Fated to the Alpha–And His Triplet Brothers
Chapter 40: Old friend.

Chapter 40: Old friend.

*~Unknown~*

Finally, I was back in New Orleans.

After all these years of staying away, I had secretly hoped the city would ignore me as I stepped over its border but no, the familiarity gaped at me like a leech. It had changed, yes, but the buildings were the same. Upgraded buildings, brighter lights, but the old magic still pulsed under the surface.

I stepped into a nearby bar, lifting my chin slightly, the brim of my hat shading my eyes, my arm curled under the weight of my long, heavy gown. As I entered, silence swept the room. All eyes turned to me—mostly male. Mostly wolves.

They stared until I took a seat at the bar. The bartender came out, wiping his hands on a towel, and his scent hit me instantly wolf. Another one.

"Hey, beautiful. What do you need?" he asked, eyes flicking over me with that familiar predatory flirtation.

"Just a drink, please," I said plainly, scanning the bar again. No witches. Strange.

Back in my day, New Orleans was alive with both wolves and witches, like blood and bone. Now? Only wolves.

A sudden shriek sliced through the air beside me.

I turned. A woman stood trembling, a knife clutched in her hand. Four male wolves faced her. One of them growled, "Don’t you know witches are no longer allowed here?"

Another barked, "Alpha Cayden told us—if we see a witch, we kill."

"You and your coven rejected his offer to be tamed," the third one spat.

"Please... don’t kill me. I have a daughter," the woman begged, voice shaking as much as her blade.

They laughed at her. "Aren’t you supposed to cast a spell? Make us fall over?" one mocked.

"I could try, but I can’t take on all of you," she said weakly. "You’re wolves. I’d only make it worse."

She sobbed. "Please... I swear, I’ll leave. Just let me live. My daughter needs me."

"Oh, she laughed about leaving before coming here," one snarled, and then—it happened.

One grabbed her throat.

Another sank his teeth into her neck.

They drained her, laughing while the light vanished from her eyes.

I watched, emotionless. Cold.

And then I turned to the bartender. "Did you mix my drink?"

"Uh, yeah. Want it with a little bourbon?"

"Sure," I said. "I’m a little thirsty."

He looked at me again, this time more suspicious than flirtatious. "Huh. I thought you were a witch, you know. But seeing you watch that and not even flinch... You must be a wolf."

"Are you here to serve drinks or interrogate me?" I asked coolly.

He raised his hands, smirking, and went to grab my drink.

I stood and walked toward the wolves still cackling over the witch’s body. My fingers trailed across the bar as I approached, hips swaying slightly. I adjusted my gown, pushing my breasts up more prominently. Eyes snapped to me.

One approach. "Hey, gorgeous," he purred, taking my hand and kissing my fingers. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks," I smiled. "I’m looking for a room. Somewhere to stay the night. Can I stay in yours?"

"You wanna stay in my room?" he chuckled. "Sure. Though I share with my three brothers. You’ll have to share the room with all four of us."

I smirked. "Well... three heads are better than one."

I made eye contact with all of them and started walking. They followed behind like dogs. The bartender called out behind us, "Ma’am, your drink!"

"Do you want to follow or serve drinks?" I asked without turning around.

He grinned, yanked off his apron, and joined us.

Perfect.

They trailed behind me into a run-down inn, and I made sure to jam them all into one room. Once inside, I locked the door behind us. The bartender immediately dropped his trousers, revealing everything.

No boxers. Typical.

"Versa," I muttered.

All of them turned—obedient.

"What?" one gasped. "You’re a witch?"

"You’ll be surprised by what more I am," I said, slowly pulling off my hat. NovelFire

Their eyes widened.

"No... no way..."

"Shhh," I said softly, "Don’t talk while dying."

My wolf surged out, half of my face shifting—fangs, fur, fury.

I went first to the bastard who bit the witch. I drank all his blood, ripped the power of his wolf from his body.

Then the bartender.

Then the others.

When I finished, I pulled out my handkerchief, wiping the blood from my lips.

"Sometimes, men need to be reminded of their place."

I put my hat back on. My thirst was satisfied. My mission, not yet.

Next stop—Gilbert’s home. The beginning of everything.

The moonlight bathed me as I walked, my silhouette dancing across the cobbled streets. When I reached the house, I froze.

It still looked the same.

So many memories. So much pain.

Then... a car parked in the driveway.

The door opened.

Marcus.

The name echoed in my soul. He didn’t seem to recognize me. His eyes turned—not to me but to the passenger door, which he opened for a blonde girl.

"Father," she whined. "None of them wants me anymore. Can you believe Cayden chased me out of his room?"

"I’m sorry," Marcus said gently. "A lot is going on—"

"He’s never shouted at me before! He told me to leave!" she wailed, throwing a tantrum.

Then she stepped out.

His wife.

My stomach twisted. Rage, loss, betrayal.

I watched silently as the life I should’ve had unfolded before me.

Scrrrr

Then I saw it—letters forming on the back of the car, invisible to them. Only I could read it.

"It’s time, old friend."

"Versa," I whispered.

It was a hidden code for the location.

Without delay, I went.

Through the forest, deeper, deeper—until I reached a cave. A cloak was laid outside for me, but I stepped on it and entered without wearing it.

Inside, they all wore cloaks. Over five covered figures, with candles surrounding them, and also placed on rocks above them. They all covered their face

But my hat, low over my face, kept me hidden. Whispers rose as I approached the center. I could feel their curiosity—wondering if I was truly her.

I reached the middle.

Pulled off my hat.

Some gasped, some shivered.

One stepped forward, lowering her hood.

Lilith.

She smirked. "I thought you died." NovelFire

I returned the smirk. "What can I say? Legends don’t die."

I scanned the room. "So witches are banned now. Blue Moon wolves got bold. You should’ve accepted my help when I offered."

I suddenly remembered and turned to Dahlia.

"You... didn’t you die?"

"Same thing you said," she replied. "Legends don’t die."

We laughed—bitter, tired.

Dahlia, the once-revered leader, had rejected me years ago because of the unfortunate events of Cresents.

Now here she was, asking for my help.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

She looked at me carefully. "Your grandchild."

"I know," I smirked. "What do you plan on doing with my blood?"

"We need that child and you know why," Dahlia said. "Dead or alive." She was right, I know I would have been the first in line to kill or take that child if it weren’t my blood.

I stepped closer. "Is that why you summoned me? To kill my blood?"

"It’s not just you. It depends on the mother. Whether she’ll give up the child."

"Well we will have to make a deal, I will help

You have that child and you’ll tell me where the Cresents are... and how to awaken them

back."

"That’s quite a lot compared to what you are offering in return but yes.. Your people are still alive and if you do the end of your deal right, you will see them again "

"And how do you plan to take the child?" I asked.

Dahlia smiled slyly and snapped her fingers.

A man entered, cloaked in shadow. He stepped to the center and dropped his hood.

"All hail the Witches of the West," he said, bowing low.

My eyes narrowed.

Elder O’Brien. From the Blue Moon Pack.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"My name is Elder O’Brien," he announced. "I came because I know you need help. And I need power."

He stepped forward. "I want you to make me strong like that alpha. I want to be young again. Powerful again."

Dahlia tilted her head. "We can do that. You don’t want to age? You want to be stronger than Cayden?"

"Yes," he said, desperate.

"We can grant you that, O’Brien. But what do you give us in return?"

He looked up.

"What I’m offering may be more than enough."

He paused.

"Cyrius the last triplet, thought to be dead—is alive."

A wave of silence.

"He’s still in the High House. If you wake him... he’ll make a beautiful ally."