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101. (Clay POV)
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Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 102. Home (Luke POV)
Ducking into the dense underbrush of the woods near Riverbend Apartments, I shifted back to human form. The sensation of bones rearranging and muscles contracting was oddly satisfying, an immediate stress release. I also knew I was taking a risk. Shifting wasn't allowed in the human world for a good reason, so I made it quick.Quickly dressing in the clothes I'd been carrying in my mouth, I grimaced at how they were soaked with saliva. But it was either that or run around here naked, and I'd had enough embarrassment for one day.As I approached the building, the doorman, Peter, was at his usual post. "Hey, you got any product on you?" I asked.Peter looked around cautiously before nodding. "Dude, you're in luck. I just restocked." I handed him the wad of cash that was stashed in the clothes, not bothering to count it, and in exchange, he gave me what was left of his stash. A lot, to be precise.Maybe too much.I reached my apartment only to realize I didn't have the keys. "Fucking b
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 103. Nearly Illegible (Clay POV)
The veins in my temples throbbed as I paced the living room, the phone pressed to my ear. "If neither my beta nor the current Rendon alpha wants the land, what exactly is the dispute here?" I practically growled into the receiver. The council member on the other end cited some archaic legalese that hardly made any sense. I wanted to reach through the phone and shake him. "Two days is the maximum I will agree to," I said firmly, my jaw clenching. A glance at Luke told me all I needed to know. He was wrapped in a blanket like a life-sized burrito, his eyes half-lidded and distant, his skin a shade paler than usual. The man was already dissolving into a physical hell, the first intense wave of withdrawal symptoms seeping into his muscles. My chest tightened. He was in for a rough ride, and the timing of this damn council meeting wasn't helping. Lexi walked in then, carrying a water bottle and a sense of purpose in her eyes. Looking at Luke, she approached him like a mama bear,
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 104. (Lexi POV)
Luke used to be full of life, his eyes sparkling with a reckless spirit that excited and unnerved me. Now, standing behind my reflection, his face showed the marks of physical and emotional battles, barely holding together.The change hit hard, a stark reminder of life's unpredictable shifts. Applying lip liner, I sought a touch of normalcy on a tense day. Luke, his hands shaking, fumbled with a razor by the sink.Clay intervened, his expression a blend of worry and determination. "Let me help," he offered, taking the razor from Luke's unsteady grip.With a sigh, Luke sat on the counter, exchanging a fleeting, heavy glance with me in the mirror.Watching them, I saw the depth of their bond in this tender moment. Clay's gentle handling of the razor and Luke's trusting tilt of his head was a silent affirmation of their deep trust for each other. It filled my heart, a poignant counterpoint to the morning's somberness."Luke, you might need a line or two before the meeting," Clay said, ch
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 105. My Own Worst Enemy (Luke POV)
In the parking lot, our calm was just a façade. Inside, I was a raging inferno. How the fuck did my name get on that treaty? I was knee-deep in coke three years ago, but I wasn't an idiot. I turned to Trevor and pinned him against his truck. "Explain this shit right now, little bro," I snarled, inches from his face. Lexi reached for me, trying to intervene, but I was beyond reason. "Not now, Lex! Back the fuck off," I snapped at her. The hurt that flashed in her eyes almost gutted me, but I was in too deep. Kyla pulled her away as Clay stepped up. Trevor threw his words like daggers, "A coked-out wreck of a brother, and you blame me? Fuck off, Luke. You created this mess." Blind rage consumed me. I swung at Trevor, intent on wiping that smug certainty off his face with my fist. Clay reacted immediately. His hand clamped on my arm like a vice before my fist connected. "NOT HERE!" His voice thundered, loaded with the authority of an alpha pushed to his limit. I jerked back violentl
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 106. (Clay POV)
We finally made it back to the pack house. As we pulled up, the healer was waiting, syringe in hand, ready to administer something to keep Luke under while they worked on his arm. Trevor and I carefully carried him into the med bay, Luke's body occasionally twitching and fighting against the drowsiness.Once inside, the healer instructed us to secure Luke to the bed. "We can't have him thrashing about," he said, his tone clinical but not unkind. We fastened his legs and his uninjured arm, ensuring he wouldn't injure himself further during the procedure.As the healer manipulated the broken bone back into place, Luke let out a blood-curdling scream, even through the meds. It was a sound that cut straight to the heart, raw and painful. He didn't wake, but he clearly felt it on some level.Beside me, Lexi nearly crumpled, her body trembling with each of Luke's muffled cries. I knew she didn't want my touch, but hell, I couldn't stand there and do nothing. I wrapped my arms around her, pu
