An Arrogant Alpha Is Never Attractive 1 {81}

Vasili sat in the sleek, modern meeting room, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his new business partners, hoping that this meeting would end swiftly without a hitch. He didn't want to disappoint Cora. The door creaked open, and his anticipation rose as two men stepped in, shutting the door behind them.

His PA and friend, Ashley, sat next to him, equally tense. The room fell into an almost tangible silence as the two sides locked eyes. Vasili stared wide-eyed at the newcomers, his mind racing to process their presence.

Ashley, noticing Vasili's shocked expression, diverted his gaze to the men. His eyes widened in a mix of fear and recognition as he recollected the memory from months back. Vasili's confusion deepened as he wondered why Ashley seemed to have a connection with these men.

Before Vasili could even begin to ask, Ashley panicked, attempting to step in front of him, blocking him from the view of both men. But his protective gesture was met with swift and brutal force. One of the men grabbed Ashley by the neck, effortlessly lifting him off his feet and slamming him down onto the table in front of a stunned Vasili.

Gasping for breath, Ashley tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. The man who had pinned him glared down at him with indifference, his grip unyielding. "Never block me from looking at my omega," he growled lowly, his voice dripping with possessiveness. It was a claim, a clear declaration of dominance. And Ashley was helpless in the face of it. They had come, just like they said they would that night.

Vasili's mind raced, processing the mere presence of both males standing in the room right now was proving to be a bit of a hassle. Alpha and omega dynamics were not uncommon in their world, but never had he experienced such raw aggression and possessiveness firsthand. The man who had slammed Ashley against the table radiated power and control, far beyond what Vasili had ever witnessed from any other alpha.

Fear coursed through Vasili's veins as he fought against the urge to intervene. He knew he needed to do something but he was torn between helping his friend and calming the annoyed alpha. Instead, he clenched his fists, his mind racing to find a way to diffuse the tension and protect Ashley without causing further misunderstanding.

With a rumbling sigh, the alpha released his grip on Ashley's neck, causing him to gasp for air. The table beneath him creaked, evidence of the forceful impact. His body trembled with a mixture of pain and fear, and he struggled to find the strength to stand. He still isn't strong enough. Just like that night, he can't do anything.

Vasili found his voice, his tone a careful mix of concern and respect. "Who are you?" he asked like he had no clue, his gaze darting between the two men who seemed to hold his fate in their hands.

The second man, who had stood back silently until now, locked eyes with Vasili, his expression unreadable. "My name is Aether," he said with a voice ladened heavy with an accent, his words laced with an undeniable longing. The intensity of his gaze sent shivers down Vasili's spine, a mixture of fear and attraction.

The alpha, who had yet to introduce himself, took a step back, releasing the hold on Ashley. The wounded man stumbled to his feet, his hand pressing against his bruised throat, pain etched across his features.

"And who is he?" Vasili asked quite eagerly. "I need not introduce myself, Moya Lyubov."

Vasili rose from his chair, his eyes darting between Aether and the menacing alpha. "Please, have a seat so we can proceed with the meeting," he said, gesturing towards the black leather seats. "And please, refrain from causing further harm to my assistant."

The alpha's lips curled into a predatory grin, exposing his sharp teeth. "We are here to claim what is ours," he said with an air of finality. The possessiveness in his voice sent a chill down Vasili's spine, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

Though apprehension trembled within him, Vasili refused to back down. He squared his shoulders, meeting the alpha's gaze head-on. "I am not a possession," he declared firmly, his voice steady despite the unease that swirled within him. Why couldn't he read their minds? This has never been a problem before, he needed to thread carefully.

The tension in the room thickened, as if a storm was brewing within the four walls. Vasili could almost taste the energy crackling in the air, a mix of desire, anger, and something else, something he couldn't quite pinpoint.

Aether, sensing the impending clash, stepped forward, placing a hand on the alpha's arm. "Calm yourself, Zasha. Let us talk, find a more civilized way to handle this," he demanded his voice low but firm

Zasha, his eyes still fixed on Vasili, grunted in response. "Fine," he conceded, reluctantly tearing his gaze away. "We will talk, but make no mistake, котенок[1], you will be claimed."

Vasili fought the urge to counter his words, to shut his arrogant mouth up. Instead, he stood his ground, his eyes narrowed with determination. "We will talk," he agreed, his voice filled with a steely resolve. He would not let anxiety dictate his actions. He would not disappoint Cora.