help but feel a mix of trepidation and... excitement? No, definitely not excitement. Apprehension. That's what this fluttery feeling in my stomach was. Pure, unadulterated apprehension. "Welcome to King's Cabin, then," Luca announced grandly, sweeping his arm as we stepped inside.

I looked around, taking in the soaring ceilings, plush furnishings, and state-of-the-art everything. "Okay, I'll admit it. This place is pretty impressive."

"Just wait until you see the bedrooms," Logan said with a wink.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I thought we agreed on separate sleeping arrangements?"

"Of course," Leo said smoothly, though the glint in his eye made me suspicious. "Your room is up those stairs, first door on the left. Why don't you go get settled while we start on lunch?"

I hesitated, not entirely trusting their innocent expressions. But my curiosity won out, and I headed up the stairs, my bag in tow.

The bedroom was, predictably, gorgeous. A massive four-poster bed dominated the space, draped in silky sheets that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe (pre-triplet shopping spree, that is). Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest, and a door to my left revealed an en-suite bathroom that was bigger than my entire room back home.

As I unpacked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in way over my head. This whole situation - the luxury, the attention, the intensity of it all - was so far outside my comfort zone it might as well have been on another planet.

I shook my head, pushing the thought away. This was just a weekend. A chance to figure out what the hell was going on between us. Nothing more.

I padded down the stairs, my throat parched from the earlier car ride. The house was quiet - too quiet. Where were the triplets? Knowing them, they were probably plotting some ridiculous surprise or prank.

As I rounded the corner into the living room, I got my answer. And oh boy, was it an answer I wasn't prepared for.

There, in all their glory, stood Leo, Logan, and Luca. Naked as the day they were born.

I let out a shriek that could have shattered glass, slapping my hands over my eyes. But it was too late. The image was seared into my retinas - acres of bronzed skin, rippling muscles, and... other impressive attributes. "What the actual fuck?!" I screeched, my face burning hotter than a supernova.

The triplets' laughter rang out, rich and amused. "Relax, Em," Logan chuckled. "We're just heading out for a swim."

I kept my eyes firmly shut, gesturing wildly with one hand. "And you couldn't put on swimsuits like normal people?"

"Swimsuits?" Luca snorted. "Please. Those are for humans who are ashamed of their bodies. We're werewolves, baby. We celebrate our natural state."

"Well, celebrate it somewhere I can't see!" I snapped, trying to find my way back to the stairs without opening my eyes. "Some of us aren't used to random nudity!"

I felt a warm hand on my shoulder, guiding me away from the wall I was about to crash into. "Come on, Em," Leo's voice rumbled close to my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "Join us for a swim. I promise we'll behave... mostly."

I shook my head vehemently. "No way. You guys go ahead and do your weird wolf thing. I'll stay here where it's safe and clothed."

"Suit yourself," Logan called out as I heard them moving towards the door. "But we'll prove to you soon enough that clothes are overrated. We'll be waiting at the lake when you change your mind!"

The door slammed shut, and I finally dared to open my eyes. The room was empty, but I could still feel the phantom heat of their bodies, smell the musky scent they left behind.

"Get it together, Emily," I muttered to myself, fanning my flushed face. "They're just bodies. Extremely well-built, unfairly attractive bodies, but still. No big deal."

Even as I said it, I knew I was lying to myself. The image of the triplets - all sculpted muscle and golden skin - was burned into my brain. And try as I might, I couldn't quite shake the little voice in my head urging me to go join them. "This is insane," I groaned, pacing the living room. "I can't seriously be considering this."

But even as I argued with myself, my feet were carrying me upstairs to my room. Before I knew it, I was digging through my bag for the black bikini I'd packed "just in case."

"It's just swimming," I told my reflection as I changed. "No big deal. People swim all the time. With their clothes off. With incredibly hot werewolves. Totally normal."

The bikini was simple but flattering, accentuating curves I usually kept hidden under baggy clothes. As I stared at myself in the mirror, I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. Was I really doing this?

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a towel and headed outside before I could talk myself out of it.

The sight that greeted me nearly took my breath away. The lake sparkled in the afternoon sun like a sheet of diamonds, surrounded by lush forest. And in the water, looking like they'd stepped out of some kind of supernatural cologne ad, were the triplets.

They spotted me almost immediately, letting out appreciative whistles.

"Damn, baby!" Luca called out, his eyes roving over me in a way that made me want to cover up and preen at the same time. "You've been holding out on us!"