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 107. Good Spot (Lexi POV)
Seeing Luke lose it in the parking lot was heart-wrenching. I had only wanted to help, to be the calm in his storm, but he screamed in my face, telling me to back off. Kyla's hands pulled me away, and I watched, helpless, as Luke lunged at Trevor. Clay grabbed his arm, and then the sickening sound of Luke's bone cracking filled the air. He was like a wild animal, a torrent of pain and anger, thrashing against everything and everyone, even himself.When Clay knocked him out, a mix of relief and anger surged within me. I understood why Clay did it, but seeing them resorting to physical force to subdue one another was jarring and painful.Now, in the bath, with Luke awake and clumsily joining me, clothes and all, water spilled everywhere. But in that moment, none of it mattered. I needed him close, needed to feel that he was still Luke, that this aggressive, pained version of him wasn't permanent.I nearly laughed when Clay jokingly warned Luke about getting his cast wet. The cast was al
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 108. Gallery (Luke POV)
Swinging my legs out of the truck, my boots hit the concrete with more force than I had intended. The withdrawal was deep this time, each moment a battle, but I welcomed it. The pain and the struggle were necessary to get to the other side. For the first time, I felt an absolute resolve to quit. I sensed the bottom approaching, and I was terrified of hitting it. I hoped, desperately, that she'd keep me afloat long enough for me to find my footing in this new, terrifyingly sober world. Lexi grabbed my hand, pulling me upright. I made a show of it, pretending she helped more than she did. Emotionally, she was the strongest person I knew. Physically, though, her small frame sometimes worried me, especially when she put herself between me and what she perceived as danger. As we walked to the gallery, her arm around my waist, Clay trailed behind, his gaze sharp and protective. It killed me to see him so wary around me with Lexi. I hated that my actions had caused this, that he felt he n
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 109. (Clay POV)
The buzz of excitement was high as I prepared to give Lexi the tattoo. It wasn't just about the ink but about marking a permanent bond between us three. I was eager to take Lexi to the gallery, to properly show her my world. The last time she was there, the circumstances had been far from ideal – it was the day she brought Luke in for the first time. This time would be different, a real introduction to the space that meant so much to me.But then, I remembered the damn mural in the bathroom back at the studio. I grabbed an extra trashcan from the back, hoping it would keep Luke from venturing in there. I had no idea how I'd explain that one if he did.As we settled in the studio, it wasn't long before Luke was heading for the bathroom. "Lexi, stay here," I said, seeing the concern flash in her eyes. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad. I hope anyway."After explaining to Luke that the mural was a product of my own withdrawal, we headed back out. I started tattooing Lexi's thigh, the needle
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Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 130. 5 Years Later
Our front yard was a scene of pure, unadulterated joy, with Reni and Lachlan, our beautiful 5-year-old twins, and their cousin Finn chasing each other around, their laughter and shouts filling the air with the vibrant energy of childhood. I found solace on the porch swing, enjoying the afternoon sun, while Moro, now a permanent fixture on our land as my advisor and friend, sat beside me. Moro's life had taken a beautiful turn; she was dating Devlin, sharing a life with him in more ways than one.Both Moro and I were weeks away from giving birth, our bellies round and full of life. Devlin emerged from the woods and greeted Moro with a kiss that spoke volumes of their shared affection. He glanced my way, assuring me that Luke and Clay would join us shortly.True to his word, Clay and Luke approached, already wearing shorts. Our attempts to maintain a semblance of modesty in front of the kids were somewhat amusing yet necessary. The dry boxes they kept on the edge of the woods for such o
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 128. (Luke POV)
In the quiet of our home, the absence of the familiar bustle and noise felt almost surreal. As Clay gently lifted Lachlan from his car seat, his voice broke the silence. "I'm just going to give him a bottle," he said softly.I nodded, a smile touching my lips. "It's all frozen, man." I thought about Lexi and how diligently she'd been pumping since leaving the hospital. She'd been a force of nature, feeding the twins or pumping tirelessly. We'd even bought a new freezer just to store all the milk she'd accumulated. Her determination was something I admired deeply.We tiptoed to the bedroom, careful not to disturb the tranquility. Lexi lay there, sleeping soundly, clutching our pillows close. The sight tugged at my heartstrings. "She was so tired," I whispered.Gently, I lay down behind her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, while Clay positioned himself in front with Lachlan cradled in his arms. Lexi's eyes fluttered open, and a smile lit up her face as she saw our baby boy.
