Daughter of oblivion: Claimed by four alpha(s)

Chapter 245 - 244: We’ll see about that, baby."

Just as Armand dipped Felicia’s head into the water and laughter echoed across the pool, a sleek black car pulled up quietly to the edge of the apartment grounds. A figure stepped out, tall and confident, her hair catching the last light of the sun.

Laila.

She walked confidently towards the pool. "Looks like everyone’s enjoying themselves."

All pairs of eyes in the pool drifted to the voice that spoke.

Alaric’s face dropped instantly when he saw her. "What are you doing here?" he asked, not bothering to hide the distance in his voice.

Laila just smiled at him like she didn’t hear what he said. "Hi, Alaric baby. It’s been a while."

Alaric’s jaw tightened as he looked away and swallowed.

Armand looked at him, then at Laila.

Felicia cleared her throat awkwardly. "I invited her."

"What?" Armand and Alaric said at the same time, their heads snapping toward her.

"I’m sorry, okay?" Felicia rushed out. "I should’ve told you earlier. I just... I wanted to help. You don’t have a date."

Armand looked at her, conflicted. He couldn’t even properly scold her. Her heart had been in the right place.

Alaric dragged a frustrated hand through his wet hair. "You could’ve at least told me before making decisions about my life."

Felicia dropped her gaze to her hands. "I’m sorry."

Armand shot Alaric a look. "She was trying to help, okay?"

He squeezed Felicia’s hand gently and muttered under his breath, "Just tell me next time before doing something like that."

She nodded.

Armand looked back at Alaric. "See? I’ve scolded her already."

Alaric looked like he was seconds away from committing a crime.

Leo and Levi burst into laughter, completely unbothered by the tension.

Leo turned toward Laila with a grin. "Well, since you’re here, you might as well join us!"

Laila’s lips curved slowly. "Oh... I’d love to."

Alaric’s head snapped toward her.

"Stop right there."

The playful air disappeared from his tone.

He climbed out of the pool in one fluid motion, water dripping down his body, jaw tight.

He walked straight toward her without hesitation.

Before anyone could react, he grabbed her wrist firmly , and pulled her away from the pool.

"Excuse us," he said, not looking back.

He didn’t stop until they were far enough that the laughter and splashing became distant noise.

Only then did he release her.

His voice dropped. "What are you really doing here, Laila?"

Laila bit her lips as she stared at him in amusement.

Alaric’s eyes bore into her, angrily. "I asked you a question," he said firmly but his pulse betrayed him.

Laila tilted her head, a slow smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, I heard your question," she said, her tone playful, teasing. "I just... wanted to see how you’d react first."

Alaric’s jaw clenched. "That’s not funny."

"Oh, I think it is," she replied, letting her gaze wander over him just long enough to make him squirm, though she didn’t touch him. "You look... intense. I like that."

His hands flexed at his sides, tension rolling off him like waves. "This isn’t a game."

She took a step closer, keeping just enough space to make him feel it. "Maybe it is... maybe it isn’t. Depends on how you handle it."

Alaric’s eyes flicked away, trying to hide the flinch, the twitch in his chest that screamed her pull on him. "What do you want?" His voice was tight.

Laila rolled her eyes, a slow smirk forming on her lips as she stepped closer, letting her fingers graze his hard chest through the shirt. "I thought I made it clear in our last meeting. Fine... I’ll say it again. I want you, Alaric. Every part of you."

Alaric’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "What exactly do you want from me? I have nothing to give you. And if you think anything can happen between us... you’re joking."

Laila tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement. "Joking?" she echoed softly, the teasing edge in her voice cutting through him. "No, I think you’re lying to yourself if you say that. You want this just as much as I do... you just don’t want to admit it yet."

Alaric’s chest rose and fell rapidly. "You know very well how much hatred vampires and werewolves have for each other, right? Yes... and you’re no exception. Because I’ve come to hate your guts too."

Laila laughed, soft and melodic, the sound cutting through his frustration. "Oh, Alaric..." she said, tilting her head, letting the amusement linger in her eyes. "Hate me all you want. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re standing here, letting me get this close."

