Chapter 2 Brotherly Tension

Chloe’s entire body had gone stiff while Tristan’s hand was still extended in front of her.

His long fingers and cold skin, together with that familiar silver ring resting against his knuckle, felt like a cruel reminder of seven years ago.

“Ms. Chloe.”

He called out again in a calm voice but those dark amber eyes were fixed entirely on her face, not even attempting to hide the intensity beneath them.

Chloe’s breathing became uneven as she forced herself to lift her hand.

The moment their fingertips touched, a violent shiver rushed through her body.

It felt as if something invisible had exploded beneath her skin, sending heat, pressure and a terrifying pull straight around her heart.

Chloe’s pupils contracted slightly.

At the same time, Tristan’s fingers twitched hard around hers.

For the first time since coming downstairs, the perfect calm on his face cracked slightly.

His breathing deepened, and the air between them suddenly became unbearably hot.

Chloe instinctively tried to pull away, but her heels slipped against the polished marble floor.

“Ah...”

Before she could fall, Tristan grabbed her on impulse.

His arm wrapped around her waist with swift precision, and the world spun for a second.

By the time Chloe reacted, she was already pressed against his chest which felt warm, hard and dangerously familiar.

The cedar scent on his body crashed into her senses all at once, mixed with faint tobacco and something colder and more masculine that made her heartbeat spiral out of control.

Tristan lowered his head slightly.

He was too close, so close that Chloe could almost feel his breathing brushing against her forehead.

“You should be more careful, Ms. Chloe,” he said softly.

His hand still held hers without letting go yet.

His thumb then slowly brushed across her palm once, and that tiny intimate movement was enough to make Chloe’s scalp explode with panic.

Another violent shudder ran through both of them simultaneously.

Tristan’s eyes darkened instantly and Chloe’s chest tightened so hard she almost couldn’t breathe.

What… was happening?

Why did touching him feel like this?

Before the strange tension could deepen further, Ethan suddenly stepped between them.

“Brother.”

His voice carried a faint laugh, but Chloe noticed the subtle tension underneath.

Ethan pulled her directly into his arms.

“She’s timid. Don’t scare her.”

Only then did Tristan slowly release her hand.

His gaze lingered on Chloe’s flushed face for two extra seconds before he finally stepped back.

“As you wish,” he said lightly.

But the look in his eyes was anything but light.

…

Dinner was prepared quickly.

The dining hall inside Blackthorn Manor was absurdly large, lit by crystal chandeliers that reflected cold light across the long black table.

Chloe barely tasted anything.

Every nerve in her body was stretched tight because Tristan sat directly across from her, watching her constantly.

Though not openly or obviously, every single time she lifted her eyes, she found him already looking at her like a predator patiently observing prey trapped inside his territory.

“Baby, try this.”

Ethan placed a piece of steak onto Chloe’s plate with a bright grin.

“You’ll definitely like it.”

Chloe forced herself to smile. “Thank you.”

Ethan leaned closer naturally and fed her a  bite himself.

“Baby, open your mouth. Ah...”

"Ethan..." Chloe tried to protest, slightly embarrassed because of Tristan's presence but Ethan wasn't having it.

“No. You’ve barely eaten since we arrived.”

Chloe then reluctantly opened her mouth under the servants’ gazes and Ethan immediately looked pleased.

"Good. How's it?" he asked.

Chloe gave a small nod to affirm the food tasted nice while pretending to be alright.

“I told you the chef here is amazing.”

His mood visibly improved after feeding her, his entire expression softening with the kind of affection that came naturally only around someone deeply loved.

Chloe’s chest tightened slightly because she knows Ethan truly cared about her and that was what made the entire situation even crueler.

Across the table, Tristan cleared  his throat and that made Chloe nervous again.

He calmly picked up his wine glass in an elegant and composed manner, completely fitting the image of the cold Alpha Ethan admired so much.

Then, without warning, Tristan spoke.

“So,” he said casually, swirling the dark red wine in his glass, “have you two already slept together?”

The entire dining hall fell silent and Chloe nearly choked on air.

