Wren POV
I have been pouting in my bedroom for a few days. I haven't showered and have been living off junk food. If I look at another bag of chips, I might puke. My stomach is begging for a vegetable.
Tossing another book in the pile beside my bed, I scoff loudly. All of these romance books are full of the same thing. Couples meeting, having a whirlwind affair, and living happily ever after. A few years ago, I might have been naïve enough to believe that's how things work, but I am older and wiser now. Love is cruel and stupid.
Someone knocks on my door, and I groan loudly. "Who is it?"
"Open up, Bitch," one of the triplets yells through the door. "We have been searching for you."
I roll my eyes and flip over onto my stomach. "I'm not in the mood for company."
"Too bad," she calls back, and the lock on my door clicks.
I look up, and the triplets are standing in my doorway. Scarlett is dangling a room key from her fingers. "Really, Girls," I hiss.
Scarlett wrinkles her nose as she steps in. "Why does it smell like feet in here?"
Sophia picks up a bag of chips and digs through it. "Are you living off of junk food?"
"Maybe I am," I growl.
"What happened?" Sadie asks. "Destin seemed so into you at Heat, but by the looks of things, it didn't go well."
"He's my mate," I whisper.
Sophia slams my door shut and hops on the end of my bed. "The rumors are true?"
"Unfortunately," I whimper.
"What do you mean?" Sadie chirps. "Having a fated mate is like a fairy tale."
"If your mate wants you," I sigh. "And Destin doesn't want me."
"Yikes," Scarlett chimes in. "Are you going to reject him?"
I hide my head under my pillow. "I can't."
"Sure you can." Sophia rips the pillow off my face. "Just rip off the band-aid and then you can have all sorts of fun."
"I am the last werewolf to be gifted a fated mate. That wouldn't look good on the royal family." I wipe the tears from my eyes. "I have to keep up appearances."
"Ew," Sophia wrinkles her nose. "Being part of the royal family sounds awful."
"Do you ever get to do what you want?" Sadie chimes in.
"No," I chuckle sarcastically. "Never."
The triplets share a look. They are talking through the mind link, or maybe they are like my brothers and just know what each other is thinking. I am trying not to be annoyed with them.
"Okay," Scarlett finally speaks up. "You have pouted enough."
"And you have worried about other people over yourself for too long," Sophia adds in.
Sadie drags me off the bed. "You are coming out with us tonight."
I flop on the floor like a dead fish. "Last time I went out with you, it ended in disaster."
"We are going to go somewhere different tonight," Sophia winks. "But first, you need to shower."
"Do I have to?" I whine.
"Yes," the three answer at once.
Scarlett picks me up off the floor and carries me into my bathroom. "You are stronger than you look."
"Wash and shave," she commands me.
I stick my tongue out at her, and she crosses her arms over her chest. "Above the knee, too. I am going to check when you get out."
"Kinky," I muse before stripping off my clothes.
The water of the shower feels nice. I wash the grime from the past few days off my body and do what Scarlett asked. I shave my legs, making sure to be thorough. I do not doubt she will toss me back into the shower if she doesn't approve.
When I step out of my bathroom, my mouth falls open. They have cleaned my room. All of the trash is gone, my bedsheets have been changed, and my clothes are put away. "Thank you."
"Don't get too excited," Sophia smirks. "Our friendship comes with conditions."
I swallow hard. "And what might they be?"
Sadie pulls a pair of scissors from behind her back and snips them in the air. "I get to cut your hair."
My eyes widen. My hair has always been long. "How much do you plan on cutting?"
"That is for me to know and you to find out," she smirks.
Scarlett shoves me down in a chair and turns me away from my mirror. "Am I going to have to hold you down?"
"Have you always been so bossy?" I snap at her.
"It is my job as oldest," she smiles.
Sadie stands behind me and begins to cut. She dangles a long ponytail of my hair in front of my face. Sophia squeals with excitement, but I can't seem to find my voice. I reach up to touch my head, but Sadie smacks my hand away.
"You still have hair," she laughs. "Trust me."
The sound of the scissors clipping through my hair and the triplets giggling are the only sounds in the room. I can feel my face heating with embarrassment. What if this is some cruel joke, and Sadie is cutting off all of my hair?
While she chops, Scarlett and Sophia take turns applying makeup. I haven't had this type of treatment since I was in the royal mansion. I try to let myself enjoy the moment, but I am a bundle of nerves.
After what feels like hours, Sadie finally finishes. "Close your eyes."
I do as I am told. I have gone along with it this far; I might as well see it through to the end. They help me from my chair and position me in front of the mirror. "Open," Sophia chirps.
Letting my eyelids flutter open, I lean closer to the mirror to get a better look. I can't believe I am the same person. Sadie has cut my long hair to my shoulders and styled it in soft curls. Scarlett and Sophia have done my makeup respectfully, but I look better than I ever have.
"I look hot," I whisper.
"You definitely do," Sadie giggles.
"Now, get dressed," Scarlett shoves me toward the closet.
"Bossy," I call over my shoulder. "What do I wear?"
But no one responds. I peek my head out of the closet, and they are gone. Alpha Charlie is standing in the middle of my bedroom.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, holding my towel tightly around my chest.
The space between us disappears, and he cups my face with his hands. I should push him away, but I am frozen by the desperate look in his eyes. His face inches closer to mine, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
"Let me take you on a date," he whispers. "Please."
I open my eyes, and a spark flies between us. Jasmine stirs in my mind. I don't understand what is happening. All I know is that I can't deny him.