CHAPTER 4
2229 Words
Aurelia's POV
Music pounded through my chest as I entered the private lounge beside Caesar. The place reeked of expensive whiskey and wolf—that distinct scent that screamed power and danger. I'd agreed to come as his date to save myself from trouble after what happened in the library. What choice did I have?
"Remember what I told you," Caesar whispered, his hand possessively at the small of my back. "Stay close and don't embarrass me."
When I stepped inside and saw who was waiting, my stomach dropped.
The Kane brothers. All seven of them.
They lounged around like they owned the world—which in this city, they practically did. Their laughter cut off when they spotted me, and the room went quiet. Too quiet.
I couldn’t stopped myself but noticing each brother’s features or more like drooling.
Oh my God. In one room. The stuff of every omega's fantasy—and nightmare.
Caesar stood beside me like some dark prince, a storm brewing behind those eyes. His jaw looked like it was carved from stone, and those shoulders... My fingers itched to trace them, to feel if they were as hard as they looked. The energy coming off him made my knees weak.
My attention drifted to the twins sprawled on opposite sides of the lounge. Despite being identical, I could tell them apart immediately.
Jaxon lounged on a leather couch, playing with silver rings on his fingers. When he smirked at me, those dimples made my stomach flip. The slightly taller twin with a silver ring glinting in his left ear, he had an easy confidence that was both alluring and dangerous. His sleeves were rolled up showing off his arms, and all I could think was how they'd feel pinning me down. Stop it, Aurelia.
Drake was against the wall, silent and watching. Distinguishable from his twin by the small scar above his right eyebrow, he looked toward the spilled drink that had soaked his shirt with an unreadable expression. His hair fell over one eye, making him look dangerous and sexy as hell. His now wet t-shirt clung to his muscles, revealing every defined line underneath. I bet he'd be rough and demanding. My cheeks heated at the thought.
Maddox didn't even bother buttoning his shirt properly. Tattoos covered his chest, disappearing into his pants, and I couldn't help wondering how far down they went. When he caught me staring, he smiled like he knew exactly what I was thinking. And he probably did.
Galen sat with his legs spread wide in an armchair. Why did that simple pose make my mouth water? His pants pulled tight across his thighs, and when he ran his hand through his blond hair, I had to look away before I embarrassed myself.
Zane stood at the bar looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine. Everything about him screamed money and power. When he reached for a bottle and his suit jacket tightened across his shoulders, I felt heat pool low in my belly. What is wrong with me tonight?
And then there was Leon—quiet, mysterious Leon—watching me from the corner. He wasn't showing off like the others, but somehow that made him more intriguing. His henley sleeves were pushed up, showing forearms marked with scars. When our eyes met, something passed between us that made my skin tingle all over.
Seven pairs of eyes on me. Seven men who could snap me in half or make me beg for mercy—maybe both. I'd never felt so small yet so powerful. The omega in me practically purred at being the center of their attention, even as my rational brain screamed danger.
Get a grip, Aurelia. You're Caesar's date, not dessert for the whole pack.
"Who's this?" Maddox called out, his eyes traveling down my body in a way that made me feel naked.
Caesar's grip tightened on my waist. "This is Aurelia. My date for the evening."
I forced a smile, remembering our deal. I had to play along. Had to be the perfect omega date he wanted me to be. But god, was it hard to focus with all that testosterone in one room, making it hard to breathe.
Jaxon raised an eyebrow, the silver ring in his ear catching the light as he tilted his head. "The med student? Caesar's finally dating someone with brains?" His dimples deepened as his smile widened. "Impressive."
"She's just my date," Caesar corrected sharply. "Nothing more."
Drake pushed himself off the wall, the scar above his right eyebrow more visible as he stepped into better light. "Don't be an ass, Caesar." He looked at me with unexpected interest. "Top of the class, right? We've heard about you."
I nodded, surprised they knew anything about me at all.
"Too good for my brother, if you ask me," Drake added with a smirk, earning a glare from Caesar.
"Nobody asked you," Caesar growled.
I watched the dynamics between the brothers with fascination. Despite Caesar's position as the future Alpha, there was clearly no shortage of challenges within the pack hierarchy. Drake's casual disrespect, Jaxon's amused observation—they weren't afraid of Caesar. Not even close.
"So," Maddox interrupted, moving closer to us. "How exactly did my illustrious brother convince you to be his date tonight? You don't exactly seem like his usual type."
Caesar tensed beside me. "My business."
"Let the girl speak for herself," Jaxon chimed in, those silver rings flashing as he gestured. "She has a tongue, doesn't she?"
Heat flooded my face at his choice of words. The way his eyes lingered on my mouth made it clear the double entendre was intentional.
"I—" I started, but Caesar cut me off.
"She's here as my guest," he said firmly. "That's all you need to know."
Leon spoke for the first time, his voice quieter than his brothers but somehow more commanding. "And does she know why she's really here?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implications I couldn't decipher. Caesar's fingers dug painfully into my waist.
"She knows what she needs to know," Caesar replied coldly.
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. I looked from brother to brother, suddenly feeling like I'd stepped into the middle of something much bigger than a simple date. There was history here, tension that had nothing to do with me but somehow everything to do with why I was standing in this room.
"Well, that's cryptic as f**k," Drake muttered, dabbing at his wet shirt with a napkin. "Typical Caesar."
Before he could answer, the door swung open, and a stunning redhead sauntered in, her confidence as palpable as the expensive perfume that followed her.
