Alpha Hole

Ch. 6

We stepped into the lunchroom, and I couldn't help but glance at Aiden, who had evidently regained his composure after the earlier episode. My curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to press him with a question.

"So, Bianca is your mate?" I quizzed, observing the dynamics between them.

Aiden's response was swift and firm. "No, absolutely not."

I nodded, somewhat relieved, but still puzzled by their intense connection. "It just seemed like you two had that undeniable pull that Mrs. Ruthers described."

Aiden furrowed his brows, his expression deepening with an unspoken response, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Before the conversation could delve deeper into the web of emotions between them, Rylan, the blonde boy who had accompanied us to school, abruptly appeared and disrupted our exchange. He slid into a seat next to Aiden, an excited grin on his face.

"We've got trouble at your two o'clock," Rylan announced, and Aiden's jaw tensed, his gaze sharpening as he shot an irritated look at Rylan. The room's atmosphere became electric as a tall, muscular stranger, slightly taller than Aiden, approached us. His short, tousled black hair and rugged good looks exuded a captivating aura that made me instinctively inch away.

He confidently took a seat on a stool across from me, and in response, Aiden's arm abruptly draped over my shoulders, pulling me into his side. I was taken back by the sudden contact.

The guy grimaced but extended his hand to me. "Eli," he introduced himself.

"You're wasting your time, pretty boy," Rylan chimed in with a sly grin. "She hasn't shifted yet."

Eli withdrew his hand and fixed his gaze on where Aiden's arm rested over my shoulder. "So what's this possessive bullshit I'm seeing then?"

"Alpha's orders," Aiden retorted, his voice cool and collected.

Eli scrutinized the scene before him, his eyes narrowing. "Looks to me like you're marking your territory to keep others from scenting her."

"Looks can be deceiving," Aiden quipped, his own display of dominance clear.

Eli shifted his attention to me, a sudden intensity in his eyes. "Is this guy bothering you?" he asked.

Caught in the middle of their brewing rivalry, I glanced at Aiden, uncertainty in my eyes. Was he bothering me?

I shook my head slowly, hesitatingly replying, "We're friends."

Aiden flinched at the word, his reaction revealing a layer of complexity that I couldn't yet decipher.

The tension between the two males seemed to thicken as my response hung in the air. Eli's piercing gaze didn't waver as he locked eyes with me, assessing my sincerity.

Aiden, on the other hand, appeared both surprised and irritated by my choice of words. "Friends," he muttered, a flicker of something indefinable in his eyes.

Eli's lips quirked into a half-smile, clearly aware of the unspoken competition taking place. "Well, friends can be quite protective, it seems," he remarked, his tone carrying a subtle challenge as he returned his focus to Aiden.

Aiden's grip on my shoulder tightened slightly in response, his arm serving as a clear barrier between Eli and me. The tension in the room grew palpable.

I'll be at the bar just outside your packlands later tonight if you change your mind, Layla."

With that, Eli gracefully rose from his stool and made his exit. 

What the absolute hell?   No guy that looked like Eli had ever given me a second glance. 

With Eli's sudden appearance and enigmatic departure still fresh in my mind, I turned to Aiden, who had yet to release me from his protective grip.

"Who exactly is Eli?" I inquired, my curiosity and determination growing.

Aiden's expression remained guarded, and he sighed in response. "Layla, you don't need to worry about him."

My patience wore thin, and I met his evasion with a threat of my own. "Aiden, if you don't tell me who he is, I'll have to find out for myself."

Aiden's grip tightened momentarily, his eyes conveying a sense of both frustration and protectiveness. "You are not going to meet him. Is that understood?" His words held a note of authority, making it clear that he was unwilling to divulge more information about Eli or allow me to explore this new and intriguing connection on my own.

His demands only made me want to go more than I already did.  

Sensing my unwavering determination, Aiden finally relented, albeit with a cautious expression in his eyes. "Just an Beta from a neighboring pack who thinks he can stretch beyond his rank," he explained, though his words carried a sense of disapproval and a hint of rivalry.