The room was deathly still, save for the faint rustle of silk as Roo's delicate fingers curled around Alexander's hand. The small gesture was almost imperceptible, but to the triplets, it was everything.
Alexander remained kneeling by the bed, his silver eyes fixed on Roo's trembling form.
His fingers instinctively tightened around the omega's hand, as if grounding him, as if anchoring something fragile before it shattered.
Roo's breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling too fast, his emerald eyes darting between the three towering figures surrounding him. He was small—so unbearably small in their presence.
Alec took a careful step forward, his golden eyes dark with something unreadable. "Can you hear us?"
Roo flinched. It was subtle—barely a twitch—but all three of them noticed.
Ace's jaw clenched. He had seen fear before, had smelled it clinging to enemies on the battlefield. But this—this scent was different. This wasn't just fear.
It was learned fear. Conditioned fear.
The kind that came from someone who had spent their entire life expecting pain.
A low growl rumbled in Ace's throat before he could stop it.
Roo immediately yanked his hand away from Alexander's grasp. His entire body curled inward, trembling as if he expected a blow.
Ace froze.
Shit.
He had done that.
Alec shot him a warning glare, his muscles tensing as he turned back to the omega. "Hey," he said, softer this time. "It's okay."
Roo was still trembling. His lips parted slightly, as if trying to form words, but his throat worked soundlessly. His fingers dug into the sheets, his breathing shallow.
Then, finally, after what felt like an eternity—
"…w-where…"
The voice was barely a whisper, hoarse, cracked from disuse. But it shattered through the silence like a scream.
Ace's fists clenched at his sides. Alec exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable.
Alexander, however, leaned in closer, his voice steady, unwavering. "You're safe. You're in our home."
Roo's green eyes flickered with confusion, his fingers tightening in the fabric of the sheets. His lips parted again, as if trying to form another word, but nothing came.
Frustration flashed across his face. He swallowed, his throat working visibly, his breath hitching.
Alexander caught it—the struggle. The way Roo's body tensed, his fingers trembling, his entire form curling in on itself as if trying to disappear.
"Take your time," Alexander murmured. His voice was softer now, quieter—like something meant only for Roo. "There's no rush."
Roo's lashes fluttered. His eyes searched Alexander's face, hesitant, wary.
And then, after a long, fragile pause—
"…w-who…"
Alec's breath hitched. Ace went unnaturally still.
Alexander's grip on the bed tightened.
Who.
Not what.
Not where.
Who.
The question settled between them, heavier than stone.
Alexander held Roo's gaze, silver clashing with emerald.
"We're your mates."
The words weren't loud, weren't forceful. But they carried a weight that shook the room.
Roo's lips parted.
His breath caught.
And then—
He fainted.
To Be Continued...