Mated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 78: Power Dynamics

(Trigger Warning: This Chapter contains explicit content and is intended for mature readers.)

Luna Evelyn’s eyes darted between Jessie and me, her lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval. The tension in the air thickened.

“What is going on here?” she demanded, her voice cold.

Before I could open my mouth to explain, Jessie’s entire demeanor transformed. The venom and anger in her eyes melted into injustice. Tears welled up in her eyes. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

“Luna Evelyn,” she said, her voice quivering perfectly. “I was just trying to help with the decorations like you asked, but Hazel keeps undermining me.”

I stared at her in disbelief. The quick switch from vicious to victim was masterful.

“That’s not what happened—” I started, but Luna Evelyn cut me off with a raised hand.

“I heard enough,” she said, her gaze settling coldly on me. “Hazel, this behavior is completely unacceptable. Is this how you think the future Luna should conduct herself? Arguing publicly with pack members who are only trying to help?”

My cheeks burned with indignation. “With all due respect, Luna Evelyn, Jessie was—”

“Just doing as I instructed,” Evelyn finished for me, crossing her arms. “Which is more than I can say for you. Perhaps Jessie is right after all.”

“Right about what?” I asked, frowning.

Luna Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “About your suitability as Luna. This pack needs someone who understands diplomacy and respect for authority, not someone who creates scenes in front of both packs the day before our biggest festival.”

Jessie’s smug smile appeared briefly before she composed her features back into a mask of innocence.

“My sons may be blinded by the mate bond,” Evelyn continued, “but I’ve been Luna for over twenty years. I know what this position requires.”

The crowd around us had grown, with pack members pretending to work while clearly listening to every word. My headache pounded harder as humiliation washed over me. After everything I’d been through, I was still being treated like the orphan maid who didn’t belong.

“You’re right about one thing,” a deep voice cut through the tension. “You’ve been Luna for over twenty years.”

Lucas emerged from between the trees, his tall frame commanding immediate attention. The crowd parted for him as he approached, his green eyes flashing with authority.

“But that time is coming to an end,” he continued, stepping beside me. His warm hand found the small of my back, a silent gesture of support that made my heart skip.

Luna Evelyn’s expression faltered. “Lucas, I’m merely pointing out—”

“I heard what you were pointing out, Mother,” he interrupted, his voice level but edged with steel. “And I’m reminding you that you’re only the acting Luna now because Hazel hasn’t officially married us yet.”

His mother’s face flushed. “I’m still your mother, and I deserve—”

“Respect? Absolutely,” Lucas nodded. “But that doesn’t give you the right to undermine my mate or my authority. The decision about who becomes Luna isn’t yours to make.”

Evelyn’s mouth opened and closed, clearly unused to being challenged so directly by her son.

Lucas turned to the watching crowd. “Don’t you all have preparations to finish? The festival begins tomorrow.”

The pack members scattered immediately, leaving only the four of us standing in uncomfortable silence.

“Jessie,” Lucas said without looking at her, “I believe your father needs help with the food vendors at the north entrance.”

Jessie hesitated, looking to Evelyn for support, but finding none as the older woman was still processing her son’s rebuke. With a final glare in my direction, Jessie stalked off.

“Mother,” Lucas continued, his tone softening slightly, “I understand your concerns for the pack. But Hazel is my mate—our mate. That’s not changing.”

Luna Evelyn pressed her lips together, clearly unhappy but unwilling to challenge her Alpha son further in public. With a stiff nod, she turned and walked away, her posture rigid. Although, she didn’t forget to shoot me a glare before she left.

I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “I’m sorry for causing trouble with your mom.”

Lucas shook his head, guiding me away from the clearing. “Don’t apologize for something that isn’t your fault. My mother needs to understand her new role.”

“That’s the second time you’ve saved me from a situation like that,” I said quietly as we moved deeper into the forest.

“I’ll save you as many times as needed,” he replied, his hand still warm against my back. “But for what it’s worth, you were handling yourself well before I arrived.”

I smiled despite my lingering headache. “I wasn’t always this confident.”

“I know.” His eyes softened as he gazed down at me. “And I take some responsibility for that. But despite what my mother might claim, you’re growing into the role of Emberfang’s future Luna very well.”

We walked until the sounds of the festival preparations faded, replaced by the peaceful rustling of leaves and distant birdsong. Lucas led me to a small clearing away from the crowd.

“I should get back,” I said reluctantly. “There’s still so much to finish before tomorrow.”

Lucas caught my hand, pulling me gently back to him. “The preparations are practically done. The others can handle the rest.”

His closeness sent electricity through my veins.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” he murmured, his fingers tracing my jawline. “I want some time with just you.”

The way he looked at me made my breath catch. His green eyes darkened with desire as he backed me against a tree, his body pressing against mine.

“Lucas,” I whispered as his lips found my neck.

“I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he growled against my skin. “Watching you take charge of everything, not backing down...”

His hands gripped my waist, lifting me slightly. His lips brushed against the mark he left on me, and I shivered.

“Do you have any idea how sexy that is?”

Without waiting for an answer, his mouth claimed mine in a kiss that sent heat spiraling through my body. I wrapped my arms around his neck, returning his passion with equal fervor. The stress of the confrontation with Jessie and Luna Evelyn melted away under his touch.

My fingers tangled in his dark hair as his hands roamed my body, slipping under my shirt to caress bare skin. I gasped as his thumb brushed the underside of my breast.

“We shouldn’t,” I breathed, even as my body arched into his touch. “Someone might come by.”

Lucas pulled back slightly, his pupils dilated with lust. “No one comes this far into the forest during preparations.”

To emphasize his point, he pressed his hips against mine, letting me feel how hard he was. A moan escaped my lips at the contact.

“In that case, let me take care of you,” I whispered, surprising myself with my boldness.

Before he could respond, I switched our positions, pushing him gently against the tree. His eyes widened slightly before darkening further as I sank to my knees in front of him.

“Hazel,” he groaned as my fingers worked at his belt.

I looked up at him through my lashes, enjoying the power I had over him at this moment.

“Let me.”

His pants and boxers slid down enough to free his erection, hard and ready. I wrapped my hand around his shaft, feeling him pulse beneath my fingers.

“Fuck,” he hissed as I leaned forward, my tongue swirling around the tip.

I took my time, teasing him with light licks and gentle strokes before taking him into my mouth. Lucas’s head fell back against the tree, one hand tangling in my hair while the other clenched at his side.

“That’s it, baby,” he encouraged, his voice strained. “Just like that.”

His praise spurred me on as I took him deeper, hollowing my cheeks and finding a rhythm that made his breathing ragged. The taste of him, the sounds he made, the way his fingers tightened in my hair, all sent waves of arousal through me.

“Hazel,” he warned, his muscles tensing. “I’m close.”

I only increased my pace in response, looking up to watch his face contort with pleasure. His green eyes locked with mine, and I could even feel his overwhelming pleasure pulse through our bond. My panties quickly grew wet from my own arousal.

“Fuck!” Lucas groaned, his release hitting him hard as he pulsed in my mouth.

I swallowed everything he gave me, only pulling back when his body relaxed. His chest heaved as he looked down at me with wonder.

Just as he reached to help me up, a sharp snap of twigs broke the silence. We both turned, alarmed.