Heir to the Alpha Spin-off: Alpha Trio
Author
B. E. Harmel
Reads
735K
Chapters
65
Chapter 1
JASMINE
My heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it echoing in my ears. My stomach twisted into knots, and I hadnāt been able to eat a single bite since breakfast.
Because today was the dayāthe day Iād finally meet my mate. It was my first Moon Ball since turning twenty-one, and even though there was a chance my mate could be younger, I just had this feeling deep down that tonight was the night.
In fact, I already had a pretty good guess who it might be. Well, not just one guessāmore like three.
As if the pressure of finding my mate and changing my life forever wasnāt enough, tonight would also be the first time Iād see all three of them together again. My three ex-boyfriends, all in the same room.
Oh Goddess.
Being the daughter of the alpha of the Aurum Pack meant Iād always attended council meetings with my parents. And just like me, the three of them had always come along with their parents too.
Weād grown up together, playing and laughing, but once we hit our teenage years, things got complicated. Really complicated.
My first relationship was with ErikāErik Bellatorāand we just couldnāt keep our hands off each other. Erik was the one I lost my virginity to, and our connection was pure chemistry; the sex was intense, incredible, and felt like our souls were speaking to each other through our bodies.
Erik made me feel strong, like I could conquer the world with him by my side. But we were young, and our dreams and goals didnāt line up, so eventually we drifted apart. He started skipping council meetings just to avoid me.
We didnāt break up because we were angry; it was just frustration, and somehow that hurt even more. I was devastated, and since the four of us had always been so close, the meetings never felt the same again.
Aaron had warned me this would happen, but Iād ignored him. I shouldāve listened.
After some time passed, it was Sebastian Wolfheart who slowly won me over with his endless patience and kindness. Sebastian was the most beautiful man Iād ever laid eyes on, and our connection was deep and emotional. He showered me with affection and compliments, making me feel confident and loved.
But his pack was the farthest away, and the distance slowly wore us down. Obstacles piled up, and even though we loved each other fiercely, it wasnāt enoughāespecially with him busy training to become alpha of his fatherās pack.
My heart hadnāt even healed from Erik when Sebastian broke it all over again, leaving me feeling lost and empty. I wanted to shut myself off from love completely, convinced I couldnāt handle another heartbreak.
Thatās when Aaron Scire stepped in, my best friend and the voice of reason in my life. Our connection was differentāit was mental, rational, and intellectual.
Not that we didnāt have love or sex, because we did, but our strongest bond was how similarly we thought. Our ideas, strategies, plans, and goals were always aligned; Aaron was like my mirror, reflecting my own thoughts back at me, and I loved that about him.
He challenged me constantly, pushing me to my limits and forcing me to become better. Sure, he irritated me sometimes, but he always brought out the best in me.
But Aaron, always the rational one, decided to break up with me before the ball. He said it was the logical thing to do since it was rare for anyone to find their true mate before the Moon Ball.
Then he asked me the question thatās haunted me ever since: Did I feel complete with him?
I froze when he asked, my throat tightening so much I couldnāt even speak. Because the truth was, no, I didnāt feel completely whole with himāI felt complete intellectually, sure, but emotionally, Sebastian had filled that space, and physically, sexually, it had always been Erik.
None of them had ever completed me one hundred percent. And a mate was supposed to complete you fully.
When I didnāt answer, Aaron understood, and he hadnāt spoken to me since. Now, here I was, finishing up my makeup and putting on my jewelryāthe trademark of my pack.
We were known for our mining expertise, and our jewelry was famous, our greatest source of wealth. I slipped into my navy-blue dress, the soft fabric hugging my curves perfectly before flowing gracefully down my body.
I smiled to myself, knowing that if tonight went as planned, my wolf would tear this beautiful dress to shreds when I finally found my mate.
A mate who would eventually become alpha of my pack, all because I was my fatherās only daughter. So, on top of having to face my three ex-boyfriends tonight, I also had the added pressure of finding someone who could lead the pack by my side.
Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine and kept me wide awake.
āKnock, knock.ā My motherās voice drifted into the room.
āCome in, Mom,ā I called out. She stepped inside, looking beautiful in her green dress. She walked over to me, meeting my eyes in the mirror as she gently smoothed back the waves of my hair.
āNervous?ā she asked softly. Another shiver ran through me as our eyes connected in the reflection. I swallowed hard, knowing I couldnāt lie to her, and simply nodded.
āWhatās worrying you, sweetheart? Itās your nightāyou should be enjoying it,ā she said gently, continuing to brush my hair.
āEverything, Mom. The pressure of my mate needing to be alpha, and the fact that I have to see them againā¦ā
She sighed softly.
āI wish I could just wave my hand and take all your worries away, Jasmine. But try not to stress too much, my love. Enjoy tonightāyou might not even find your mate today, and then youāll have worried yourself sick for nothing, my princess.ā
I tried to smile, knowing she was right; it was going to be a beautiful party, and I needed to let myself enjoy it.
āDo you think it could be one of them, Jasmine?ā
My motherās question was exactly what Iād been dreading, the one Iād been too afraid to ask myself, even though deep down, I already knew the answer.
āI donāt know,ā I replied with a sigh. Soon after, I followed my mother outside. It was finally time to go.
