Alpha's Runaway Bride.

r Maya's modest but cozy home. It's been seven years since she fled her old

rvant, and acutely aware of the need for secrecy

kfast, keeping a watchful eye on the

s of scrambled eggs and toast in front of the

exchanging a concerned glance. "Mama," Rose begins hesitan

ortant that you all continue your education, and that school is the best fit fo

've all been doing so well at

t what if the other kids find out about

we've discussed this before. As long as you're careful and keep your abilities hidden, you'

l of toast. "Yeah, we can do it! We're s

she offers a small nod. "Ok

table, squeezing each

finish your breakfast and get re

ir meal, then scurry off to gath

go, a bittersweet

but her heart swells with pride at

the door, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads. "H

faces pressed against the windows as they watch t

ound herself, until the bus turns

eads back inside, already counting

pty and quiet without

ying up, her mind never stra

*

arts with no inci

harp wit and endearing personalities have made them be

than, has taken a particular dislike to the tri

ys, not wanting to give their mama a hard time b

ess, when ethan approaches the th

d your mom works at a bar and serves men. Maybe one

ly balk at this, their

i says, vo

care, crossing his hands

your dad is? Or is she too

rt sinks. Rose's lips wobble, her eyes welling with te

i adds, stepping protectiv

, stepping closer. "the

clenches his jaw. "You be

taunts. "You go

Eli pounce on Ethan,

me cheering the triplets on, o

admistress, Mrs. Blackwood, who hurries over. "Ch

palled at the sight of Ethan

r chests heaving. "He was bein

xcuse for violence. All three of you, to my office.

th worry. She finds the three children seated out

as soon aa they

rushing toward Maya as

s, peppering their faces wi

somber. Maya notices immediately

theart, wha

ries her face in Maya's skirt. "The mean

ches down to gently lift Rose's

rassment creeping across her cheeks. "He says that sinc

ug. "Oh, my darling, I'm so sorry you had to hear that. That b

s hardening. "We didn't let him get away wit

, but Eli quickly interjects. "He was being really mean

. But you mustn't retaliate, no matter how hurtful the

ith watery eyes. "But Mama, he was so mea

"Shh, it's alright, my sweet girl. You have every right to be u

heads bowed. "We're sorry, Mama," Aiden

r your sister. But violence is never the answer, no matter how justified it may feel." She

admistress's office. She called you an

he children inside, her mind racing. "Alright, let