Ethan blinked then froze for half a second before the tips of his ears slowly turned red.

“Brother,” he laughed awkwardly, clearly embarrassed. “Why are you suddenly asking that?”

Tristan’s expression remained calm.

“I’m simply curious.”

His eyes lifted slowly toward Chloe and his gaze made her stomach sink. 

Ethan scratched the back of his neck shyly. “Well… we’re adults.”

Chloe nearly choked on her wine.

She coughed violently, face instantly burning.

"Baby?"

Ethan hurriedly stood and  patted her back worriedly. 

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Chloe said quickly between coughs.

“I just… accidentally swallowed something wrong.”

Meanwhile, Tristan sat across from them calmly cutting his steak as though nothing had happened.

His expression never changed but Chloe noticed the darkness hidden beneath his lowered eyes.

“I-I need the restroom.”

Unable to endure the suffocating atmosphere any longer, Chloe stood abruptly and left the dining hall almost immediately.

She had completely forgotten she didn't know her way around in a rush to leave and turned  toward the wrong side.

"Baby, that's a wrong turn" Ethan quickly called out, stopping Chloe in her tracks but she didn't turn back.

"The restroom is upstairs by the left." Ethan corrected and without wasting time Chloe followed his direction. 

Her heartbeat was completely chaotic the entire way upstairs.

The moment she entered the restroom, she braced both hands against the sink and breathed hard.

She splashed cold water across her burning face and stared at herself in the mirror, trying desperately to calm down.

Why was Tristan doing this?

Did he hate her that much?

Or was he deliberately trying to torture her?

The restroom door suddenly opened behind her and Chloe froze instantly.

She looked up into the mirror and met Tristan’s eyes.

He locked the door casually behind him and the  click echoed through the confined space, making Chloe’s heart drop violently.

“T-Tristan,” she said,  turning toward him shakily. “W-what are you doing here?”

He did not answer right away, Instead, he walked toward her slowly until she instinctively stepped backward.

Her back hit the cold tiled wall, and there was nowhere left to retreat.

"Don't..." Chloe said with a tensed voice but Tristan turned a deaf ear.

He stopped right in front of her then planted both hands against the wall beside her head, trapping her in between him. 

Chloe flinched. Up close she could  see the faint blood vessels beneath his dark eyes and also notice that his breathing was no longer steady either.

“You disappeared for seven years,” he said in a low but rough voice.

“I looked for you everywhere.”

Chloe’s fingers trembled slightly as guilt sharply stabbed through her heart.

“Tristan...that was a long time ago.”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, but there was no warmth in it.

“Then you suddenly come back,” he continued softly, “And now you belong to my brother .”

The last few words sounded terrifyingly restrained.

His jaw tightened hard.

For the first time, Chloe realized how thin the line of control he was holding onto actually was.

“Was it intentional?” Tristan asked as he locked his gaze onto her.

“Did you choose him because he’s my brother?”

“No.” Chloe denied it quickly. “I didn’t know who he was.”

Tristan stared at her silently for several seconds and the atmosphere became suffocatingly tense.

“You didn’t know?” he finally said, his eyes sweeping slowly across her face.

“Then tell me something, Chloe.”

His voice dropped lower.

“When you let him touch you…did you ever once think about me?”

Chloe’s breathing stopped.

The years she had spent trying to forget him suddenly felt meaningless under that gaze.

“Tristan…”

“I asked you a question.”

The pressure in his voice became overwhelming.

Years of suppressed resentment, jealousy, possessiveness, and heartbreak were finally beginning to tear through the perfect restraint he had maintained downstairs.

Chloe had never seen him like this before.

Not even seven years ago, because back then, Tristan had still been proud, calm and untouchable.

But now he looked dangerous.

At that moment, Tristan's gaze moved downwards and stopped on her neck.

Then his expression changed in an instant.

Chloe’s heartbeat skipped a beat as she remembered the mark Ethan left on her.

A faint red love bite hidden near her collarbone.

Tristan stared at it silently and something horrifying flashed across his eyes.

