Devilish...

Anaya’s POV

Duke held a strange expression on him, worry gathered in those pale brown eyes as he fixed them at me. Was he trying to tell me something? I didn’t care. All I knew was that Darius’s attitude was not proper and I hated how he was trying to make me feel bad about myself.

“This is a joke, right? We never asked you to choose, it’s an option. We’re your Alphas and—“

I had to stop him right there. “This won’t do.” The rest of them stopped to stare at me like I had just hit my head really bad on a brick. “I’m eighteen, I’m all grown up now. I want to leave and find my place someplace else. I will figure out the rest of my life from there, and so should you all too!.” That was it. I was so done being their puppets? These boys will never love me!

Duke had that seriousness in his face again, but somehow, that scowl was deeper than normal. “You did not just make that suggestion. My dad, he respects you and brought you home just so he could protect you and honor your dad’s sacrifice.”

“Yea well, he doesn’t know he has brought me right into the lion’s den! And as for my dad, news flash, he's dead. I’m the only one left, and besides, what do you care?? I’m leaving now, please let me get home in peace.”

It seemed like I had bursted their bubbles because they all remained quiet and observed me with those judging eyes. I didn’t care, as long as they were quiet like that. I was already a few paces in front before I heard Dean’s voice.

“You’re going the wrong way, Cinderella!”

Damn it!

I got home after a couple of minutes and ran to my room. Being alone was what I needed right now. Nothing made sense! How could this be my life now?? My wolf made a grunting sound.

"Now you're just being dramatic," she said. "Being the mates of these handsome devils is probably every normal girl's dream!"

I rolled my eyes, not wanting to give in to that thinking. Maybe she must have been right. Still...I could have managed some nerd dude who likes me more than 50%. I would have married him, even. But the Cavannagh brothers?? Or as I liked to call them, the devil trio.

It took a while before I finally decided to get my ass off the bed and take a little walk around the room. I had to make blood circulate better around my legs because I'd been sitting for more than 3 hours now! Besides, my stomach was growling now. I reached for my phone and saw that it was already a couple minutes past 2am. I hadn't slept at all??

"I need a warm glass of milk." I decided, even though something in me guessed that the milk might not help me sleep better. It just never had much effect on me.

The kitchen was close to a room, the same where I had seen Duke's artworks. It was just beside it in fact. And as usual, it was shut close. It was always closed now, maybe because of the last time when Duke had scolded me for lurking through his space like an evil ghost that wandered around because it couldn't rest well. I hated Duke the most. Darius shouted basically every of his insult words, and Dean barely opened his mouth to speak at all.

But Duke?? He was so in the middle, frustrating me the most with pretty much very deep insults. He was always so calm when he picked on me. And to worsen it all, he seemed very talented to me as well that I loved him for that. “Damn, a talented bully? Great combination–” I jumped up as I heard a voice from behind.

"What part about stay away from my study room don't you get?" It belonged to Duke…speaking of the devil!

I quickly adjusted, trying to look as tough as I could. Study room?

"I was just admiring...the, um…the door! Nothing serious."

"Can't sleep?" He asked as if out of concern. "Me neither."

He walked past me and opened the door. I lingered behind him, excited to take a sneak into his art room again. "Study room? I thought this was an art room." My curiosity took over quicker than I'd wanted. Duke was still so quiet, but he had not shouted at me to leave yet.

He walked towards a painting, it resembled a dark haired woman with a pretty smile. "Wow, she looks familiar." I admired. Duke stopped, then turned to look at me. His hair was scattered in a messy style, and his brown eyes lit up in a somewhat intense manner. It was like he had imagined I was annoying and decided to hate me already.

“Did I say something wrong?” Why did I even ask? I was still supposed to hate these trio devils!

My eyes drifted off for a second, heavy gaze fixated on his ripped muscles. Something all three brothers were blessed with. Duke smiled and took this moment as an opportunity to mess with me. “Like what you see?” He advanced closer and I didn't think twice before taking heavy steps backward. What the hell?

"Hey, stay there..." I tried to say but I might have been speaking Latin for all he cared. My back hit the firm wall, and I realized there was no way to turn again. "Duke, I should leave now." What was this! “Hey–” my hands were stretched forward in an attempt to stop him, but he didn't seem to take the hint!

Instead, he reached for my hand, his big palm holding me now and that devilish smile was still plastered on his face!

Why did I look concerned, terrified of what he might do? It was foolish of me but if he took another step further and kissed me...I might actually allow it! That was when I was starting to realize how foolish I'd been.

"Duke, I--" the words died right in my mouth before I could even say it. I wanted him to stop staring at me like that! I wanted to look away, push him from coming nearer, break off this intense feeling…! Yet, I just stood still. Waiting.

A featherlight touch to my arm with his eyes softly peering up at me and I knew this was game over.

“You what, Ana?” Deep voice said, eyes still fixed on me no matter how hard I tried averting his damn gaze! He leaned forward, then brought my hand down to my sides so his tall stance was towering over me.

My lips parted softly as I could feel his breath on me. Strong hands reached for my cheeks, then worked its way down to my lips…I gazed into his eyes waiting for the moment to happen.

A muffled groan escaped his lips. "Mm, as pretty as you are for me right now,” his words sounded soft almost like a whisper, “why don't you try using your actual words for me and see how that goes?"