In The Shadows Of Two Alphas

I can protect her.

Andrea

Alarm surged through me, making me speechless for a second.

Garrett… he was still after me…

I shivered, spluttering out, “W-What does he want from me? Why?”

My voice broke, and Ronan glanced at me. His gaze carried a type of intensity, like he could see through me. It felt like I was being undressed in front of him.

“It doesn’t matter WHY,” Ronan’s words stopped me short. “No one will come near you. No one touches my mate.”

Dahlia’s eyes widened in surprise, and Kael glanced at Ronan, warning in his eyes.

“She’s your mate,” Dahlia said, awe and a faint sense of schadenfreude in her tone. “Then why do you let your brother touch her?”

Her words sparked a tension that rose. My cheeks burned, and I stepped away from Kael instinctively. I could feel the judgement from those words of hers.

How would they explain it? What would everyone think, that I was a mate to the both of them? It was unheard of, something I had no way to explain properly. I didn't even understand it myself.

Kael caught my arm before I could distance myself further from them, his words left in a hush.

“Dahlia, let it be. If you have nothing else to say, you can leave.”

Dahlia’s face turned an ugly shade of red, hurt and shock in her gaze, which lingered on Kael before flickering over to me. That was when her jaw clenched visibly, and she crossed her arms, glaring at me like I’d just done something wrong.

The attention made my heart clenched, and I pursed my lips.

“Regardless of what Garrett wants, let’s focus on tightening security. We still have a lot to handle in the region before returning to our territories. I have a safe house closer to the border. Let’s move there tonight while it’s still early.” Kael swiftly changed the subject. “Besides, Andrea would need to stay with one of us for the after this. At least for a while.”

“She stays with me,” Ronan bluntly told Kael, his tone frigid. “I can protect her.”

Distinctly, Kael’s hand tightened over my arm, making me tense up. My feet remained rooted to the floor as I watched the two brothers bicker.

“So can I,” Kael cut Ronan off, and they exchanged glances, which felt akin to watching two monsters sizing each other up. “Andrea shouldn’t be around bloodshed. You’re not the type to spare anyone.”

“And your sickly benevolence will? Tell me, will you be able to put her safety above your Southern region, Alpha King Kael?” Ronan snorted. “At least I can guarantee that.”

Alpha King Kael?

I realized I hadn’t paid attention to the signs before, but if Ronan was the Alpha king of the North… then… I swallowed.

Bonded to not one, but TWO Alpha Kings?

Dear Moon Goddess, what was the meaning of this? Was I truly cursed to such a fate?

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, and ended up only able to stare blankly at the two of them as their bickering took a turn for the worse.

Both of them were insistent on keeping me by their side, but I was only one person. How could I..?

I couldn’t make a choice either…

“Kael, Ronan’s right,” Dahlia jumped in, cutting off the argument. “I suggest she goes with Ronan—“

“I would rather keep an eye on her for myself,” Kael growled, one that sent shivers down my back.

Ronan’s eyes darkened considerably and he took a step forward, closing the distance between the two brothers.

My anxiety heightened and I blurted out, “Don't fight, please…”

Kael didn’t let his gaze leave Ronan’s but Ronan’s gaze slid over to me, his golden eyes tinged with a dark amusement, as though watching a prey. And a desire inside that stirred my inner primal instinct. A curiosity, a promise of what was to come.

“Fine,” Ronan’s smile didn't meet his eyes. “Let’s decide that later. I believe Andrea should get some rest.”

It was then that Kael noticed how pale my complexion had gotten, and he gently tipped my chin upward as he looked at me. His hands were warm, eyes full of concern.

“I'm fine,” I let out a whisper. His touch burned, imprinting itself into my skin, and it made my body itch for more.

“Alright,” Kael sighed and released me gently. “Cassie,” he called out, and in less than a minute, she came running, bowing to Ronan and Kael, her eyes fixed to the floor. “Take care of her. Ensure she eats well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cassie bowed.

Ronan added, “We move by tonight. Pack up whatever she needs for the journey.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Cassie bowed again, her head bobbing up and down as she refused to look them in the eyes.

Cassie moved to stand by my side, accompanying me back to my bedroom. The room had the clean scent of soap, of freshness. I looked around and saw the sheets had been newly laid.

Someone had died here, yet it seemed like nothing had happened.

I was no stranger to death, but the thought still lingered with chills that made my gut feel uncomfortable.

As I departed, a burning sensation stuck to my back, and I knew it was Dahlia. I let out a sigh of relief as the door was shut, and that gaze was blocked.

“Are you alright Miss? Come, get some more rest,” Cassie tried to usher me towards the bed but I stood my ground, shaking my head.

“I need to sit down. I'm not tired at all,” I softly said, moving instead towards the chair by the windowsill. “I’m not sure I want to sleep where someone has just died.”

Cassie nodded slowly, stepping forward to pull a blanket over me. I appreciated her for it, for though it was sunny and bright still, the entire sequence of events left a chill that refused to go away.

“Do you know who she is? That… Dahlia lady?” I couldn’t help but ask.

…