Torn Between Mates

#4 For once, I feel unattractive!

"Arrangement?" Levi probed, somewhat shocked, more curious. He didn't want to make it obvious. After all, he wanted to be second to none. By reacting, he would only show he was lesser than him.

Everyone was looking at them carefully, waiting to see if something eventful would turn up between them. Not every day do you see two powerful alpha wolves meeting like that. Much to everyone's excitement, they were staring into each other's eyes like some contest was happening between them. They were keen to find the winner, already picking up a favorite in their mind.

A long unpleasant silence befell, making it uncomfortable. Riven hissed. He was not in his territory. "Let's talk somewhere more private!" He suggested, blinking away.

Levi chuckled, feeling like he had won a fierce battle. "Follow me!" He sneered. Riven and Mateo followed him without objection. Tina stayed with the pack members to investigate what the wolves thought about Levi. It is important to know a pack's opinion about its alpha.

"So you are finally stepping into your father's shoes." Riven chuckled as if mocking him. He was fully aware of Levi's father's unending greed. If he was stepping down, there must be a huge reason that they were hiding. He was the gamma of the previous alpha. Not even a day had passed since the alpha's death, and Sebastian took over the pack after defeating the beta in a duel. Even though Levi understood where Riven's statement came from, it still vexed him. His hesitancy to respond to it immediately was enough for Riven to grin. He could apprehend Levi's dilemma.

"Why are you here?" Levi probed, hissing.

"What is your opinion about the problem ensuing in the north?" Riven drifted to a thoughtful demeanor.

"My views?" Levi was not expecting to discuss something like that with a rival alpha. Plus, the problems of the north never bothered him. It was below the river, and they lived on the high ground. No rogue from below could enter their land without getting noticed. The Blackmoon pack was on the plains. So they should worry about it. He had better things to worry about, like dismantling alpha Riven from the position he has enjoyed for far too long.

"Of course, yours. After all, eventually, it will affect the entire city." Riven intimidated Levi.

Levi felt attacked. He shouldn't have agreed to have this closed conversation where Riven was trying to pull him into an unnecessary battle. Wasn't it better for him that they were entangled with rogues?

"We will not interfere as of now, according to the current alpha," Levi finally responded when Riven wouldn't stop glaring at him. It was convenient and smart to put it on his father.

Riven gibed, puffing. Like father, like son. What was he expecting? He knew what kind of person Levi was. He frowned at listening to Tina's opinion. They should have returned or probably never visited this pack.

Over the borders, many small packs thrived. With each passing year, they wanted to extend their territory. But with the recent rogue problem, they couldn't expand their northern borders. Shortages of space and resources have led to internal conflicts as well. On many occasions, it affected the trade and commerce of the entire city when two or more packs fought amongst themselves. With each passing day, with the involvement of bigger ones, the power struggle between the smaller ones has become bloodier.

Riven wanted the larger packs to stop encouraging fights and step up as mediators. Also, it was high time they did something about the rogues. He had almost no hope that Levi would be different. But Tina had a different opinion. No matter how big or powerful his pack was, he couldn't do anything alone when other packs of Cynthia were against the idea of co-existence.

"How long are you going to hide behind the advantage of your height? Your southern borders are equally vulnerable," Riven suggested.

Levi sighed. It was a strategic move. In the future, it could be the new power struggle game. But that was a problem of the future. "Right now, it is safe." Levi pushed the decision indefinitely.

Riven scoffed. He knew Levi was subtly rejecting it. Why did he even bother coming here?

Riven, Mateo and Tina were following a suspicious man after the lecture. But when they lost track of him, they found themselves inside the borders of the Bluemoon pack. Tina stressed that they should visit the pack house and make them aware of the suspicious activity. They had always boasted about being safe because of their height. What if it was instead becoming the playground for those with wrong intentions?

"Alright! Then I should leave." Riven got up to leave, deciding not to tell Levi anything more when he didn't even show any interest in the real problems of the city. Levi wouldn't believe it even if he said about the suspicious man. He didn't want to look petty in front of an arrogant man.

Levi was a little suspicious of his actions. But he brushed off that eerie feeling. Riven was about to leave when he thought of making something clear to Levi.