"Caesar!" a familiar voice sang out, making my blood run cold.
Sasha.
She was wearing a red dress that clung to her like a second skin, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached. When she reached us, her entire demeanor changed. The shark-like smile softened into something sweet as she looked at Caesar.
"I'm so glad you could make it," she said, her voice honey-smooth. Nothing like the razor-edged tone she usually used with me. "And you brought company!"
Caesar nodded. "Aurelia's joining us tonight."
Sasha's eyes flicked to me, a momentary flash of hatred before it vanished behind a practiced smile. "How wonderful. I hope you'll both enjoy yourselves."
She turned to address all the brothers. "Your father is asking for you all. Something about the pack agreement that needs to be discussed immediately."
Caesar frowned. "Now? We just got here."
"You know how he gets when he's kept waiting," Sasha said sweetly. "I'll keep your little date company."
Caesar hesitated, looking between Sasha and me. I could see the reluctance in his eyes, but something in Sasha's expression made him sigh in resignation.
"Fine. We won't be long," he said, motioning to his brothers. "Let's get this over with."
He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. "Remember what I told you. Stay put. Don't embarrass me."
One by one, the Kane brothers filed out of the room, each giving me varying looks as they passed—Drake's curious, Jaxon's amused, Leon's unreadable but intense. The door closed behind them with a heavy click, leaving me alone with Sasha.
Her saccharine smile dropped the moment they were gone.
"Well, well," she drawled, looking me up and down. "Didn't expect to see you in a place like this. But I guess it makes sense. A sad little wolfless omega will do anything for protection."
My face burned. "I'm just here as his date."
"Sure you are, honey." She laughed, the sound like glass breaking. "Desperate girls do desperate things."
I stepped back, bumping into someone. "I should go find Caesar."
"He's busy." Sasha thrust a drink into my hands. "Have a drink while you wait. It's rude to refuse hospitality, don't you think? It's just one little drink."
I glanced around. Several of the Kane brothers were watching us, smirking. I felt trapped.
"What's wrong? Scared?" Sasha taunted.
My hands shook as I took the glass. Every instinct screamed at me not to drink it. But with everyone watching and Caesar nowhere in sight, I felt cornered.
I took a sip.
It burned going down, too sweet and wrong.
Sasha's smile widened. "Good girl."
Within minutes, my skin started tingling. The room tilted and spun around me as heat spread through my body. My heart hammered against my ribs.
"What—what did you put in this?" I gasped, grabbing the wall to steady myself.
Sasha leaned in close, her breath hot against my ear. "Just something to help you enjoy yourself. Jasper's been asking about you all night."
My blood ran cold.
"I need to find Caesar," I whispered, stumbling toward the exit.
"Don't worry," she called after me. "He won't mind. He knows what happens to omegas who come to these parties."
I pushed my way into the hallway, panic clawing at my throat. I didn't know where I was going—just away. The walls seemed to breathe around me, and my legs felt like they were made of water.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Heavy. Fast. Coming closer.
"Hey! Omega!" a man's voice called out. "Where you going? Sasha said you're ready for some fun."
Terror shot through me. I spotted an open door, darted inside, and slammed it shut, fumbling with the lock.
Thank God, it locked.
I backed away, my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest.
"You think a door's gonna stop me?" The voice laughed. "Open up, sweetheart. Sasha promised me a taste."
"Go to hell," I whispered, looking around desperately for something, anything to use as a weapon.
"I'll be gentle," Jasper said, his voice sickly sweet. "At first."
The lock clicked.
He had a key.
"No!" I screamed as the door swung open.
Jasper filled the doorway, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "You shouldn't have drunk that," he said, slamming the door behind him. "But you did. So now..."
He lunged at me.
I screamed and dodged, crashing into a dresser. Pain shot through my hip, but adrenaline kept me moving. When he grabbed for me again, I twisted away and kicked him—hard—right between the legs.
He doubled over with a strangled howl, cursing me through clenched teeth.
I didn't stick around to hear it. I ran.
Back into the hallway, tears blurring my vision, the drug making everything swim. I couldn't think straight. Couldn't see right. The heat in my body clashed with the cold terror in my veins.
I slammed right into someone's chest.
Strong arms caught me before I fell.
"Whoa, easy there," said a voice. Calm. Steady. "It's me."
Leon.
He smelled like pine and winter air—clean and safe.
I clutched his shirt, sobbing. "Please help me."
His eyes took in my torn blouse, my wild eyes, the way I couldn't stand straight. "What happened?" His voice was quiet, but I could feel the anger building in him.
"Sasha—she drugged me," I managed between gasps. "Jasper tried to—he—"
Leon's face darkened. "She did what?"
"Please," I begged, holding onto him like I was drowning. "I need to get out of here. Caesar left me—I don't even know if he was in on this—"
"I'm getting you out of here," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist. Not possessive like Caesar's grip, but supporting. "Right now."
He guided me down a side hallway I hadn't noticed, his body between me and anyone who might follow. The steady pressure of his arm around me was the only thing keeping me upright.
"You're safe," he said as we slipped out through a service door into the night air. "My place is close by. It's secure. I won't let anyone touch you."
I didn't question why I trusted him.
I just knew I did.
I nodded, letting him lead me through the quiet streets as my body burned and my mind raced.
I didn't know what would happen next.
But I knew one thing for sure:
I'd never forget who came to my rescue when I needed the most and hoped that he won’t be same like his other’s brothers.
- Writer
