Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers - Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Bad Luna.
*~Leon’s POV~*

The little boys led us down the long hallway toward the palace. My palms were sweating the closer we got. This was the heart of the pack where the Alpha and Luna huge walls are and Aurora wasn’t exactly doing the world’s best job at pretending to be a man.

The moment we stepped into the throne room, the Alpha stood up. Broad shoulders, sharp jaw, the kind of presence that filled the entire hall. His eyes landed on us, and he walked forward with a grin.

“Oh, these are the visitors I met the other day,” he said, gesturing toward the elegant woman seated beside him. She rose slowly, every step graceful and controlled. That had to be the Luna.

Her eyes swept over us… then stopped on Aurora. My throat tightened. Oh no. Oh no no no. What is she thinking? Did she notice? Did she see it in the jawline? The hips? The breast size? The… everything?

The Luna approached, and for a terrifying second I thought she was about to expose us. Instead, she reached out and touched Aurora’s cheek.

“Mmm,” she murmured, head tilted. “You look very pretty for a man. I would have called you a woman at first glance.”

Aurora blushed so hard I thought steam would rise. “Thank you so much,” she said. “I’ll… take that as a compliment.”

The Alpha chuckled, sweeping his arm wide. “Come in, come in. The ball starts tonight. You two missed the pre-ball yesterday. Why weren’t you there?”

I forced a tight smile. “We were very busy.”

“It happens,” he said casually, already turning.

We were directed toward the dining hall, and the moment Aurora stepped inside, she screeched.

“Oh my God—it’s so huge!”

I pinched her hand so fast I could have sworn I saw sparks. She turned and shot me a deadly glare, rubbing the spot. The Alpha and Luna only smiled politely, pretending not to notice her complete lack of nobility.

We sat down, though “sat down” was generous — this table was so long I felt like I needed binoculars to see her from my end. The moment food was served, Aurora dug in like she hadn’t eaten in twelve years, snatching pieces of roasted chicken with pure desperation.

I cleared my throat at her, trying to silently tell her to act normal, but she didn’t even glance my way.

“He must be hungry,” the Luna observed.

Aurora nodded vigorously, cheeks puffed like a squirrel.

“Haha! He’s eating like a monkey,” the youngest son snickered.

His mother snapped. “Lucien! That is no way to speak to a visitor. Apologize.”

Lucien crossed his arms. “I’m sorry… monkey.”

His older brother smacked him on the back of the head, and the two bolted out of the hall. The Luna sighed.

“I’m very sorry about them. Children can be… spirited.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly.

Then the Alpha turned to me, casual as ever. “Do you have any of your own? Any children?”

“No,” I said.

“How about a wife?”

Aurora inhaled sharply—too sharply—and I slammed my fork against the table before she could ruin everything.

“No. No wife,” I said firmly, forcing a smile.

She glared at me with betrayal in her eyes. I gave her a quick apologetic grin.

The Luna turned her attention to Aurora. “What about you? What’s your name?”

Aurora dropped her voice an octave. “I am Eric.”

“And do you have a wife, Eric?”

“He doubts he’ll ever have one,” the Alpha joked. “He looks like a wife himself.”

Everyone laughed — including Aurora, though hers was strained.

“No, I don’t have a wife,” she answered. “But I hope to have one someday.”

“Oh, please marry someone pretty,” the Luna said warmly. “Your children will be beautiful.”

Aurora nodded politely. But as soon as the Luna looked away, she hit me with another sharp glare.

“So, are you two leaving immediately after the ball,” the Alpha asked, leaning back in his seat, “or will you be staying with us for a while?”

“For a while would be an understatement, Your Majesty,” I replied quickly. “We haven’t found a home yet in… in this your pack. So we’ve decided to stay here in the High House. With you.”

The Luna clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh, I’m so happy about that! How wonderful! I’m so excited to have you around.” Her gaze slid very intentionally to Aurora.

Aurora froze, then forced a stiff smile that looked like it hurt her bones.

