“What?” I asked with a small, shy smile.
“You didn’t even give me a chance to come out!” she huffed. “Do you know what it’s like being trapped in the back of your mind while they–”
“Okay, okay!” I cut her off quickly, cheeks heating. “No need for details.”
“Okay, okay,” Nora said after a moment, her voice still laced with humor. “We’ll stop. But seriously… someone’s waiting for you downstairs.”
“Nothing will go wrong,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
He gave me a crooked grin. “I used to do it all the time… remember?”
“Alright,” Louis muttered, “but if anything goes wrong…”
The triplets were all seated on the bed, wearing nothing but loose sweatpants. Their bare chests on full display made my eyes do a quick scan: broad shoulders, toned muscles, those perfect V lines–
My eyes narrowed. “What are you two doing here?”
“Whatever’s easier,” I whispered, surprised by the gentle way his fingers moved.
I smirked. “You’re just mad I enjoyed it more than you did.”
My breath caught, and I quickly stood, knowing that if I stayed any longer, I might lose all control.
“You still remember how to do this?” I asked softly.
I quickly dried off the remaining dampness on my skin and pulled on a pair of high–waisted jeans and a simple white shirt. I tied it in a knot at the waist, giving it a casual edge, then slipped on my ankle boots. I left my hair in the low bun Levi had done.
So whatever it was… it definitely wasn’t going to be just a simple visit.
The idea of leaving didn’t sit well with them. It didn’t sit well with me either… but I had to go.
I blinked. “You know how to dry hair?”
Just a few more.
I rolled my eyes and let my head rest against the back of the tub. The water lapped gently at my skin, and the ache between my thighs felt dull now.
I stuck my head out of the closet. “Who?”
I spun toward the sound to find Nora and Lolita sitting casually on my bed, both with matching mischievous grins plastered across their faces.
As he ran the dryer through my damp hair, I sat still, letting the memories come. Lord Frederick wasn’t the kind of man to show up without reason and patiently wait.
I glanced toward the vanity, thinking about drying my hair. I hated the cold feeling of water dripping down my back.
When he was done, Levi came up behind me, comb and tie already in hand. “Want it packed or loose?”
I rolled my eyes at him, but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at my lips. “I have to go. My brother called for me.”
I groaned, walking past them to grab fresh clothes. “Oh, shut up.”
What the hell was he doing here?
Sighing, I sank deeper into the warm water of the bathtub. The lavender–scented steam curled around me, soothing my body and mind. Whoever it was could wait. I wasn’t about to trade the comfort of this bath for anything.
“Yup,” Nora confirmed, her tone suddenly more serious. “Alpha Calvin said he arrived about twenty minutes ago. He’s been waiting patiently.”
I blinked. “What?”
They both laughed.
I frowned. “Who?”
Taking one last look in the mirror, I squared my shoulders and headed toward the door. Nora and Lolita followed, both unusually quiet now. I could feel the tension brewing in the air. Something about this visit didn’t sit right with me.
“We can come with you,” Lennox offered quickly.
“Is everything alright?” Levi asked, brows furrowing.
Before I could reach for the dryer, Lennox was already standing. “Sit,” he said gently, taking the towel from my hands. “Let me.”
That caught my attention.
As he twisted my hair into a low bun, I caught Louis leaning against the closet, watching me intently.
Immediately, their playful expressions changed. Concern flashed across their faces. Louis chuckled. “You can keep staring if you want, angel. It’s all yours.”
Lolita leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed behind her head. “Waiting for Sleeping Beauty to return from her little romantic vacation,” she said, wiggling her brows.
“Tch. Weak,” she muttered, then went silent.
“Like… blissfully destroyed,” Nora added with a dramatic sigh.
I closed my eyes again, letting my fingers trail lazily through the water. Whatever Calvin wanted could wait a few more minutes.
Olivia’s POV
“Come see for yourself,” Calvin replied with that annoyingly serious tone, then ended the mind link without another word.
Lolita shrugged. “One Lord Frederick.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” I muttered, clutching my clothes tighter to my chest as I ducked into my closet.
I quickly looked away, my cheeks burning.
“No,” I cut in softly. “Not now. It’s not the right time. We should take things slow… ease into this.”
After drying off, I tied a towel snugly around my chest and stepped out of the bathroom.
“Girl… you’re such a bitch,” my wolf muttered inside my head, her voice half–annoyed half–amused.
I drew in a deep breath and gave them one last warm smile. “Bye.”
Lord Frederick?
“Of course I do,” he said with a small smile. “Some things don’t fade.”
Well… anything except the triplets taking me again.
“Finally!” a voice rang out, startling me.
“I’m fine,” I said gently, already sensing their rising protectiveness. “Someone wants to see me.”
Back when I was younger, before everything shattered between us, the boys would dry my hair after training, or when I was sick, or just because they wanted to. Lennox always did it the most. He says drying my hair was one of his favorite hobbies.
Nora snorted. “Or should we say–honeymoon trial? Honestly, Liv, you’re glowing.” “I… I’ll see you guys later,” I said hurriedly and reached for my things, which were folded neatly on the couch. I clutched them against my chest and forced a smile at the triplets, who were now wearing sad, almost wounded expressions.
He smiled, walked over, and pressed a soft kiss to my exposed shoulder. “You look so beautiful.”
My stomach twisted slightly.
They looked at each other, clearly not liking the idea but respecting my decision.
As we made our way downstairs, I mentally prepared myself.
“You look flushed,” Lolita teased.
I teleported before they could respond.
I landed in my room with a soft thud, the cool air brushing my damp skin as I adjusted the towel around my chest.