When we arrived at the ballroom, my breath caught at how beautifully it was decoratedāgold and green colors everywhere, flowers spilling from every corner. My eyes wandered around the room, taking in the magic of it all; on ball nights, the moon always felt closer, more present somehow, making the atmosphere both tense and exciting at the same time.
Even though this was my first ball, and even though I had a few friends here, I still felt completely lost.
It had always been the four of usāfour best friends, inseparableāand now, thanks to the fact that Iād dated each of them, Iād lost that closeness, and it felt strange being in the same room with them again. Actually, ever since Iād started dating them, the four of us had never been together in the same place. Tonight would be the first time.
Great, I thought sarcastically, feeling completely out of place and anxious. I glanced around at everyone smiling and chatting, and frustration bubbled up inside me; clearly, my best option was a drink.
I headed straight for the bar, determined to order a glass of champagne or wineāanything with alcohol. But just as I reached the counter and opened my mouth to order, I felt a presence beside me, strong enough to make me turn my head, and there he wasāErik.
With his right arm raised, he leaned toward the bartender and said, āA shot of whiskey and a glass of champagne.ā
It was impossible not to feel the electric shocks, the shivers racing through my body, the almost ridiculous effect his presence had on me. He wore the formal uniform of their guardāa dark-blue suit covered in insignia and medalsāand the jacket hugged his muscles perfectly, making me remember every curve of the sculpted body I knew he had.
Erikās pack had always been known as fierce guardians, famous for generations for crafting the finest weaponsātools of war made only by those who truly understood the weight of battle. Their strength was in their guard and military; their greatest investments had always been in security and defense.
Erik and his father had both grown up training alongside soldiers, and Erik had earned more medals and honors than anyone else his age. Just like all the Bellators, he was absurdly determined and focused.
He smelled like the sea, vanilla, and freedomāa unique, salty scent with a hint of mint. It would have been impossible to describe how completely intoxicating it was. It made my knees weak.
I swallowed hard when his honey-colored eyes locked onto mine. My heart was beating so fast, nerves fluttering in my stomach, and I was terrified it was written all over my face.
āGood to see you, Minnie,ā he said, his husky voice vibrating through me.
Hearing him call me by the nickname heād always used made me lose my breath, leaving me barely able to respond. He used to call me my Minnie, and Iād forgotten just how special that made me feel.
But I took a deep breath, forced a smile, and finally managed to say, āGood to see you, Erik.ā
He smiled at me, and I swore my heart skipped a beat. Just when I thought he couldnāt possibly get any more beautiful, he went ahead and proved me wrong.
The bartender slid two glasses toward us, and Erik handed me one filled with champagne. āYou still prefer champagne for special occasions, right?ā
I nodded, taking a small sip without breaking eye contact, his honey-colored eyes locked onto my green ones. āAnd wine to drink casually,ā I added softly, my heart fluttering at the realization that he still remembered these little details about me.
āBut today is a special day,ā he said, stepping away from the bar and motioning for me to follow.
I fell into step beside him, my pulse quickening just from being this close again. āOf course. Anxious?ā I asked, even though part of me dreaded hearing his answer.
Being near Erik again made me realize how much I still liked him, and the thought of him finding a mateāsomeone who wasnāt meāsent a sharp pang of jealousy through my chest.
āA little,ā Erik admitted, smiling shyly as he glanced down, walking slowly beside me. āBut I know that not everyone finds their mate at the first ball, soā¦ā
He led us toward one of the balconies off the side of the ballroom.
āTrue, but it doesnāt make this day any easier,ā I said, leaning against the railing and gazing out at the dense forest stretching beneath the moonlight.
āI just hope she chooses the best path,ā I whispered, my eyes drifting upward to the glowing moon.
Erik joined me, his gaze fixed on the same bright orb. āShe always chooses.ā
Strangely enough, hearing him say that comforted me.
āErik, come here, I want to introduce you to someone,ā a voice called from behind usāit was Ragnar, Erikās father.
āIām coming,ā Erik shouted back. He turned toward his fatherās voice before facing me again. He leaned in slightly, so close I could feel his breath warm against my skin. āI need to go, but itās always wonderful to have your company. See you around?ā he asked softly.
My lips parted slightly, and for a split second, I almost gave in to the overwhelming urge to rise onto my tiptoes and kiss those full lips Iād missed so much. But I couldnātānot today, of all days.
I sighed in frustration, forcing myself to hold back. āIāll see you around,ā I finally answered. I watched as Erik walked away, stealing glances at me as he always did.
I couldnāt help but admire him as he moved through the room, his presence commanding attention effortlessly. Heād always been like thatāstrong, confident, and destined to be an incredible alpha.
Whoever ended up as his mate would be incredibly lucky. I just didnāt know if that lucky person would be me.
I watched him disappear into the crowd, and my heart sank a little. The part of me that once felt whole with him stirred again, like an ember reigniting after being dormant for too long.
But I couldnāt act on itānot tonight, not with so much at stake. I had to focus on the future, on finding my true mate.
Yet, as I stood there alone, the lingering scent of sea salt and mint still hanging in the air, I couldnāt help but wonder if it was really possible to move on from someone who had once been my entire world.
