5. DEAD OF THE NIGHT

"The invitation to the party doesn't extend to my pet, Kael," the rich masculine voice growled and Ezra stiffened.

The alpha had walked fast, crossing the vast room in a split second. Too fast for Ezra to gather his bearings and not look like he was going to pass out at any moment. His heart thumped wildly and he feared both alphas could hear it.

"It's not very ideal for a host to show up late to his own party Cage." Ezra freezes, his own breath choking him. The alpha he'd spent the night with was Alpha Cage? His mind rejected it. There was no way. He was out on business. Ezra's legs buckled underneath him. He was inches away from hitting the ground when a hand shot out and grabbed him.

Heat spread from where the touch started. He raised his head, and his gaze clashed with Alpha Cage's own. A shudder ran through him as a moment passed.

"Alpha.." Kit whined, hating that the attention wasn't on him. Ezra sensed the annoyance in his voice and quickly pulled away. Alpha Cage's eyes followed him, but he didn't say anything. Alpha Kael saw the interaction, his lips forming a sly smile. Alpha Cage straightened.

"You pay very good attention to your pet," Alpha Kael laughed, even with the hidden meaning laced into his words.

"And I don't take it too kindly when another alpha tries to hover around what belongs to me."

"I saw him neglected, and I thought to give him a little attention," Alpha Kael said with a careless shrug and Alpha Cage's gaze darkened.

"You haven't grown out of your old habits...chasing after what doesn't belong to you." The air between them was charged. Ezra expected an outburst, but Alpha Kael laughed loudly.

"I only take what should be mine." His gaze swept over Ezra.

"Goodbye, little pet, find me anytime your alpha is lacking. I can satisfy you better," Alpha Kael marched away after dropping that statement, and Alpha Cage fumed. Kit blushed furiously, and Ezra stayed confused. Why did Alpha Kael keep staring at him even though he wasn't the alpha's pet?

"Alpha..." Kit's loud voice pierced his ears. From the corner of his eye, he saw him press into Alpha Cage's body. The alpha's eyes weren't on Kit.

They were fixed on Ezra.

Penetrating and demanding.

Ezra lowered his gaze and considered running away, but his feet wouldn't move.

"Alpha Cage..I waited all night for you," Kit pouted, and the alpha's gaze shifted, allowing Ezra a moment to breathe freely.

"I was occupied last night."

"Work?"

"No. I was... chasing a little rabbit..." Ezra's chest tightened as the alpha's gaze landed on him again. Kit's brows furrowed, and he followed the alpha's gaze.

"This is my servant Ezra. He's a beta. He doesn't do well at his duties," Kit complained and Alpha Cage hummed.

"Is that so? Maybe we should replace him."

'Please do,' Ezra screamed in his head. He wouldn't survive a week with these two. Kit considered it for a moment but shook his head. How could he rub the alpha's attention in Ezra's face if he no longer served him? How could he humiliate him?

"It's okay. We're from the same city. It won't be nice if I dispose of him like that. I can always teach him," Kit said sweetly.

"And is the servant mute?" Alpha Cage asked, his eyes raking over Ezra.

"Pardon my manners, Alpha Cage," Ezra squeaked, bowing his head in respect. Alpha Cage didn't respond, his gaze shifted back to Kit.

"Are you free tonight?"

"Of course. I'm always free for you. Anything you want," Kit pressed himself deeper into the Alpha.

"Good," Alpha Cage's voice dropped to a low whisper. He leaned in, his lips brushing against Kit's ears while his eyes landed on Ezra again. Their eyes clashed and Ezra let out a breathy whimper, so soft that only Alpha Cage heard it.

"Prepare yourself for me. I'll come to you tonight," Ezra felt heat spread through his body at the instructions. They were meant for Kit but the Alpha's intense gaze and penetrating eyes told a different story. It felt like the instruction was reserved for him.

Ezra looked away as the alpha straightened. And without another look at the two, he stalked away. Ezra let out a loud exhale in relief. Kit's gaze landed on him, annoyance brimming.

"What do you think you were doing, showing off yourself in front of the Alphas?"

"I don't know what you mean," Ezra responded in the most polite tone he could muster.

Kit snorted. "It was useless anyway. An alpha will only respond to a true omega. Not a silly beta," Kit flipped his long hair over his shoulders.

"You should move into the servant's room next to mine. "Ezra's gaze snapped up.

"What? Why should I do that?" Kit rolled his eyes.

“Didn't you hear that? Because Alpha Cage is coming tonight."

"You'll prepare everything. Fresh sheets. Candles. Bath water. Food. I want everything to be perfect.”

"I can prepare everything without moving rooms," Ezra said carefully.

"It's an order. You're supposed to follow it. Not ask too many fucking questions," Kit snapped, his face twisting into ugly anger.

"But I have other duties."

"You're my servant. Your duties are what I order them to be. Now, are you going to obey me, or do we have to get Alpha Cage involved?" Ezra's heart skipped.

"No"

"I thought as much. You move into tonight," Kit ordered and sauntered away, leaving Ezra standing alone.

Ezra found the nearest exit, walking back to his old room to begin packing. Kit only desired to flex his status over him. And he knew it could be dangerous if he resisted.

Especially with this discovery.

The dreaded alpha stared at him like prey.

He packed his meager belongings and moved to the room. By the time the music from the banquet had transitioned into silence, Ezra had settled into his room. The wall between his new room and Kit's room was paper-thin. He could hear the exact moment he entered his bedroom, his drunken giggle travelling through the walls.

Kit's shrill voice carried on and off for several minutes, loud enough to make Ezra wince. Ezra only hoped they kept the noise down when the Alpha arrived. The last thing he wanted was to spend the entire night listening to Kit's dramatic squealing through the wall.

Ezra lay still in his bed until the noise from the other room died down. He closed his eyes and tried to find sleep.

And then he heard it, the soft flick of the door opening. Ezra sat up quickly, his eyes traveling around the room as he tried to find the intruder. His pulse spiked.

That was impossible.

The omega wing was one of the most heavily guarded sections of the pack house. Guards patrolled the halls day and night. More importantly, this entire floor belonged to Prime Alpha Cage. Who would dare trespass on his territory? A knot formed in Ezra's stomach.

And then he smelled it.

That powerful smell that awakened his heat. Rich and dangerous.

Alpha Cage was in his room.

His breath caught and his pulse quickened as the heat spread through him. The scent grew stronger, tickling his nose. Ezra saw a silhouette in the darkness and he moved. But Alpha Cage was faster. His large body covered Ezra's, pressing his body into the thin mattress.

His heart spiked and wet lips brushed against his earlobes.

"You've been a very naughty rabbit."