Dark Obsession

The Jealousy

I thought the hard part was over.

I was wrong.

The first few days with my four Alphas were blissful. They doted on me, worshipped me, made me feel like the most precious thing in the world. I had never been so happy.

But happiness, I was learning, came with a price.

It started with small things.

Kael would growl under his breath whenever Damon touched me. Damon would shoot daggers at Ryker whenever he made me laugh. Ryker would bristle whenever Zane whispered something in my ear. And Zane... Zane would just watch, his honey eyes dark with barely contained jealousy.

I tried to ignore it at first. I told myself it was natural, that they were Alphas, that they were used to competing.

But it got worse.

One evening, we were all at Kael's apartment, watching a movie.

I was curled up on the couch, my head resting on Kael's chest. Damon was on my other side, his hand on my thigh. Ryker was on the floor, his back against the couch, his head resting near my knees. Zane was in the armchair, his eyes fixed on me.

It was peaceful.

Then Ryker reached up and brushed his fingers against my ankle.

Kael tensed immediately. "Don't touch her like that."

Ryker's eyes flashed with defiance. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Kael said, his voice cold. "Keep your hands to yourself."

"I was just"

"Don't."

The tension in the room was suffocating. I sat up, my heart pounding.

"Guys, calm down"

"Stay out of this, Aria," Damon said, his voice sharp.

"Don't tell her to stay out of anything," Zane cut in. "She's the one we're fighting over, remember?"

"This isn't fighting," Kael said, his eyes blazing. "This is me reminding Ryker of his place."

"I know my place," Ryker snarled, rising to his feet. "Right next to Aria. The same as you."

"Enough!" I shouted, jumping to my feet. "I can't take this anymore!"

They all fell silent, their eyes turning to me.

"You're all acting like children," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "I thought we agreed to share. I thought we agreed to make this work. But all you do is fight and snarl at each other like you're competing for a prize."

"Aria" Kael started.

"Don't," I cut him off. "If this is how it's going to be, I don't want any of you."

I turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

I made it to the balcony before the tears came.

I leaned against the railing, my body shaking with sobs. I had wanted this. I had wanted all of them. But I hadn't realized how much it would cost.

The door opened behind me. I didn't turn around.

"Aria."

It was Zane. Of course it was Zane.

"Go away," I said, my voice thick with tears.

"No."

He walked toward me, his footsteps slow and deliberate. When he reached me, he placed his hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him.

"Look at me," he said softly.

I did. His honey eyes were filled with something I hadn't expected vulnerability.

"This is new for all of us," he said. "We've never shared anything before, least of all a woman we all love."

"Love?" I repeated, my voice catching.

Zane smiled a sad, gentle smile. "Yes, Aria. Love. We've all fallen in love with you. And that's terrifying for men like us. We're used to being in control. But with you, we're not in control. You are."

I stared at him, my heart racing. "I don't know what to do."

"You don't have to do anything," he said. "Just be patient with us. We'll figure it out. I promise."

I went back inside.

The others were still in the living room, looking guilty and uncomfortable. When they saw me, they all started speaking at once.

"Aria, I'm sorry"

"We didn't mean to"

"Please don't leave"

I held up my hand, silencing them.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said, my voice steady. "But things need to change. If we're going to do this, we need to trust each other. All of us."

Kael stepped forward, his eyes filled with regret. "You're right. I'm sorry for how I acted."

"Me too," Ryker said, his voice rough. "I shouldn't have provoked him."

Damon nodded. "We'll do better. For you."

I looked at the four of them, my four Alphas, my four loves. They weren't perfect. They were possessive and jealous and sometimes infuriating.

But they were mine.

"Okay," I said softly. "Okay."

That night, we made a new pact.

No more fighting. No more jealousy. We were a unit now, bound together by our love for each other.

And for the first time, I believed it could work