Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers-Chapter 550: They Have an Audience

Evaline:

I stared at Oscar, my lips slightly parted as my brain finished processing the meaning behind his shameless words.

For a moment, no sound came out of me. Then I opened my mouth... but he beat me to it.

"Am I wrong?" he asked lightly, then added, almost as an afterthought, "Brother."

The single word made my stomach drop.

My gaze followed the tilt of his head toward the couches near the fireplace, and that was when I saw it.

The laptop.

Sitting innocently on the coffee table between the couches, its screen glowing softly in the dim room.

And staring back at me through the screen... was River.

A soft gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it.

He was leaning back in his chair, one arm draped over the backrest, the familiar calm amusement clear on his face. His eyes were sharp, knowing, and far too entertained for my comfort.

"Oh," he said smoothly. "Don’t stop on my account."

I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

It all hit me at once.

I was so overwhelmed with my jealousy and possessive fire when I had burst into Kieran’s apartment minutes ago, that I completely failed to sense Oscar’s presence or the fact that a third person had been watching everything in silence all this time.

All three of them witnessed every second of the moment when I lost my composure and arrived here to... claim what was already mine.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, turning them pink as embarrassment finally caught up with the emotions that had dragged me here in the first place.

I straightened slowly, lifting my chin like dignity was something I hadn’t just misplaced minutes ago.

"Well," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady, "this is... awkward."

Oscar chuckled. "Only if you make it."

River’s lips curved into a slow smile. "If it helps, you were magnificent."

I shot him a glare. "You enjoyed that way too much."

"I enjoyed you," he corrected calmly. "There’s a difference."

Kieran cleared his throat softly beside me, though I could see the faint smile he was trying... and failing... to hide. His hand brushed mine, grounding without claiming, letting me decide how to handle this.

The three of them were amused.

Satisfied.

And worst of all... pleased.

They liked finally catching a glimpse of this side of me. The jealous edge. The possessive fire. The reminder that I wasn’t just calm and composed and endlessly understanding... I was theirs, and I knew it.

I inhaled slowly, then exhaled.

Fine.

If they were going to watch, I wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.

I shifted my weight and crossed my arms. "So," I asked, arching a brow as I looked between the three of them, "what exactly were you doing so late at night?"

My gaze lingered on Oscar first - him being here at this hour was suspicious enough - then moved to Kieran, and finally to River on the screen.

"I refuse to believe this was just a casual brothers’ bonding session," I added. "It’s almost midnight."

For once, none of them looked caught. There was no look of guilt in any of their eyes which made me wonder if they were actually up to nothing for once.

The idea only became stronger when Kieran answered easily, "We were talking about the trip."

"The Academy trip?" I asked skeptically.

"Yes," River said. "Logistics. Security. Timing."

Oscar shrugged. "Making sure nothing explodes with so many students going on a trip together. We not only need to divide the professors and instructors properly to each year, but also the warriors."

I narrowed my eyes at them. It was hard to believe them. "That was not convincing."

Kieran smiled faintly. "We weren’t planning anything behind your back, little mate."

I studied their faces, searching for the tension, the guilt, the subtle signs they always gave away when they were hiding something from me.

There was none.

Reluctantly, I sighed. "Fine. I’ll let it go."

Kieran’s smile softened. "Thank you."

The silence that followed felt... different.

Heavier.

Charged.

I glanced at the clock on the wall and straightened. It was almost midnight. "I should head back to my dorm."

I took a step toward the door. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

But Oscar moved faster.

He stepped into my path smoothly, blocking my way without touching me at first. His presence alone was enough... tall, warm, familiar.

"Leaving already?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied. "I think I have caused enough chaos for one night."

He smiled slowly and took one step closer.

Then another.

Until there was barely any space left between us.

"Seems like a waste," he murmured.

My breath hitched despite myself. "Oscar-"

His hand came to rest on my waist, his fingers brushing the bare skin where my top ended and my skirt began. The contact was light, almost innocent.

Almost.

My pulse jumped.

"You came all this way," he continued softly. "Stormed into Kieran’s apartment. Claimed him like you owned him." His thumb traced a slow, deliberate arc at my side. "Leaving now feels... unfinished."

I swallowed.

Kieran didn’t move to stop him. And I was fully aware of River’s gaze on us.

Oscar tilted his head slightly toward the laptop. "Besides," he added, his voice dropping just enough to send a shiver down my spine, "we already have an audience."

My eyes flicked to the screen.

River’s expression had changed... still calm, still composed, but darker now. More focused.

Oscar leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Want to give him a good show?"

The words sent a jolt straight through me.

The idea of River watching while I spent the night between Kieran and Oscar... it was more than enough to make my knees weak. The explicit image already started forming in my head, stealing my breath and leaving me needy.

Oscar was still waiting for my response, his lips just a breath away from my jawline. And though Kieran hadn’t spoken a single word, I knew he wanted it too.