He gritted his teeth, looking away for a moment, trying to steady his racing heart. "Don’t... don’t make this harder than it already is."

Her smile widened, playful but dangerous. "Harder? Oh, I’m not even close to trying yet." She stepped even closer, enough that he could feel her warmth. "But... maybe that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?"

Alaric swallowed, his body betraying him despite his words. "You... you really don’t make anything easy, do you?"

"Not my problem," she replied with a wink. "That’s entirely yours."

"Why did you cut yourself? Why did you let me take your blood?" Alaric asked, his voice low and edged with confusion and frustration.

Laila smiled, calm and teasing. "Haven’t heard? You can’t kill me, even if you drink my blood. I’m no ordinary werewolf, Alaric. And I gave you my blood because I know how intoxicating it is... and I know for a fact how much you won’t be able to get me out of your head."

Alaric’s eyes widened, a mixture of shock and disbelief crossing his face. "How dare you?"

Laila raised a finger at him, her smile playful yet sharp. "No, no, no. Don’t try to dump this on me. I was only trying to grow the feelings that are already there, baby. And I really didn’t want to... but I had to confirm if you’re truly a vampire. And I was right."

Alaric’s fists clenched, every part of him trembling with a mix of anger, desire, and helplessness.

"Now that I know... what exactly do you want from me, Laila?" His voice was low, but every word carried the weight of the struggle inside him.

Laila’s smile widened, teasingly, as she let her gaze travel over him again. "What I want, baby... is simple," she said softly, letting the words sink in. "I want you. I want you to stop fighting it... at least for a little while."

Alaric’s chest rose and fell rapidly. "Do you even know what you’re saying? You know what happens if we let ourselves-"

"I know exactly what happens," she interrupted, stepping closer so their bodies were almost touching. "And I like it. I like knowing that I get under your skin. That I make you lose control... just a little."

His hands itched to push her away, but he couldn’t. Her presence, her words, and most especially her scent was intoxicating, pulling him closer even as his mind screamed for him to resist.

Alaric swallowed hard, voice rough. "You’re insane."

Laila chuckled softly, brushing a finger along his chest again. "Maybe. Or maybe I just know exactly how to play with you. And you? You’re the perfect opponent."

For a long moment, they stood frozen in the charged silence, the air between them thick with something neither wanted to admit.

Alaric finally shut his eyes, jaw tight. "Get out."

"Oh, I’m not going anywhere," she said, laughing, the sound daring and light. "I’m going to be your date for prom."

Alaric’s eyes snapped open. "Aren’t you going back to your own school? Don’t you have a life?"

"Yes, I have a life," she replied, tilting her head, smirk playing on her lips. "But I’m done with school. And business can wait. I finished college before Eryx, even though he’s older. I skipped two classes because, well... I’m brilliant. But don’t worry," she added, eyes glinting dangerously, "I’ll have you wrapped around my fingers long before I even start university."

Alaric froze, staring at her like she’d lost her mind. "In your wildest dreams. Does your brother even know about this?"

"I don’t care," she said coolly, shrugging. "He has zero control over my life. And neither do you, though you might wish you did."

Laila stepped closer, letting her fingers trace along his chest again, and then, with a mischievous grin, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You know," she whispered, her voice low and teasing, "you could make this a lot easier on yourself if you just—"

Alaric stiffened immediately. With a sharp, controlled movement, he pushed her back, breaking the contact. "Stay away from me," he said, his voice tight, edged with frustration and something darker beneath the surface.

Laila’s eyes widened for a heartbeat, then sparkled with amusement. "Oh... playing hard to get now, are we?" she teased.

Alaric didn’t answer. He turned on his heel and walked away, desperate to put as much distance between them as he could. His chest heaved, mind racing, but one thing was clear: she had gotten under his skin in a way no one ever had.

Laila called after him, laughing softly, but didn’t follow. "We’ll see about that, baby. Oh, we’ll see..."