MATED TO THE BEAST ALPHA BROTHERS
Chapter 45: seductive possession

Chapter 45: seductive possession

"A family dinner?"

Arthur leaned back in his chair, twirling his glass of whiskey between his fingers. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned Haelyn’s face, looking for a crack, a slip....anything that could betray what she was really up to.

Haelyn stood before them, her hands clasped together, shoulders hunched slightly. Her white dress billowed softly with the wind, making her look even more delicate.

Timid.

Weak.

Just like she used to be.

"Yes, Father," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I want us to be a family again. I want to make things right."

A long silence stretched between them.

Helen and Layla exchanged a glance.

Then,

"Hah!" Arthur let out a sharp laugh. "Well, well, well. Look at that. The lost lamb has finally found her way back home."

Helen smirked, sipping her wine. "How touching."

"You must think we’re fools," Layla added, crossing her arms. "You think we don’t see through you?"

Haelyn lowered her head, biting her lip. "I know I’ve done things you don’t approve of. But... it’s Mother’s death anniversary soon. I just... I don’t want to fight anymore."

Arthur studied her for a long moment.

Then he grinned.

"Fine. A family dinner it is."

Helen and Layla shot him questioning looks, but he ignored them.

"But let’s make one thing clear, little girl," he continued, his voice darkening. "You don’t fool me."

Haelyn flinched, swallowing hard. "I....I understand."

Arthur’s grin widened. "Good girl."

Malcolm caught her in the hallway.

"Well, well," he mused, blocking her path. "The little bitch finally remembers where she belongs."

His fingers brushed against her shoulder, lingering, pressing.

Haelyn froze.

Just as she used to.

Her lips parted slightly, her eyes darting away, the soft tremble in her frame so subtle...so believable....that Malcolm smirked.

"I missed you, Haelyn," he whispered, stepping closer. "I missed the way you used to be."

His hands slid lower.

Layla cleared her throat from across the room.

"Malcolm," she said lightly, swirling her wine in her glass. "Control yourself."

Helen sighed, shaking her head. "Honestly, you act like you’ve never seen a woman before."

Malcolm grinned but finally backed off.

Helen walked over, placing a gentle hand on Haelyn’s shoulder.

"There, there, dear," she murmured. "We won’t let anyone hurt you. Not anymore."

Layla nodded, her voice sickly sweet. "Yes, you’re safe now."

Haelyn kept her head low.

"Thank you," she whispered.

They didn’t see the way her lips curled into a slow, sinister smile as she turned away.

As Haelyn stepped outside, the cool night air wrapped around her, clearing the suffocating stench of Arthur’s home.

She let out a long, slow breath.

Then,

She smiled.

A cold, cruel smile.

"They think they’re playing me," she murmured, stretching her fingers. "How adorable."

The Faceless Wraiths shifted in the shadows, watching, waiting.

"We’re just getting started."

Back inside the house, Arthur swirled his drink, watching the door Haelyn had just walked out of.

"She’s lying," Layla muttered.

Helen smirked. "Of course she is."

Malcolm chuckled, licking his lips. "But I don’t mind playing along."

Arthur’s smile was ruthless.

"Let her think she’s in control," he mused. "By the time that dinner is over..."

He took a slow sip of his whiskey.

"She’ll regret ever coming back."

"You want to what?"

Archer’s voice was sharp, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied the woman standing before him.

"I want to move back," Haelyn said simply, her tone smooth, unwavering.

Silence.

A tense, suffocating silence.

Then,

Archer moved.

He strode forward, arms reaching for her, ready to pull her into his embrace....

But Haelyn stopped him.

A single hand against his chest. A firm, unwavering touch.

"Don’t."

Archer froze.

His gaze flickered to where her hand pressed against him, the warmth of her skin against his. A touch he had been aching for.

And yet....

"Why?" His voice was laced with irritation.

Haelyn’s lips curled into something almost... playful. Almost mocking.

"You know why."

Archer’s jaw clenched. "I don’t."

"Yes, you do," she murmured.

The way she looked at him...it wasn’t the way Haelyn used to look at him.

It was different.

Dark.

Dangerous.

"I know that you know..." she whispered, voice like silk, "that I am not the real Haelyn."

A sharp inhale.

His entire body tensed.

"And if you touch me," she continued, leaning in slightly, "if you kiss me....if we get intimate..."

She tilted her head, a slow, calculated smirk dancing on her lips.

"Wouldn’t that be cheating on your precious little mate?"

Archer’s patience snapped.

"I don’t care!" he growled.

His hands shot out, gripping her waist, yanking her closer.

"It’s her body." His voice was rough, filled with raw, undeniable hunger.

Haelyn’s eyes flickered, challenging.

"Then take it."

A Wild, Unrestrained Passion

The moment her words left her lips, Archer lost control.

His mouth crashed onto hers, devouring her in a desperate, feverish kiss.

There was nothing soft about it.

Nothing gentle.

It was fire.

Pure, burning, dangerous fire.

Haelyn responded instantly, her fingers threading through his hair, pulling, biting.

She was wild.

Untamed.

Not like before.

Not like the woman he had once held in his arms.

This was something else.

Something darker.

Something forbidden.

"You’re different," Archer breathed against her lips.

"Does that scare you?" Haelyn taunted, her nails digging into his skin.

"No."

Thenhe slammed her against the nearest surface, hands gripping her thighs, lifting her.

Haelyn’s head tilted back, a low laugh spilling from her lips.

"Gods, I like this side of you."

Archer growled.

"Shut up."

He kissed her again.

Harder.

Fiercer.

His hands roamed, fingers digging into her flesh, claiming her in ways he never had before.

And Haelyn?

She let him.

She matched him.

Her own hunger just as fierce.

Just as ruthless.

This wasn’t love.

This wasn’t romance.

This was war.

A battle of dominance.

Of control.

Of who would break first.

And Archer was losing.

"You’re holding back," Haelyn whispered against his lips.

"Don’t test me."

"Oh, but I want to."

Her teeth sank into his lower lip, drawing blood.

Archer snapped.

He ripped the flimsy fabric of her dress apart, hands grasping, demanding.

And Haelyn?

She laughed.

She was enjoying this.

She was playing him.

And he didn’t care.

All he knew...

All he could feel...

Was her.

And it was driving him insane.

As their passion escalated, bodies tangled, breaths ragged....

A single whisper....

A name....

Left Archer’s lips.

"Haelyn..."

And just like that....

Everything stopped.

Haelyn stiffened.

Her glowing eyes dimmed.

And then....

A slow, dark smile spread across her lips.

"Oh, Archer..." she purred, her voice dripping with something deadly.

"You poor, poor fool."

And before he could blink....

She was gone.

Vanished into thin air, leaving only the ghost of her touch behind.

Leaving Archer breathless.

And completely, utterly ruined.