Beta and the Beasts

"Tonight we're going to do something seriously insane," Vladimir whispered in my ear. As soon as the words tumbled from his lips, my heart pounded in my chest even harder. The Shadow Forest closed in around me with an eerie silence, and the silver moonlight filtered through the leaves, weaving golden patterns on the ground. The cold wind brushed against my skin, but not even that compared to the heat I was experiencing now, from Vladimir pressed so close against me. He gently backed me up until my back was pressed against the rough bark of a tree. I swallowed hard. His crimson eyes raked over my face, and even the burning intensity in his gaze made my knees feel weak. "Cassie..." he murmured in a voice so soft it made my chest ache as he stepped even closer. "You look as beautiful as ever." His words caused my chest to tighten. Before I knew it, his hands were in mine, pulling me closer and then up to wrap around his neck. He slowly let them slide down my arms and back down to my sides, teasing every curve as if he needed to commit me to memory once more. My breathing hitched. His touch burned through me like a flame. It went down my neck... All the way to my waist... Then my thighs... "Vladimir..." I breathed out shakily. A faint smirk played on his lips as he leaned forward, his breath warming my skin. "You're shaking." "It's your fault." "Sounds like an accusation," he whispered with amusement. I didn't have time to glare at him before his lips were pressing against my jaw, then my neck, and I squeezed my eyes shut as heat surged through my body. Everything about him was overwhelming. His scent. His touch that spoke of ownership. The way my mark flared up every time he came this close. A quiet gasp escaped my lips when his hand continued lower, and I tightened my fingers around his shoulders. "Still sensitive," he whispered near my ear knowingly. It annoyed me that he could still affect me like that. Ever since the ritual, he had become impossible to resist, and now our bond felt so alive, constantly pulling me toward him. And Vladimir knew it. He tightened his hand on my waist and rested his forehead against mine for a second. "Thinking too much again," he whispered softly. "How can I not?" I breathed back. "My life went from perfectly normal to insanely insane the second I met you." He chuckled quietly. "And you're still here." Before I could even respond, his lips were against mine. The kiss started out slow, almost teasingly, but as it went on it became more dangerous, my mind blurring into nothing but the heat of his mouth against mine. For a few seconds, I forgot where I was entirely. Forgot about the forest. Forgot about the danger. Forgot everything except Vladimir. Then- "Mind if I join?" My body went stiff immediately. Vladimir pulled away with a clearly annoyed sigh as I twisted in his arms to stare in disbelief at Chase, who stood between the trees a few feet away with his hands nonchalantly stuffed into his pockets and his silver eyes gleaming with amusement. Of course. Of course, he shows up now. "What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to regain control of my breathing. Chase ignored my question completely and instead slowly walked toward us. Toward me. The second mark on my back burned warmly with every step he took. Traitor. Complete traitor. Vladimir's expression turned dark as he snapped, "You have terrible timing." "I thought it was perfect timing," Chase replied with an easy smile. I opened my mouth to protest, but the words caught in my throat as Chase stopped directly in front of me. Too close. Way too close. He studied my face before his silver eyes briefly met Vladimir's. "She smells like you again." "She's my mate," Vladimir stated coldly. "She's mine too." The air between the two males crackled with instant tension. Meanwhile, I was stuck between two supernaturals and felt like a helpless puppy between two wild dogs, wondering when I had made such bad decisions. "Will both of you please act like humans for two minutes?" I asked weakly. Neither of them bothered listening, of course. Before I could move away from them, Chase suddenly reached out and tilted my chin up. I gasped. His silver eyes softened for a second as they met mine. "Are you nervous around me, little vampire?" "Yes," I answered without thinking. He grinned. "You should be." And then before I could think, he leaned down and kissed me. I let out a soft gasp at his lips against mine. Vladimir's kiss was controlling and dangerous, Chase's kiss was wildfire-confident, reckless, and utterly overwhelming. The second mark on my back exploded in heat. My thoughts went completely chaotic. This was wrong. Wrong on all accounts. Yet my body betrayed me, one alpha behind me and the other in front of me. Both marks burned into my soul. How was I ever supposed to live through this? When he finally pulled away slightly, his forehead rested against mine and his eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight. "You're completely overwhelmed." "You think?" I gasped out. Vladimir stepped closer until I could feel his presence completely surrounding me. "She's mine for the night." Chase slid his arm around my waist possessively. "That doesn't seem fair." "You are unfair." "You're right." I looked from one of them to the other in disbelief. "How did my life turn into this?"