Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers

Evaline:

The moment Draven's friends caught sight of him walking into the lounge, their voices rose with cheer, laughter, and easy banter that filled the air. But then… their gazes shifted, sliding past him and landing on me.

It was subtle at first, the way their smiles faltered, but I noticed it instantly. Surprise flickered across their faces. Confusion too. Four pairs of eyes moved between me and Draven, as if silently asking - Who is she, and why is she with you?

Before I could shrink under their scrutiny, Draven did something that made my chest tighten - he reached for my hand, entangling his long fingers with mine, and led me confidently toward them. His grip was firm, grounding, like he wasn't ashamed or hesitant, like he wanted me there with him.

"All right," he said with a grin, tugging me closer. "Don't look so shocked, idiots. I want you to meet someone important."

The four of them rose from the couches almost in unison. Draven's presence was commanding, but I realized he was about to place me right in the center of their focus, and it made my palms feel clammy.

He gestured toward the first couple. "This is Mario, and that's his mate Angela."

My gaze landed on the only girl in the group. She was pretty with short brown hair and a beautiful smile. She gave me a little wave, her smile warming up as her gaze shifted to me. Standing next to her was a tall and broad-shouldered man - Mario - who gave me a nod of acknowledgment, his expression friendly.

"And these two troublemakers," Draven continued, pointing at the other pair, "are Cristian and Ronan. They are twins."

Both boys smirked, giving me matching waves that made me blink. They looked so different that I would have never guessed them being related, let alone being twins.

"Everyone," Draven said then, and I felt his arm suddenly curl around my waist, tugging me flush to his side, "this is Evaline. First year. And… my mate."

The last word echoed in my ears. Mate.

For a second, there was only silence. My heart pounded like a drum, waiting for their reactions, waiting for any sign of disapproval or judgment. But instead...

"You are kidding me!" Cristian burst out, grinning. "You actually found your mate? Damn, Draven, about time!"

Mario laughed, clapping him on the back. "I knew something was different about you lately. No wonder."

Angela clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling as she turned toward me. "Oh, she's beautiful. And undoubtedly smart. You are lucky, Draven."

Heat rushed to my cheeks at her words. I wasn't used to being complimented so openly, especially not in front of others.

"Lucky?" Cristian scoffed. "More like blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. We are all gonna have to keep an eye on him now for Evaline. Don't let him mess up."

Their laughter bubbled up, light and teasing, and I felt the tightness in my chest ease. They weren't cold or harsh like I had feared. They were… welcoming. Genuine.

But then Cristian leaned forward a little, his grin widening. "Wait, I know you. You are that Evaline, aren't you? The one who topped the entrance exams?"

I blinked, startled. "Uh… maybe?"

Angela gasped softly, eyes wide. "Oh! You are her. No wonder your name sounded familiar. The professors keep talking about you - how disciplined you are, how sharp you are with your studies."

"And we all have heard stories of how you wiped the floor with Instructor Oscar during combat trial," Ronan added with a mischievous grin.

I felt my eyes widen. "Wait… people know about that?"

"Know?" Mario chuckled. "It's practically Academy legend now. First-year student with no wolf takes down one of the rogue alphas in hand-to-hand combat? Everyone in Silver Moon knows your name, Evaline."

My stomach dropped. I wasn't used to attention. For someone like me - an introvert who had spent years trying to make myself invisible - it felt like someone had just pulled a rug from under my feet.

"I... uh... I didn't realize," I mumbled, flustered.

Beside me, Draven smirked, his pride practically radiating off him. His arm tightened around me, a clear sign that he wasn't embarrassed by what they were saying. If anything, he was glowing with pride.

"Of course she's famous," he said. "She's my mate."

The teasing rolled on after that. Mario and Angela congratulated us with sincerity, Angela even squeezing my hand gently, as if to welcome me. Cristian and Ronan cracked jokes about how Draven better treat me right or they would step in.

By the time the introductions were over, I found myself breathing easier. Their warmth chipped away at my walls, and slowly, I loosened up.

When the games began, Angela pulled me to her side immediately. "Partners?"

I nodded eagerly, thankful to have her nearby. We ended up against our mates, and the two of us laughed the hardest when Draven groaned about betrayal.

"You are supposed to have my back, Angela!" he complained as she purposely sabotaged his turn.

"I have Evaline's back now," she shot back with a wink.

I laughed so hard my cheeks started hurting. They made it so easy for me to feel... included.

Three hours passed in a blur of laughter, teasing, and playful competition. And then, as late afternoon arrived and the sunlight stared disappearing, it was them for good byes.

Cristian leaned down slightly as he clasped my shoulder. "If Draven ever gives you trouble, you tell us. We'll straighten him out."

Ronan nodded solemnly, though the mischief in his eyes gave him away. "Seriously. Don't let him get away with being a grump."

Angela hugged me before we parted, slipping my phone into my hand with her number already saved. "Call me anytime. We'll go out for meals."

"Thank you," I whispered, touched by her kindness.

Draven and I finally left, heading back to the mansion. The car ride was quiet, my head still spinning with everything that had happened. But when we pulled up outside the mansion, Draven's phone buzzed.

He frowned at the screen before answering. "Yeah?" He shifted his gaze to me. "Now? Fine. I'll be there."

When he hung up, he answered my silent question. "It's Kieran. He needs me at the Academy."

"Of course," I said with a nod.

He leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. "I'll see you soon."

And then he was gone, the car pulling away, leaving me all alone in the giant mansion... except the dozens of servants and warriors, of course.

Inside, the house was quiet. I climbed the stairs to my room, and headed to freshen up. Returning to the room, I picked up my phone and sat down on the bed. The group chat with Mallory, Kyros, and Rowan was buzzing.

Mallory: How you guys doing? I'm already bored over here. Never though I will miss Academy so much. I think I'm addicted to that place already.

Rowan: Nothing special going on here. I'm kind of bored as well. Looking forward to my first day at work tomorrow though.

Kyros: I'm babysitting my cousin.

Mallory: Where are you, Eva? Don't ignore is because of your threesome.

Kyros: For Goodness sake, Mallory!!

I groaned as I read Mallory's message. She really didn't have a filter. I quickly typed a reply.

Evaline: Stop talking nonsense. I went out with Draven to meet his friends. Just returned.

I just hit 'send' when someone knocked on my door.

The sound made me look up. Slowly, I slid off the bed and padded toward the door. When I opened it... River was standing there.