Page 29 of Bound to Four Alphas

“Ronan.” Selena’s voice was gentle but firm as she pulled out of the circle of Malek’s arms, walking up to stand betweenRonan and Kaelen. A whine escaped Malek’s chest at the loss of contact, and she turned to give him a small smile.

What was she doing? She was safe in his arms, they would look after her, eliminate the threat for her, she didn’t have to—

“Prince Damien,” she said sweetly, ignoring Ronan’s growls and Kaelen’s hard stare, sweeping into a curtsy. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

Chapter 14 - Selena

Fuck. Fuck, fuck,fuck.

She didn’t know what had compelled her to walk forwards, to greet the prince. Her omega had screamed at her to stay safely ensconced in Malek’s protective hold, to let her alphas speak for her.

But she was more than just an omega. And she refused to let herself stay silent for them to fight for her. So here she was, facing down the alpha Prince of the Silverthorn Kingdom. He was handsome enough, for a human, dark blond curls and a wicked smile. But it was his stance that sent fear curling through her, his foreboding presence. She swallowed. She could not show fear.

“I am surprised to hear you regard me as one of your subjects,” she said, proud of how steady her voice was; it helped that Ronan and Kaelen loomed either side of her, teeth bared at the threat. “Given that I was offered as a sacrifice to the forest. Surely, that negates my position as one of your people.”

His smirk sent ripples of disgust down her spine. Lazily, he let his gaze travel down her body, not even trying to conceal the blatant lust in his eyes. The growl rumbling in Ronan’s chest grew louder.

“It is unfortunate what happened to you,” said Damien. “Perhaps more unfortunate still that it was done without the permission of the royal court, and as such, it was done illegally. I can assure you that those responsible have already been punished. I can send you their heads if you like, as a gesture of goodwill. They’re currently rotting on spikes.”

Selena’s blood ran cold. She hadn’t had time to give thought to those who had dragged her into the forest. Part of herwas spitefully glad that they were dead, but the other part was horrified. How was the village pack supposed to survive without its strongest alphas?

“That won’t be necessary,” she said, the small crack in her voice betraying her emotion. Damien smiled in delight.

“As you wish, my dear. I can only extend the deepest apologies from the king himself, and am glad to say that your ordeal is over. I am bid to bring you back and take you to the Seat of the Empire. My father is eager to meet you.”

“If you dare lay asingle fucking fingeron her—”

“Ronan,” she said, placing a hand on his arm. His yellow eyes, half wild, turned to her, and she gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “It’s okay.” Turning back to Damien, she bowed her head, “As grateful as I am for such an offer, I am afraid I must decline. For I am now mated, and therefore am bound to remain with my mates.”

Damien’s grin remained, but his eyes were cold. “Alas, while I would never want to part you from your mates, I’m afraid that the bonding ceremony was also carried out illegally. It is our law that omegas must receive permission to bond from the authorities, and you, my dear, did not receive permission. Therefore, it is within my rights to have the bond severed, and to mete out justice as I see fit.”

“You forget, little human,” Kaelen growled, his voice so cold and full of menace that Selena had to fight not to flinch, “that you are not in your territory. Your laws have no power here. You are at the mercy of our justice. And I think you’ll find our rules slightly simpler.”

“Oh?” Damien raised an eyebrow, staring Kaelen down. A huge man, nearly the size of Ronan and clad in the sameimperial clothes, moved close to the prince with a warning hand on the pommel of his sword.

Kaelen didn’t flinch. “If an alpha tries to get between an alpha and his omega, by the ancient laws he may be destroyed without consequence. So tread carefully.”

Damien’s eyes flicked back to Selena, and she fought not to tremble under the weight of his stare. “I will obey the laws of this land,” he said, his voice full of menace, “for however much longer they exist.”

He turned on his heel, the enormous man giving one last warning look before following after him, leaving Selena alone with her four alphas.

All the air escaped her at once. She had done it. Faced up to that horrible prince, kept her nerve. Pride swelled inside her. Three weeks ago, she would have run cowering from one of the village alphas snapping too grumpily at her. But here she was, having stared down the famed Prince Damien.

“Why the hell didn’t you stay behind me?” Kaelen turned to her, his eyes full of blazing fury. “Why didn’t you staysilent?”

Shock rendered her mute for a moment, before she finally managed to open her mouth to speak. “Excuse me?” she sputtered, glaring right back at him. “He was talking about me, I think I have the right to defend myself!”

“You were in danger,” replied Kaelen, his fists balling at his sides. “It is not for you to defend yourself, that isourresponsibility. You could have been hurt!”

“With all four of you with me? I highly doubt it,” she seethed. “I can speak for myself.”

“You think that just because you are my mate you have the right to disobey me?” Kaelen’s voice was low and dangerous,the other three watching their exchange with worry, but Selena didn’t care. She wasn’t about to roll over and submit every time Kaelen demanded her to, especially when he was being so pig-headed about it.

“I think you’re the one with a misapprehension,” she said, squaring up to him. “Just becauseyouaremymate, it does not give you the right to tell me what to do.”

Kaelen’s jaw worked, his expression ferocious as he spun on his heel and stalked away into the crowd, seemingly in search of his clan. She watched him go, anger bubbling through her.

“Who the hell does he think he is?” she said to nobody in particular, although turned quickly at the snort of laughter from Elian. “You! Keep it to yourself!”

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