Chapter 5

Katherine POV

I pushed open my bedroom door and froze. Caspian sat on my bed, his lanky frame lounging against my pillows as if he owned the place.

"Caspian, you asshole. What are you doing here?" I hissed, slamming the door behind me.

His lips curled into that familiar smirk. "I have to say, you did well at school today. You didn't even flinch when you saw me."

"Why would I flinch? I wasn't surprised to see you there." I dropped my backpack on the floor. "I knew they'd send someone to monitor me."

"Yes, and it looks like that someone is me." Caspian's eyes followed me as I moved around the room. "So, what exactly are you doing with the triplets? You didn't give them any attention at all."

I glared at him. "That's none of your business. When I'm ready, I'll let the triplets know who I am."

"Well, you'd better hurry up. Time is running out, and people are hunting." His voice dropped to a whisper, tension lining his face.

I paused, studying him for a moment before asking, "Did you bring the stuff?"

Caspian reached into his backpack and pulled out a small black case. Inside were several needles and vials of clear liquid. I sat beside him on the bed, drawing some liquid into a syringe with practiced efficiency. I pushed my sock down and injected between my toes, not even wincing as the needle pierced my skin.

Caspian watched, his expression twisted with confusion. "How can you do that to yourself?"

"It's easier for you," I snapped, anger flaring in my voice. "Everyone thinks you're human because they can't sense the wolf in you."

"That's because I'm not a werewolf," Caspian countered.

"Yeah, you think I asked for this?" My voice cracked slightly. "You think I wanted this?"

"No." Caspian's tone softened. "But people are getting anxious about what you're doing here."

"I've been in Portland for a month. I just met them today. Give me a fucking break." I carefully returned everything to the black case, then lifted a loose floorboard and tucked the case beneath it.

Caspian moved to the window, leaning against the frame. "Katherine, you know I'm on your side."

"Yeah, everyone says they're on my side," I said, defeat creeping into my voice, "but nobody's doing anything about the coming problem. Everyone expects me to handle everything myself."

"You're the only one who can do it," Caspian replied. "You might be suppressing your wolf, but the triplets already know you're their mate. I saw the way they looked at you."

I sighed. "I know. But as long as I play human, I can gather as much information as possible before they discover the truth."

"You know my job is to help you," Caspian said, his voice softening. "That's why I was assigned here—to train you, to keep you safe. The organization didn't just send me to spy."

"Some days it feels like spying is all you do," I muttered.

"Tomorrow, same spot in the warehouse district. Your FIRE control needs work," Caspian said, switching to trainer mode. "And your MIND barriers are still weak against stronger telepaths."

I nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But no more of those endurance drills. They're pointless when I'm suppressing my abilities."

"That's exactly when they're most important," Caspian countered. "If you need any other help, just tell me. I'm here for you, not just for them."

"I will."

With a nod, Caspian slipped out the window and disappeared toward the forest preserve that bordered Portland. I closed the window after ensuring he was gone. I stood there for a moment, staring out at the rundown East Side neighborhood and the distant forest beyond, wondering what the triplets were doing now.

I knew the triplets recognized me as their mate, but they also thought I was human. They were probably discussing rejecting me, and I couldn't blame them.

Triple Alphas were the rarest type, and no pack had ever had three Alphas before. People realized how dangerous this could be and needed to stop them before it was too late, even though they lived in the relatively isolated private estates of North Portland.

Many didn't believe they would keep the pack in Portland once they took over. This had marked them as targets for death, not just by other werewolves but by many species. They were in grave danger.

I couldn't just tell them they were in danger—they would laugh at me, think I was crazy, never believe me. I only hoped the "Peace Accord" organization would trust that I knew what I was doing and stop interfering.

My only consolation was that I was only seventeen; when I turned eighteen, the wolf inside me would forcefully emerge, wanting its mates. I had to complete my mission before that happened. Currently, the mate bond didn't affect me as severely—I knew it existed, could feel it, but wasn't drawn to the triplets as they were to me.

I hated putting the triplets through this. They deserved better, deserved to know the truth. But they weren't ready, couldn't accept what I needed to tell them. They might act tough and strong, but the North Portland werewolf pack wasn't large enough to face the "Pure Blood Alliance" threat.

Through my connections with multi-species mentors, I knew time was running short. I wouldn't act rashly unless absolutely necessary.

Eventually, I moved away from the window and sat on my bed, absently picking up my sketchbook. When I finished drawing, I realized I'd sketched portraits of the triplets—Samuel, Edward, and Lucius. I stared at the drawing, unable to stop looking. They were the most handsome men I'd ever seen.

A strange warmth spread through my chest as I traced Samuel's stern jawline with my fingertip. The sensation caught me off guard. Was I actually attracted to them? The realization hit me with unexpected force. This wasn't just the mate bond pulling at me—I genuinely found myself drawn to them after just one day. The intensity of it was unsettling.

In this rundown East Side home, I could at least acknowledge these feelings that I couldn't show at Portland Public High. I couldn't let the triplets see any vulnerability.

"I am human. I am human. I am human," I repeated to myself, trying to regain control. Focus on the mission, not the feelings.

I had to ensure I didn't do anything at school to mess up, to reveal my true identity—a mixed blood of werewolf, vampire, witch, and elf. I doubted anyone would believe me anyway; according to all supernatural knowledge, I myself was a myth.

Supernatural beings didn't believe I existed, which was why the "Peace Accord" had sent me here. The triplets being my mates was just a coincidence, one that actually made many people happy when they discovered it.

I knew what would happen—as soon as the triplets learned I was pretending to be human, they would feel betrayed. And when they discovered my true mixed nature, they would reject me completely. Werewolves mated with werewolves, not with hybrid creatures from myth. It was better to keep my distance now, to protect myself and them.

The thought of being rejected by the triplets tugged uncomfortably at something inside me. I closed the sketchbook and set it aside, pushing away the strange longing I felt. This was no time for distractions. I needed to stay rational, stay focused on the mission. The fate of the triplets—and potentially the entire supernatural community in Portland—depended on it.