Page 28 of Bound to Four Alphas

Huge garlands of ivy and fern hung down from the ceiling, tipped in riotous red flowers that caught on his antlers as they walked underneath. Tables of food and drink had been set up, thousands of candles lining the walls, there was even a small group of musicians in the corner. And beyond the hall, the great doors had been thrown open to the gardens where an enormous fire raged, casting glowing light on the shadowed figures milling about.

He had never seen such an eclectic group before. Indeed, there were Fae and wolves and dragons, as was to be expected, but other clans were present also. It seemed word had spread beyond the First Realm about the Omega of Prophecy. There were shifters of all kinds, foxes and lions and great hulking bears. Delegations from many different Fae Courts. Elves, mages, witches. There were even a few humans.

With his towering height, it was easy for Malek to spot Kaelen amongst a group of elaborately dressed dragons, members of his clan, his face easy and relaxed. Ronan was talking to some bear shifters, a great tankard of mead in his hand, his head thrown back with roaring laughter. And Elian. Elian was flitting from group to group with such a look of delighton his face that Malek felt almost concerned. The Fae truly never did pass up the opportunity to embroil himself in intrigue.

Selena, however, who barely came up to his chest, had curled into him, her scent spiking in distress at the noise and commotion. He wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder, dipping his head to murmur in her ear, “It’s okay, I won’t leave you.”

She smiled at him with appreciation, but her scent did not relax. Malek watched as one by one the other alphas scented her distress and cast their eyes about wildly, pushing their way through the crowds as they spotted Malek.

The crowd of magical beings had seemed to notice the monster in their midst, concerned eyes and whispers turning on him. He swallowed. It was nothing that he wasn’t used to, but he didn’t like the idea of causing undue stress. Not when it might endanger Selena. But he had promised to stay by her side.

Let them talk.

Of course, there was also the way Ronan was physically shoving people out the way, his eyes grim and focused as he made his way to the omega. That was bound to draw attention. Indeed, as the other alphas reached them, one by one, everyone in the near vicinity was trying to subtly watch the interaction, their curiosity palpable.

Malek resisted the urge to draw Selena into his robes and whisk her away from the prying eyes.

“Selena.” Kaelen reached them first, cupping Selena’s cheek with a large hand. “Are you alright?”

She nodded. “Yes, of course, it’s just … there’s a lot of people. That’s all.”

Kaelen’s jaw tightened and Malek watched him mentally kick himself. To one raised in a way that Kaelen had been, a gathering like this would be a paltry thing. It wouldn’t have even occurred to him that Selena might feel panicked by so many people.

A fierce blush rose on her cheeks as Elian and Ronan also reached them, surrounding her and peppering her with questions about her well-being. Her scent spiked again, although this time with something heady and needy, and Malek realized she must be remembering the last time the four of them were all together.

Ronan bellowed out a laugh. “Feeling a little embarrassed are we, sweetness?” His voice was full of mirth, no hint of mockery at all, but still her eyes narrowed at him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, her voice prim despite her burning cheeks.

“That’s my girl,” he replied. “Come on, let’s get you a drink, I want to introduce you to a few members of my clan, they’ve been dying to meet you.”

“Many of us have been dying to meet you,” came a silken voice, and Malek turned.

Ronan’s reaction was instantaneous. He snarled viciously, loud enough to draw the attention of the entire hall. He shoved past them, pushing Selena further into Malek’s protective arms as he bared his teeth at the interloper, muscles primed to launch.

“What thefuckare you doing here?”

The man dressed in ornate purple clothes, a human by smell, raised his hands mockingly. Malek’s hackles rose.

“Word reached us about your little …omega.” His grin was pure predator, and despite the difference in their size, he didn’t seem at all concerned that Ronan looked ready to rip him limb from limb.

“Your crest,” Kaelen’s words were pure ice as he drew up beside Ronan. “You’re from the Silverthorn Kingdom.”

“Well, shit,” Elian murmured with a wicked delight in his voice. But even his adoration of intrigue didn’t stop him from drawing close Malek, close toSelena.

“He’s their fucking prince,” growled Ronan, his figure looming huge.

Malek knew Ronan couldn’t shift. The temple hindered magic within its grounds. That was a good thing. With the threat to Selena, Malek wasn’t sure he would be able to control himself if there was bloodshed.

“Guilty as charged,” said the human with amusement.

“Damien,” said Kaelen, his voice unnervingly flat. Out of the corner of his eye, Malek saw some wolves and dragons shift closer, their eyes trained on Damien and his men. “You’re not welcome here.”

Damien sucked his teeth, crossing his arms. “Well, it’s a real shame to hear you say that, really, it is. Because you see, that omega you have hiding behind you, she’s one of my subjects. My …property, if you will. And you have stolen her.”

The hall was completely silent, every single being watching the interaction with a mix of fear and excitement.

Ronan’s growl shook the very building, “You fuckingdare—”

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