Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers

Evaline:

The room started feeling quieter after Rowan took his leave first while I stayed behind. And with him gone, I noticed that Oscar's presence was different now - more muted, like the snowflakes still clinging to the window panes.

I stayed near the tall glass, my eyes following the way the late afternoon light softened as it spilled across the snow-covered grounds of the Academy. The reflection was almost too bright to look at directly, so I let my gaze blur, losing myself in the stillness of it.

I didn't even realize Oscar had finished locking his office door until I heard the soft tread of his boots approaching. My heartbeats picked up their pace just a little, but I didn't move. The silence stretched until I found myself whispering, "Thank you… for helping Rowan."

He stopped beside me, close enough that I could feel the faint warmth radiating from his body even though the office was already warm enough. Slowly, he raised his hand, and his touch was feather-light as he cupped my face.

I looked up at him, my gaze locking on his emerald orbs that now held only love and gentleness.

"You don't need to thank me," he said, his voice low and steady, though there was something unspoken threading beneath the words. His thumb brushed against my cheek as he shook his head slightly. "At first, my reason was selfish. I only stepped in because of you."

I wasn't surprised. After all, I literally pushed him to handle this matter and help Rowan out.

"Since you have taken Rowan as your brother, your family," he continued, his eyes dark and unreadable. "And pleaded for him with your whole heart... I couldn't turn away. But that's not the only reason."

He drew back just enough to look me directly in the eyes. "Rowan has a sharp mind. More potential than half the students in this Academy. Losing him would have been our loss as much as his."

I swallowed hard, warmth spreading through me - not just because of what he had done for Rowan, but because he too had recognized the potential in Rowan that I had noticed a long time ago.

Before I could respond, Oscar's hand moved again, tucking a loose strand of my silver hair behind my ear with unhurried care. His fingers trailed down the side of my neck in a barely-there touch that made every nerve under my skin spark alive. They stopped at the stiff collar of my uniform before he withdrew, tucking his hand into the pocket of his coat as if to anchor himself.

The sudden distance between us felt sharper than the cold air sneaking through the window cracks. My eyes darted to his face, searching for some sign of what he was thinking.

"Leave," he said at last. His voice was firm, though softer than usual. "Before I change my mind… and keep you here for the next couple of hours."

Heat flared across my cheeks at his meaning, and my heart thudded against my ribs. I was more than ready to bolt, yet some part of me clung to the moment.

Still, I forced myself to meet his gaze and said softly, "Whatever your reason was, you helped Rowan. That means everything to me. I'll always be grateful."

And before I could talk myself out of it, I leaned in quickly, rose to my tiptoes, and pressed a kiss to his cheek. It was fleeting, but the warmth of his skin lingered on my lips.

"That's so you don't think I brushed you off with just a thank you," I whispered with a smile before retreating.

His face shifted. There was just a flicker of surprise before a crooked smirk tugged at his lips. I caught the glint in his eyes as if he hadn't expected me to do that, especially after his warning.

My smile widened, then I panicked at myself and turned on my heel, practically sprinting to the door.

"Be careful," his voice followed after me, low and deliberate.

I didn't stop, didn't dare look back. The moment I stepped into the hallway, I forced the smile off my face. No one needed to see me grinning like a fool in the administrative wing. Professors and instructors were already strict enough, I didn't want to invite suspicion by looking like I had just stolen something - because in a way, maybe I had.

There was still time before dinner, so I made my way back to the first-year dorm. The moment I stepped inside the dorm room, I noticed Rowan sitting stiffly on one of the couches near the fire, his eyes flicking to me as if he had been waiting all this time.

The moment he noticed me stepping inside, he stood abruptly and made his way to me even before I finished getting out of my coat that was covered in snow. His arms wrapped around me tightly before I could say anything.

"Eva," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you. For everything. I'll never forget what you did for me today."

I patted his back, smiling into the fabric of his coat. "You don't need to thank me. I only did what a sister should do for her brother. That's all there is to it."

He pulled back just enough to look at me, and I found his icy-blue eyes glistening as if he was struggling to hold back tears. That look - so raw and vulnerable - twisted something deep in my chest.

"Then let me say this," he said firmly and hugged me again, tighter this time, his voice resolute near my ear. "Your brother will never disappoint your trust or your love. I promise you that, Eva."

I closed my eyes, letting myself melt into the warmth of his words, the sincerity of his vow. For so long, I had fought my battles alone, shoulders weighed down by burdens no one else could see. But now… Rowan was here.

The Moon Goddess... finally blessed me with a real brother, one who would protect me and love me just like I had longed for my entire life.