Chapter : Payment In Blood

The night stretched on, heavy with the scent of blood and pine as the triplets moved through the dense forest, Roo cradled securely in Alexander's arms. His body was unnervingly light, fragile in a way that made something in Alexander's chest tighten with an unfamiliar sensation—one he wasn't ready to name.

Alec walked at his left, his golden eyes flicking between the trees, ever watchful. Though the rogues had been dispatched, the threat of another ambush lingered in the air like a shadow. Ace moved with them in his wolf form, his black fur blending into the night, his sharp amber gaze scanning for any sign of movement.

Roo stirred slightly, a soft whimper escaping his cracked lips. Alexander glanced down, his grip unconsciously tightening. The omega's face was pale, his green eyes fluttering open for a brief moment before exhaustion pulled him under once more. His scent—subtle yet intoxicating—clung to Alexander's skin, wrapping around him like a whisper of fate.

They were halfway back to the estate when Ace finally shifted back, his body rolling fluidly as he fell into step beside them. "He's burning up," he muttered, his voice edged with concern.

Alexander nodded, feeling the unnatural heat radiating from the omega's small frame. "He needs medical attention."

Alec exhaled sharply, his frustration barely contained. "We don't even know who he is. Why was he out here alone? Rogues don't just attack for no reason."

Ace scoffed. "Does it matter? He's ours."

The word sent a pulse through all three of them, raw and instinctive. Alexander didn't argue. He couldn't. The bond thrumming beneath his skin was undeniable. It was as if the very marrow of his bones had recognized Roo the moment they laid eyes on him.

They reached the clearing just outside the estate, the towering mansion looming against the moonlit sky. The security lights flickered on, casting long shadows over the gravel driveway. The front doors opened before they even reached the steps, revealing Matteo, their Beta, his face set in a mixture of confusion and urgency.

"Alpha—" Matteo's words faltered as his gaze landed on the unconscious omega in Alexander's arms. His brows furrowed. "What happened?"

"Call Dr. Romano," Alexander ordered, striding past him without explanation. "Have a room prepared."

Matteo didn't hesitate. "On it." He vanished down the hall, barking orders to the staff as the triplets ascended the grand staircase, their pace quick but controlled.

Alexander pushed open the doors to his personal suite—a vast space with floor-to-ceiling windows, dark mahogany furniture, and a bed large enough to accommodate a wolf in full form. He strode to the bed and carefully laid Roo down, the omega's small body barely making an indent in the mattress.

Ace hovered near the foot of the bed, arms crossed, his jaw clenched as he observed the unconscious figure. "He's too small."

Alec ran a hand through his silver-streaked hair, his golden eyes dark with something unreadable. "And too weak."

The truth of it sat uncomfortably between them. Omegas were naturally smaller than Alphas, but Roo—Roo was different. He wasn't just small. He was underfed, barely more than skin and bones. The bruises and scratches that littered his body spoke of more than just a rogue attack.

Someone had hurt him before tonight.

Alexander clenched his fists, an unfamiliar, dangerous fury rising within him.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Matteo stepped in, followed closely by Dr. Romano, a sharp-eyed woman in her mid-forties who had served the DeLorenzo pack for years. She barely spared the triplets a glance before approaching the bed, her keen gaze sweeping over Roo's unconscious form.

"What happened?" she asked, already pulling out medical supplies from her bag.

"Rogues," Alec answered. "But his condition—" He exhaled, his frustration evident. "It wasn't just them."

Dr. Romano didn't need further explanation. She worked in silence, pressing gentle but firm hands over Roo's ribs, checking for fractures. The omega stirred slightly, a faint whimper escaping his lips, but he didn't wake.

After several minutes, she sighed and straightened. "He's malnourished, dehydrated, and severely exhausted. There are bruises all over his body—some recent, some older. A few ribs are cracked, but not broken. No internal bleeding, as far as I can tell." She reached into her bag, pulling out a vial of clear liquid. "I'll set up an IV to rehydrate him. Once he wakes, he'll need proper food and rest."

Alexander nodded, his expression unreadable. "How long until he regains consciousness?"

Dr. Romano injected the IV into Roo's arm with practiced ease. "Hard to say. Could be hours, could be a full day."

Silence settled over the room. The triplets watched as the doctor finished her work, their gazes locked on the fragile form in their bed—their mate.

The word sent another ripple through them, heavy with meaning.

Ace exhaled, running a hand through his dark locks. "This is insane."

Alec let out a dry chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "No kidding."

Alexander didn't speak. He couldn't. He simply watched Roo's chest rise and fall in slow, uneven breaths, his wolf pacing restlessly beneath his skin.

Ours.

The word echoed in his mind, a claim written in something deeper than instinct, something more binding than fate.

And whoever had hurt their mate...

Would pay in blood.

To Be Continued...