Karis, on the other hand, was a different story. The boy’s sharp comment about someone needing to take care of his sisters hit Luke hard. The little Alpha was angry, guarded, and ready to defend his family. Yet, in the same breath, Karis had retreated to his mother, clutching her hand tightly like a lifeline.
Even an Alpha will always want their mummy, his father mind-linked, his tone tinged with amusement.
Luke had walked them to what he hoped would soon be their shared suite. Pushing both doors open, he invited them inside. The girls immediately scattered, exploring their new surroundings with squeals of excitement. Karis, however, stayed close to Bella. Luke could see her hesitation and worry, so he assured her that she could leave anytime she wanted, though he silently hoped she wouldn’t.
When he referred to the triplets as our babies, Tyler’s loud purr echoed in his mind, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Thank the goddess, he thought, grateful to have Tyler on his side. With the twins already warming to him, it felt like he had a three-against-one advantage.
The twins’ rooms had an adjoining door, something he’d added the day after learning they were his. He’d figured they might want the connection and had wanted to make them as comfortable as possible. Their excitement validated his decision, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
As for Bella, he knew gaining her trust—and Karis’s—would take more time, but he was prepared to work for it. After all, they were his family, and he’d do whatever it took to prove it.
Luke stayed close to Bella and Karis, confident the twins were fine on their own. Bella had followed him into his room but stopped just inside the door, hesitating. He leaned casually against the doorframe, only a foot away, and watched her. She was wearing clothes that seemed almost nostalgic—he was sure he’d removed this very shirt from her once before, back when things were simpler between them.
He couldn’t help but enjoy her presence, the way her scent filled the room. It was intoxicating to be this close without her trying to escape. Yet, every passing moment stirred his desire to mark and mate her, the sight of Maddis’s love bite on her neck reminding him that his mark would be permanent.
When he spoke to Karis, Bella’s body froze. It was obvious she hadn’t realized just how close he was. Maybe Tyler was deliberately holding back from alerting her to his proximity, allowing him to relish her reaction when her jewel-green eyes turned to him. Those eyes had always been his undoing, and now was no different. He hadn’t been able to resist letting his voice drop into a seductive tone as he mentioned their room, wanting her to know exactly how much he wanted her.
It wasn’t just about the physical desire—though it was certainly there. He needed her to understand that he posed no threat to her, that he wanted this Bond, wanted her as his Mate, his Luna, and yes, the mother of their future children. The thought of her carrying his pup stirred a deeper longing. If she let him, he’d claim her right now, just to see her glowing, swollen with his child.
When she practically bolted to the other side of the room, Luke couldn’t help but smile. She was trying so hard to resist, clearly afraid he might seduce her. And while he wasn’t planning to do that now—not with the children so close—he knew the day would come.
Realizing she wasn’t going to leave the room with him standing in the doorway, he decided to give her some space. “I’ll go check on the girls. Why don’t you help Karis find some winter clothes in the wardrobe?” he suggested, his tone light. Then he left, still smiling to himself. She was feeling the Mate Bond, even if she was trying to fight it.
Ah, that’s a losing battle, he thought, amused. Maddis chortled in agreement. Luke was determined to stay as close to her as possible, letting the Bond strengthen until she couldn’t deny it—or him—any longer. Her days of defiance were numbered.
He found the twins in their rooms, and it was clear they’d wasted no time making themselves at home. Toys were strewn across the floors, beds were rumpled from enthusiastic jumping, and both girls were happily munching on snacks from the corner of their room.
“Girls,” Luke said, his voice warm, “how about we find some warm clothes and get you dressed?”
They turned their matching green eyes on him, smiling innocently. “Okay,” they chorused in unison, then dashed off to Arana’s wardrobe to rummage through the neatly arranged clothes.
Watching them, Luke chuckled softly. They were so adorable, it was hard to imagine ever disciplining them. Those bright green eyes would undo him every time, no matter how much trouble they caused.
Luke leaned against the doorway, watching the twins as they helped each other into warm clothing. Puffy pink jackets with fur-lined hoods, long pants, and little boots completed their outfits. He couldn’t help but marvel at how they managed to get even cuter in just five minutes.
Even Maddis was captivated, his tail flicking back and forth happily in Luke’s mind. His wolf had never been this content, and Luke understood why. Tyler as a mate had brought Maddis peace, and the sudden shift from solitude to having a mate and three children was a blessing neither of them could have anticipated. Luke would need Bella’s permission to let Maddis meet the children, but he knew his wolf was eager, as was he.
Luke stepped away and followed the twins as they dashed into Karis’s room. Karis was sitting on the bed, pulling on his shoes, while Bella sat beside him, holding a black jacket for him to wear. The twins ran up to her, their voices bubbling over with excitement as they talked about their rooms—fairy and unicorn toys, dolls, pink and purple sparkles everywhere.
They climbed onto Karis’s bed, bouncing on it as their chatter turned to complaints. “Why is his bed bigger than ours?” they whined in unison.
Luke chuckled to himself. It was true. Karis’s room had a queen-sized bed, while the twins’ rooms had single beds. An Alpha male needed more space than an Alpha female—but that wasn’t the real reason, and Maddis knew it.
