Bound To The Ruthless Alphas

A Game

Pain shot through my skull as I woke up.

I was lying on a bed draped in white sheets. My vision adjusted, and I realized I was in a clinic.

“You’re awake,” Ronan’s voice pulled me out of my jumbled thoughts as I stared at him. He was seated beside me, pulling me into his chest as he soothed my head. His warmth was comforting, as I nestled into him.

“What happened?” I asked when we pulled apart.

“I found you in the auditorium. You seemed like you were in pain, and then you suddenly passed out,” his voice trailed off, his eyes thick with emotions.

Memories from the auditorium flashed through my mind, and I involuntarily clenched my fists. Those bastards.

I wove my fingers into my hair, remembering they’d poured cooking oil in my hair. My clothes were changed and there wasn’t a trace of oil on my body, but I could still feel it in my hair.

I remembered the video and my heart leaped.

“The video,” I grabbed Ronan’s hand tight, “They took a video of me. Did they-” I paused, as chills ran down my spine.

“I don’t think they’ve posted it,” his gaze cast downwards. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Vee.”

My heart swelled as I cupped his face in my hands. “It’s not your fault.”

He leaned into my touch, his face contorted in worry. “Did they hurt you?”

I recalled Thevron’s fists slamming into the door. I shook my head. “Not physically.”

“Those bastards. How could they do that to you?” He growled as I watched anger flicker through his warm brown eyes.”

“It’s about Iris… they believed I killed her.”

“But that’s absurd. You were best friends!”

I looked down at my legs as tears stung in my eyes. "I didn’t kill her, but I was still responsible for her death. I just wish I could remember what happened that night.”

“Don’t blame myself, Vee,” his voice rang out, but I’d zoned out.

Frustration crept beneath my skin. “Someone important to me dies, and suddenly I have amnesia? Of course, it’s my f*****g fault!” I snapped at him.

His eyes widened slightly, caught off-guard by outburst. I let out a sigh as I held his gaze.

“I’m sorry, Ronan… I’m just stressed out.”

“I understand, but don’t be too hard on yourself.”

I stared out the window, watching as night approached. Then it hit me.

“The party.”

“What?”

“I’ve gotta get to the party,” I said as I pushed myself to my feet. Ronan stood fast, rushing to my side to help me balance.

“Their party? Are you crazy?” his brows knit. “You need to rest.”

I met his gaze, my tone serious. “They’ll release the video if I don’t come to their party.”

“Why would they want you at their party?” his eyes widened. “They’re planning something.”

I thought as much, but I had no choice at this point.

“I still have to go.”

He released a deep sigh, as a wave of determination flickered through his eyes. “Then I’m coming with you.”

I didn’t protest, because, deep down, I knew I needed him.

After getting ready for the party, Ronan and I made our way to their condo. Their condo was grand, standing at the top of a hill. The clearing stretched into the woods, the view immaculate. It was crazy to think the three of them stayed here just to throw parties.

Loud deafening music blared through the area, even before we got into the building. Reluctant to walk in, Ronan held my hand and guided me in.

“This is one sick party,” Rona yelled through the music, but I never saw the hype. Parties were all the same. It was all just ear-bursting music, drinking, and sweaty people having s*x. I stood at a corner, hiding myself from preying eyes.

So far, I hadn't caught a sight of any of the Vaelrik brothers and that was a good sign. I’d insisted on Ronan going to have fun, assuring him I was fine, because he didn't want to leave my side the whole time.

Suddenly, chills ran down my spine as a suffocating presence made the hair at the back of my neck stand. I looked around and saw the three of them.

They stood like kings, commanding worship as their presence stuck out in the crowd. My blood ran cold when I realized their penetrating gazes were fixated on me. My heart hammered.

Zavian signaled for me to come over with a flick of his hand and dread coiled in my gut. Hesitantly, I paved through the crowd until I reached their destination. I stood amid people seated around a curved sectional sofa. The only space left was the one next Raven unfortunately, and the Vaelrik brothers were seated across.

As soon as I settled beside her, she leaned in.

“Enjoying the party?” she flashed a fake smile, as she looked me over. I ignored me and she hit me square in the shoulder, earning a deathly glare from me.

“The fun is just about to start.”

Unease coiled in my gut, but I pushed it back.

There was a table in our midst, an empty bottle placed in the center. Zavian called the attention of everyone around the table with a clap.

“We’re going to play a little fun game, courtesy of our newest guest,” his gaze shifted to me, and all eyes were on me.

I wanted to sink into the couch, and disappear into the spaces, but I held my head high.

This amount of attention wasn’t a good sign… at all.

“What game?” I found myself asking. Thevron and Kairon’s cold gazes met mine scrutinizing me in a manner that made my skin burn.

“Spin the bottle.” It was Thevron that answered, his tone bored, like he was the least interested in the party.

They were planning something, but I couldn’t tell what it was. So I decided to play along.

“What are the rules of the game?”

“We spin in the table, and whoever the bottle lands on…” Kairon paused, his head c****d slightly. “Will do whatever we say.”

I gulped down the lump in my throat, and pushed back the warning blaring through the walls of my mind.

“Fine,” I found myself saying.

The game started and Zavian spun the bottle first. It landed on a girl, and she was told to flash her t**s. She immediately obliged, like she’d been waiting her the moment her whole life.

Kairon didn’t spin, not even hiding his disinterest. It was Thevron’s turn to spin the bottle. I said a mental prayer, hoping the bottle wouldn’t land on me. But just like everything in my life worked against me, the bottle’s mouth mockingly pointed at me.

My breath seized, feeling every bone in my body rattle. Silence hung as I waited for his order. His blue gaze held mine, his face devoid of any emotion.

“Run.”

My forehead creased as a wave of confusion crept through me.

“Run Vespera, deep into the woods, until your muscles burn,” he paused, something evil lurking beneath those eyes. “Because whoever catches you first has my permission to tear you apart.”

Dread coiled in my gut as my chest heaved with ragged breaths.

“You can’t do this!” I yelled as I sprang up the couch. The three of them stared at me, dead in the eye.

“I’ll give you a head-start,” Thevron said calmly, completely ignoring me.

“Three...”

My gut wrenched as terror seized my heart. “This isn’t fair. What sort of sick game is--”

“Two…”

The air crackled with tension as the people seated on the sofa turned towards me, their predatory gazes turning every bone in my body to jelly.

Someone grabbed my arm. It was Ronan.

He held my hand tight and propelled me forward with a force that almost sent me crashing to the floor. He ran as fast as he could, his firm grip unyielding as we rushed out of the condo. The world blurred around us as my pulse pounded in my ears, each step dragging me deeper into a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.

‘One.’