Talia and Her Three Alphas

The Gift

TALIA

“I’m sorry about them,” Jarrick said, walking me back to the house.

I don’t even know what to feel anymore.

Malrik said I had a few days to think about it, but we both know—whatever choice I make, my life won’t be the same again.

Behind me, I feel Jarrick’s hand on my back. I know this is not like before but I couldn’t help but to hide my smile. I really like Jarrick and being with him feels safer.

“So… we’re here,” I say, turning towards him and biting my lip to hide the smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Uhm…”

“Uhm?” Jarrick lifts a brow, that teasing curve already playing on his lips. “You want to say something, princess?”

Gods, that tone. That stupid, playful tone that makes my stomach flutter like I swallowed a whole flock of butterflies.

“This is gonna sound stupid,” I mumble, fidgeting with my fingers. “But… maybe you wanna come in? Just for a bit?”

He grins—boyish, troublemaker, and so damn confident it should be illegal.

“You inviting me in, huh? Careful, Talia, I might start thinking you actually like me.”

“I don’t—” I start, voice jumping an octave. “I’m not lying!”

“Sure you’re not.”

That teasing lilt in his voice makes me flustered enough to spin around before he can see my face. “You’re impossible,” I mutter, mostly to myself.

But before I can take a single step away, his hand closes around my wrist pulling me back with just enough force that I lose my balance.

“Oh God!” I crash into him, palms flattening against his chest.

When I look up, he’s already looking down at me. I gulp, every breath tangling in my throat. “Jarrick…”

“Hmm?”

His breath grazes my lips, and for a second, I swear the world forgets to spin.

“I—uh—” I stammer, heat flooding my cheeks.

His eyes flick down to my mouth, then back up, and oh god, he’s smirking. “Want a kiss?”

“Jarrick!” I quickly hide my face with my hands .

He laughs, low and wicked, the sound rumbling against my palms. “What? You looked like you were thinking about it,” he teases.

“I was not!” I mumble into my hands, which only makes him laugh harder.

“Sure you weren’t.”

I groan, turning away, but before I can take a full step, he catches my wrist and gently pulls me back. I stumble—again—straight into him.

“Happy birthday, Talia.”

I blink up at him. “What?”

He grins, one hand still steady on my waist as the other slips something small into my palm—a delicate chain, a silver charm shaped like a crescent moon.

My breath catches. “You—wait, how did you even know?”

Jarrick shrugs, pretending nonchalance. “That this is your favorite?”

I bit my lips, nodding and mesmerized. "I...I"

“I’m your ex–” he starts with that cocky grin, the one that always makes my pulse jump, “–favorite doctor, remember? I know things.”

I blink, speechless for a beat, then laugh despite myself. “You’re impossible.”

“Admit it,” he teases, fingers brushing mine as he closes my hand around the charm. “You missed me a little.”

I roll my eyes, but my heart’s doing cartwheels. “You wish,” I manage, though it comes out softer than I mean it to.

Jarrick just grins—that slow, dangerous grin that always makes me forget how to breathe. “Hold still,” he murmurs, stepping closer.

Before I can protest, he’s already reaching behind me, brushing my hair aside. His fingers graze the back of my neck as he fastens the clasp, and I swear my lungs forget how to work.

I’m holding my breath, acutely aware of every inch of space between us—or rather, the lack of it. His knuckles skim my skin as he lowers his hands.

“There. Fits you perfectly.”

When I turn to face him, his gaze catches mine and I can’t look away. So, without thinking, I tiptoe and lean in for a quick kiss on his lips.

It’s barely a brush, soft and clumsy, but the second it happens, my heart absolutely detonates.

I pull away too soon—flustered, embarrassed—but he doesn’t let me go. His fingers curl around my wrist, tugging me back and not giving me enough time to recover from my shameful act.

"What," he exhales, "was that, Talia?"

"Talia."

My name is a growl, low and dangerous. I meant to pull away, but now I’m frozen, caught in the way his eyes darken, pupils swallowing all that stormy gray.

“Let *go*.” I twist my wrist, but he holds firm, eyes blazing.

“Not until you answer me.” His voice is quiet, lethal. “Was it a mistake?”

*Yes. No. I don’t know.*

My lips part, but nothing comes out.

A rough sound escapes his throat. “Damn it, Talia.”

Suddenly, his hand slides up my arm, yanking me back inside the house. My heart is all over the place.

Jarrick slams the door behind us and I squeak when he gently push me into the door.

"You broke up with me and told me I don't deserve you."

His breath is hot against my lips. "Then why the hell did you kiss me?"

I swallow. His thumb brushes the dip of my waist, and I shiver. "I—"

"Tell me you didn’t mean it." His nose skims my cheekbone, lips hovering just shy of mine. "*Lie* to me, Talia."

"Jarrick--"

Jarrick's face inches closer, so close he's almost kissing me. "Lie to me baby," he almost pleaded.

I’m drowning in him—his scent, his taste, the way his heartbeat thunders against mine.

I left Jarrick thinking that he's not my mate and that if he's my mate, then I can always go back to him but now, I am mated not just with him but with three of his friends too and I am so scared.

His fingers brush my cheeks and I whimper with the slight touch of his hands. If there's a man here who deserves me, it will be him but then, are we ready to do this?

Jarrick's lips graze the frantic pulse in my throat, and I whimper, fists tightening in his shirt. "I want to own you," he confessed, dragging his teeth over my collarbone. "More than the alpha. More than Tres."

Oh goddess.

His hands slide under my thighs, lifting me, pinning me against the door like he’s afraid I’ll vanish. My legs wrap around his waist instinctively, and the groan that tears from his chest vibrates through me, wicked and desperate.

"I'll talk to them."

His hips roll against mine, and I gasp at the heat. "Talk about what?"

"Talk about what, Jarrick?" I pant, nails digging into his shoulders as he grinds against me, teasing the ache between my thighs.

He tears away, eyes wild. "f**k the rules." His forehead presses to mine, voice breaking. "f**k Malrik, baby. Dump them, accept me. Or accept us all and I'm going to take care of you. Just don't reject us, Talia. Don't f*****g reject me again."