CHAPTER EIGHT

SOFIA

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The alpha returned, carrying a tray stacked with food, just as much as he’d brought for me earlier. I watched as he knelt beside Greek, carefully placing the tray on the center table. Panic flashed in Greek's stormy eyes as they darted to mine. My chest tightened at his obvious fear.

"It's okay," I assured him, summoning a reassuring smile. "The food's safe. I've eaten it, and I haven't died yet."

The alpha's head whipped around, fixing me with a piercing glare. A low growl rumbled from his chest. He’d growled over a dozen times since we’ve been here. I swear that was the only sound he knew how to make.

Greek flinched at the sound, his shoulders hunching, making himself seem smaller. The alpha, focused on me, missed this telling reaction. Damn it. He was scaring the omega with his constant growls.

Before I could think better of it, I snapped, "Stop growling before you scare our...” I caught myself just in time, the words our omega dying on my lips. Heat rushed to my face as I cleared my throat. "Before you scare Greek," I amended.

But it was too late. I was pretty sure the alpha knew what I’d been so close to saying. It was there in the way his mouth twitched before he schooled his features back into that growly expression of his.

“By the way, his name is Greek. And my name is Sofia. What’s your name, alpha?”

Greek stared at me, his eyes still wide with shock, probably wondering why I was being so chatty with our captor. But then he turned his gaze toward the rogue alpha, looking both curious and hesitant.

The alpha in question, however, didn’t look either of us in the eye. Instead, he kept his focus fixed on the tray, his fingers tightening visibly around its edge. The tendons in his hands stood out, betraying his tension.

Silence stretched between us, heavy and oppressive. I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. It was just a name. Why did asking him what his name was get him so worked up?

"My name isn't important," he finally muttered, his tone clipped and cold.

I rolled my eyes, exasperation overriding any nervousness. "Of course, it is. Names say a lot about a person," I pointed out. "What's yours, big guy?"

A sarcastic chuckle escaped him as he glanced up at me from under those dark lashes. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine. This man was dangerous. But I couldn’t seem to work up enough energy to turn away from him.

"So, a name tells you a lot about a person, huh?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

I swallowed hard but met his gaze head-on. "Yup," I agreed, popping the 'p' for effect, my bravado a thin veneer over my mounting anxiety. Did he not have a name? Or was it something so strange that he was ashamed to share it? He held my stare for a moment, and something cold but amused flickered in his eyes.

“My name is Demon,” he confessed at last, his voice low, almost challenging. “What does that say about me?”

I stared at him with my mouth open, not knowing how to respond. Demon . I hadn’t expected that. What was I supposed to say to that?

“Is that your real name?” I questioned.

“It’s the name my mother gave me. The name I’m registered under,” he answered.

Oh... damn.

“Ummm...” I hesitated, looking to Greek for help, pleading with my eyes. The omega shrugged, clearly waiting to hear what I’d say next. “I guess it says... you’re...”

I had nothing. Absolutely nothing. The alpha was staring at me, awaiting a response. My heart raced, and I felt a chill creep up my spine. Demon . His real name was Demon. Not a nickname. Not a name he’d earned. It’s what his mother called him. The name fit him unnervingly well, with his piercing eyes and intimidating presence.

Still... Demon? I opened my mouth to respond but found myself at a loss for words. I could feel Greek’s gaze flicking between Demon and me, waiting to see how I'd react. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Go ahead. Tell me what my name says about me,” the alpha demanded, unwilling to let this go, forcing me into a corner.

I took a deep breath. Think Sofi, think.

"It says..." I began as I wracked my brain for a proper response. "It says you're not afraid to embrace the darkness within you because you’re strong enough to control it."

There! How was that? Demon's eyes narrowed, a hint of surprise flashing across his face before it was quickly masked by his usual stoic expression.

"Is that so?" he murmured, his tone unreadable.

I nodded, forcing myself to maintain eye contact despite the urge to look away.

"But names don't define us entirely,” I continued, trying to talk myself out of the situation I’d gotten myself into. My dad always told me that one day I’d write a check with my mouth that my ass couldn’t cash. It was a Southern saying that I was finally understanding.

