Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 52: Extended Vacation

~Jade’s POV~

Earlier On

The warm steam from the shower still clung to my skin as I stepped into my room, wrapping a towel around my body while droplets slid slowly down my shoulders.

For the first time in days, my muscles felt loose.

Training with Kael had exhausted me in a way I needed. My body hurt, my arms felt heavy, but my mind was quieter and less crowded.

I opened my wardrobe and pulled out a simple white blouse and a pair of soft lounge shorts. Nothing fancy with no bra. Just comfortable enough to breathe in.

After dressing, I plugged in the hair dryer and flipped it on, warm air rushing through my damp hair.

The noise filled the room until my phone lit up on the dresser.

Mum.

I frowned and quickly switched the dryer off, my hair still half wet as I answered. "Mum?"

"Hi, sweetheart."

Her voice carried that gentle softness she used whenever she felt guilty about something.

"What happened?" I asked immediately.

She sighed. "My trip is going to extend into next week."

I blinked. "Next week?"

"Yes. The business negotiations are taking longer than expected."

I sat on the edge of the bed. "You’re serious?"

"I wouldn’t lie about something like that."

I exhaled slowly. "So... I’m officially abandoned."

She laughed lightly. "You are not abandoned. Kael said he had no problem staying with you."

That made me pause.

"Why did you asked him? I thought there was history between you two that you did not want to visit?"

There was a small silence before she answered. "Yes... and no."

I narrowed my eyes. "Explain."

"I ran into him before leaving," she said carefully. "We talked about you. He offered to check on you. I thought... it would be safer."

"Safer?" I repeated. "From what?"

Another pause followed. Then her voice lowered. "Jade... you’re not just anyone."

My fingers tightened around the phone and my voice lowered. "Did you tell him?"

"No," she said immediately. "Kael does not know about your real identity." Relief rushed through me so fast my shoulders sagged. "I figured," she continued, "since you are the Princess, it was best someone capable stayed nearby. Someone I trust."

I swallowed. "You trust him that much?"

"Yes."

Her answer came without hesitation.

"And you?" she added gently. "Do you feel safe with him there?"

I thought about the backyard fight. About how he corrected my stance instead of overpowering me. About the way he looked at me like family.

"...Yeah," I admitted softly. "I do."

"I’m glad." We spoke for a few more minutes before she reminded me to eat properly and rest. "Love you," she said.

"Love you too." The call ended and I exhaled, letting silence return to the room. At least her absence would let me spend more time with my mates without her questioning every single thing.

I stood and walked toward the window just as headlights swept briefly across the street. A car was parked farther from our house. My brows creased, unsure of who it was.

"Kael?" I murmured. "But he had said he would return late." My gaze darted to my wall clock. It was simply 8 p.m."

Unease prickled along my spine. I locked the window anyway and left the room, heading downstairs to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of cold milk, then reached for the cookie jar Mum insisted on keeping full.

I poured myself a glass when another engine sound echoed outside. This one stopped closer. My body stilled. I didn’t move toward the window this time.

Instead, instinct sharpened inside me. Javelin stirred immediately beneath my skin, energy sliding through my veins like liquid silver.

"Someone is here."

I didn’t get a chance to respond when a knock sounded at the door. Three firm taps. My heart kicked hard against my ribs.

I set the glass down slowly and walked toward the entrance.

Another knock came. "Coming." I reached for the handle, inhaled once, then opened the door.

To my susprise, Xavier stood there. The moment I saw him, my chest tightened so painfully I almost forgot how to breathe.

Relief hit first, then hurt. Then something deeper I didn’t want to name. "Xavier..."

His eyes scanned my face then my body. I barely reacted when Xavier’s hand closed around my wrist and he pulled me forward into his arms.

The hug stole the air from my lungs. I froze for half a second before my body betrayed me and relaxed against him.

His scent wrapped around me, grounding and overwhelming at the same time.

"I needed to see you," he murmured into my hair.

My fingers curled into his shirt. "You could have called."

"I didn’t want to call."

I pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "That makes no sense."

"It does to me."

His gaze softened, searching mine like he was trying to read everything I refused to say aloud.

Just then a sharp awareness sliced through me. The back of my neck prickled and Javelin stirred violently.

I turned my head toward the dark yard. Someone was there, watching. I stepped away from Xavier immediately.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Did you come alone?"

His brows furrowed. "Yes. Why?"

My eyes scanned the shadows beyond the porch light. The street looked empty and too quiet.

"I felt something," I said slowly.

Xavier’s posture changed instantly, Alpha instinct snapping into place. He stepped slightly in front of me, gaze sweeping the surroundings.

"You’re sure?"

"Yes."

My pulse raced. Because the feeling wasn’t fading.

It felt familiar, dangerous and possessive all the same as though a pair of heated eyes burned into Xavier’s back.

Xavier’s jaw tightened. "Stay inside."

He stepped forward off the porch... And at that exact moment, the faint scent reached me.

Wild, dark... My breath caught.

Xade.

I turned sharply toward the side of the house, heart pounding. His shadow shifted, and before Xavier could react, a low voice cut through from the darkness.

"...You always answer the door dressed like that for him?"