Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 83: Not a Word

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Chapter 83

~Jade’s POV~

By the time I reached the academy gates, my lungs were burning and my thoughts were moving even faster than my feet had carried me.

I had barely remembered how I even got there.

One moment I had been standing in the middle of that restaurant with Drake’s stunned face in front of me, his fingers still gripping my arm while his eyes locked onto the mark on my neck like it had personally betrayed him.

The next moment I had been outside, rushing down the street with my heart pounding violently and Javelin pacing restlessly inside my mind like she was just as shaken as I was. Only she wanted to go back and be with Drake.

Mate.

The word echoed again in my thoughts, sending another wave of confusion crashing through me.

Four mates. Four.

Even thinking about it made my head spin.

I pushed through the academy doors and walked quickly down the hallway, hoping the familiar surroundings would help calm the storm swirling in my chest.

It did not.

"Jade!"

Isadora’s voice reached me seconds before I heard her footsteps rushing closer behind me.

I slowed reluctantly, knowing she would not stop chasing me until I acknowledged her presence.

By the time we reached the hallway near my locker, she finally caught up and gently placed her hand on my shoulder, forcing me to stop.

I turned slowly to face her. Her expression looked just as stunned as I felt.

"Jade," she began softly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear while trying to catch her breath. "I’m really sorry."

I frowned slightly. "For what?"

She sighed and shifted her weight. "For dragging you out to lunch," she explained. "When I suggested we go out, I had no idea something like that would happen." She shook her head slowly, disbelief still lingering in her eyes. "I’m still in shock."

A soft, humourless breath escaped me. "Join the club."

Isadora rubbed her forehead briefly before looking at me again.

"Honestly, it was already a lot to process when you revealed you had three mates," she admitted.

"Technically, I didn’t. They did."

"I know. You know what I mean. But now a fourth one just appears out of nowhere."

Her words trailed off as she stared at me like the reality still refused to fully settle in her mind. I shook my head slowly, exhaustion finally settling into my bones.

"I can’t deal with this right now," I murmured.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I need to go home," I said, already reaching for my locker before stopping halfway through the motion. "I need a long bath, a quiet room, and at least an hour where nobody asks me questions about mates or destiny or whatever else the Moon Goddess thinks is funny today."

Isadora nodded immediately, her earlier teasing gone as concern replaced it.

"Anything you need," she said gently. "I’m here for you."

I gave her a grateful look. "Thanks."

I was already turning to leave when something suddenly occurred to me, causing me to pause and glance back at her.

"Also... thank you for today," I added quietly. "And for forgiving me earlier." Her brows lifted slightly in surprise. "I’m sorry things didn’t go the way you hoped," I continued. "But please... not a word about this to anyone."

Isadora tilted her head. "What about Ziva, Adrian, and Silver?" she asked curiously. "Aren’t they your other best friends too?"

A tired sigh escaped me as I rolled my eyes.

"If that’s your jealous talk coming out again, I’m honestly too exhausted to laugh about it," I replied dryly.

She smirked faintly. "Fair."

"Still," I continued, my tone growing more serious, "please let me be the one who figures out how to explain this to my mates."

Isadora studied my face for a moment before nodding. "As you wish," she said simply. "Take care of yourself, Jade."

I returned the nod before turning toward the exit again. Then, without another word, I left the hallway behind.

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~Author’s POV~

The hallway gradually grew quiet after Jade disappeared around the corner.

Isadora remained where she stood for a moment, staring at the empty corridor as though she was still trying to process everything that had happened within the last hour.

The conversation replayed inside her mind piece by piece—Jade’s apology, the relief that had finally softened the tension between them, and then the revelation that had turned the entire afternoon upside down.

Four mates.

Even thinking about it still sounded absurd.

With a long breath, Isadora rubbed her temples and allowed her shoulders to slump slightly. She had come to the academy expecting an ordinary school day filled with classes, training talk, and the usual gossip that floated around the halls.

Instead she had watched her best friend collide with yet another destined partner as if the Moon Goddess herself had decided to personally complicate Jade’s life.

"Unbelievable," she muttered under her breath.

Turning slowly, she walked toward her locker. When she reached it, she inpoutted her code before pulling the metal door open. A few books, her tablet, and the training gloves she had forgotten earlier were quickly shoved into her bag.

Her mind was still racing.

Despite the shock, there was also a quiet determination building beneath it. Jade clearly needed time to figure things out, and if that meant keeping the newest discovery quiet for now, then that was exactly what she would do.

After slinging her bag over her shoulder, Isadora shut the locker with a soft clang and headed toward the exit.

Within seconds, the hallway fell completely silent. For several long moments, nothing moved.

Then a figure slowly stepped out from the shadowed bend of the corridor. Silvie.

She had been standing there the entire time.

Leaning casually against the wall, she uncrossed her arms and straightened as her gaze followed the direction both girls had gone.

A slow, calculating smile curved across her lips, the expression far too satisfied for someone who had just overheard a private conversation.

"Well," she murmured quietly, tilting her head slightly as if savoring the information she had just gained. "Isn’t this glorious."

Her eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Sugar girl has one more," she continued softly, the nickname rolling off her tongue with mocking sweetness. "I must admit, I didn’t see that coming."

She pushed away from the wall and folded her arms loosely across her chest as her thoughts quickly organized themselves.

"This should be news enough to drive the Alpha Triplets mad with jealousy," she mused, tapping her finger thoughtfully against her elbow. "And when that happens..." Her smile widened, colder now. "...it will create the perfect rift."

The plan that had been slowly forming in her mind for days suddenly felt even more promising. All it needed now was the right push.

"And when they’re distracted," she continued quietly to herself, "that’s when I compromise Jade."

Silvie lifted her chin slightly. "Mum, it looks like my plan shall finally move into phase one."

Her arms unfolded as she adjusted the sleeve of her uniform and began walking down the hallway with a confident smile.

"It’s time to visit my future kings."