The Black Alder Series (Books 1-3)

Arabella Pov

It’s been two weeks since we have been here. Sam and Kyle went back to the packhouse to run it while we were here. I have had a few breakdowns as I come to terms with what happened. Some nights, I wake up, and they aren’t in bed with me. It makes me feel like this is all a dream, and they are still gone. I end up a crying mess until I see them rush into the room, letting me know they are okay. Each day is a new day as I allow myself to process that they are here and that everything really will be okay.

They told me that they were leaving tomorrow for some errands, but I had to stay inside the cabin, as they were planning a surprise for me.

“Ugh, I hate surprises,” I tell Ares.

“Just stay inside, Bella, please,” Adonis pleads, and I promise I will. I went up to the room because they didn’t want me to come down and see their surprise. Once I got upstairs, I saw a light blue dress laid out on the bed with a rose and a note.

“Put this on and meet us out back! Is all the note saying? I decide to wash up, and I slip the dress on after. I blow-dry my hair and curl it, pinning it up in a cute style. I don’t bother to wear any makeup. I know I don’t need it. The blue dress is so pretty. It hugs every curve, and it flows around my feet. There is a silver and blue pendant on the bed as well that matches the dress. I decide whether or not to put on heels, and I decide to put on my silver flats. It can’t go wrong there.

After I’m ready, I walk downstairs and open the door to the back. It’s nighttime now. Once I walked through, I was amazed by the scene in front of me. There is a table surrounded by wide flowers that seem to glow in the dark. Fireflies fill up the back, lighting up the whole back. There are rose petals that are scattered as a path to the table that looks decorated, but the sight that took my breath away the most was my mates. They were all dressed in matching black pants. Adonis was sporting a tan polo shirt. Ares’s polo shirt was the same, but it was a deep blue, the same color as his eyes. Ash had on a white polo shirt, looking equally as handsome. They all cut their hair and combed the curls to the back. They were my very own Greek gods.

I walked along the path, keeping my eyes on them, and I saw them take in my appearance, their eyes switching from black to their normal color, full of lust. Somehow, I felt more aware of myself. More confident. With these three by my side, I can do anything. The moon was full tonight, and it was shown directly to them, making it all so much more beautiful.

I stopped walking once I reached them.

“You look beautiful, Bella,” Ash says, taking my hand and kissing it before letting it go.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Agreed,” Adonis and Ares both say, taking each of my hands in theirs and kissing them too. I slightly feel my cheeks heat up, and I know I am blushing.

“You three look very handsome,” I told them, and they all gave me that award-winning smile I love so much.

“So, what’s the occasion?” I asked. They look at each other before all getting down on one knee. I feel my breath hitch in my throat.

Bella,” he said with a smile. He takes the very same colored velvet box from his pocket and opens it. Inside, it is a beautiful band with a little bit of space in the ring. Almost a C shape. Near the opening are little diamonds. It’s gorgeous. I can feel my eyes tearing up.

“Bella, I love you. I have loved you since the first time we met, and I didn’t even know who you were. You trusted me and told me your story when I was in my wolf form, and you didn’t even know who I was at the time. You trusted me from the very beginning. I had always hoped I would find my mate, and I knew you were out there somewhere. I sensed your goodness, and I basked in it. I still do, and I always will. I only ask that you give me the chance to do it forever. Bella. Will You Marry Me?” he asks hopefully. The tears slid down my face.

“Yes, Ash, of course. I love you,” I told him, grabbing his hand to stand up. He slips the ring on and picks me up. He kisses me, spinning me around, and I laugh. He sets me down in front of Adonis, who grabs my hand and kisses it again. He takes out a velvet box, the same as Ash’s, and opens it. Inside is a band of white stone teardrops.

“Love,” he starts, and I try to stop my tears.

“You are the strongest woman I have ever met. From the day I met you, I could tell you were strong. I can tell you are not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside as well. It’s what attracted me to you. It was never about your looks or your personality that completely drew me in, but your very soul. Your very soul is made up of pure goodness, which is rare to find. I want to be with you forever and share in that goodness. If you have me, so love, will you marry me?” He asks.

More tears came out of my eyes, and I nearly screamed yes. He smirks at my reaction and slides the ring on. It fits perfectly with Ash’s ring. He stands up and kisses me all over my face, leaving me with a fit of giggles before I turn to Ares. My beautiful Ares.

“Princess, you are my everything. From the moment I saw you, I knew you would steal my heart, which is why I tried so hard to fight it. I thought having you as my mate would make me weak, but it has made me incredibly strong. Stronger than I could have ever imagined. Without you, I’m nothing. Not having you makes me weak, and I want to spend every day with you knowing it. I can’t say I’m sorry enough. Nothing will make up for how I have treated you, princess, but I will apologize every day for the rest of my life. You are the only one for me, Princess, and I want-no, I need you to know it. Will you marry me, Bella?” He speaks. I searched his eyes and realized he was telling the truth.

More tears stream from my face as he pulls out his box and opens it. Inside is a silver band with a crown on it. It makes me giggle.

“A crown for the princess,” I asked, and he smiled, still on his knee.

“Yes, because you will always be my princess,” he said.

“Yes, I will be, and yes, of course, I’ll marry you, Ares. I love you so much,” I told him. He stands up and kisses me, lifting me and setting me down as Adonis and Ares laugh at us in happiness. Ares slips the ring on my finger, and the crown curves perfectly over the teardrop-shaped jewel. It’s perfect. They are perfect. Everything is now just perfect. We all sit down and eat the food they have prepared. I decided to spend my last night here with my new fiances doing what I should have done long ago.

Luckily, Sam had packed me a really cute black lingerie set, and I decided to wear it under my dress. It was a white bra with criss-cross patterns and pants that also had a crossed pattern to them, and they showed off my lower body nicely. I paired it with black fishnet stockings with straps on the top of the fishnets. I had clipped the straps to the top crossed band of my pants. I stood up as they were talking.

“This is our last night, right?” I asked them.

“Yes, we will be leaving in the morning,” Ash says, nodding.

“Is everything okay?” Adonis asks, and I nod. All three of them stare at me, most likely wondering why I’m standing up. I guess it’s now or never, I tell myself.

You’re so naughty. Arabella Royal says this as she reads my mind, and I giggle inside at her. While the triplets are watching me, I turn around and walk back to the cabin.

“Bella,” I heard from behind me. As I walk, I undo the straps of my dress and walk slowly, pulling it off. I grab the dress in one hand, toss it to the side, and glance behind me. Sure enough, all three of them have their mouths hanging open as they stare at me. I giggled, loving the reaction it gave me. I keep walking as I feel three pairs of eyes trailing my body, and I unpin my long hair and run my hands through it, shaking my curls out. I know they are watching every movement. I pause at the door and flip my hair, giving them a small smile as I turn to them.

“You boys are coming,” I asked, and I didn’t wait for the answer as I went into the house and went upstairs to the huge bedroom. I know it won’t be long before they come, and, sure enough, as I’m climbing up the steps, I see them walking fast and pushing past each other, trying to get to the door first. I rushed up the stairs and climbed onto the huge bed. I lean back onto the pillows and spread my legs open as I wait for them. Three mates for little old me. Selene wouldn’t have paired me with them if she didn’t think I could handle it. This is about to be interesting.