Torn Between Mates

#7 Sleeping Beauty

Very few wolves cared about someone like Ella. She was forgotten, and they began doing what they were doing before it happened after Riven had gone back to drinking. This time he was flirting around. So the women were putting in harder efforts to persuade him. But when no one was looking around, his eyes on their own would find their way towards the tent where Ella was being treated. It made him question himself, but he was helpless in front of this uncontrollable urge to check on her health. He was worried about her despite how he wanted to appear. On top of that, it made him extremely uncomfortable that another male wolf was showing interest in her. Levi was tending to her even if he was her alpha. It was not something he could turn a blind eye to, especially when he was so curious about Ella. Riven's wolf was beyond restless, asking him to go back to her for some strange reason. He never had to deal with his wolf's tantrums. So why was she so different?

When he could no longer control his impulsive urge, Riven found himself on his way to the tent. Loui blocked his path, pissing him more than he thought was possible for something so trivial. The woman was full of herself. She wasn't even his type, despite her beauty. She was shallow and her beauty didn't appeal to him. She might be the queen of dreams, but to him, she was just a thorn in his eyes. She looked vile no matter how he saw her.

"Alpha Riven, do you want to swim in the lake? It's so hot today." Loui pushed her chest forward a little, showing off her cleavage. That bikini was already revealing. He didn't understand what the need was for making that slutty move. She purposefully wiped the nonexistent sweat drops near her chest to grab his attention. Was she trying to use her hourglass-shaped figure? But it wouldn't work for him.

Riven felt baffled and annoyed by how he wasn't inquisitive about Loui, even when she was throwing herself at him. She did have a great body. She would be great s*x.

"Loui," Riven chuckled, forcing a smile. He couldn't find any words to express his disinterest. He had done it so many times already that he was at a loss for words.

Loui blushed. She felt like she was on cloud nine when he smiled like that. It made her feel appreciated. Was he finally showing some interest?

"Yes," She said, blushing.

"Water is not my thing," He gave her an even bigger smirk, making her feel humiliated. She scoffed, unable to understand if he was indirectly directing that remark at her. She didn't want to appear rejected when all her friends were looking in her direction. She returned him a coy smile, knotting her fingers, swinging her body coquettishly.

Riven smirked, eyeing the direction she was looking in between. He didn't wait for her to reply.

Loui felt a little shocked when he did that. But she kept smiling to pretend that they had a healthy conversation. But when she realized where he was headed, her smile dropped and her face became sullen. What had gotten into everyone, she wondered. First Riven saved her! Why were they even together? Then Levi carried her like she was some precious thing. And now again Riven was running to check on the filthy Ella. Who was she? Sleeping beauty Aurora? She snorted, squashing her foot. She couldn't wait to put Ella in her place.

As Riven neared the tent, he felt his heartbeat thump. He took a deep sigh and entered the tent. It baffled him when he saw that Levi was still sitting next to her, attending to her. He was clearly worried about her. The visible lines of worry reflected how much he cared for her. Was he wrong to doubt that they abused Ella? Could there be something going on that he didn't know, and he was simply over-inferring things because he wanted some desperate reason to be around her? Ella never said that she was abused. Was he reading the wrong lines? When Levi was showing so much warmth to her, who would dare to trouble her? He must have got it all wrong.

"You are here!" Levi scoffed, not hiding his displeasure. It surprised him that Riven was showing so much interest in her. That day in their pack house. And now! Why would an alpha, that too, the most desirable one, be here, even if he saved Ella? Shouldn't Riven continue wooing women? He was already taking care of the situation. Why was Riven so nosy? He brushed off that thought immediately. How could anyone possibly be interested in her?

"Of course," Riven smirked. "I am here," he said in a sarcastic tone. He didn't feel the need to hide his disliking towards Levi. He knew it was mutual. "You are quite dedicated," Riven suggested, pulling up a poker face successfully. He didn't want Levi to get imaginative about the situation when he himself was in dark waters. He couldn't believe he was there because he couldn't stop fretting about her.

Levi took a long pause. He didn't feel like responding. Also, he was trying to analyze if there were any ulterior motives. But when Riven kept smoldering, he had to say something to get rid of him. "She is better now. The doctor said she should be awake soon." Levi forced a hospitable smile. "Thank you for saving my pack member. I am grateful. But what even happened?" He queried. He would have preferred this conversation after Ella was awake. But then, they were together in a closed space. And Ella was still unconscious.

"I found her unconscious in the woods when I was loitering around." Riven lied through his teeth. He did not want to tell Levi everything. Also, he was worried that Levi might assume he was interested in Ella.

"Mmmm..." Ella mumbled, struggling to open her eyes. She blinked her eyes, trying to adjust to the bright light. Both the alphas skipped their conversation, pivoting their attention to Ella.

"How are you feeling?" Levi inquired, visibly disturbed. Unexpectedly, Riven too moved to her side. But before Riven could do anything, Levi sat on the chair beside her bed to check her vitals. It kind of made Riven a little unsettled.

"Alpha Levi?" Ella spoke in shock. Was she dead to imagine such a ludicrous thing? Why on earth would Levi sit beside her? Did Levi save her? His wolf was almost black.

"It seems you are not too harmed. I should take my leave." Riven said. Ella allowed hard, shocked to find Riven there. When her eyes met his warm, worried ones, it left her dazed. Was Riven really there for her? It must be her afterlife. All sorts of strange things were transpiring.

Riven gobbled hard a large chunk of saliva before turning to leave. But Mateo and the beta of the Bluemoon pack bolted inside, frightened.

"Alpha Levi, alpha Riven, we found the dead body of a wolf in the forest." The other man blurted out.

"What?" Levi rose to his feet, shocked! Why was this happening before the event and his accession ceremony?

Riven narrowed his eyes, wondering if he heard right. Shouldn't there be five bodies?

Ella's eyes opened wide with fear creeping in, making her tremble in nervousness. The memory of what had happened right before she lost her senses flooded her eyes.

Riven breathed heavily, pondering his next move. But Ella's condition was diverting him from thinking anything straight. He closed his eyes and shook his head in annoyance. He removed his shirt, startling everyone. Ella gasped in shock, looking at his hot, delicious body with wide-open eyes. Levi felt uncomfortable to the core.

"What are you doing?" Levi groaned as if he was warning Riven from doing something like that. His reaction baffled Ella but she couldn't turn her eyes from Riven's body even if she wanted.

Riven scoffed, covering Ella with his shirt. He walked out of the room saying nothing. The wolves in the room looked at him with amusement and confusion. But he couldn't care less about anything.

As Riven walked into the crowd, displaying his perfect abs, chiseled muscles, and spectacular biceps, women went haywire, surrounding him like bees.

Ella gulped, closing her eyes in anger, clenching her fists, feeling something similar to jealousy.