Emma's expression shifted, uncomfortable. "Your mother came to me this morning with some concerning information."
I looked between them, understanding crashing over me like ice water.
"You," I said to my mother. "You exposed us. You told her."
"I did what I had to do to protect you," she said calmly.
"Protect me?" My voice rose. "You ruined everything!"
"I saved you from ruining yourself. Again."
"Mrs. Hale explained the situation," Emma said. "The bonding. The complications."
"She's Category Red, Emma," my mother said, like I wasn't even in the room. "She doesn't think clearly during her heats. These Alphas took advantage of her."
"That's not true!" I spun to face her. "I chose this! I chose them!"
"You don't know what you're choosing. Your biology is controlling you."
"Regardless of how the bonding occurred," Emma interrupted, her voice firm, "we have a problem, Reina. A conflict of interest problem."
"I can still do my job."
"Can you? Can you remain objective photographing games where your bonded mates are competing against each other?"
"I've been doing it for weeks."
"Before the bond became public knowledge, perhaps. But now?" She shook her head. "The league is concerned. The teams are concerned. This reflects poorly on the NIHL."
"Trinity bonds are scandalous," my mother added. "Especially between rival team captains. It's inappropriate."
"Mrs. Hale, please," Emma said, but she didn't disagree.
My mother leaned forward. "This is your chance to fix this, Reina. To walk away from those men before they destroy each other over you."
"They're not going to destroy each other. They're bonded to me. To each other through me. It's called a trinity bond."
"Trinity bonds don't last," my mother said dismissively.
"You don't know that."
Emma cleared her throat. "Reina. I need you to make a choice."
My heart stuttered. "What choice?"
"You can keep your position with the NIHL. We'll reassign you away from both the Frost Kings and the Steel Wolves. You'll photograph other teams, other sports entirely. No contact with either of your mates during working hours."
The words hit me like physical blows.
"Or?" I whispered.
"Or you resign. Pursue your bonding. Build your life with them." Emma's expression was almost sympathetic. "But you can't have both."
The room was silent except for the sound of my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
I could feel both Alphas through the bond even hundreds of miles away. Luca's guilt, his certainty that this was his fault. Jaxon's rage, his desire to burn everything down to protect me.
And underneath it all, their love. Fierce and unshakeable.
