Stepbrother Alphas

Rival Eyes

The chandeliers above the gala ballroom seemed to drip with threats as Darius Crowe’s breath brushed my ear like a blade.

"You really think they’ll protect you forever?"

I jerked back against the balcony railing, the cool night air whipping my dress around my legs. The mandatory luxury pack gala had forced everyone into stiff formalwear and fake smiles, but this felt like stepping into a trap. Crystal lights from inside spilled out, casting long shadows across the stone tiles. Darius stood too close, his dark suit sharp as his grin.

"What are you talking about?" I snapped, keeping my voice low. Music and laughter floated from the open doors behind us.

He glanced over his shoulder before leaning in again. "Your father. He didn’t die from some convenient disease like they told you. He was hunted down, Avery. Stalked for weeks before they finished him."

My stomach dropped. The words hit harder than any punch. "You’re lying."

"Am I?" Darius’s eyes locked on mine, intense and unblinking. "I have proof. Documents. Witnesses who saw the Blackthorns order the hit. Your dad knew too much about their secrets. The scentless bloodline. They couldn’t risk him exposing it."

I gripped the railing tighter, the rough stone biting into my palms. "Why tell me this now? In the middle of this stupid gala?"

"Because you deserve the truth," he said, his tone dropping to a whisper. "And because the Blackthorns are using you just like they used him. You’re not safe here. Not with Damien hovering over you like some prize."

Footsteps echoed from inside. I tried to step away, but Darius caught my wrist gently, not hurting but not letting go.

"Listen to me," he pressed. "Your father found out about the experiments on scentless girls. Girls like you. They hunt your kind to control the packs. He tried to stop it and paid with his life."

My mind raced. "If this is true, why haven’t you said anything before?"

"I didn’t know you existed until recently," Darius replied quickly. "But now that I do, I can’t stay quiet. The Crowes have been watching the Blackthorns for years. They’re not the heroes they pretend to be."

I pulled my wrist free. "And you are? Some savior waiting in the wings?"

He chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it. "Hardly. I’m offering an alliance. Come with me tonight. I’ll show you everything. The real files on your dad’s death. We can take them down together."

Before I could answer, the balcony doors swung open wider. Damien stepped out, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His jaw was set tight, eyes narrowing at Darius.

"Get away from her, Crowe," Damien said, voice low and dangerous.

Darius turned slowly, not looking surprised at all. "Damien Blackthorn. Always showing up at the worst times."

Damien moved beside me, placing himself between us. "This is a neutral event. Don’t start trouble here."

"Trouble?" Darius raised an eyebrow. "I was just having a friendly chat with Avery. Telling her some family history. You know, about her father."

Damien’s hand brushed my arm protectively. "Whatever he said, don’t listen. He’s trying to manipulate you."

"Is that right?" I asked, turning to Damien. My heart pounded. "Did your family hunt my father? Is that why you’ve been so nice to me? Keeping the scentless girl close?"

Damien froze for a second, then shot Darius a glare. "He’s twisting things. Your father got sick. That’s all."

Darius laughed. "Sick? With bullets? Come on, Blackthorn. The packs deserve to know the truth."

A few guests near the doors started glancing our way. The conversation was heating up fast.

"Stay out of this," Damien warned. "Avery is under our protection."

"Protection or ownership?" Darius shot back. He raised his voice so it carried into the ballroom. "I challenge the Blackthorns for rights to the scentless girl. Right here. Public claim."

Gasps rippled through the crowd gathering at the doors. I felt my face burn.

"You can’t be serious," I said, stepping forward. "I’m not property. No one owns me."

Darius met my eyes. "In pack law, scentless ones like you are rare assets. The rules are old but clear. I’m invoking the rival claim. The Crowes offer better terms. Safety. Truth about your past."

Damien’s fists clenched. "This is insane. You’re using the gala to force this?"

"Strategic," Darius replied smoothly. "The council elders are inside. They heard me. The challenge stands."

An older man in a tailored tux pushed through the guests. "What’s this about? A public challenge at a mandatory event?"

Darius nodded. "Yes, Elder Voss. I challenge the Blackthorns for guardianship of Avery, the scentless girl. Her father was killed under their watch. She deserves better."

Elder Voss looked between them. "This is highly irregular. But the claim is valid under old accords."

I turned to Damien. "Tell me he’s wrong. About my dad. About all of it."

Damien hesitated, his voice dropping. "It’s complicated, Avery. Your father got involved in dangerous things. We tried to help him."

"Help him?" I pressed. "Or silence him?"

Darius jumped in. "See? They won’t deny it outright. Because they can’t."

"Enough," Damien growled. "You don’t know what you’re stepping into, Crowe."

