Three
1204 Words
The three brothers surrounded me, their presence suffocatingly strong.
Each radiated power differently; one sharp and loud, another cold and possessive, the last watchful and unsettling.
My pulse pounded in my ears as their gazes pinned me in place. I hated the way my body reacted. A strange heat coiled low in my stomach.
Desmond had never made me feel this way.
And he’d never leaned in close to sniff me like a predator catching the scent of prey.
Desmond hated strong smells, always insisting I wear the same subtle perfume. But I’d woken up here after fainting, and I was sure my perfume had long faded, leaving only my natural body musk.
The way they looked at me now made it clear that scent meant something dangerous.
I squared my shoulders, pushing past my unease. “This isn’t funny. Whatever game you’re playing, I’m not interested. I came here for answers, not to be your entertainment.”
The one with gold-tipped highlights and a half-bun grinned, leaning lazily against the wall—Nicolas, if I remembered right.
“Relax, princess. You’re the last person I’d ever hurt.” His smirk widened. “Can’t promise the same for my brothers, though.”
My glare deepened. These beasts were insane.
The tallest of them, Alexander—the one who caught me—cut his brother a sharp look.
“Nicolas. Enough.” His voice was deep and commanding.
The tone wasn’t just protective; it was possessive.
“I’m not yours to command,” I snapped, anger burning through my fear. “Let me go. I didn’t come here to be held hostage.”
I made a move for the door, but the quiet one with the long pigtail stepped smoothly into my path. His calm, pale-gray eyes locked on mine. His presence was gentler than the others, but there was danger beneath that stillness.
“Easy,” he said softly. “No one’s going to hurt you.”
“Hurt me?” My voice came out brittle. “You sniff me, stare at me like I’m… like I’m something to fight over. You call that safe?”
His lips twitched, almost amused. “You should watch out for those two.” A subtle nod toward his brothers. “They plan to wreck you.”
Nicolas snorted. “Shut up, Benedict. You’re no saint either.”
“This is a circus,” I muttered, shoving past the rising panic in my chest.
Alexander’s patience finally snapped. “Enough.”
The single word cracked through the room like a whip. Both of his brothers fell silent.
Alexander strode forward, his presence filling every inch of space. “She’s coming with me,” he said flatly. “Since neither of you can control yourselves.”
Before I could protest, he caught my wrist and guided me toward the door.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To get food,” he said. “And answers. In that order.”
“If you think your possessiveness is going to score you points, you’re dead wrong. I’m done with Lycans. Forever.”
His frown vanished, replaced by a cocky smirk.
“I’m more man than any male you’ve ever f****d, sweetheart.”
The bluntness hit me hard, a shiver tearing through me.
He had to be their leader. The commanding edge in his tone and the way his brothers deferred to him screamed it: I call the shots. I’m the biggest asshole in the room.
Reluctantly, I followed as he strode out.
We moved through a long hallway, past maids who paused to stare openly. Their curious eyes made my skin prickle. Whatever this place was, I didn’t belong here.
When we reached a black truck, Alexander opened the passenger door. I hesitated, glaring at him.
He didn’t wait for permission. His hands gripped my waist, lifting me inside with effortless strength.
Our bodies brushed for a fleeting moment. My breath caught as his gaze flicked to my lips. His golden-ringed irises flared like fire. Then he blinked and stepped back, as if forcing himself to let go.
Summoning my courage, I broke the silence.
“What’s my verdict? I’d rather know now.”
He didn’t answer right away.
“You’ll stay here until the trouble you’ve caused is resolved,” he said tightly.
My stomach twisted. “Trouble? What trouble? I came here to mourn my boyfriend, not to get dragged into your drama!”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened when I said boyfriend.
I pulled the ring from my pocket, a silver band I’d kept close. “We met last year in college. Fell in love. He proposed.” My voice cracked, grief rushing back in a wave. “Last month, he disappeared. His friend told me he was dead. That’s why I came—to pay my respects.”
Alexander started the truck, his hands white-knuckled on the wheel.
I kept talking, my words tumbling out. “I loved him. I thought he was gone forever. Do you know what that feels like? To grieve someone, only to find out they lied? He humiliated me, and now I’m stuck here because of it.”
He stayed silent, driving faster.
I turned away, pain burning in my chest. The rest of the drive passed in heavy silence.
He stopped at a drive-through and ordered food without asking me—fries, chicken wings, and a milkshake.
“This is the closest thing your human stomach can handle,” he said curtly.
I wasn’t a fan of fries, but my stomach growled. Fear and confusion had left me starving. I ate quietly, stealing glances at him.
Halfway through the drive, his voice dropped low. “Stay away from my brothers. If you need anything, you come to me. Only me.”
A shiver ran through me. “You scare me the most,” I admitted.
His gaze drifted to my thigh, tracing it like he was memorizing me. Then he looked away.
When we reached a two-story duplex, I spotted Professor Hale standing in the doorway. Relief flooded me.
“Professor!” I ran to him, clutching his arm. “Please, get me out of here.”
Before he could respond, Rosie appeared, crashing into me with a hug.
“Nessa! Oh my God, are you okay?”
“No,” I whispered, barely holding back tears.
Alexander’s voice cut through the moment. “We need to talk.” His gaze locked on me. “Don’t run. If you do, they’ll just bring you back.”
He left with Hale, leaving me and Rosie alone.
Rosie gripped my shoulders, her eyes wide. “That guy was practically growling at you. What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know,” I said, frustration spilling out. “All I wanted was closure. Instead, I’m a prisoner.”
Rosie hesitated, then leaned closer. “After you fainted, Nessa… they fought over you. Literally. It was like you were the only thing that mattered to them. And the Lycan girls? They looked ready to kill you.”
My stomach dropped.
“The triad alphas are not just keeping you hostage,” Rosie whispered. “They’re claiming you.”
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