Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers

Evaline:

"What's going on here?"

We both turned toward the voice, and while my heart stumbled with something close to panic, River showed not even a flicker of surprise.

He didn't move away in haste, didn't pretend to be caught red-handed. Instead, he stepped back slowly... like he had all the time in the world and not a care for who had seen us standing so close.

It was Kieran.

River spared him only a brief glance as he stepped aside from me and said in a low voice that was only meant for my ears, "If you are so against it, Miss Evaline, then forget it. Consider the matter closed."

His voice was as smooth and unaffected as always. Then, with no further explanation and no apology, he turned and walked away. His tall form disappeared beyond the heavy dining hall doors, leaving a lingering silence in his wake.

Kieran watched him leave and then turned to me, his brows furrowed in concern. "Evaline… what just happened?"

His voice was low, worried.

I opened my mouth to answer but couldn't find the words. I didn't want to talk about it... not now, not when everything was still burning under my skin.

He stepped closer, gently resting his hand on my elbow in a comforting gesture. But my body reacted before my brain could catch up. I jerked my arm away, recoiling from his touch like it burned. And then I turned away, walking a few steps toward the exit.

But the realization of what I just did hit me hard... accompanied with guilt.

I stopped.

Damn it.

I turned back around quickly. And my heart dropped at the stunned, almost hurt look on Kieran's face before he quickly masked it. He looked away, his lips parting like he was about to say something, but held back.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, taking a step toward him. "I-Ididn't mean to... react that way."

He looked at me for a long second before nodding. "It's okay."

But it wasn't. We both knew that.

Still, I didn't know how to fix it, not right now. So, I walked out without another word and hurried up the stairs, not even caring if anyone else had witnessed that mess of a scene.

My bedroom door shut behind me with a soft click, and only then did I finally take a deep breath.

It was quiet. Safe.

I leaned against the door and closed my eyes as I tried to make sense of everything. What the hell had just happened? I had completely lost my cool. In front of River.

In his mansion.

Not to mention, I shouted at the damn Rogue Alpha King like he was a misbehaving child. What was wrong with me?

I let out a long breath and shook my head. Pregnancy hormones. It had to be that. The only logical explanation. I had been managing just fine until this evening. Now suddenly I was all rage and fire and flinging accusations.

Still, I couldn't regret it. At least I didn't have to attend that blasted ball tonight.

With that one silver lining in my thoughts, I moved toward my bed and picked up my phone. I had left it here before heading downstairs, and now the screen showed two missed calls from Oscar.

Ten minutes ago.

My pulse jumped. Had he felt something? Had I sent waves of emotion down the bond?

I quickly tapped to call him back, pacing the room as the phone rang. He picked up on the second ring.

"Finally," he said in his smooth and familiar voice, instantly easing the storm in my chest. "You really know how to ignore someone, huh?"

"Sorry," I muttered. "I left my phone in the room."

"It's fine. I'm in Ravenden. Just wanted to know if you needed anything. Snacks? Cravings? Murder weapon?"

I chuckled softly. "Nothing, thank you. I'm good."

"You sure?" he teased, then added, "You sound off. Are you okay?"

I paused.

The last thing I wanted was to create strain in the brothers' bonds. I needed to learn to live with River... peacefully.

"I'm fine. Just a weird mood," I said.

"Mood swings. Cute. I'm writing it off as pregnancy madness."

"Can't even deny that," I muttered with a small smile.

His voice then turned more playful. "You are missing me already, aren't you?"

"I am," I said without hesitation, because I didn't need to pretend around him.

He laughed, clearly pleased. "I'll be back in two hours. Maybe less, if I get the work done quickly."

"You better focus on your work then. I don't want you coming home all grumpy."

"Grumpy?" he snorted. "I'm never grumpy. Ask Draven."

"Speaking of, where is he?"

"He went out for something important. But he should be back by now... if not already, then very soon. Go bug him until I return."

"I will."

After a few more minutes of light teasing, we hung up.

I placed my phone on the bedside table and stood up, smiling to myself. Oscar always made things feel simpler. Softer.

I straightened my clothes. Crossing the room, I opened the door and stepped into the hallway... and instantly stopped in my tracks.

Several servants were approaching from the other end of the corridor, each carrying large cartons in their arms. Their eyes widened slightly upon spotting me, but none of them stopped walking. They moved efficiently, heading straight toward my room.

"What…?" I blinked, stepping aside as one passed me.

Before I could ask anything, I saw him.

Draven.

Trailing behind the servants with a single small carton in his arms.

He was wearing his usual black-on-black outfit. His hair was slightly tousled from the wind. His eyes found mine instantly, and he stopped walking.

His expression was unreadable for a second... but then, a huge smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

He shifted the box in his arms and looked at me, eyes glinting with something that made my heart skip a beat.

"Surprise."