"What if I don't participate in your crowning ceremony? Wouldn't people gossip?" Riven mocked, agonizing Levi. "I have no plan of attending it if we don't share a vision." Riven cleared his intentions.

"What about the bonds I would make under your nose? Maybe snatch a few." Levi chuckled, making Riven scoff again. Was there anything Levi Diaz accepted without bluffing, Riven wondered?

Riven didn't bother to wait for Levi as he made his way out. He would have loved to return to his home any other day, but he had to dilly-dally since Tina and Jake wanted some more time. Apparently, they doubted someone from the Bluemoon pack might be involved.

As Riven strolled through the empty corridor, his mind shifted to Chloe. He was still contemplating how to deal with her unannounced return and sudden show of affection. He wasn't ready for any of that. She acted like life had not moved for her when a lot had happened to him. He wasn't the same Riven Black that she knew. He wasn't sure how to explain to her that he wasn't interested in her or, in particular, in anybody. He liked the freedom his current life offered him. He wanted to escape badly, to clear his head and think through the turbulence called Chloe.

They were having dinner after the guest lecture when they overheard a suspicious conversation about an attack on the crowning ceremony of Levi. On most occasions, Riven would ignore such things since they didn't concern his border. But the ball would involve leaders from every pack. He didn't want to meet Levi and put that information on deaf ears. They had no other option but to warn Levi. They wondered if the suspicious man was a member of the Bluemoon pack. So, they used the convenient excuse that they were there to meet Levi to discuss an urgent matter. The truth was, they visited the pack house to look for this man and gather intel on Levi as a leader. But nothing seemed to be coming out of their late-night endeavor.

A lot was going through Riven's mind- Chloe, the missing suspicious man, the problem in the north, and Levi! He looked around for Mateo. Mateo was occupied investigating the members of the Bluemoon pack using his crafty flirtatious charms. Riven stealthily moved out using the backdoor. He needed some fresh air to clear his head. If he had stayed inside, the unmated she-wolves would not have left him alone.

Riven was dawdling aimlessly in the garden when the smell of freshly baked cookies enthralled him, pulling him towards it like a magnet. Oddly, it was a clean, slightly sweet, yeasty aroma that smelled warm, like a cozy blanket on a cold winter day. It reminded him of his mother's bakery. She was a fine baker. He felt his stomach grumble, making him feel hungry. Was he missing his mother? Or was he genuinely hungry? He had food not long time ago. He followed the aromatic smell, finding himself in the kitchen.

A pretty woman was busy baking bread, cookies, and pastries. She was the one Loui had ordered around. He scowled, thinking of how Levi's little sister Loui had tried to take over the credit for the girl's hard work.

"Excuse me!" Riven coughed a little to make her aware of his presence. She wasn't expecting company. Everyone avoided her like the plague if they didn't have some work from her.

Ella turned, wondering who could be talking to her so softly. She was used to rude, hasty remarks. It shocked her, even more, when he found the owner of that deep, hoarse, magical voice. What on earth was this demigod doing in the kitchen? She couldn't help but admire him despite feeling nervous in his presence, and the fear of getting caught by Harper crippled her. Her eyes had a mind of their own. They drooled over his body. She wondered what he was hiding beneath that thin film of cloth that hung on his body like a second skin.

*coughs*

"Ahem!" Riven coughed again. It was charming to see the pretty woman acting clumsy. She was definitely attracted to him. But she was also bothered by his presence. Her dilemma made her look even more surreal. After a long time, her sincerity made him feel excited. She was desperately trying to hide her fascination with him and failing terribly to hide it. She kept staring at it, forgetting about everything, even the cookies.

"What?" Ella answered, absorbed in her bizarre train of thoughts. She wasn't able to shake off his mesmerizing appeal.

"The cookies." Riven alerted her, relaxing against the kitchen counter, folding his legs across casually, amused by the beauty in front of him. He tilted his head, staring at her like she was a character from the novel. On the other hand, his captivating eyes and ebullient scent were clouding Ella's senses. But when her nose picked up the burnt smell, she fretted. What did she do?

