Chapter 2
/-Omari-/
Leighton’s eyes followed the movement of Aston’s arm draped over my shoulders, a slow smirk tugging at his lips like they were both in on some joke I wasn’t privy to.
“I’m not really in the mood to chat,” I said, shrugging his arm off, but his hand lingered for a second too long before sliding away.
“That’s fine,” Aston replied, unbothered. “We’re patient. Aren’t we, Paxton?”
The quiet one had been standing by the window, hands in his pockets, staring at the sky. His head tilted and his gaze fixed on me, scrutinising, as if he were weighing whether I was worth the effort. He didn’t respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched, barely.
The air in the room felt… heavy. My wolf shifted uncomfortably beneath my skin, instincts screaming that I shouldn’t stay here a second longer.
“I’ll let you settle in,” I said quickly, stepping back toward the door.
But Leighton was faster. He swung his legs off the bed and stood, his tall frame blocking most of my path. “You’re in a hurry. Why? Afraid of us already?”
I forced a laugh, though my voice betrayed me. “Why would I be?”
“Because you should be.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the words were enough to make my stomach clench.
Aston chuckled lowly. “Let her go, Leighton. I'm sure we'll get to play another time. She looks like she's going to pass out.”
I didn’t answer. I just pushed past Leighton, ignoring the way his shoulder brushed mine deliberately as I slipped out the door.
By the time I reached the hallway, my chest was tight and my hands were damp. I told myself I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing they’d rattled me. But the truth was, I had a feeling this was only the beginning of my misery.
And I was right.
The weekend was hell for me. Even as I tried my best to avoid them, they didn't stop showing in my face. At first, I thought I could bear it but when Leighton started invading my privacy and messing with my things, I knew I had to complain to my mom.
The only problem was that I was caught before I even had the chance to. It was like they knew what I was thinking. So here I was, cornered in my own room by three boys who looked like they would tear me to shreds. The air was a fresh mix of pines, cinnamon and lavender.
“What were you trying to do out there?” Aston asked. “Don't tell me you took out little bonding time a bit too seriously?”
I gulped hard. “I… I wasn't, trust me. I…I just wanted to ask what we were having for lunch,” I lied.
“I don't care what you do in your spare time but I won't tolerate you trying to ruin my father's happiness,” Paxton spoke harshly. This was the longest sentence he'd spoken to me, yet it felt just as life-threatening as a silver bullet.
Leighton, who was casually sitting on my bed, pulled me to sit on his lap. Shivers ran down my spine as his hands gently caressed my back.
“Listen, sweetheart, both our parents have been lonely for the longest time,” he said smoothly. “I'm sure you wouldn't want your mother to end up sad and lonely. Our father prioritises us over everything, and you know what that means…”
My body stiffened as his threat registered. My mom did love Pierce very much and I couldn't imagine how hurt she would feel if he suddenly left her because of me.
His hands moved to my hair and he gently tucked it behind my ears.
“This is just a small price to pay for your mother's happiness, don't you think sweetheart?” Leighton's voice dripped into my ears like honey. I gulped hard, feeling a familiar sting in my eyes.
Aston leaned over, resting both hands on his knees. His faint cinnamon scent messed with my mind even further. “You see what you did put us through a lot of emotional stress, how do you plan to compensate us?”
Assholes! I should be the one getting compensated! To think he was smiling at me while making my life unbearable..
My misty eyes shifted to Paxton who simply turned away and walked out of the room. He couldn't even pretend to give a fuck about me or what his brothers did.
“I have an idea,” Leighton whispered. From the pole in your room to your watchlist, I figured you have a thing with strippers and pole dancing.”
My heart sank to my stomach. I didn't realise he had dug that far into me.
“I… don't like strippers. I only watch them because they're more creative with their pole dancing…” I explained.
“Doesn't really matter, sweetheart,” Aston patted my head. “We just want to see you put everything you've learned into practice.”
And at that moment, I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
“I won't…” I muttered, catching them off guard.
“What was that sweetheart? I think I heard wrong,” Aston asked sweetly. I slapped his hand off my head and got off.
“You heard me. If you're that curious about pole dancing then watch it online and practice it yourself!” I spat.
Aston's smile immediately faded. The temperature in the room suddenly dropped like someone turned it down by a couple of degrees.
Before I could register what was happening, their Alpha auras expanded into the room and my wolf whimpered.
My knees went weak instantly and a sharp pain shot through me. Before I could hit the floor, a hand shot up my neck.
Aston's eyes were pure amber now. Piercing and emotionless..
“What was that you said, omega?”
I struggled to breathe as his grip on my neck tightened. My legs dangled in the air as I struggled to break free from his grip.
“P…please…” I choked out but he didn't seem to be listening. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I prayed for somebody, anybody to rescue me.
As if the goddess heard my prayers, there was a knock on my door.
“Omar? Are you in there?” My mother called and I was instantly released. I hit the ground with a thud, choking and gasping.
My mother continued knocking.
“Get up and answer her. If she's suspicious of anything, I will kill you,” Aston threatened with his usual charming smile. I took shaky steps towards the door and opened it.
Her eyes went wide on seeing me and conniption gripped me.
“Is something wrong, Mom? I was just napping,” I lied.
“Oh,” she muttered. “You look rattled and pale. I was about to go shopping, and was wondering if you'd come with me, but since you're…”
“I will,” I cut in quickly. “I'll just change.”
“Alright, I'm waiting downstairs.”
The brothers stared suspiciously at me.
“She wants me to accompany her shopping,” I said quickly.
“That better be all there is,” Leighton huffed. “We'll catch up later, sweetheart.”
“Get us something while you're at it, okay?” Aston grinned. I held my breath until they were out of my room.
My knees gave out and I crashed to the floor. Is this really how I am going to live the rest of my life?
I got off the floor and headed to the bathroom to splash water on my face. My neck was still red from the imprint of his hand.
The eyebags were a reminder of the sleepless nights. Today was their last day here. My mother said they were only going to stay the weekend, right? So they should be out of my life by tomorrow. I could survive until then.
When I got downstairs, I saw Leighton and Aston chatting with my mother. They were changed as well and it made my anxiety spike.
“Omar, you're here!” My mother smiled. “The boys were just asking to accompany us since it's their last day with us.”
“No!” I blurted before I could stop myself.
“Why? Is everything okay?” She asked worriedly.
No! Everything was not okay! I was sick and tired of everything and everyone. My life was hell and I felt like I was losing my mind. And now, the one chance I had to breathe, they wanted to take that away from me too?
“Are you okay, Omari? You look pale,” Aston asked with feigned concern.
“I'm tired, Mom,” my voice cracked as I fought the tears. “You can go with them.”
Without wasting another second, I dashed to my room and locked the door behind me. My body slipped to the floor and I buried my face in my lap, crying my eyes out.
