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the blush creeping up my neck. "Can it, pretty boy. Need I remind you that just last week, Leo here was calling me an underdeveloped little girl?"

Leo's eyes widened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "I never said that," he protested. "Trust me, I've always thought you were gorgeous."

"Sure," I muttered, gingerly making my way to the water's edge. "Save the sweet talk, Casanova."

I dipped my toes in the water, surprised to find it pleasantly cool. Carefully, I lowered myself to sit on the bank, letting my feet dangle in the lake.

"Come on, babe!" Logan encouraged, swimming closer. "The water's great!"

I shook my head, suddenly nervous. "I'm good here, thanks. You guys have fun."

Luca pouted, looking ridiculously adorable for someone who could probably benchpress a car. "But it's no fun without you. Come on, just jump in!"

Before I could protest further, I felt strong arms wrap around me from behind. I yelped as Leo lifted me effortlessly.

"Leo King, put me down this instant!" I screeched, struggling in his grip. "Or else—"

He grinned down at me, his golden eyes dancing with mischief. "Or else what? You'll turn me into a puppy? I don't think you'd be willing to part with all this, sweetheart." And with that, he tossed me into the lake.

I hit the water with a splash, panic immediately setting in as I flailed. But before I could really start to freak out, I felt strong arms supporting me.

"We've got you, Em," Logan murmured, his chest pressed against my back. "Just relax."

Luca appeared in front of me, his hands steady on my waist. "That's it, just let yourself float."

I clung to them like a barnacle, my heart racing. "I can't believe you did that!" I sputtered, glaring at Leo who was wading towards us, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

"Sometimes you need a little push," he said with a shrug. "Now, let's teach you how to swim properly."

Over the next hour, the triplets patiently guided me through the basics of swimming. To my surprise, I found myself actually enjoying it. There was something freeing about gliding through the cool water, supported by their strong hands. "Look at you go!" Luca cheered as I managed to swim a few strokes on my own. "You're a natural!"

Buoyed by my success and their enthusiasm, I let out a delighted laugh. Without thinking, I threw my arms around Leo in an excited hug.

The moment my body pressed against his, I felt him go rigid. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and his eyes flashed alpha red.

"Fuck," he snarled, his voice rough and strained.

Before I could process what was happening, Logan was pulling me away, and Leo was bolting out of the water. In a blur of movement, he shifted into an enormous black wolf, letting out a haunting howl before disappearing into the forest. I stared after him, stunned. "What... what just happened?"

Logan and Luca exchanged knowing looks. "Let's just say you have a very... potent effect on our brother," Luca said carefully.

"Yeah," Logan added, a hint of strain in his own voice. "Leo needed to, uh, release some energy. You're a little too beautiful for your own good, Em."

I felt my face flame, suddenly very aware of how little we were all wearing. "Okay, that's enough swimming for today," I mumbled, making my way to shore.

As I hurried back to the house, my mind was reeling. The way Leo had looked at me like he wanted to devour me whole...

Once in my room, I stripped off my wet bikini and stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. What did they see when they looked at me? I wasn't curvy like the popular werewolf girls, didn't have their athletic build or glossy hair. I was just... me. Plain old Emily, the hybrid freak.

I ran my hands over my body, hyper-aware of every perceived flaw. Was this all some elaborate joke? Three gorgeous alpha werewolves, actually attracted to me?

"Get it together, Emily," I muttered, shaking my head. "You're losing it."

Determined to clear my head, I drew a hot bath, sinking into the steaming water with a sigh. As I soaked, I tried to make sense of the jumbled mess of emotions swirling inside me.

On one hand, the triplets were infuriating. Arrogant, pushy, and entirely too sure of themselves. But on the other... they could be surprisingly sweet. Patient. Even vulnerable, in moments like today when Leo had lost control.

And the way they looked at me... like I was something precious. Desirable. It made me feel things I'd never felt before, awakened parts of me I didn't even know existed.

But was it real? Or just the mate bond talking?

By the time I finished my bath and dried my hair, I was no closer to figuring out my feelings. As I slipped on a comfortable sundress, there was a knock at my door.

"Emily? Are you there?" Leo's voice called out, sounding uncharacteristically hesitant.

I froze, my hand on the doorknob. Part of me wanted to pretend I hadn't heard him, to hide away until I could get my emotions under control. But another part - a stronger part - urged me to face this head-on. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door.