Red rose's eyes flickered open. A cold sweat dampened her forehead, the memories of her dream lingering like a ghost. She glanced at her clock and her heart leapt into her throat. It was half past seven.
"Damn it," she muttered, stumbling out of bed. She was already running late for school. The bus left ten minutes ago.
Red rose quickly dressed, shoving on whatever clean clothes she could find. She snatched up her schoolbag, mentally cursing her dream-self for putting her in this position. Her school was a good half-hour walk away. She'd never make it on time.
As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly, a reminder that she'd skipped breakfast in her haste.
"Great," she grumbled, "just great."
Red rose yanked open the front door, only to freeze.
Four figures stood on her porch.
Nick leaned against the railing, arms crossed. "You look flustered."
Blue smirked from the steps, tossing a set of keys in his hand. "Missed your bus?"
Victor said nothing—just watched her with that same intense gaze from her dream.
And Sunny... he simply handed her a thermos of coffee, his quiet voice soft but firm: "We're your ride now."
Red rose's breath caught. *This wasn't part of the dream.*
The sight of the four Alphas was surreal. They were just as intimidating, just as powerful, as they had been in her dream, only now they were real. And they were here.
Nick's smirk widened. "You gonna stand there gaping all morning, princess?"
Her brain finally rebooted, and Red rose found her voice. "You..." Her voice was shaky, confused, "How are you here?"
Blue jingled the keys with a grin. "Oh, you dreamed it for a reason, Red." His eyes glinted gold in the morning light. "We've been watching. Waiting."
Victor stepped forward, towering over her. "The bond doesn't lie." His voice was low, commanding. "You felt it last night—just like we did."
Nick leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear: "*And now… we start claiming our mate—for real.*"
Red Rose's heart pounded in her chest. This wasn't happening—this *couldn't* be happening. But the heat in Nick's gaze, the quiet certainty in Sunny's eyes, Blue's dangerous smirk, and Victor's unshakable presence... it was all too real.
"You were… just a dream," she whispered, backing up slightly—only to hit the doorframe.
Blue chuckled, low and rough. "Dreams don't leave scars." He stepped closer, slow like a predator savoring the chase. "And that pull you feel? That fire in your blood when we're near? That ain't sleep-talk."
Victor crossed his arms. "You ran from one life," he said calmly. "We brought you another."
Sunny finally spoke, soft but firm: "One you can't escape."
Red Rose swallowed hard—the truth crashing over her like ice water.
This wasn't over.
It had only just begun.
Red Rose glanced between the alphas, the realization settling heavily.
"*Damn* it," she muttered, checking her phone. She was more than half an hour late for school.
Nick grinned, clearly amused by her panic. "Oh, princess, don't worry about that." He reached out, grabbing her backpack easily. "Class is the least of your concerns right now."
Blue chuckled, leaning against the porch railing. "We got something more important for you to focus on."
Red Rose opened her mouth to protest, but Victor cut her off.
"Enough." His voice was hard, like steel wrapped in silk. "No more protests, no more running." He took a step closer, his gaze pinning her in place
She'd always thought his cold, composed manner was intimidating. Now, it was downright *terrifying*.
Nick slung her backpack over his shoulder, clearly done waiting, "Come on."
"Where are we going?" She managed to get out, her voice shaking
"You'll see".
Nick took her arm firmly, leading her towards a large pickup truck parked nearby with Blue and Victor following close behind.
Her mind was racing, but her body moved as if on autopilot. She let them guide her, their hands warm and strong.
Nick opened the rear passenger door, motioning for her to get in. "Ladies first."
Red Rose climbed into the back seat, the leather cool under her fingers. Blue slid in next to her, his hip brushing hers, and then Nick took the driver's seat while Victor got into the passenger side.
They were *surrounded* on all sides... and it set her teeth on edge. Or maybe that was the heat radiating from Blue, his arm casually thrown over the back, almost touching her shoulders.
The engine rumbled to life, and the truck pulled out onto the road.
Red Rose fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, trying (and failing) to ignore the close proximity of the four alphas. Blue was still pressed against her side, his warmth seeping into her skin. Nick was focused on the road, but he occasionally glanced at her in the rear-view mirror, his eyes dark. Even Victor, in the passenger seat, seemed keenly aware of her. It was as if she was being measured, assessed...
*Assessed for what?* She wondered, a chill of unease running down her spine.
The drive was quiet, the four alphas seemingly content with the silence. Red Rose, on the other hand, felt like she was crawling out of her skin. The tension in the cab was palpable.
She tried to distract herself by watching the scenery flashing by outside the window, but her mind kept circling back to the same thought: *where are they taking me?*
She considered asking, but something held her back. Maybe it was the unyielding gazes of the alphas... maybe it was simply fear.
After what felt like an eternity, the truck finally shuddered to a stop. Red Rose looked up, peering through the window. They were parked in front of what looked like an old, dilapidated building—maybe an old warehouse, long-since abandoned.
Nick turned off the engine, the sudden silence jarring. For a moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, Victor opened his door and stepped out, the others following suit.
"Out." Nick's voice broke the quiet. He was already at her door, waiting.
Red Rose hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle. The warehouse loomed in front of her—dark, silent, and ominous.
Blue leaned across from the other side, his voice a low purr in her ear. "Don't worry, princess… it's not *that* scary." His breath was warm against her neck. "Not compared to what we'll do to you."
Her pulse spiked. Before she could react, the door yanked open—Nick was there again, impatient now.
"*Now*, Red." His voice left no room for defiance.
She swallowed hard and stepped out… only to have Victor catch her wrist like he'd been waiting for it.
"Mine first," he said simply—but his eyes burned with something far more dangerous than words could say.
Victor's fingers encircled her wrist, the touch scorching. She struggled instinctively, trying to pull away. But Victor held her in place, his grip like a steel bracelet.
"Victor, let *go*—" she protested.
But Nick moved behind her then, boxing her in between them. "You've run your last," Nick growled, his body pressing flush against her back. "No more fighting, princess."
Red Rose's heart hammered. She was trapped—caught between two powerful alphas, their presence overwhelming.
Nick's hand slid up her side, his touch leaving a trail of fire. She tried to turn, tried to move away… but it was no use. Victor and he sandwiched her effortlessly. Their body heat was everywhere, their scents wrapping around her.
"Easy now," Nick murmured, his voice a rumble in her ear. "You're not going anywhere."
Her hands clenched into fists. "Let. Me. Go," she hissed, but there was no denying the hitch in her voice. The *need* in it.
"We're not letting you go," Victor said, voice like dark velvet. He stepped closer, forcing her back against Nick's chest. "Not ever."
Blue appeared beside them, his smirk sharp as a blade. "Face it, Red... you're trembling." His fingers brushed her jawline. "And not from fear."
Sunny stepped into view at last—silent as shadow—his gaze locking onto hers with quiet intensity.
Then Victor leaned in… close enough that his breath danced across her lips.
"*You're ours now.*"