"I know exactly," Darius said. "The Blackthorns have hoarded power long enough. Controlling scentless bloodlines to maintain dominance. Avery’s father discovered the labs. The tests. That’s why they hunted him."

More guests spilled onto the balcony now. Whispers spread like wildfire.

I faced Darius. "What labs? What tests?"

He leaned closer despite Damien’s warning glare. "They experiment on girls who can’t be scented. Try to weaponize the trait. Your dad wanted to shut it down. They made sure he couldn’t."

Damien stepped between us again. "Don’t fill her head with conspiracy garbage. Avery, trust me. We’ve protected you since you arrived."

"Protected or trapped?" I asked. The words came out sharp. "First my mom’s secrets, now this?"

Darius smiled slightly. "Your mother? She’s small time compared to what the Blackthorns do. I can get you away from both."

Elder Voss cleared his throat. "The challenge requires formal response. Blackthorns, do you accept or forfeit claim?"

Damien’s eyes met mine. "We accept. Avery stays with us."

I threw my hands up. "Does anyone care what I want? This is my life."

Darius turned to me directly. "That’s why I’m doing this. Pack law lets you choose after the formal hearing. Come to our side. I’ll prove everything about your father."

"You expect me to believe you?" I asked. "You corner me on a balcony and drop bombshells."

"Because time is short," he replied. "The Blackthorns move fast when threatened. Ask Damien about the night your father died."

Damien tensed. "That’s enough. Avery, let’s go inside. Away from him."

I stayed put. "No. I want answers. Now. Did your family have my father killed?"

The balcony went quiet. Even the music inside seemed to fade.

Damien exhaled slowly. "He was a threat to the balance. Not by us directly, but yes, actions were taken. For the packs."

My chest tightened. "So Darius is right."

"Partially," Damien admitted. "But we’re not the villains here."

Darius laughed. "Classic. Partial truth to sound honest. Avery, my family offers transparency. No more lies."

Elder Voss raised a hand. "This will be settled in council tomorrow. Until then, no violence. The girl remains neutral."

"Neutral?" I echoed. "I’m standing right here."

Damien touched my shoulder. "We’ll talk privately. I can explain everything."

Darius shook his head. "She’s heard enough of your explanations. Avery, think about it. Your father died fighting for girls like you. Honor that."

I looked between them, the night air suddenly colder. "Both of you act like I’m some trophy. The scentless girl. But I’m done being used."

Darius stepped back slightly. "Then choose wisely. The Crowes want partnership. Not control."

"Partnership that starts with a public challenge?" I shot back.

"Needed to force the issue," he said. "Blackthorns would never let you hear the truth otherwise."

Damien’s voice cut in. "He’s playing you, Avery. Same as your mother did."

The mention of Lila stung. "Don’t bring her into this."

"Why not?" Darius asked. "She worked with low level fences. Small heists. The Blackthorns play on a bigger scale. Entire bloodlines."

Guests murmured louder now. Phones came out, recording discreetly.

I turned to Elder Voss. "Can I refuse both sides?"

The elder shook his head. "Pack law binds you until the hearing decides. For your safety."

"Safety," I muttered. "Funny word tonight."

Damien tried again. "Come back inside with me. We’ll sort this."

Darius held my gaze. "Or walk away with real answers about your dad. How he fought. How he died protecting you."

The two men stared each other down. Tension crackled between them.

"Back off, Crowe," Damien warned.

"Make me," Darius replied. "The challenge is live."

I stepped between them. "Stop. Both of you. This isn’t about your rivalry. It’s about me. My father. My choices."

Darius nodded. "Exactly. Tomorrow at council, speak your mind. I’ll present evidence."

Damien looked frustrated. "Evidence he probably forged."

"Test it then," Darius said. "Unless you’re scared of what comes out."

Elder Voss intervened. "Enough for tonight. Return to the gala. No more scenes."

As the crowd started dispersing, Darius leaned in one last time. "Your father’s last words were about you. Keeping you free. Think about that."

Damien guided me toward the doors, his hand firm on my back. "Ignore him. He’s desperate."

Inside, the lights felt too bright. Music too loud. I pulled away from Damien slightly.

"I need time to process," I said. "All of this. The hunting. The experiments. Everything."

He nodded, but his eyes stayed watchful. "Just don’t trust Crowe. He wants power, not you."

Darius watched from across the room now, raising a glass in my direction. A silent promise of more revelations.

The gala continued around us like nothing happened, but everything had changed. My father’s death wasn’t random. I wasn’t just a guest here. I was the prize in a game I never knew I was playing.

And for the first time, I felt ready to flip the board.