Escaping Death

Chapter 58

Solana

"You really shouldn't be here," Alec is practically panting with rage but Ace remains outwardly calm and unfazed even though I can feel his heat and hear his heart racing.

"You really shouldn't be alive. You're looking well for someone who's past their expiration date."

Alec rolls up his shirt sleeve exposing his forearm where my mother's sigil is branded onto his skin. "A gift from the Queen, the mate of my two best friends."

"Pity."

"No, not out of pity, asshole. Loyalty. Something you know fuck all about."

"Sorry, that wasn't a question. It's a pity that the pack is stuck with you as Alpha."

Alec's eyes darken to black a fraction of a second before he takes a swing at Ace. His fist hits nothing but air as Ace successfully dodges his brother's hit.

As entertaining as it would be to watch the two of them go at it, I can't see my fathers being very happy with their best friend for causing a scene at Calla's party. I put myself between Ace and Alec but the latter is too far gone. He shoves me forcefully to the side and out of the way. I reach out from behind him and grab on to his arms preventing him from hitting Ace.

Alec's head whips back with a loud crack and an instant rush of blood pours from his nose. Apparently I picked the wrong brother to restrain.

"Ace!" I scold him from over Alec's shoulder.

"Keep your fucking hands off of her. Queen's friend or not I'll fucking bury you." Ace roars at Alec.

Tate, Dean, and Eli are by my side in the next instant. Tate and Eli hold Ace back while Dean calmly and gently guides me behind him. Xander teleports next to Alec just in time to put him in a bear hug and teleport him back several feet away from us.

"Now it's a party!" Xander jests in his usual attempt to bring levity to heavy situations. "Someone want to explain what the fuss is about?"

"No fuss," disdain drips from Ace's teeth as he straightens out his dress shirt. "Just explaining to my baby brother what happens when he puts his hands on things that don't belong to him."

Xander looks quizzically at the group of us looking for someone who might be able to elaborate. "I didn't know you had a brother."

"Yeah, well, it's not exactly a point of pride is it?" Alec spits at Ace.

"Proud of yourself, are you? Throwing an innocent woman to the side, the daughter of your best friends as you so proudly declared."

By now we've caused enough of a scene that my brothers Cole and Rhys join in, while Calla watches from afar with our cousins Clover and Iris.

What a fucking nightmare. So much for keeping a low profile.

I skirt around Dean, who's doing his best to calm everyone's tempers. Tate and Eli have let go of their hold on Ace but his control is a frayed thread at best. I can feel how possessive his wolf feels of me and the strength Ace is using to hold his wolf back from declaring me as his, but not before he makes good on his promise to knock his brother out.

Ace's eyes don't follow me as I approach him, they remain glued to Alec as if he could ignite his brother with sheer willpower. Even in heels, I only come up to Ace's chin in height so naturally he continues to look right over my head at Alec.

"Eyes on me," I snap at him to get his attention. Without hesitation Ace looks down at me giving me his full undivided attention. "Can we just go please?" I ask in a gentler tone. Ace's glare softens and the tension that once gripped every muscle in his body relaxes a little.