The Alpha Behind The Mask-Chapter 15: His Brother

Aurora’s POV

​I walked beside him as we entered the grand ballroom. The atmosphere was stifling, thick with the scent of old money and powerful pheromones. As we moved through the crowd, the sea of people parted. Men in expensive suits bowed their heads, and women in shimmering silks dipped into graceful curtsies.

​I felt like an imposter. I stumbled slightly, wondering if I was supposed to bow back to them, but Alpha Oliver’s hand suddenly settled at the small of my back—firm, warm, possessive.

​"Don’t," he murmured, his breath brushing my ear. "You are with me. You bow to no one."

​The command sent a thrill of something I didn’t want to name through my chest. He led me to a high marble table and then let his hand drop, the loss of his touch leaving me feeling strangely cold.

​"Wait here," he ordered, his blue eyes sweeping the room. "I have matters to discuss with the Council. Do not wander off."

​I watched him walk away toward a group of men who looked just as powerful as he did. He fell into conversation seamlessly, the natural center of gravity for every person in the room. I felt exposed standing there alone in my black gown, a "broken" wolf in a den of predators.

​"You look like a lost little lamb," a smooth, unfamiliar voice said from behind me.

​I turned quickly, my heart skipping. A man was standing there, leaning casually against the pillars. He was handsome in a sharp, vulpine way, with golden-brown eyes that roved over me with far too much familiarity. He held a glass of dark amber liquid, swirling it slowly.

​"I’m not lost," I replied, pulling my shoulders back. "I’m with the Alpha King."

​The man chuckled, a dry, mocking sound. "Oh, I know who you’re with. The whole room is talking about the red-headed girl Oliver brought. I’m Julian, Beta of the Full Moon pack." He took a step closer, invading my personal space. "Oliver usually has better taste than to bring his office staff to a summit like this. Unless... you’re more than just an assistant?"

​He reached out, his fingers ghosting toward a strand of my hair. "He’s never been one for charity. What did you give him to get that dress, sweetheart?"

​I felt the heat of a blush crawl up my neck—not from shame, but from pure, white-hot fury. "I am his personal assistant, and my private life is none of your business."

​"Everything Oliver touches is our business," Julian whispered, his eyes darkening. He leaned in, his scent of musk and cedar clogging my senses. "You smell... interesting. Like wildflowers."

​My breath hitched. I tried to step back, but my heels hit the table.

​"Leave her alone, Julian."

​I turned, the air catching in my throat. Standing there was a man who looked so much like Alpha Oliver. Although a different face, he had the same vibrant, fiery red hair and the same lethal facial structure and body structure. But when his eyes met mine, I nearly gasped.

​They weren’t Oliver’s icy sea-blue. They were green. A piercing, emerald green that was a hauntingly perfect match for the eyes I’d seen behind the leather mask last night.

​"I believe the lady told you she wasn’t interested, Julian," the man said, his voice a smoother, lighter version of Oliver’s baritone. He stepped closer, and the Beta, Julian, immediately lowered his head, retreating into the crowd without another word.

​The stranger turned to me, a charming, almost playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Forgive my Beta. He’s never had much of a filter when it comes to beautiful women." He dipped his head slightly, his gaze lingering on my face with a terrifying intensity. "I’m Alpha Oscar, head of the Full Moon pack."

​He stretched out his hand toward me, his fingers long and elegant. Just as I was about to reach out and take it, a cold, heavy shadow fell over us.

​Before our skin could touch, a hand smacked Oscar’s hand away with a sharp, dismissive thud.

​"Brother," Oliver’s voice vibrated through my back, sounding like a low, warning snarl. "I see you came after all."

​I froze, my head whipping between the two of them. Brother? I never knew Alpha Oliver had a brother... the news never mentioned it. A younger sister, yes, but a brother who looks so much like him? This was shocking.

​"Calm down, brother..." Oscar said calmly, not looking even slightly offended by Oliver’s attitude. "I was just introducing myself to her. Though, from the way you’re acting so possessive, if someone saw you, they would think she was your mate."

​Oliver scoffed sharply. "Don’t be ridiculous. She’s my assistant, Oscar. Nothing more."

​Oscar’s green eyes flickered to mine, a glint of genuine amusement dancing in them. He didn’t look like a bad person—certainly not as cold as Oliver—but those eyes still sent a jolt through me that I couldn’t explain. "Is that so? You seem to like her quite a bit for her to be ’just an assistant.’ Is she your new sub, then? Is she the one replacing Cassey?"

​The mention of Cassey made Oliver’s grip on my waist tighten until it was almost bruising.

​Before Oliver could bark another order, Oscar stepped toward me again. This time, he was too fast for Oliver to block. He took my hand in his, bowing his head with a flourish that felt both mocking and strangely respectful. He pressed a warm kiss to the back of my knuckles, his green eyes locked onto mine.

​"I’ll see you around, Miss," he whispered, the corner of his mouth twitching into a grin. "I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other."

​With a final, knowing look at his brother, Oscar straightened his jacket and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

​"Come with me," Oliver growled.

​He didn’t wait for my response. He grabbed my wrist—not the waist, but my wrist—and began pulling me through the ballroom. My heels clicked frantically against the marble as I struggled to keep up with his long, angry strides.

​Why does this feel familiar? Why does his grip remind me of yesterday—of the masked Dom dragging me out while I was giving Dom Mike a dance?

​The room went silent as we passed. I could feel the eyes of every alpha, every socialite, and every council member boring into us.

​"Your Majesty, you’re hurting me!" I hissed, trying to pull back, but his grip was like iron.

​He didn’t stop until we reached a secluded, dimly lit corridor far from the music. He spun me around, pinning me against the cold stone wall, his body caging me in. The scent of forest rain and whiskey was overwhelming now, choking out everything else.

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