A FEW DAYS LATER
SELENE
I leaned back in my chair, eyes glinting as the courier's final knock echoed down the hall. Four envelopes, four storms, four confirmations. My silver fingers tore the first one open Adrian.
'Selene, You waste no time, do you? The chosen is yours, and I'll make damn sure he knows what strength looks like. Cross me or the boy, and you'll regret it but you won't. I'll be there, and I'll bend what needs bending. Adrian'
I chuckled. Fire, pride, impatience. Perfect. Next Xavier. I nearly bit back a laugh before breaking the seal.
'Selene, I've seen the pull, and it will not be ignored. You want me at his side? Fine. But hear me, he better damn well be ready. I don't follow orders blindly. I take what's mine, and I take what fate promises. I'll be there. Xavier'
Ah… chaos bottled into ink. Delicious. Terrence's seal, heavy and iron-scented, snapped under my teeth. I skimmed it, feeling the raw force behind every word.
'Selene, You think you summon me lightly? I'll show up. I'll take what needs taking. The boy growled at me once… he'll scream in submission next. Don't test my patience, I don't do delays. Terrence, Alpha of Iron Fang'
I smiled slowly, savoring the hunger for control in his words. Last. Zavier. My heart skipped a beat as I pressed my nail into the silver wax.
'Selene, The moment I saw him, I knew. You think the pull surprised me? Don't be naive. I'll be there, and he won't stand a chance. Fate doesn't ask, and neither do I. Resistance is for the weak. I'll claim what's promised. Zavier, the Silver Storm'
I dropped the letters onto the desk, letting them slide into a neat pile. Four confirmations. Four alphas, all sharp, impatient, and burning with the need to dominate. The weight of them was intoxicating.
"By the time they arrive." I whispered, silver eyes gleaming. "He won't know whether to fight… or beg."
AN HOUR LATER
MICHAEL
I held Adrian's letter first. I imagined him, black hair like midnight silk, eyes amber-gold that seared with authority. Tall, broad shouldered, moving like he owned the world before stepping into it.
Xavier's letter followed. Wild chestnut hair falling into dark, calculating eyes that could slice through any lie. Terrence's dark brown hair, stozm-gray eyes that could pin you down without a word. Massive frame, Alpha of Iron Fang. Every inch of him radiated power, precision, and lethal control. And then… Zavier. The Silver Storm. Hair like pale silver, eyes the same stormy silver that had frozen me the first time I saw him. Quick, unpredictable, moving like the wind before a hurricane his gaze alone made my chest tighten. I clenched my fists under the folds of the pristine clothing.
Straightening my shoulders, I traced my reflection again, imagining four storms walking through those doors—black, chestnut, brown, and silver, all flames and steel and wind, all coming for me. And when they arrived… I wouldn't have a choice. Soon the doors creaked open. And then… hell broke loose.
First, Adrian stepped in. Black hair falling perfectly into his gold-flecked eyes, broad shoulders moving with the kind of confidence that made the air seem heavier. His presence hit me like a hammer, sharp and commanding. I could feel his fire before I even saw it, pheromones curling around me, making my chest tighten.
Then Xavier. Chestnut hair messy, dark, cunning eyes that seemed to see every fear I tried to hide. He moved like a predator, grace and arrogance combined. The air thickened. My stomach turned, my head buzzed. Too much… too much pheromone…
Terrence followed. Brown hair, storm-gray eyes, the kind that made the blood in my veins want to freeze. Every step he took radiated raw alpha force. My legs felt like lead. My chest felt like it was about to explode. The room was smaller, tighter, each breath more suffocating than the last.
And last… Zavier. Silver hair, storm silver eyes, and he moved like a living gale, the pheromones crashing over me in a relentless tide. My knees nearly buckled, my vision blurred.
I tried to focus, tried to brace myself, but it was impossible.
Four storms, four alphas, each one radiating power, dominance, and a pull I couldn't fight. I staggered back a step, my hands gripping the edge of the table. Heat, tension, desire, fear all mingling into a chaos I couldn't name. My mind screamed, my body betrayed me. The room… the air… it was alive with them, and I… I was drowning. I swallowed hard.
"You… you're all… here…" My voice cracked, barely audible over the storm they brought with them.
Selene's words echoed in my head.
"By the time they arrive, you won't know whether to fight… or beg."She whispered.
I realized… I wasn't just overwhelmed. I was helpless. Completely, utterly helpless. I staggered back, trying to keep my balance, but it was impossible. They were all here. Four storms in one room. The air thick with their presence, my chest tight, my head spinning. Adrian's golden eyes locked on mine, and his grin was sharp, teasing.
"You look… tense, little wolf." He took a step closer, and heat hit me like fire. "Are you always this nervous around fire?"
Xavier leaned against the doorframe, chestnut hair falling over those dark, calculating eyes.
"Nervous?" He said, voice low, dangerous. "No… terrified. That's what I smell." He smirked, circling me like a predator, his pheromones curling into my senses like smoke. "I like it. Makes you… honest."
Terrence's storm gray eyes narrowed, and his voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"You're trembling." He took another step, closer. "In front of alpha of Iron Fang, and you're… shaking. Interesting. Very interesting."
His presence pressed against me, solid and commanding, like gravity itself had shifted.
And then Zavier. Silver hair catching the candlelight, storm-silver eyes piercing into mine. His grin was slow, teasing, deadly.
"Your mind… it's screaming, little wolf." He whispered. "But your body…" He stepped even closer, pheromones crashing over me like a tidal wave. "Your body already knows who's in charge."
I gasped, stumbling back another step, hands gripping the table, my legs shaking.
"I… I can't-" My words caught in my throat. Too much. Too many. My senses were being torn apart by them.
Adrian's hand brushed against my arm, light, almost casual.
"You will survive this." He said, voice a soft growl. "But barely."
Xavier's grin widened.
"Or maybe… you'll enjoy it." He leaned in close, so close I could feel his heat against my face. "There's a reason we're called alphas."
Terrence's stormy gaze was fixed, unblinking.
"Control… or chaos. Your choice, little wolf. Though…" He smirked. "…I think you'll fail."
Zavier's silver eyes glittered, calm, teasing, overwhelming.
"Fight it all you want." He murmured. "But the storm is here. And you… are already drowning."
I staggered, fumbling for air, my mind screaming. Four alphas, four storms, each one more intense than the last. And in that moment, I understood Selene's cruel delight. I had no choice. Not a single choice.