Her Three Alpha Mates Want Her Back After She Left

I grow up knowing that on my twenty-fifth birthday, I have to choose one of three Alpha heirs as my mate. Gideon Blackwood is quiet and controlled. Viktor is sweet, charming, and always knows how to get what he wants. Dominic is arrogant, hot-tempered, and hard in every possible way. For years, the three of them fight over me so openly that I never know which one I am supposed to choose. Then I see them surrounding my younger sister, Astrid Ashbourne. Their voices are mocking. “I’m not mating Valerie,” Dominic says. “I don’t even like her. What about you, Viktor?” Viktor laughs. “Neither am I. The second we get into bed, she starts pulling my ears. It hurts like hell. Astrid is much gentler.” Even Gideon, who is usually the most restrained of them, joins in. “I don’t want her either,” he says after a pause. “She’s always stepping on my dick.” His face turns red as he says it. Like he is genuinely embarrassed by me. I turn around and walk away. Good. Now that everyone knows I am not the real Ashbourne daughter, I no longer have to worry about which one of them to choose. That night, I book a flight to London. Anyone who wants those three wolves can have them. --- Astrid’s laugh drifts out of the private dining room. “You three are brutal. If Valerie heard you, she’d be heartbroken.” Inside, all three men go still. None of them deny it. That is enough. My eyes burn, and I force myself not to cry. I have known them for fifteen years. I have loved them for almost as long. And for the past two weeks, I have been driving myself crazy trying to decide which one of them I should choose at my mating ceremony. My fingers curl into my palm. A tear finally slips down my cheek. When the truth about my birth comes out, all three of them hold me and swear nothing between us will change. They tell me they will never leave me. What a joke. I wipe my face, steady my expression, and knock before walking inside. Astrid is Lycan King Marcus and Lycan Queen Victoria Ashbourne’s biological daughter. I am the child who was switched with her at birth. She invites me here, so I come. “Valerie,” Astrid says brightly. “You made it.” She smiles at me, but the look in her eyes is anything but friendly. I ignore it and take the seat across from her. The second the three men see me, their faces light up. Just like always, they immediately start fighting over who gets to sit beside me. Gideon loses this time. He sits farther away, his expression tight. Dominic drops into the seat next to me with a smug grin and leans against my shoulder like he has won something. Viktor sits on my other side and slides a glass of juice toward me. Usually, their attention makes me happy. Now I feel nothing. Frauds. “What did you want?” I ask Astrid. “Nothing serious.” She rests her chin on her hand. “Mom wants us to get along. She also wants to know when you’re moving back to Silverwood.” “I’m fine where I am.” Under the table, Viktor’s hand slides over my thigh. Dominic does not even bother being subtle. He reaches up and plays with my earlobe, completely ignoring Astrid. Across the table, Gideon peels a shrimp and holds it out to me. He watches me expectantly. Normally, I would eat it straight from his fingers and reward him with a kiss. This time, I do not even look at it. I stand. “If that’s all, I’m leaving. I have things to do.” All four of them freeze. I turn and walk out. The three men follow me immediately. They know I am upset. For once, none of them says a word. When we get back to the villa, Viktor catches my hand. “What do you want for dinner?” he asks. “I can make something and bring it upstairs.” The three of them grew up as heirs to powerful packs. They were trained in everything expected of future Alphas, including taking care of themselves and the people close to them. They are all annoyingly good cooks. “I’m not hungry. I’m taking a bath.” I pull my hand free and go upstairs. The second I step into my bathroom, I stop. Gideon is already there. The tub is full. He stands beside it, sleeves rolled up, watching me. His throat moves when his eyes travel over my body. For one second, his wolf flashes in his eyes. Predatory. Possessive. Mine, his expression seems to say. An hour ago, he told Astrid he did not want me. “Gideon.” He steps closer. “It’s my night.” There is an edge of panic in his voice that does not belong there. He reaches for my waist. Normally, I would already have my arms around his neck. Tonight, I step back. “Get out.” His expression changes. “Valerie.” “I said get out.” He stares at me. Then he lowers his voice. “Don’t be upset. Whatever happened, let me make you feel better.” I look at his mouth. The same mouth that said he did not want me. Something cold settles inside my chest. “Get out, Gideon.” My voice is flat. “I’m not saying it again.”