Excited to have us around? Why is she staring at Aurora like that? My stomach lurched. She definitely thinks Aurora is a man. And she’s definitely planning to flirt with him right in front of her husband. Oh, that is disgusting. Sick.

The Alpha snapped his fingers at one of the palace wolves. “Arrange rooms for our guests.”

The wolf bowed. “Yes, Alpha. Will they be taking separate rooms or the same—”

“Separate rooms,” the Luna answered instantly, not even letting him finish.

Aurora and I whipped our heads toward each other at the same time, both our eyes widening in horror. If we stayed separately, we were cooked. Burnt. Exposed.

“I want his room”—she stretched out a perfectly manicured finger and pointed straight at Aurora—”next to mine. My private room.”

Aurora’s smile twitched disturbingly, like her face couldn’t decide whether to blush or scream.

“Why… my lady?” Aurora asked carefully.

“Oh, nothing.” The Luna smiled sweetly, almost innocently. “You just have a very good energy around you. I’d love to have you close.”

Oh, stars above. She’s flirting. She is genuinely flirting. With Aurora. With her mate — the Alpha — sitting right there. Pack politics is insane.

The Alpha chuckled and waved a hand. “Don’t mind my wife. She’s a terrible people-pleaser.”

“Yes,” Aurora said slowly, voice still forced deep. “Put my room next to hers.”

I nearly choked.

The wolf nodded and hurried away to arrange everything before things could get any more awkward.

We finished eating, and the moment I swallowed the last bite, I pushed back my chair. “Thank you,” I said. “We’ll head to our rooms.”

“Yes,” the Alpha agreed, standing. “Go tidy up. I’ll have clothes sent to you. Wolf! Take him to his chamber.”

A palace guard stepped forward and gestured respectfully for me to follow him.

Aurora rose as well, ready to leave with me — but she didn’t get the chance.

The Luna glided forward with a smile so bright it was borderline predatory. She gently took Aurora’s hand, her fingers lingering far too long.

“Come along, pretty boy,” she said, voice honey-soft. “I’m escorting you to your room myself.”

Aurora, being as painfully naïve as ever, immediately stood up when the Luna tugged her hand. I watched Aurora’s face twist into visible discomfort, her shoulders tightening under the woman’s touch. I mouthed, Good job, pure sarcasm dripping off my lips.

She shot me a glare so sharp it could slit a throat.

Before she could murder me with her eyes, I rose and followed the wolf leading me out of the hall. He guided me through polished corridors until we reached the guest chamber. The moment the door closed behind me, I sagged with relief.

The bathtub sat waiting — steaming, luxurious, far too indulgent for the chaos tearing through my head. I slid into it, sinking until the warm water swallowed every tense part of me.

“Oh… it’s been a while,” I muttered. “I almost forgot what comfort feels like.”

For a moment, my mind drifted to New Orleans — the life I’d built, the legacy I carved with my bare hands. I was better there. Stronger. Sharper. Staying here felt like throwing that version of myself away — the title I fought years to become. I worked my entire life to reach that higher side of myself… and when I finally earned it, what did I do?

I threw it away for….

But I couldn’t regret her. Not for a second. I’ve always been good at choosing emotion over duty, even though I was raised to do the opposite. I’m done living for other people’s expectations. I’m living for myself now.

And Aurora? She’s my world. I will always choose her.

But choosing her came with danger. Hazel would never stop hunting us. She might think we’re dead, but that won’t hold forever. And if the Alpha here grows impressed with me — if he places me in some important position in the pack — word will spread. Other packs will hear. Our secrets will unravel. Aurora will be exposed.

Damn it. We can’t stay here forever. I need a plan.

Just then, something black darted across the floor. I nearly launched myself out of the tub.

“Kovu! What are you doing here?”

The cat growled softly, pacing the room as if searching. Probably for Aurora.

I dragged myself out, wrapped a towel around me, dried off, and threw on clean clothes. After a minor wrestling match with the moody creature, I scooped him up.

“Alright,” I sighed. “Let’s go find your owner.”