Mated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 76: Suspicions

The question caught me off guard, but I wasn’t offended. Something in Cassandra’s eyes made her seem genuinely curious rather than intrusive.

“No,” I answered, setting down the glass I’d been polishing. “I was an only child.”

Cassandra nodded slowly, her fingers tracing patterns on her milkshake glass. For a brief moment, something like sadness flickered across her features.

“I lied to you before,” she confessed abruptly.

My hands stilled. “About what?”

“When we first met, I said I didn’t have any siblings.” She took a deep breath. “But I did have an older brother. His name was Caleb.”

The way she said “was” didn’t escape my notice.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, not knowing what else to say.

Cassandra shrugged, attempting nonchalance, but her knuckles were white where they gripped her glass.

“It’s okay. He died when he was very young. I don’t even remember him, really.”

“That must be hard.”

“Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like, growing up with him.” Her eyes met mine. “That’s why I asked about siblings. I’ve always envied the Sullivan triplets because they come from such a big family. Having siblings is like having natural best friends, isn’t it?”

There was something in her voice that sounded so lonely. Despite all my suspicions about Cassandra, in that moment, she seemed genuinely vulnerable.

“You know,” I said, surprising myself, “anytime you visit Emberfang, you’re welcome at our place. I mean, if you’re looking for company outside of Callum...”

Her face lit up, the sadness vanishing so quickly I wondered if I’d imagined it. “Really? You’d let me visit your home?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

She beamed, taking another sip of her milkshake. “That’s so sweet of you, Hazel. I knew there was a reason Callum spoke so highly of you.”

As if summoned by his name, the bell above the door jingled again. Callum walked in, his gaze immediately finding Cassandra. His entire face transformed, softening with such obvious adoration that I almost felt like an intruder watching them.

“There you are,” he said, crossing the diner in long strides and bending to kiss her cheek. “Ready to go?”

Cassandra nodded, finishing the last of her milkshake. “Hazel and I were just having a lovely chat. She’s invited me to visit your pack house sometime.”

Callum’s eyebrows rose slightly as he glanced at me, but his smile remained warm. “That’s great. I’d love to show you around properly next time.”

They were so affectionate with each other—Callum’s arm draped protectively around her shoulders, Cassandra leaning into his touch—that I wondered if I’d misjudged their relationship. Maybe there weren’t any problems between them after all.

“We should get going,” Callum said, checking his watch. “We’ve got that dinner reservation at seven.”

Cassandra nodded, sliding off the stool. She reached across the counter to squeeze my hand. “Thanks for the milkshake. And the invitation. I’ll definitely take you up on it soon.”

“Anytime,” I replied with a smile.

+++

Third POV

Lucas drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as Liam studied the crumpled address in his hand. The road had grown increasingly narrow as they drove deeper into the forest, far from the well-maintained streets of the main pack territory.

“Are you sure this is the right way?” Liam asked, eyeing the overgrown path ahead.

Lucas nodded. “According to the records, Esther Perez lives at the very edge of Ironhound territory. I’ve been here before.”

Eventually, the trees thinned, revealing a small, dilapidated cabin. Smoke curled from the chimney, the only sign that someone might be home.

“Doesn’t exactly look like the residence of a once-celebrated doctor,” Liam muttered as he parked the car.

The brothers approached cautiously, their senses on high alert. Lucas knocked firmly on the weathered door.

Silence.

He knocked again, harder this time.

They could hear the sound of rustling papers, the scrape of a chair, and footsteps approaching hesitantly.

“Who is it?” a woman’s voice called, sharp with suspicion.

“Alpha Lucas and Alpha Liam Sullivan from Emberfang,” Lucas answered, his voice carrying the natural authority of his position. “We’d like to speak with Esther Perez.”

There was a moment of silence before the woman replied, “I don’t receive visitors. Please leave.”

Liam stepped forward. “We just want to ask a few questions about Angeline Bailey. It’s important.”

The door cracked open an inch, revealing a sliver of a gaunt face and one wary eye. “Angeline? What about her?”

“She was a friend of yours, wasn’t she?” Liam asked gently. “May we come in? It won’t take long.”

The woman regarded them for a long moment before sighing deeply. “Very well.”

The door swung open wider, revealing a thin woman with black hair streaked heavily with gray. She looked very different from the way she appeared in the photos in Matilda’s clinic.

“Alpha Lucas, Alpha Liam,” she acknowledged with a slight nod, but notably without the customary bow many would offer to Alphas.

She stepped back, gesturing for them to enter. The cabin’s interior was cramped but meticulously organized. Books lined every available surface, and various dried herbs hung from the ceiling.

“Please, sit,” she said, indicating two worn chairs by a small fireplace. “Would you care for tea? Water?”

“No, thank you,” Lucas declined immediately, his instincts keeping him alert.

“I’ll take some tea, if it’s not too much trouble,” Liam said politely, ignoring his brother’s sharp glance.

Esther nodded, busying herself at the stove. Lucas scanned the room, noting the lack of personal effects—no photographs, no mementos, nothing to indicate a life beyond these walls.

“We apologize for disturbing you,” Liam began once Esther had handed him a small cup of fragrant tea. “But we’re trying to learn more about Hazel Bailey’s parents.”

Esther’s hands trembled slightly as she took her seat across from them. “Angeline and I were friends, yes. Many years ago.”

“How did you meet?” Lucas asked.

“School, initially. Later, we worked together briefly at the pack hospital.” Esther’s gaze drifted to the window. “She was brilliant. Kind. Everyone loved Angeline.”

“But she disappeared?” Liam prompted.

Esther nodded. “One day, she simply... wasn’t there anymore. No goodbye, no explanation. She and David both, gone without a trace.”

“Were there any signs beforehand? Anything unusual?” Lucas pressed.

“They were happy,” Esther said, her voice suddenly distant. “They had just given birth to their daughter not too long ago. Everything seemed perfect.”

Lucas leaned forward. “Did Angeline ever mention anyone who might wish her harm? Or any group she might have been involved with?”

Esther’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What kind of group?”

“Any kind,” Liam said, taking a careful sip of his tea. “We’re just trying to understand what happened.”

Esther studied them for a long moment. “Angeline kept to herself mostly. Outside of work and family, she didn’t have many connections.”

Lucas noticed how carefully she chose her words, revealing nothing while appearing cooperative.

“Thank you for your time,” he said suddenly, standing. “We appreciate your hospitality.”

Liam looked startled but quickly followed his brother’s lead, setting down his half-finished tea. “Yes, thank you, Ms. Perez.”

Esther walked them to the door, her expression unreadable. “If there’s nothing else...”

“No, that’s all for now,” Lucas assured her. “We’ll be in touch if we have any more questions.”

Once back in the car, Liam turned to his brother. “Why the rush? We barely learned anything.”

Lucas started the engine, his eyes fixed on the rearview mirror where Esther’s cabin was slowly disappearing from view.

“Didn’t you notice?” he asked quietly.

“Notice what?”

Lucas’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“Esther’s neck. She doesn’t have the brand.”