Chapter 22

Madam stood outside the door for a long moment.

Her hand hovered near the handle.

She hesitated for some reason.

The corridor behind her was quiet, but her heart still beat uneasily in her chest.

The Alpha triplets had spent the night here. In Aire’s room. Even thinking about it made her nervous.

She had served in this castle for many years, long enough to know that waking an Alpha was never a pleasant task.

However, the morning had already stretched later than usual. Aire needed to eat.

And the Alphas… well, they could not stay here forever.

Madam took a steady breath. Then she slowly pushed the door open.

The room was dim.

Morning light slipped through the curtains, casting pale streaks across the floor.

Madam stepped inside quietly, and then she froze. Even if she had expected it.

They were all still there. All three of them.

Her eyes widened slightly.

Nate lay sprawled across the floor in his wolf form.

His enormous gray wolf body stretched lazily across the rug, with one massive paw resting near the bed.

Even in sleep, he looked dangerous.

Madam carefully stepped around him. She made sure to do this very carefully.

Her gaze shifted.

Xanden was also in wolf form.

His black wolf rested near the foot of the bed, curled protectively by Aire’s legs.

And then there was Alaric.

He slept on the couch, still human.

He had one arm draped loosely across his stomach, his breathing slow and even.

Madam’s brows drew together slightly.

Her eyes dropped to his chest. He wasn’t wearing a shirt.

That… would not look good if someone else walked in. Especially with no one accepting Aire yet.

Madam’s lips pressed into a thin line. This situation was already scandalous enough.

Her gaze moved toward the bed.

Aire lay quietly beneath the blanket.

Her silver hair had fallen across half her face, with soft strands glowing faintly in the dim light.

She looked peaceful.

Too peaceful for someone who had been rushed down the night before.

Madam exhaled slowly.

“Ahem.” she cleared her throat.

The reaction to her call was instant. Three sets of eyes opened at once.

Alaric sat up immediately. Both wolves lifted their heads sharply.

Nate’s red eyes locked onto her.

Madam ignored them all calmly. Avoiding the enormous grey wolf on the floor, she walked toward the window.

She pulled the curtains open and sunlight flooded the room.

It spilled across the bed, right onto Aire’s face.

The girl stirred softly, and her lashes fluttered. Then her eyes slowly opened. For a moment, she simply stared at the ceiling.

Then, she blinked, her gaze shifted, and she saw them.

The three Alphas were in her room.

Her eyes widened instantly, and she shot upright in the bed.

“What—” Her voice caught.

Her jaw slowly dropped because Nate and Xanden were shifting back. The transformation was quick but unmistakable.

Their wolves melted away into human form and muscles replaced fur. Their bones shifted, and within seconds, both men were standing in the room.

Bare chested.

Aire froze.

Her brain stopped functioning entirely.

Because now she could actually see them.

And they were… Ridiculously well built.

Nate’s body was powerful and lean, his muscles defined beneath tan skin. His torso was v-lined with ripped muscles.

Xanden was broader, and more controlled, with the calm strength of a warrior. His Biceps and abs made her gulp.

Both of them stood there casually.

Shirtless.

As if this were completely normal.

Aire’s mouth remained slightly open.

Madam sighed heavily when she noticed. “Put some clothes on p>

Neither of them looked embarrassed.

Nate ran a hand through his hair lazily, having them all pouring forward again, towards his eyes.

“Morning to you too p>

Xanden stretched slightly, his expression calm as always.

Aire quickly pulled the blanket higher around herself. Her cheeks warmed faintly. She did not know where to look. Her eyes darted toward the couch.

Alaric was watching everything.

He leaned back slightly, with one arm resting over the couch as he studied her reaction with quiet amusement.

Unlike his brothers, he looked entirely comfortable.

Aire quickly looked away.

Madam turned toward the Alphas with clear irritation. “Breakfast will be ready soon p>

Nate shrugged. “Good p>

However, his attention had already moved elsewhere.

Without another word, he grabbed his shirt from the chair nearby and pulled it on.

Xanden followed, dressing quickly and efficiently.

Neither of them spared Aire or Alaric more than a passing glance.

“Come on,” Nate muttered.

Xanden nodded. “Let’s go p>

They walked out of the room together and just like that, the door closed behind them.

The room fell quiet again.

Alaric rose slowly from the couch, still shirtless.

Aire immediately looked down at the blanket again.

He noticed, and smiled faintly. Then he walked toward the bed.

Madam crossed her arms. “What happened last night?” she asked, knowing he was the only one who would give her a reply.

Her voice carried suspicion.

Alaric stopped beside the bed.

His expression softened slightly. He reached out, and his hand gently touched Aire’s forehead.

The contact was light and careful.

“She had a fever last night,” he said simply.

Madam’s brows knit together. “A fever p>

She remembered him arriving last night, and ordering her to leave so harshly.

Alaric nodded calmly. “Nothing serious p>

Aire sat quietly on the bed. She said nothing. She barely remembers what happened last night.

Her silver hair slipped over her shoulder as she watched him cautiously.

Madam studied them both.

Something about this situation still felt strange. But Aire looked fine, healthy, and even calm.

Madam stepped closer.

Then she beckoned Alaric slightly. “Come here.” Her voice dropped to a whisper.

Alaric leaned down slightly.

Madam spoke quietly near his ear. “You didn’t touch her… did you p>

Aire’s eyes widened slightly.

Alaric blinked. Then he chuckled softly.

The sound was warm and genuine. His smile appeared, and just as it always did, his eyes disappeared.

Madam sighed.

She had seen that smile since he was a child.

Alaric reached out suddenly. He gently held both sides of Madam’s cheeks.

The gesture was playful, and affectionate.

“My dear Madam,” he said warmly. “You’ve known me since I was a boy p>

His smile softened further. “I’m a gentleman p>

Madam swatted his hand away. She was clearly relieved. “Hmph p>

Alaric laughed quietly. “I’m sorry about last night. I was simply tensed. And I’m also sorry about Nate p>

Madam nodded, but said nothing.

Alaric said nothing more. He did not mention the blood. That was something only he and his brothers needed to know.

Some things were better kept within themselves.

Aire watched the interaction silently.

She didn’t fully understand what was happening. She felt a weird comfort in her back and when she reached for it, her eyes widened.