Mated to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Meeting Grandpa Percival

My heart pounded in my chest as I tugged nervously at the hem of my sweater.

The triplets had given me time to change into something more presentable after our bathroom incident, but no amount of clean clothes could calm the storm of emotions inside me. I was about to meet my grandfather—a man I’d never known existed until recently.

“You look beautiful,” Liam assured me, his warm smile easing my tension slightly. He stood beside me at the top of the stairs, his hand resting supportively on my lower back.

“He’s going to love you,” Lucas added, his normally serious expression softened with understanding. “Just be yourself.”

Levi, ever the lighthearted one, winked at me. “And if he doesn’t, we’ll just have to drown him in the bathroom too.”

“Levi!” I hissed, my cheeks burning at the reminder of what had just happened, but I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped me. The triplets always knew how to break the tension.

“Ready?” Lucas asked, offering his hand.

I took a deep breath and nodded, slipping my hand into his. “As I’ll ever be.”

The triplets formed a protective formation around me as we descended the stairs—Lucas leading, Liam and Levi flanking me on either side. The gesture wasn’t lost on me; they were presenting a united front, showing their support.

As we entered the living room, I immediately spotted him—an older gentleman sitting rigidly on the edge of the sofa. His white hair was neatly combed back, and despite his age, he held himself with the strength and dignity of a much younger man. Evelyn and Henry sat across from him, their postures tense.

The moment I stepped into the room, Percival Hunt’s eyes found mine, and he froze. Something flashed across his face—recognition, shock, grief—all mingled together. Slowly, he rose to his feet.

“Hazel,” he breathed, my name sounding like a prayer on his lips.

I stood rooted to the spot as he approached, my heart hammering wildly. Up close, I could see the hazel eyes that matched my own—the feature that I guess I’d inherited from my mother’s side.

With trembling fingers, he reached out and gently touched my cheek, his eyes filling with tears.

“You look just like her,” he said softly. “Just like Helena.”

The name sent a jolt through me. Helena. That’s right. Percival raised her.

“I wish...” His voice cracked. “I wish I had been there during your childhood. I wish I had known.”

Lucas’s arm slid protectively around my waist. “She’s with us now,” he said. “She’s safe.”

Henry cleared his throat. “Percival, as I was saying before, Hazel was well taken care of growing up in our home.” noveldrama

Percival’s face hardened as he turned to Henry. “Was she? From what I’ve gathered, only her basic needs like food and shelter were provided. But what about love? What about family? What about respect?”

Each question landed like a blow.

Henry fell silent, shame evident on his face.

“That’s what I thought,” Percival said with a huff. “Guess that beating wasn’t enough.”

My lips twitched, trying not to grin. How could I forget? Alpha Henry had already received a round of hell for the way I was treated here growing up.

“We can’t change the past,” Liam interjected gently. “But we can promise that from now on, Hazel will want for nothing.”

“We’ll spend the rest of our lives making sure she knows how cherished she is,” Levi added, his usual playfulness replaced by sincere conviction.

Percival studied the triplets for a long moment before nodding. “I’ll hold you to that promise.”

He turned and walked back to where he’d been sitting, retrieving several elegantly wrapped packages I hadn’t noticed before.

“These are for you,” he said, presenting them to me. “Eighteen years’ worth of missed birthdays and Christmases won’t fit in a few boxes, but it’s a start.”

I stared at the gifts, overwhelmed by the gesture. “You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to,” he insisted. “Please.”

Hesitantly, I accepted the first box. Inside was an exquisite diamond necklace that made me gasp.

“It was your grandmother’s,” Percival explained, his voice soft with memories. “And before that, her mother’s.”

Evelyn made a small noise that drew everyone’s attention. “Surely Hazel doesn’t need such extravagant things,” she said, her tone superficially polite but undercut with disdain. “She’s never been one for luxury items.”

“How would you know what she likes?” Lucas’s voice cut through the room like ice. “You’ve never bothered to ask or notice.”

“Lucas,” Henry said warningly. “Watch your tone. That’s your mother.”

“And I am the new Alpha,” Lucas reminded evenly.

Evelyn’s face flushed with anger. “I’ve known her since she was a child—”

“And treated her like an unwanted burden the entire time,” Lucas interrupted. “You have no say in what gifts she receives or what she deserves.”

The tension in the room thickened. Evelyn’s lips pressed into a thin line as she stood abruptly.

“I see I’m not needed for this family reunion,” she said stiffly. “If you’ll excuse me.”

She strode from the room without another word. Henry sighed heavily, looking torn between his wife and his sons.

“I apologize for Evelyn,” he said finally. “She’s... adjusting to the changes.” With a nod to Percival, he added, “Please make yourself at home,” before following his wife out.

Once they were gone, the atmosphere in the room lightened considerably. Percival’s stern expression softened as he gestured for me to continue opening the gifts.

The next few hours passed in a blur of conversation and laughter. Percival was eager to learn everything about me—my likes and dislikes, my hopes and dreams. In turn, he shared stories about my mother, painting a picture of a woman I’d never had the chance to know.

“Your mother was brilliant,” he said, smiling at a memory. “Stubborn as a mule, but with a heart of gold. You have her spirit.”

“And her eyes,” Liam added, gazing at me affectionately.

I learned that my grandfather owned several successful businesses across the country—some legal and some not so—and that he loved sailing and classical music. He’d never stopped searching for my mother and sister after each of their disappearances.

“When I heard what happened to Angeline and David,” he said, his voice growing somber, “I was devastated. Then Helena too...” Percival’s voice cracked.

I looked at the triplets questioningly. Did my grandfather know about Helena’s death?

Liam nodded. “We told him,” he said.

“Actually, Leo did,” Levi said, though he spat out Leo’s name like it was bile.

“I’m just sorry it took so long to find you,” I said.

Percival reached over and squeezed my hand. “We have time now. That’s what matters.”

As evening approached, the conversation gradually shifted. Percival’s expression turned more serious as he looked between me and the triplets.

“Now,” he said, setting down his tea cup with deliberate care, “there’s something important we need to discuss.”

The triplets straightened, sensing the change in tone.

“You three are fated mates to my granddaughter,” Percival stated, his gaze piercing each of them in turn. “And I understand you’ve already proposed.”

Lucas nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Good.” Percival’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So when, exactly, do you plan to officially marry her?”