Chapter 7

Lana’s POV

Ronan’s voice didn’t just break the silence; it shattered it, leaving sharp, invisible shreds hanging in the air. I stood up in a haste which made my back connect with the balcony railing. The cold metal bit through my thin shirt, as I winced in pain.

He stood at the doorway, with pure fury on his handsome face. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, his veins stood out, and his broad shoulders seemed to block the entire doorway. His terrifying eyes seemed to glow a different colour, but they weren't on me. They were locked on his brother. I looked between them as they stared at each other intensively.

Finn didn’t cower, he simply straightened up, and crossed his arms. He had a small smirk on his face for a second, but it was immediately replaced by a calm challenging look. He slowly rose from the couch, placing himself slightly in front of me. A protective gesture, but I felt like we were pouring gasoline on a fire.

“I believe I asked a very simple question,” Ronan bit out with a low growl.

“What the fuck is going on here?” he folded his arms. His gaze shifted from Finn to me, a look of disgust flashed through his eyes.

“We were just talking,” Finn said, his voice even.

He placed his hands on my waist, and drew me closer to his warm body, “She was overwhelmed, so I just took her out to get some air.”

“It looked more than just coming out for air,” Ronan snarled, taking a step forward. The air in the balcony grew thick, heavy with a pressure that made me struggle to breathe. It was the same feeling I’d had in his office, that primal, predatory energy, but now it was unleashed, saturating the space around us.

He strode towards us, and forecfully removed Finn’s hand from my waist, “Keep your hands to yourself, Finn.”

“Or what?” Finn’s voice lost its cool edge, a spark of his own anger flashing in those green eyes. “What will you do Ronan? You don’t own her or anything, she’s just your daughter’s nanny. Isn’t she?” Finn looked at Ronan, then he turned back to me.

“I lost my mate, I want to get to know her, and claim her. She’s very beautiful, and she’s definately my type.” Finn looked at me with a small smile spread across his face. The declaration hung in the air, adding pressure to the already existing pressure.

My breath hitched, and my heart pounded faster, slamming against my ribs. Claim? The word echoed in the space between them, loaded with a meaning I couldn't grasp.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ronan’s voice dropped, becoming dangerously quiet. He took some steps backward, shut his eyes, took a deep breath before looking up at us.

“I’m certain that I like her,” Finn shot back, “Is it a crime now? To show kindness to someone you frightened?”

A low, rumbling sound started deep in Ronan’s chest. “I’m just going to say this once, and I will not repeat myself. Stay away from her.”

“Make me.” Finn shrugged.

Ronan moved in a blur, closing the distance between them. Finn braced himself, his posture shifted, ready for a fight. They were like two storms about to collide, and I was caught in the middle.

“Stop it!” The words tore from my throat. I stumbled forward, my body moving before my mind could catch up. I shoved myself between them, my hands landing flat against Ronan’s solid, unyielding chest. It was like pushing against a brick wall. He didn’t even sway, but his furious gaze snapped down to me. I felt electrifying tingles that rose from my fingers to on my ams, it felt different from what I felt when Finn touched me.

“Get out of the way, Lana,” he commanded, his voice vibrating with suppressed rage.

“No.” My voice trembled, but I held my ground, my palms still pressed against him.

I could feel the frantic beat of his heart, a wild drum matching my own. “There’s no need for this, so just stop. Please.”

For a second, he just stared down at me, his dark eyes searching mine. The fury was still there, but I saw something else flicker in its depths. He glared at me in disgust as he took a step back. My hands fell back to my sides.

His glare shifted from me to Finn, a final, silent promise of an unfinished conversation. Without another word, he turned and stalked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

The pressure in the air vanished, leaving me lightheaded. I sucked in a ragged breath.

“Lana, I…” Finn began, his voice soft with apology.

I couldn’t. I just couldn’t hear it. I shook my head, not looking at him, and walked away. I felt dizzy, and my legs felt like they could give up on me any minute from now. The opulent walls felt like they were closing in on me.

Claim.

I like her.

A house of monsters.

My shoulder collided hard with his, and I stumbled back with a gasp.

I must’ve been lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the dark figure stepping out of a doorway.

“What the fuck?” a rough voice snarled. I looked up to see a hulking man with a scar cutting through his eyebrow, his eyes glowing with a faint, feral amber.

“Watch where you’re going, human. I don’t think your eyes are for fancy.” He shoved past me and continued down the hall.

The way he said ‘human’ was like something he detested. It dripped with contempt.

“I’m s.. sorry,” I stammered, my heart launching back into its frantic rhythm.

I stood there, trembling, the encounter a stark reminder of my place here.

I was prey, living among predators.

I finally found my room, slipped in, and shut the door behind me. I leaned against it as if I could block out the entire world. At night I couldn’t sleep, I tossed and turned trying to find the right position, but every time I closed my eyes, I didn;t like what I was seeing.

I saw Ronan trying so hard to soffocate me, and a grin plastered on his face.

After what felt like hours of staring at the ceiling, my skin itching with restless energy, I decided I needed air. Real air, not the tense, charged atmosphere of that balcony. I slipped out of my room and padded quietly down a different set of stairs. I’d seen the maid use it earlier, I was hoping it would lead to a garden or a side exit.

It led to a dimly lit corridor near what looked like a study. The door was slightly ajar, and voices, low and heated, spilled out. I froze, recognizing them immediately.

“…completely out of line, Finn!”

It was Ronan.