"f**k! No, no!" she wailed, taking out the cookies from the oven. But they were already burned! She scrawled her head, grunting, biting her nails in helplessness. More work! Would she ever be able to sit down and relax? She had no concept of leisure since there was always something she had to do.

"I prefer mine burned" Riven said, amused. She was a sight to behold, making him forget about his tiresome day. Ella glared at him. Was he consoling her or mocking her? She couldn't tell.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, scowling at him. Riven furrowed his brows in amusement. "No," she turned him down. No one dared to object to anything to him. If not the burned ones, she could have offered to make fresh ones or she could have offered one from those stacked on the side table. Wasn't she preparing those for him?

Ella groaned. It was officially one bad day for her. How could she find the nerves to deny the man of everyone's fantasies? "Umm, you can have it from there. Not the burned ones I meant." Riven narrowed his eyes. Was she ordering him to fetch them himself? Shouldn't she serve or something? But he didn't want to fuss about it, especially when she seemed to be distracted while she had to do a lot of work.

Ella was neither unwieldy nor dumb. But she was acting clumsy and delirious at that moment. She shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath to calm herself. After gathering herself, she prepares the next set of cookies. She then starts wrapping the already made ones neatly.

"Umm..." Riven purred as soon as he took the first bite, wondering if he should stop her from packing. He wanted to have all of it. It was undoubtedly the best cookie he had. She was not only pretty but also a skilled cook. The Bluemoon was fortuitous to have a purple-eyed fairy. He smiled, feeling an attraction towards her.

"I wonder what else you can prepare? I am hungry." Riven inquired, wanting to spend more time with her. Also, he wanted to eat her handmade food. Strangely, he was feeling a strong pull towards her, despite being aware that she was not from high ranks.

"You can wait outside comfortably. We have something on the fridge. I always make extra, since there would always be someone hungry. I can warm it for you." Ella asked. She immediately regretted offering the alpha leftover food, but no one had the power to return the spoken words. She sighed helplessly.

"As long as it is prepared by you, I don't mind. I will have it here." Riven replied, understanding her dilemma.

She smiled, feeling at ease as if a huge burden was lifted from her chest. She was excited to be around him and getting such undivided attention. But she was also apprehensive of Loui's temper.

Ella reasoned that she was in no position to flout him. She was beginning to wonder why the alpha was giving her so much attention, when he was supposed to be holding a confidential meeting with Levi on the upper floor for some urgent discussion. Did it not go smoothly? She was curious. But it wasn't her place to ponder the matter of the mighty alphas given her lowly omega rank.

"Why are you not outside like others?" Riven probed out of interest.

"I... Umm..." Ella sputtered. Should she confess to him about her situation in the pack and make it a messy affair? What if he loses his interest in her and she ends up on a more worse side of Loui and Levi? It was an embarrassing choice. Loui had clearly warned her not to get entangled with Riven. She never even thought it was possible. Who would have believed that the alpha would show an interest in her? It was even hard for her to believe Riven was spending time with her.

"It isn't rocket science to know you were the one making it while Loui wanted to take the brownie points," Riven smirked. Even if Loui had baked them, he would never have liked a self-centered woman like her.

After a moment of silence, he got closer. Ella stiffened, breathing heavily. Riven picked the plate she had prepared for him, chuckling as if teasing her.

"Why are you so stiff? Why are you not behaving like other unmated wolves of your age? Why are you not reverting strongly to me? I am so curious. Very curious." Riven said in a deep hoarse voice, staring at her. He was having fun teasing her while being genuinely interested in understanding why she was the only one left out to work in her pack. But when the air between them became tense, he sighed, walking away to give her some space. He was afraid her cooking was addictive. He might end up frequenting here just for her food. He furrowed his brows, wondering if she was abused by her pack. In that case, he should help her escape. His pack should have such an amazing pretty cook.

"Why do I feel you are not interested in me at all? For once, I feel unattractive!" He stared into her eyes as if he could see her naked soul, making her more self-conscious.

She recoiled, swallowing hard, her heart thumping in her chest. No! She found him so attractive that she thought he was a magnet pulling her towards him.