Nathan
"Mine!" Jessy howled furiously,
but I ignored him, turning to Jayson, who had just stormed into the courtyard.
"Alpha Nathan, the warriors are already waiting," he announced as soon as he spotted me.
"The arrangements?" I asked, my voice clipped, ignoring the endless roar clawing inside my head.
"They're all set, but…" His sharp, calculating eyes narrowed on me. "Why do you look so troubled?"
My brows furrowed.
"You know your duties, don't you?" I forced a smile, but he only twitched his nose, his gaze dropping like a dagger.
"I would advise…"
Jessy's roar ripped through me, louder, fiercer.
"Amanda is in danger, and you need to stop him now." I didn't miss the urgency as my legs dragged me away from the courtyard toward the elevator.
I don't know how long I stood there, fist pounding the button, rage simmering, something dangerous rising inside me.
Something I could not control.
By the time I blinked, I was at his door. One brutal kick, the door sprang open.
Before me stood Amanda, her arms barely holding onto the blue striped gown that clung just below her shoulders.
Something snapped inside me. My jaw clenched, my eyes burned.
"Brother, what brings you?" Ricardo's shrill voice rang out, his face twisted in shock, confusion… and something darker.
It didn't matter. It wouldn't stop the loud pounding of my heart or the flames in my bones.
I could sense the hesitation in his expression when his eyes darted to Amanda at the side and then back at me.
"You may leave," he instructed.
Amanda fastened her arms onto her gown, pulling it on as if she had been waiting for this moment, and without wasting a second, she was already out of the room.
I didn't miss the silent grumble in my chest when Ricardo's eyes lingered on her possessively as she left.
"Mine!" Jessy roared jealously.
Now left alone with Ricardo, my blood boiled. A part of me just wanted to end all this mess. Right here, right now.
Brother…" His hands gripped mine, his eyes searching me, troubled.
"Tell me… what troubles you?" His voice softened. I wanted to tear his hands off.
But I never did. Instead, my eyes snagged on a particular substance, the empty glass of wine on the table.
My imagination grew wild with unshared bitterness until his hands squeezed mine softly.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" That dismissive tone, the same that had etched so many hurtful memories in my heart, the same that made me feel less of an Alpha.
"Tell him," Jessy urged inside my head. "He's still your brother."
I swallowed the hard lump in my throat, eyes dropping.
"Go on," Jessy pushed, but my hands only raked through my hair, rough with frustration.
"I… just came to inform you about the contest training that's about to start." I ducked my gaze away, not sparing a glance at his somber expression.
His grip on me loosened, his arms buckled on his wheelchair as he turned his back on me.
Something stirred in me at seeing him in such a condition, but I didn't stay there. My feet carried me out of the room, straight to mine, where I paced angrily.
But why did I lose control? Why is her thought driving me crazy?
"Why not tell him? Let him know everything," Jessy howled over and over again, but I shut him off, my arm slamming so hard against the wall.
I didn't dwell much on the painful sensation, the metallic smell that creased my nostrils, or the crack on the wall when the door opened.
"What's going on?" Jayson's urgent voice surged, but I didn't turn to him. Instead, I moved over to the window.
Silent. Stifling. Suffocating, only broken by the loud roars in my head.
"You know you can…"
"Not now, Jayson," I cut in angrily, my eyes burning daggers.
"Leave," I instructed, but this dude was too stubborn to listen without showing those childish affections. Never bad, just not now.
"Alright, if you say so." I heard his huff.
"But the warriors are already…"
"Oh, Jayson, leave!" My teeth gritted, claws already coming out as my eyes burned with greater intensity, causing the entire room to vibrate.
Without a word, the door slammed shut before me, and I couldn't hold the burning pain as it intensified.
"You don't need to be mad a…"
"Oh, shut up, Jessy," I interrupted. "Can you let me do the thinking?"
"Good…"
The door slammed open, and just when I wanted to yell, my eyes dropped as I caught sight of her standing at the door, a small smile on her face.
"What brings you here?" I asked, turning back to the palace view outside.
"Oh, mine," she hissed. "Don't tell me you aren't missing me?" Her breath fanned my neck as she caressed my shoulders with a warm kiss.
"That doesn't answer the question. Or… perhaps you are here to apologize for lying?"
I heard Keira's ragged breath against my ear.
"Lying? About what, exactly?"
I turned to her, her arms dropping from my shoulders, but that strong look of confusion on her face set my blood boiling.
"That you have no sister."
"Oh, that." She chuckled, her arms falling back on my shoulders, but my eyes narrowed at her.
"Sorry, Alpha, forgive my manners, but seriously?" Her eyes twitched. "She isn't my sister, just some silly adopted daughter of my parents." She scoffed, looking away.
"I see. Now leave." My voice was calm, but I knew she caught the hard meaning behind it.
"Why would you say that? Not that I lied… she isn't my blood in the real sense, and I can't stand…"
She paused, biting her lips when I flicked a gaze at her. But she didn't leave. Instead, her arms dropped on my shoulders as she leaned closer, her body brushing mine.
"Don't you like it if I…" Her eyes dropped to my bare shoulders, her fingers trailing the lines. "...make you forget any of those thoughts? She isn't worth it. Trust me."
"So silly," Jessy's voice surged in my head.
Her arms trailed down my chest, but I caught them firmly.
"I mean every word. Leave." My back turned to the window again, knuckles white against the rail.
"Now, Keira. Don't make me repeat myself."
She pouted, lips curling with a bitter smile.
"Fine, I will leave, but don't come looking for all this." I didn't miss the emphasis on her last word as the sound of the door closing followed after several seconds of silence.
"Gosh!" I slammed my arm hard again, ignoring the hurt as I strode to the minibar to pull out a glass of wine.
Halfway into the drink, the door sprang open again, and this time I was ready to skin whoever dared, until I saw her. My arms fell to my sides, and I forced a smile.
"Just came to specially invite you down for lunch. Since everyone is around, it would be great to have one nice family time together." Aunt Beatrice sounded so happy, and I couldn't decline the offer.
I mean, she's always been a mother figure to us ever since our parents passed, and somehow, that was a blessing until…
"Alright, I'll be there," I replied, and she passed me a small smile before closing the door, leaving me with lingering thoughts.
A few minutes later, I was already downstairs, heading to the dining hall, but paused when I saw him, seated tightly beside his mum, a spoon half-shoved into his lips as he met my gaze.
Alex, our cousin.
"What is he doing here?" Ricardo's voice thundered behind me, rage rolling off him as he stormed toward the dining table.
"Oh, mine." Aunt Beatrice clapped her hands together. "Why not calm down and let me explain?"
But then, something unimaginable happened as my gaze followed those of Alex that drifted outside the window.