Page 19 of Alpha's Rise

Nathan turned his head to look at Tobias. “Come on, man. Are you fucking kidding me? Really?”

“I haven’t had the time, so stop with the bullshit theatrics. You know what’s at stake and you weren’t around to finish the circle.” Tobias glared at Nathan.

Romi interjected. “Haven’t had time for what?”

“We don’t need to talk about that right now,” Tobias mumbled.

“There’s something important we need to tell you,” Nathan said at the same time.

Walking over to the bar, Romi poured herself a drink before turning around to lean up against the bar. Glass in hand, she eyed both men. “Let’s try this again. Why the fuck am I here instead of with my family? And what exactly do you need to tell me that’s important, but you don’t want to talk about?”

Tobias stalked over to her, stopping only when he was inches away. He didn’t want to introduce this now but with Nathan glaring at him from across the room, he knew they wouldn’t be able to hold off for long. What if she didn’t understand and tried to run? It didn’t matter, because wherever she ran to, he and Nathan would follow. Glancing at Nathan, sitting there with a smirk on his face, he wanted to punch him until it was gone.

“You may want to sit down for this,” he tried to convince Romi.

“I’m good standing,” she returned.

Tobias smiled, nodded, and began. “My family is very important to our people. My mother and father, they’re two-thirds of the ruling body of our pack.”

Confused, but interested, Romi continued to stare at him as she took another sip of her drink as her eyes traveled between Tobias and Nathan. “Two-thirds? So, who’s the other person? What does that mean?”

Nathan interjected. “All in due time, beautiful Romi.”

She rolled her eyes at Nathan. “Don’t try to sweet talk me, Slick,” she spat at him. Turning back to Tobias, she nodded. “Continue. I’m listening.”

Tobias took a step closer to her. “My second father, Brayden, is the third member. He serves as Beta to my father and mother. Together, they form the Alpha Triad and are the rulers of the Bloodmoon Pack.”

Romi was silent for a moment as his words sunk in. “So, that makes you the heir to the throne, so to speak.”

“Yes, it does.” He remained where he was, just inches away, but her scent was beginning to drive his wolf to the edge. She wasn’t even trying to entice him but everything in him wanted to rub his body against hers. His mouth wanted to lick and suck every inch of her beautiful brown skin. Inhaling deeply, he wanted to know what her essence would taste like on his tongue.

“Why do I feel like there’s more to this?” Something about this situation was rubbing her the wrong way. Tobias wasn’t telling her everything.

Now Nathan spoke up. “Because there is more. I need you to listen to him, Romi.”

Her eyes snapped to him. “Who the hell are you again?”

Nathan rose from the couch and walked over to where her and Tobias stood. Although the room was lit quite well, he was almost positive the glow in his eyes could be seen. “Who do you want me to be?”

She looked back and forth between the two of them before downing the rest of her drink in one swallow. “Looks like the two of you are playing some type of game and I’m not interested. I appreciate your hospitality, but if I’m going to be forced to stay here for the night, I think it’s time for me to head to bed.” She moved to walk around them, but Tobias shifted to block her exit.

“Sweetheart, why don’t you tell us who you are? Or should I say, what you are?”

“Tobias, you’ve asked me that already.” Romi wasn’t ready to explain herself just yet, but she could feel the pull toward both men. Just being around them made her feel different. For so long, she’d expected to live out her life alone. As the eccentric aunt to her beloved Christopher. But the way both men were looking at her, and the way she felt in their presence, was making her nervous.

Tobias looked over her shoulder to see that Nathan had moved in a little closer. “And you didn’t answer my question then either. You already know what we are, and you didn’t even blink an eye. You’re surrounded by my entire pack, but you walk around here as if you’re having a day at the park. I want to know what you are, Romi.”

“Are you a threat to our pack?” Nathan whispered the question in her ear, his breath fanning over Romi’s skin as he spoke.

Romi jumped when she realized how close he was. Glancing over her shoulder, Romi came face-to-face with Nathan. His gaze captured hers as he waited on her response. It was something about these two men that caused her to become hyper aware. Although she’d only met Nathan a few minutes ago, he looked at her the same way Tobias did, as if he wanted to devour her. She picked up the sound of sniffing and knew it was Tobias inhaling.

Her stomach tightened and she could feel her channel slicken at the thought of being surrounded by these two sexy ass men.

Tobias stepped closer before lifting one hand to her face and trailing a finger down her cheek. “You smell delicious.”

“Good enough to eat,” Nathan added in a muffled voice.

Don’t get it twisted, Romi was a strong, independent black woman who didn’t need no man, but got-damn if their words didn’t loosen something inside of her. No one had ever told her she smelled delicious. She moaned low before one word escaped her mouth. “Fuck.”

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