Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers

Evaline:

I returned to my room, feeling much better when I left to invite Kieran just minutes ago.

A couple of empty cartons were sitting neatly in the hallway outside my room, indicating Draven had already begun clearing things out. And the moment I stepped inside, I froze.

Right by the windows, beside the marble fireplace and the cushy couches, was standing a stunning Christmas tree. It was towering majestically, and its thick green branches were dusted in artificial snow. It wasn't decorated yet, but even bare, it was perfect. Regal. Warm. Beautiful.

My eyes softened.

There were some wreaths placed around the room.

My eyes searched for Draven and I found him upstairs. He was in the middle of fixing a lush green garland, wrapped with red ribbons and pinecones, over the railing.

"You work fast," I called out with a teasing lilt in my voice as I closed the door behind me.

He glanced down at me with a smirk. "Efficiency is a love language, sweetheart."

I smiled and climbed the spiral staircase, heading up to the cozy upper level of my bedroom where he was working. I hadn't had a proper chance to relax in this part of the room since I arrived on Friday. The snug reading nook with leather armchairs, the floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves filled with hardcovers and ancient scrolls, the arched glass window that framed the snowy sky - it all looked like something straight out of a winter fairy tale.

I had planned to spend some quiet time here today… but now that the tree and decorations were happening, maybe I would have to move that plan to tomorrow.

I walked to the nearby bookshelf, running my fingers over the spines.

"So?" Draven asked casually. "What did Kieran say?"

I didn't turn around. "He said he'll join us shortly."

I barely finished speaking when I felt his presence behind me before I even saw him. His arms circled my waist from behind, pulling me gently away from the shelf and turning me toward him.

My heart skipped.

I didn't resist, but I glanced toward the top of the stairs. "Draven," I whispered, my voice barely holding back a nervous laugh. "The door is unlocked… Kieran might walk in any moment."

"And I'll know when he does," he said in a low and dangerous voice, just before he kissed me.

It wasn't a soft kiss.

He kissed me like he was starving. Like this might be his last moment with me. His hands gripped my waist tighter, and when I pushed gently at his chest, it wasn't to stop him… it was because I couldn't breathe. My head was spinning, my heart roaring in my chest.

"Draven…" I tried again between breaths, lips brushing against his, "we shouldn't…"

But he shook his head. "I missed you," he said, his forehead resting against mine. "Fuck-I don't even care if we get caught."

And honestly, I might not care either... at least, not in that moment. I was aching for him too.

The last time we were this close was Saturday night, when he had snuck into my room just to say goodnight. Since then, there had been no private moments, no stolen kisses or hugs. More than a day had passed and nothing.

So, I gave in.

My arms curled around his neck, and the moment my lips met his again, everything else melted away. He deepened the kiss, his fingers tangling in my hair, and I felt my knees go weak. My back bumped gently against the bookshelf behind me, and still, we continued kissing.

If he hadn't pulled away when he did, I wasn't sure I would have stopped. His breathing was ragged as he stepped back. His jaw was clenched tight as he returned to fix the garland on the railing like nothing had happened.

I stared at him, my lips tingling and mind fogged. And then I heard it - the sound of the door opening downstairs.

I moved closer to the stairs and looked down just in time to see Kieran stepping inside.

Of course.

That's why Draven pulled away.

I cleared my throat and descended the staircase like it hadn't taken everything in me to act normal.

"Hey," I greeted Kieran with a gentle smile.

He nodded, looking around the room. "Wow. You have made some progress."

Draven walked down the stairs behind me. "Of course I did. You think I woud wait for your slow ass?"

Kieran rolled his eyes and smirked. "Please, like you know how to decorate a tree beautifully."

The three of us ended up spending the next hour and a half decorating the tree... and honestly, it was the most fun I had in days.

Kieran brought up a playlist of soft jazz and classic carols. Draven complained about how glittery everything was. I may or may not have thrown a handful of fake snow at both of them when they started bickering.

Draven held up two ornaments. "Which one for the front? Reindeer or this ridiculously sparkly snowflake?"

"Reindeer," Kieran and I said at the same time, then exchanged a soft smile.

By the time we were halfway through, snow started falling outside. Not the soft, romantic kind... but heavy, blinding flurries.

I moved closer to the window, worry filling my heart. "Oscar…"

I barely said the name when the door opened again.

And there he was.

Wearing a thick black coat, his hair damp with snowflakes, he stepped in like the snowfall was merely an afterthought.

He smiled, and I smiled back, holding myself still. If Kieran hadn't been standing right there, I might have already run into Oscar's arms. But I didn't. I just smiled - soft and warm - and he returned it before his eyes started scanning the room.

"Looks like a snowstorm threw up in here," he said dryly, glancing at the glitter-covered floor and ornament boxes.

Draven snorted. "Then wait till we hang the lights."

We all laughed.

By the time the clock hit one, we were heading downstairs for lunch. River joined us as well. He said nothing to me, and I said nothing to him, not like we were talking before this anyway. I didn't even look at him. Not because I was angry anymore, but because I didn't know how to.

As soon as lunch ended, River stood up. "Kieran, I need you in the study. It's urgent."

Kieran gave me an apologetic look and followed him.

And just like that, it was only me and my two mates again.

Back in my room, Draven walked in first… and turned the key in the door behind us with a solid click.

I raised a brow. "You locked the door?"

He turned to face me with that slow, wicked grin of his. "You didn't think I was going to let anyone interrupt us again, did you?"