Chapter 5- Choose Me

Kieran’s POV

I thought it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. But when I realized I'd have to share her with others, my excitement started to wane. 

 I felt a strong urge to protect what was mine. 'You think you can take her away from me?' I retorted, my words rushing out before I could stop them.

 I didn't care.

 I just wanted to mark my territory-she's mine, and I wouldn't let anyone take that away.

“Yes, we can. "Because she was never yours to begin with, Kieran,” Cassicus fired back, his eyes staring me down. 

My chest tightened as I stood face-to-face with the three weaklings who had the audacity to think they could compete with me. 

Aria stood between us, her eyes darting back and forth. 

But why was confusion etched on her face? She should have seen this coming! I knew none of this was her fault, but still, she should have rejected two of them on the spot. It'd have been me against one now, but now it's three against one. 

I had a strong feeling that I couldn't be rejected because, from the way she stared at me, I was her favorite. Or maybe it was just my ego speaking. 

Aria continued looking conflicted, and that only pissed me off more.

"She’s not something to be taken," Thane pointed out. His voice sounded so collected! He was always so damn composed it unnerved me. "She chooses who she wants, Kieran. "She has a mind of her own, and so, you can't force her to do your bidding,” he quickly added, and I scoffed.

Who said so? I could tweak her mind. I could change it if I wanted to. That's what I knew how to do best after all. 

"And you think that’s you? "The one she would choose?" I asked, my eyes darting towards Elain and Cassicus, "Or either of you? You amuse me.”

Elain, who was always the more reckless of the trio, stepped forward, and his lips twisted into a sneer.

"We are not the ones treating her like a trophy to be won. You sound stupid, thinking she would prefer you, Kieran. Very stupid."

"I’m treating her like someone worth fighting for," I snapped. Can you say the same? Of course not!"

Aria exhaled sharply and stepped into our midst, unable to stomach us any longer.  She was trying to stop the argument from escalating into a fight, and I couldn't help but imagine her being totally mine. 

My world would be absolutely perfect with my brothers out of the way. 

"Enough, please,” she pleaded. "This isn’t a competition. It really isn't, okay?"

I turned to her, and my face tightened.

"That’s where you are wrong. I'm sorry to say, Aria, but I have to tell you the truth. From the day you discovered your destiny, it’s always been a competition. You just haven’t realized it yet."

***

Thane crossed his arms, and his eyes burned with irritation.

"You don’t get it, do you? You are already acting crazy over her when we barely know ourselves. "We haven't even been able to establish a mutual connection, and you are here talking about ownership!"

"Oh, really? "I am not the one fighting about something I said isn't about winning,” I shot back, earning a mocking chuckle from Elain.

"Maybe because we know what’s at stake. And maybe because we actually care about what she wants. "She's our mate; we would do anything for her,” Elain deadpanned. 

"And I wouldn’t?" I asked, flaring up. "Is that what you are insinuating?"

"No, you don't really care about all of that," he said without hesitation, "You only care about control." It's obvious."

Something inside me snapped, and in a second, I lunged at him, grabbing his shirt and yanking him forward.

"Say that again. "Say that again, you son of a bi**h!" I cussed, almost ripping his clothes off.

"You heard me," he spat, unfazed, "You don’t love her, Kieran. You simply love the idea of owning her. "You love the idea of making her yours because you think you deserve it."

I slammed him back onto the wall, my breaths quickening, “You know nothing about what I feel, you fool!” 

"Then say it. "Tell us why you want her so desperately, and don't you dare feed me that 'fate' nonsense.” Thane's voice cut through my rage. 

They wanted the truth? Fine. I would give it to them.

"Fine. I'm doing all of this because I knew her before you did. That's the truth. I earned her. I hope you are both satisfied now!"

"What do you mean?" Aria quizzed, getting interested in our banter. She seemed disappointed by my remark. 

"You don’t remember, do you?" I asked, and she tried to stop me from continuing.

"Kieran, please. This is not the time for this."

"Of course it is!" I blurted out. "I need to put them in their place." If I don’t say this now, when would I ever get the chance to?"

Thane's jaw clenched, and he held his hands up high.

"It's alright. It's alright. It’s not like we all like her anyway. "From what I see, she doesn’t even look like my type… yet," Thane said rudely, and our eyes widened at his remark.

It shook Aria the most, as she quietly but furiously made a move to leave, but I held her back quickly.

"Don’t mind him. He’s always like that. You don’t have to take what he said to heart. Everyone knows that Thane is rude." 

I tried to comfort her, but she was not having it.

"Please, I think we should stop this fight. "We are still getting to know each other. "And, Thane or whatever your name is, I don’t care if you think I’m your type, or not. "I just want to breathe. "Dealing with you four is already a lot of work!" Aria complained, and I felt terrible at that moment.

I wanted to fight for her, but it was always tough fighting against my four brothers, even without Cassicus saying a word.

Elain rolled his eyes and sighed.

"My God!  "You are insufferable, Kieran." He turned to Aria, ignoring me completely. "You do realize he is manipulating you, right?" he asked, and I jumped in.

"Watch yourself, Elain. Watch what you say about her. "I’m just trying to make sure she falls into the right hands," I corrected.

"You think too highly of yourself!" Cassicus snapped after a long moment of silence. I guess he had had enough. 

"Stop!" Her shrill voice shook the room. "All of you, just stop! I'm leaving!"

We froze, and she turned to me first. My heart dropped, seeing her bloodshot eyes.

"Kieran…" she called, and her voice was softer now. "I can’t be something to fight over. I can’t be the reason you hate or destroy your brothers."

"Then choose me, Aria,” I deadpanned, “That's all you need to do.”