The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

”Stop.” Killian’s command cut through the noise. The boy froze halfway through running towards his mother. His tear-filled eyes turned towards Killian.

”Don’t touch your mother yet,” Killian ordered, his voice firm but controlled. ”She’s badly injured. Moving her could make things worse.”

”But she’s hurt!” the boy sobbed.

”I know.” Killian crouched beside the woman. ”I’m going to help her.”

The boy stared at him uncertainly before nodding. Killian turned back towards the woman. There was no time to worry about who was watching. He placed one hand above the wound on her forehead. For the first time in years, he allowed his healing ability to surface in public.

A soft white glow gathered beneath his palm. It brightened quickly. The light reflected off the rainwater covering the road. Gasps spread through the crowd. They were stunned by the scene.

”Is that healing magic?”

”Look at his hands.”

”That’s not ordinary healing...”

The local healer who had been tending to Kieran stared at Killian in stunned silence. Only highly gifted healers could manipulate healing energy with that level of precision. Ordinary werewolves rarely encountered such power outside television or stories. Killian ignored them. His attention remained on the woman’s weakening heartbeat.

”Come on,” he whispered.

The white light flowed from his palm and spread across her forehead. Her breathing suddenly hitched. Her eyelids fluttered. Then she coughed violently. Blood stained her lips.

”Mummy!”

The boy tried to rush towards her again.

”Stay back!” Killian commanded.

The boy stopped.

”She’s alive,” Killian assured him. ”The doctors will take care of her.”

The distant sirens grew louder. Emergency vehicles finally rounded the corner, their headlights cutting through the rain. Paramedics jumped out before the vehicles had fully stopped.

”Multiple casualties!” one shouted.

The emergency workers immediately spread across the scene. One team rushed towards Kieran while another surrounded the injured woman.

”Careful,” the paramedics warned. ”Her legs are crushed.”

The paramedics secured the woman’s neck and carefully transferred her onto a stretcher. Her son stood nearby, sobbing uncontrollably. A local guard, the equivalent of a police officer in human society, approached and crouched beside him. ”Come on, little one. We’re going to stay with you until your mother is safe.” He patted the boy gently.

The boy reluctantly allowed himself to be led away, his eyes never leaving his mother.

Killian rose. Rain streamed down his face, washing blood across his cheek. His clothes were soaked through, and his back throbbed from the force of the explosion. He barely noticed. His attention was already on Kieran. His brother was being loaded into another ambulance.

”Wait.” Killian strode towards the paramedics loading Kieran into the ambulance.

”How is he?” he demanded.

The paramedic turned. He was about to answer when his eyes caught the Ravencourt insignia on Killian’s clothing. His expression changed.

”Lord Killian?” he gasped in astonishment. In the chaos, he couldn’t tell at first that the drenched man was Killian. Then his eyes snapped towards the pale Kieran.

”That means he is Lord Kieran...” the paramedic said in disbelief.

They were from Central Hospital and knew Kieran well.

Killian’s patience was wearing thin. ”How is my brother?”

The paramedic glanced towards the pale figure on the stretcher.

”He’s stable for now,” he replied quickly. ”The local healer managed to keep him in good condition, but we’ll need to run a complete assessment at Central Hospital,” he explained.

Relief washed over him. His shoulders fell. ”Then take him,” he said, stepping back from the ambulance.

The paramedic nodded. The ambulance doors closed. Killian watched the vehicle disappear into the rain before finally looking around. The accident scene remained a nightmare of twisted metal, shattered glass and burning wreckage.

Killian remained standing beneath the storm for another few seconds. His wolf was still restless.

He turned towards Eloise.

She stood several metres away, completely drenched. Her hair was plastered against her face, her makeup ruined by rain and tears. Her dress clung to her body, and her arms were wrapped around herself as she trembled.

Killian walked towards her.

”You should go to the hospital for a check-up,” he said firmly. ”I’ll handle Kieran.”

Eloise stared at him. For one brief moment, something uncomfortable twisted inside her chest. He hadn’t asked if she was hurt. He hadn’t asked if she was frightened. He hadn’t even properly looked at her until Kieran was safely inside the ambulance.

It was like she was an afterthought. In the past, he would have noticed her first. Her thoughts immediately rushed to defend him. Kieran is his brother. Of course he was worried.

”I’m fine,” she said quietly.

Killian’s jaw tightened. He was standing beside the passenger seat. ”Get in the car,” he instructed.

Eloise hesitated. Killian opened the passenger door. ”What are you waiting for?” he asked, sounding exasperated.

His voice was sharper than usual. Eloise flinched before hurrying towards the car. But as she climbed inside, she lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around the hem of her dress.

Her thoughts returned to the moments before the accident. Kieran had been sitting behind the wheel, and she had been telling him about Yuki. She had mentioned the arranged marriage to him. Her body trembled as she remembered the moment his expression changed and his eyes fluttered before he suddenly coughed violently and blood appeared on his lips.

She remembered it all: the swerving car and the incoming headlights, followed by the crash. Eloise swallowed.

Could it really have been because of Yuki? No. She immediately pushed the thought away. Kieran had been exhausted. He hadn’t slept properly in weeks. He had been working himself into the ground. That had to be the reason. At least, that was what she needed to believe.

Killian moved around to the driver’s side. The moment he sat down, he gripped the steering wheel. Rain hammered against the roof. For several seconds, neither of them spoke. Killian started the engine.

The headlights illuminated the rain ahead. Eloise stared at him from the corner of her eye. His clothes were soaked, his hair was plastered against his forehead, and a streak of blood remained across his cheek. He looked furious. She knew the anger wasn’t targeted at her. His entire focus was on Kieran.

She couldn’t help wondering if he knew Yuki was awake. How would he react?