Riley's POV
By Friday, I'm a bundle of nerves. The triplets' stares, Jasper's warning, and my own secrets are eating me alive. I've been avoiding the Hawthorn brothers as much as possible, but it's like they're everywhere. Even when they're not in my classes, I feel them watching from a distance. Lila's noticed my distraction, but I brush off her questions. I can't drag her into this, whatever "this" is.
After school, I'm walking home when a black SUV pulls up beside me. The window rolls down, and Ethan's grinning at me. "Need a ride, Riley?"
"No, thanks," I say, keeping my pace.
"Come on," Caleb calls from the passenger seat. "It's getting dark. Montana's not exactly safe at night."
I glance at Silas in the driver's seat. He's silent, as usual, but his eyes are locked on me. Against my better judgment, I sigh and climb into the back. The SUV smells like leather and pine, and the triplets' presence is overwhelming. "Where are we going?" I ask, buckling my seatbelt.
"Our place," Ethan says casually. "Figured you could use a break from… whatever's going on at home."
My stomach twists. "What do you know about my home?"
Ethan shrugs. "Just a guess. You seem tense."
I don't respond, staring out the window as we drive through Ravenwood. The town gives way to a winding road that cuts through the forest, and soon we pull up to a massive log mansion. It's the kind of place that screams money and power, with huge windows and a wraparound porch. "This is your house?" I ask, unable to hide my surprise.
"Welcome to the Hawthorn packhouse," Caleb says, hopping out.
Packhouse. The word sends a chill down my spine. I follow them inside, my senses on high alert. The interior is warm and rustic, with high ceilings and a massive stone fireplace. There are people milling around, men and women who look strong and alert, like they're ready for a fight. Grayson and Elena, the triplets' parents, are in the living room, talking to a couple of teenagers. They glance at me, and I look away, my nerves fraying.
Silas takes my hand, and I flinch but don't pull away. He leads me upstairs, the others following, and we end up in a spacious bedroom. Silas closes the door, and I step back, crossing my arms. "Okay, what's going on? Why am I here?"
"We need to talk," Silas says, his voice steady. "About you. And us."
"Us?" I echo, my heart pounding.
"You're our mate," Caleb says bluntly. "We've known it since the moment we saw you."
I laugh, but it's shaky. "You're insane. I'm just a girl from Arizona."
"No, you're not," Ethan says, stepping closer. "You're one of us. A wolf. And you're hiding it."
My blood runs cold. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Silas's eyes narrow. "We can smell it on you, Riley. Even with whatever you're doing to suppress it. You're our mate, and you're in danger."
"Danger?" I snap, my voice rising. "From what? You?"
"Not us," Caleb says. "But there are people who want us dead. Triplet alphas are rare, and some see us as a threat. If they find out you're our mate, they'll come for you too."
I shake my head, backing toward the door. "This is crazy. I'm leaving."
Silas blocks my path, his expression softening. "We're not going to hurt you. But you need to trust us. Tell us who you are."
I clench my fists, Jasper's words echoing in my mind. Time's running out. "I can't," I whisper. "Not yet."
They exchange a look, and Ethan sighs. "Okay. But we're not letting you go back to that house. Not until we know you're safe."
I want to argue, but the thought of going back to Diane and Carl makes my stomach churn. "Fine," I say. "But don't expect me to trust you."
Silas nods. "Fair enough."
They show me to a guest room, and I lock the door behind me, my mind racing. The triplets are wolves. Alphas. And they think I'm their mate. Jasper was right, they know more than I thought. But there's something else going on, something bigger. And I'm not sure I'm ready to face it.