The night deepened as the estate became a hive of quiet activity. While Alexander, Alec, and Ace prepared to confront the roguish threat outside, within the private suite, Roo lay swathed in soft linens—a small, fragile figure whose quiet presence belied the storm brewing around him.
Outside, in a secluded wing of the estate reserved for holding detained rogues, Alec paced a long, dim corridor. The air was thick with the murmurs of apprehensive voices, and the sharp clink of chains echoed as a few captured rogues were brought before him. Their eyes, wild and resentful, darted about as they were pushed into a narrow interrogation room.
Alec's golden eyes were hard as he looked over the gathered rogues. "You will tell us everything," he said, his voice low and measured. "Who sent you? Why target the omega?"
A rogue with a scar across his cheek spat a sneer. "We were just following orders."
Ace stepped forward from the shadows behind Alec, his dark presence nearly overwhelming in the harsh light of the room. "Whose orders?" he demanded, his tone icy and dangerous. His glare pinned the man to his seat. "The one who thought an omega could bring shame to the pack."
The accusation hung in the air like a threat. The rogue hesitated, glancing nervously at his companions. Alec's steady, unwavering stare and Ace's fierce intensity slowly wore him down. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, he muttered, "It was… for someone who fears change, someone who knows that our way is the only way."
Alec's jaw tightened. "Who is it?" he pressed, stepping closer so that the rogue could not avoid his eyes.
The rogue's eyes flickered with terror and defiance in equal measure. "I—I don't know his name," he stammered, "Just… orders from above. They said the omega had to be removed—before his presence turned the tide."
Ace's fists clenched at his sides. "Turned the tide?" he repeated bitterly. "Turned the tide of what?"
Before the rogue could answer, a sharp rap at the door interrupted the interrogation. Alec paused, exchanging a brief, loaded glance with Ace. "Go," Alec ordered softly, motioning for the rogue to remain seated as he stepped away.
He opened the door to reveal Matteo, the Beta, his face lined with concern. "Alpha, we have Roo," Matteo said in a hushed tone, "He's stirring."
Alec's eyes widened. "Where?" he demanded, already striding back toward the estate.
Inside the suite, the atmosphere had shifted. Roo, who had faded into a fitful sleep moments before, began to stir again. His eyelids fluttered, heavy and reluctant, as if waging a battle with consciousness. In the muted light, he blinked slowly, trying to piece together the blurry edges of his surroundings.
Alexander was at his side, still seated on the edge of the bed. The silver-haired Alpha leaned in, his voice soft but insistent. "Roo, can you hear me?"
For a moment, Roo's eyes remained closed, his brow furrowing as if he were caught in a fragile dance between dreams and reality. Then, in a raspy whisper, he managed, "…why?"
Alec and Ace had arrived at the suite in swift silence, their expressions a mixture of relief and quiet determination. Alec knelt near the bed, his golden eyes searching Roo's face. "Why do you ask?" he repeated, gently. "Why are you here?"
Roo's voice was trembling, laden with confusion and a trace of fear. "I… I don't remember. Everything is dark, and then I was alone… and they attacked." His eyes darted around, absorbing every detail of the sumptuous room—a stark contrast to the wilderness where he'd been left to die.
Ace moved closer, his tone softer now despite the lingering edge in his voice. "You're safe with us," he said quietly, almost as if trying to coax a frightened child. "We will protect you."
Alexander's steady gaze never left Roo's eyes. "But we need to know who did this to you," he said firmly, "so we can ensure it never happens again."
Roo's gaze dropped to his hands, the uncertainty in them evident as he fiddled with the fabric of the blanket. "I… I don't remember much," he admitted softly. "There were screams, and then darkness. I remember a face… a shadow." His voice wavered as he spoke the only detail he could recall.
Alec exchanged a look with Ace—a silent understanding passing between the two. "A shadow," Alec murmured, "it might be a clue. Someone who wished to remain hidden."
Ace's eyes darkened. "Or someone who thought that by erasing you, they could erase the future." His voice was a low growl, resonating with possessiveness and a hint of personal vengeance.
Alexander gently reached out, placing a warm hand over Roo's, his tone both comforting and resolute. "You are more than just a victim, Roo. You're our mate, and we will protect you from any darkness that dares touch you again."
For a long, silent moment, the only sound was the quiet hum of the estate's air conditioning and the soft beeping of the IV monitor. Roo's eyes, still filled with uncertainty, began to settle, as if absorbing the gravity of the promise made to him.
Outside, back in the interrogation room, Alec resumed his questioning with the remaining rogues, the answers from their trembling voices beginning to form a pattern—a network of secrets that hinted at a conspiracy reaching far beyond a single rogue attack.
Back in the suite, the triplets gathered closer around Roo. Each of them—Alexander with his unwavering determination, Alec with his measured resolve, and Ace with his fierce protectiveness—shared a silent vow. They would not only heal Roo's physical wounds, but they would also unravel the mystery of his past, piece by piece, until they found the source of the threat that had nearly claimed him.
As Roo's eyes closed briefly once more—a moment of respite in the maelstrom of newfound revelations—the bond between them pulsed stronger than ever. It was fragile yet unyielding, born of shared danger and an unspoken promise of vengeance.
The night had grown deeper still, and with it, the threads of fate tightened around the trio. In the silent corridors of the estate, plans were forming, and the first steps of a long and dangerous journey were set in motion.
And somewhere in the shadows, a hidden enemy watched, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.
To Be Continued...