Protected by Three Mates

Chapter - 2

Fiona – POV

As we still continue eating dinner in the fancy restaurant, a sudden surge of heat rippled through the air, making my skin tingle. My heart raced unexpectedly, and I shifted in my seat, trying to steady myself.

“Fiona, is everything okay?” Veronica asked, concern etched in her features.

“I’m fine, Vero,” I replied, my voice a bit too sharp, betraying the unease creeping through me. She frowned, clearly not buying my dismissal, but I pressed on. “Don’t worry about it.”

Despite my words, I couldn’t shake the strange sensation. It felt as if eyes were on me, watching, probing. I scanned the room, trying to find the source. And then I saw him. Across the room, seated in the VIP section, was a man with blonde, wavy hair and fair skin. He looked like he had stepped out of a dream—a dream I had never dared to have. His gaze held mine in place, and though I tried to look away, something about him kept me frozen. He was dressed like a kingpin, exuding an air of danger and power. Two beautiful women flanked him, but it was as if his attention was solely on me.

“What are you staring at?” Eric’s voice broke through my daze, his tone casual. But when both he and Veronica followed my gaze, their reactions were anything but. They both stiffened, their faces pale with shock.

“Do you two know him?” I asked, sensing that something was very, very wrong.

Before I could point him out, Veronica grabbed my hand and yanked it down, her wide eyes fixed on mine. “Fiona, don’t do that,” she whispered, her voice taut with fear. “Don’t draw attention to yourself.”

The man hadn’t taken his eyes off me, and there was a smirk playing at the corner of his lips, as if he found the whole situation amusing. I could feel the intensity of his gaze, like he was toying with me, daring me to play along in whatever dangerous game he had in mind. He probably thought his wealth and status would make me crumble. But I wasn’t that kind of girl. No matter how magnetic he was, no matter how much he looked like a fantasy, I wasn’t going to back down.

“Fiona,” Veronica’s voice was strained, pulling me from the silent battle I was waging across the room. “Do you have any idea who that man is?”

I tore my eyes away from his piercing blue ones and looked at her, confused. “Who is he?”

“That’s Jasper Price,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “The Alpha King of the entire wolf shifter. He rules all the packs. The way you’re staring at him… it’s like you’re challenging his authority. Do you even understand what you’re doing?”

My heart sank, and a wave of panic swept over me. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I hissed, suddenly feeling foolish.

“I tried!” she snapped, her eyes wide with alarm. “But you were too lost in his gaze to hear me!” Her voice cracked, and I noticed other diners turning their heads toward us, sensing the tension at our table.

Eric, ever the one to fix things, pushed back his chair abruptly. “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to the Alpha and clear things up.” Without another word, he strode across the restaurant towards the booth, leaving Veronica and me to exchange worried glances.

As he approached Jasper, the air between them seemed to shift, growing thick with tension. The women who had been clinging to Jasper earlier looked nervous as Eric neared. But Jasper—he just watched, his expression calm, almost amused. They exchanged a few words I couldn’t hear, and then Eric returned, his face grim but composed.

“Well?” I asked, barely able to keep my voice steady. My heart was pounding in my chest.

“Don’t worry,” Eric said, taking his seat again. “The Alpha King doesn’t hold a grudge. He actually apologizes for any misunderstandings.”

Both Veronica and I gasped, the disbelief clear on our faces.

“Wait, what?” Veronica’s voice was barely a whisper. “The Alpha King apologized?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe this.”

“I know,” Eric replied, squeezing her hand gently. “But it’s true. I was just as shocked.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The tension in the room seemed to dissipate, but my mind was still racing. I turned to Veronica, feeling the weight of my earlier actions. “I’m sorry,” I said, my voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to put you and Eric in danger.”

Veronica’s expression softened, but there was still a shadow of worry in her eyes. “It’s not me or Eric I’m worried about. If you’re not careful, Fiona, this could end badly for you. You don’t know how things work in our world yet.”

I nodded, feeling the full weight of her words. “I just need some air,” I said, standing up. They nodded in understanding as I slipped out of the restaurant, my chest tight with the need to escape.

I made my way to the rooftop, where the night sky stretched out before me, dotted with stars. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, and for a moment, I felt some of the tension ease away. But then my phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was Theo.

“Hello, Fleur,” Theo’s deep, familiar voice came through the phone. “Happy birthday, flower.”

A smile tugged at my lips. Theo had been a steady presence in my life ever since we met last year at the Unity festival, which my parents had organized before their deaths. I hadn’t known much about their influence among shifters until then, and Theo—a bear shifter aristocrat—had been tasked with guiding me through the festival. We’d bonded instantly, and despite the chaos that had followed in my life, Theo had been there.

“Thanks, Teddy bear,” I said warmly. “What’s been going on?”

“I’m actually heading back into town soon,” he said. “I figured we could grab some of our favorite food when I get there.”

I smiled, despite the heaviness in my chest. “You remember where all my favorite stalls are?”

“Of course,” he replied with a chuckle. “How could I forget?”

“Is this your way of pulling me into a date, Theo?” I teased.

His laughter rumbled through the phone, rich and warm. “You caught me,” he said, his voice playful. “But in all seriousness, Fleur, I’ve missed you.”

I leaned against the railing, my heart softening at his words. Theo had stood by me through everything—the loss of my parents, the trials, the uncertainty. Even though we hadn’t seen much of each other lately, he had always been a steady, comforting presence in my life.

But as much as I cared for him, I wasn’t ready. Not yet. “Theo, I don’t know if I can focus on dating right now,” I said softly, turning my eyes to the stars. “I still need to bring justice for my parents. That’s my priority.”

“I understand,” he replied, though I could hear the disappointment in his voice. “Don’t worry about it, Fleur. I was just teasing you.”

We talked a little longer, and by the time we hung up, I felt lighter. The moon shone down on me, offering its quiet comfort. But just as I was about to head back inside, a voice broke the silence.

“We meet again, Ojos Verdes.”

I turned slowly, my breath catching in my throat. It was him—Jasper Price. The Alpha King. His eyes, those piercing blue orbs, locked onto mine once again, and the night seemed to hold its breath.