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 127. Precious Cargo (Clay POV)
Sitting in the NICU, our baby boy's warmth against my bare chest provided a strange sense of solace amid the beeps and hums of the machines. I glanced at Luke, our little girl nestled in his arms, her frailty marked by the wires and tubes assisting her breath. Despite her struggle, there was a certain resilience in her tiny frame. On the other hand, the boy made his presence known through his cries, only pacified in moments of sleep or cradled in our arms. The NICU staff, recognizing our unique situation, had granted us unrestricted access, a small mercy in this rough time. Lexi had stayed behind this visit, exhaustion finally claiming her. The look in her eyes when she thought one of the babies would not get as much attention because she wasn't there made her hyper-vigilant. The three of us couldn't go together, so we switched off, her the constant as one stayed home. Luke finally put his foot down, saying he was getting fragile herself. She only conceded to rest after I promise
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 126. Struggling (Luke POV)
In the sudden chaos of the night, with Lexi's water breaking unexpectedly, my world tilted on its axis. She sat up abruptly in bed, urgency in her voice, "Oh shit, Luke, Clay, wake up, wake up now!" We both jerked awake, disoriented. "What's wrong?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes, trying to process her words. "I'm sitting in fluid. I think my water broke..." Rushing to the hospital felt like a blur. Doctors swarmed around Lexi, their movements precise, their decisions swift. They decided on a c-section, taking out both babies at just over 32 weeks. Panic clawed at my throat, the reality of the situation pressing down on me like a physical weight. In the sterile confines of the hospital prep room, Clay, whom the hospital staff believed was my brother, helped me don the medical gown required for the surgery room. I paused, leaning my forehead against the cool window, a wave of emotion overwhelming me. Tears streamed down my face as I admitted, "I don't think I can do it, Clay. I don't thi
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 125. (Lexi POV)
Six months had flown by, and I was sitting on the floor with my pregnancy pillow wrapped around me. It was a quiet morning, just the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. I shifted and stretched in every possible way, trying to coax the baby - or babies, to be precise - to ease their foot or elbow from my ribcage.Under my breath, I pleaded with them, my voice a mix of discomfort and affection. The movements inside me were relentless, a constant reminder of the life growing within.Luke, stirred by my soft murmurs, slowly crawled down from the bed to join me on the floor. He stretched, a lazy yawn escaping him, then leaned over to kiss my round belly. "Stop torturing your mama," he whispered into my belly button, his voice soft and playful, sending ripples of laughter through me.He gently massaged my belly, tracing the visible lines of tiny feet and elbows gliding across my skin. The babies seemed to respond to his touch, their movements becoming more pronounced.I could
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 124. Untamed (Luke POV)
At that moment, with Lexi beneath me, everything felt amplified and intensified beyond my usual senses. My body responded with a fierce urgency, a primal need to ravage her. Every kiss, every bite of her lip, every roll of my hips was a testament to a desire that was more than just physical. It was as if an ancient, primal force had awoken within me, urging me to solidify our connection. I had to remind myself constantly – she was human. My strength, enhanced by the mate bond, could quickly become overwhelming. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her, to let this raw, untamed part of me cross a line. Lexi, lost in the intensity of the moment, seemed to be riding the same wave of passion. Her moans, her surrender to the sensations, spurred me on, yet the cloud of doubt loomed heavier with each passing second. Carefully, so as not to startle her, I eased myself up, maintaining our kiss until the very last moment. My grip on Clay's arm reminded me of the balance I needed to maintain.
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 123. Slip By (Clay POV)
As I stood there, watching Luke and Lexi, a profound sense of certainty washed over me. It was more than just witnessing two people in love; it was the palpable sensation of Fate weaving its intricate tapestry. There was no denying it – they were meant to bring a new life into this world. It felt like every star in the sky, every whisper of the wind, was conspiring to guide them toward this destiny.For me, the realization that I wasn't the first to embark on this journey of fatherhood brought a surprising sense of relief. I pondered why this was, delving into the depths of my thoughts. Was it the enormity of the responsibility that daunted me? Or perhaps the fear of confronting my own potential as a father.Yet, as I observed them, another far more profound reason dawned on me. It was the desire to see Luke transcend his past, to break free from the chains of his troubled upbringing. I wanted this for him – to prove that he was not a mere product of his genetics, but a man shaped by
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 122. Like Hell He Is (Lexi POV)
The shift in the room was noticeable as Clay finished updating the drawing of our tattoos. It symbolized our unity, of everything we had become together. Of everything we had to go through to be together. He flopped down beside us, pulling me onto his lap with a gentle tug. His kiss was a silent promise, a reaffirmation of our bond.The thought of having a baby seemed both daunting and incredibly right. I couldn't explain the pull I felt, a deep, instinctive urge that seemed to transcend my human understanding. A part of me worried about the potential complications of one of them being the biological father before the other, but I kept those thoughts to myself for now.Lost in Clay's kiss, I reached out instinctively and grasped Luke's hand. The moment our hands touched, the sexual tension that had once existed between Luke and Clay surged back with an intensity that took us all by surprise.Luke recoiled, almost as if he'd been shocked. "Holy shit," he exclaimed, jumping back.Clay g
Rival Alphas: Dance of Desire 121. Let Me Do It (Luke POV)
Something deep and primal within me stirred as Lexi's lips met mine. It wasn't just the rush of hormones or the inexplicable workings of magic – it was something more profound, more intimate. This was the enchanting kind of magic that comes with love, a deep connection, and the unspoken desire to nurture that connection further.Having kids was a concept I had never seriously entertained. Kids who grow up in rough homes like I did often fear the possibility of passing on those horrible experiences to their own offspring. I was no exception to that, but as Lexi kissed me, every fiber of my being seemed to awaken to a new reality. It was time – time to think about an heir.This realization hit me with such force that I felt compelled to voice it aloud.To my astonishment, neither Clay nor Lexi reacted with the same shock I felt. They seemed almost calm, accepting of the idea.I also felt this powerful urge to tend to Lexi's mark. A part of it was because of the tingling sensation overt
