Wanted By Two Alphas

Chapter 5

Aria

The world moved, but I didn’t. Thirty minutes, maybe an hour, maybe more, I remained still on the floor, lost in time.

The air was still thick and fear still living in my veins. My eyes remained a sharp yellow. My fangs dug into the inner of my bottom lips, the metallic taste of blood lingering on my tongue.

The door swung open and my breath stopped in my throat as my eyes sliced to the figure standing in the doorway.

Alpha Ravish in a black suit, his messy hair now well styled. He looked…perfect, while I looked a mess.

I curled inside, pulling at the torn fabric of my dress. Anything to conceal the wreckage I had become.

I threw my gaze to the side. “What are you doing here?” My voice a mere whisper.

“I was downstairs. Waiting for you.”

A trembling gulp.

“Beta Rafael was busy with his portion, so he sent me to come and find you.” He stepped inside and almost instantly his body went rigid. A scowl snatched his face for a heartbeating second.

I knew instantly—he had picked up on Talon’s scent.

I’m on the verge of running mad and I am oozing off another Alpha pheromones—all enough reason to abandon me.

But Ravish inched closer. When there was no space left between us, he crouched down.

“Aria.” His voice low—soft. “What’s wrong?”

I didn’t answer. Rather my throat tightened like the answer had hung there. I hid my hand with a retracted claw beneath my dress.

Ravish noticed. With a soft smile, he slipped his hand beneath my dress and took hold of my trembling hand. His palm was warm—too warm for a man who looked carved out from a cold rock.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “Breathe.”

“It didn’t work,” I said, my voice breaking.

Ravish didn’t let go, his grip tightened. “You’re not feral. Not yet. You’re still in control.” Those grey eyes of his lingered on me. “Just breathe.”

Shutting my eyes, I took a deep inhale. His musky scent wafted in my nostrils, dark chocolate and something that scented beautifully. His pheromones?

Whatever it was, it acted as a buttress, grounding me. My ragged breaths evened out, my fangs retracted and my eyes morphed back to their natural green. At last, I felt sane again.

Ravish's gaze never left me, watching the shift happen, before he spoke. “Better now?

I nodded, and my cheeks dipped red. I couldn’t believe he had seen me in such a state—the dark smudge of dried tears that trailed down my face.

My stomach twisted. “I…I ruined my dress.” My voice a croaking mess. “I don’t think I can go out anymore. I doubt I have anything for...” I trailed off, I gestured at him—his perfect appearance, at what tonight was supposed to look like.

A pause, and then Ravish let out a soft chuckle. A warm and rich sound. “Maybe you should slip into something more comfortable.” His grey eyes had a speck of amusement in them. “You’re too tense to sit through a formal dinner. You wouldn’t be able to stomach anything.”

I stared at him—a moment too long.

“Let’s go for a stroll then. We can have dinner later.” Ravish rose to his feet. “I’ll be outside.” He stepped out and shut the door behind me:

I lifted myself up. And after washing my face and slipping into another outfit, I joined him outside.

A wolfish smile snuck onto his lips. “You look beautiful,” he said, stretching his hand.

“Thank you.” My cheeks flushed red, as I accepted his hand.

We both left the house and went for a stroll.

***********

The stroll finally came to an end, I was back at my doorstep and Ravish had found his way home. One thing I did learn was Beta Rafael was right; Ravish indeed was a nice man.

My hand found the doorknob when I felt a gaze burn into me. I snapped my head, and there was Talon, standing in the shadow, dressed in his usual black shirt and trousers.

“What do you want, Talon?” My voice was flat, as I refused to let him get under my skin.

Talon drew close, his presence overwhelming. With a frown etched on his face, he slammed me against the door. “Why is that bastard’s pheromones on you?” He growled.

“Let me go.” I writhed in pain, as his big hands pinned mine to the wooden door.

His gaze heavy with possessiveness. “So, you are now going on strolls with him and he's leaving his scent on you.” His voice, rough with jealousy.

“What’s wrong with you?” I yelped out. “You rejected me. Why won’t you let me go?” My voice a chaotic mess of a desperate plea.

Why wouldn’t he understand I’m trying hard to move on?

His grip on my hand tightened, constricting the blood flow. “Let me make this clear; I’ll never let you walk away from me. You belong to me and not that grey-eyed bastard.” Talon pressed his body against mine, his legs sliding between my thighs. “Every inch of you belongs to me.”

If only my hands were free, I could have slapped sense into his thick skull. He rejected me days ago, treated me like nothing, and now, he’s here roaring how I belonged to him.

My lips parted when the door opened. I tilted but before I could fall, Talon caught me. His hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his body. My traitor of a body cowered before his heat that snuck in.

“Enough, Talon.” Beta Rafael’s voice cut through the tension.

Talon’s eyes flickered between us, his face simmering in anger. But he doesn’t let me go. His hand still on my waist defiantly.At least not until he leaned in and whispered. “It’s not over yet. I don't mind locking you up, to have you all to myself.”

A chill journeyed down my spine.

Turning to his heel, Talon disappeared into the night.

Beta Rafael gently pulled me inside, guiding me to the couch. I plopped onto the seat.

“This isn’t how I wanted to have this conversation with you.” Beta Rafael sighed but began either way. “I know you’re going feral.”

My body tightened.

“That’s why you need to marry Ravish. You need him.”

I wanted to argue, but reality had already sunk in too deep. “But Talon won’t let me go. He will keep me here.”

One thing I knew about Talon was he never spat empty words. They were as powerful as his actions.

“That’s why you’re going to pack and leave with Ravish.” His voice hit the air like an order. “Ravish will give you a better life. No one there knows you’re the daughter of a rogue. You’ll be loved and be treated with care.”

The air hung, heavy with his words. Panic glazed over my skin. How could I run away when everything I’ve ever known was here?

But then Talon’s threat pounded in my head. His twisted possessiveness. It sent a chill down me. I couldn’t help but think, no matter how far I ran, Talon would still find me.