He clenched his fist and his jaw tightened hard enough for his muscles to flex visibly.

Then Chloe heard a faint cracking sound, like bones shifting underneath skin.

Her eyes widened slightly and before she knew it, Tristan suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.

“Tristan please...”

Before she could finish speaking, he lowered his head directly toward her neck and sank his teeth directly over Ethan's mark.

Sharp pain pierced Chloe's skin and she gasped.

Though he didn't bite her hard enough to truly injure her but enough to send a violent electric shock through her entire body.

A strange burning sensation spread beneath her skin and heat rushed wildly into her bloodstream

Tristan’s breathing became rough against her throat.

Mine.

The possessiveness radiating from him almost felt bone chilling

Chloe pushed weakly against his chest.

“Tristan… stop…

But he only tightened his grip around her waist and buried his face against her neck, inhaling deeply like he was trying to erase Ethan's scent completely.

Then—

Bang bang bang.

“Baby?”

Ethan’s voice unexpectedly came from outside the restroom door.

Chloe’s soul nearly left her body.

“Baby, are you okay?”

Her eyes widened in panic.

Tristan lifted his head slowly and his lips were still close to her skin.

The look in his eyes was dark enough to make her tremble.

“Why aren’t you answering me?” Ethan asked again, obviously worried.

Chloe tried to move but Tristan still had her trapped, touching her and wouldn't budge.

The overwhelming pressure from his Alpha presence affected her and made it difficult to think clearly.

“Chloe?”

Ethan knocked harder this time.

“If you don’t answer, I’m forcing the door open.”

Real panic finally hit her.

“No!”

Chloe shouted immediately.

Outside, Ethan became silent.

Chloe forced herself to steady her breathing despite her situation.

“I-I’m fine,” she said quickly.

“My stomach suddenly felt uncomfortable but I’ll come out soon. So go back first.”

A few seconds passed before Ethan sighed softly.

“Okay baby.”

His footsteps slowly faded away

Only then did Chloe finally breathe again.

She turned toward Tristan angrily.

“Are you insane?!”

Tristan stared at her silently and a trace of redness still lingered beneath his dark eyes

His thumb slowly brushed against the fresh bite mark on her neck, ignoring her frustration.

“You let him mark you.”

The jealousy hidden inside his calm voice made Chloe’s chest squeeze painfully.

Before she could answer, thunder suddenly exploded outside and rain crashed violently against the manor windows.

Within minutes, the storm outside became fierce enough to completely block the mountain roads.

When Chloe finally returned downstairs Ethan rushed to her.

"Baby, are you fine now? I was so worried." He said as he took her hand and squeezed it.

Chloe gives a small nod in affirmation. Then one of the servants approached respectfully.

“Young Master Ethan, the storm has caused flooding near the lower mountain road. It may not be safe to leave tonight.”

Ethan frowned immediately and looked toward the windows covered in heavy rain.

“Seriously?”

“The weather report says the storm may continue until morning.”

Ethan immediately turned toward Chloe worriedly.

“Baby, it’s too dangerous to drive now.”

“I can call a hotel...

“There’s no need.”

Tristan's deep voice interrupted gently from behind them and Chloe's body immediately tensed up again.

He descended the staircase unhurriedly, looking perfectly composed once again.

His gaze settled directly on Chloe.

“She can stay here tonight.”

Chloe’s heart hammered against her chest.

“No...I’m leaving.” she said hastily.

Tristan’s eyes dulled a bit.

Then he spoke low but firm enough that only she could understand the threat beneath it.

“Are you sure?”

His gaze moved slowly toward Ethan.

“I wonder how Ethan..." 

"I'll stay." Chloe blurted out in a flash. Her face had gone completely white.

Tristan smirked in satisfaction with a merciless eyes. Outside, thunder shook the entire manor again.

Inside, Ethan looked between them in confusion, completely unaware of what was really going on beneath the seemingly calm surface.

Tristan then turned to Ethan. "Since she already agreed, you guys can leave tomorrow."

Ethan nodded and  glanced toward Chloe.

"Then one more thing..." Tristan added abruptly.