“It's our actions that truly reveal who we are,” I told the alpha. “Your mom named you Demon. That’s not on you. That’s on her. How you choose to live is on you. Right?” I asked.

A heavy silence fell over us as Demon considered my words. A grunt was his only response. But his scent wasn’t heavy with anger. So, that was a good thing. Plus, his lips quirked, just barely, as he looked back down at the tray.

I released a sigh and noticed a slight smile on Greek’s face that remained there until the alpha made his next move. The alpha lifted a slice of bacon and brought it toward Greek’s mouth.

“Eat,” he demanded, his tone softer, though there was still an edge to it, like he was unused to sounding gentle.

Greek’s eyes met mine, searching for reassurance. I nodded. He needed to eat, even if it was only a little bit. He had to regain his strength. I watched in silence as the alpha... Demon , fed Greek, being patient with him, not rushing him. Greek stared down, not meeting Demon’s blue gaze.

But from the omega’s scent, I could tell he was no longer afraid of the alpha. How could anyone fear an alpha who was kneeling before you, feeding you slowly while staring at you like you were the most precious thing he’d ever seen?

Then again, given Greek’s bruises, he was probably afraid of all alphas. I decided to continue talking to him to make sure he understood that he was safe, completely ignoring the fact that I was currently tied up. Oh, the irony.

“You’re doing so good, Greek,” I told him softly.

The alpha tensed, and the omega’s eyes swung to mine. I smiled brightly, wanting him to know he was okay.

“Keep eating, sweetie. It feels good to watch you eat,” I told him.

With his eyes on me, the omega parted his lips and leaned forward. Demon slid more meat into his mouth. The omega bit down on the food, not tearing his gaze from mine. As long as I kept them both calm, this should go smoothly.

“Just like that. You’re doing so good, handsome. Good job to you, too, alpha. You’re feeding him so well.”

I nearly gasped when Greek's stormy eyes darkened, turning thunderous as his sweet scent spiked, blending intoxicatingly with Demon's more potent alpha aroma. My gaze dropped instinctively to our alpha.... I mean, Demon, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Those piercing blue eyes were no longer fixed on Greek. Instead, they were pinned on me, burning with an intensity that made my skin tingle. A low rumble filled the room, emanating from deep within Demon's chest. The sound vibrated through me, igniting a fierce heat in my core.

Arousal unfurled in my belly, so hot and sudden that I felt feverish. Their scents mingled in the air, wrapping around me like a sensual cocoon. Their scents! That sound! Fuck me sideways, it was like sex on a stick.

"I... I don't..." I stammered, not knowing what to say.

I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat. My eyes darted between them, unsure where to focus. On Greek's smoldering gaze? On Demon's predatory stare? Both would be my undoing.

I didn't dare move, afraid even the slightest shift might shatter this charged moment. The air felt thick, heavy with unspoken desires and primal instincts. My heart raced, pounding so loudly I was sure they could hear it.

"Sofia," Demon growled, his voice rough and deep.

The sound of my name on his lips sent a shiver down my spine. Greek whimpered softly, drawing our attention. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, a combination of fear and longing evident in their depths. I wanted to comfort him, to reassure him, but I couldn't find my voice. Sensing the omega's discomfort, Demon began to purr.

It was the sexiest shit I’d ever heard. Our scents spiked, weaving together to make the perfect aroma. And if we weren’t careful, we’d get caught up in the moment, lost in the haze. I even found myself leaning forward, wanting to be closer to the two of them. But I couldn’t move far. I was restrained.

Those ropes reminded me of our situation, pulling me from the haze before I could do something crazy, like asking the alpha to fuck me and asking the beta to feed me his cock. I cleared my throat, freeing them from the haze, too.

I watched them blink, Greek leaning back slightly while Demon stared down at the tray again. If this was a normal situation, I’d smile at how adorably awkward it all was. But I was too riled up, and there was nothing normal about our situation.

“Uh...” I cleared my throat again. “You should probably finish eating before the food gets cold, Greek.”

The beautiful omega blinked, almost lost to lust. A lust he clearly wasn’t ready for due to the note of fear threading through his sweet scent. Biology could be a bitch sometimes, making your body want things your heart and mind weren’t fully on board with.

His gaze sharpened, lips parting in shock as he realized he’d been leaning closer to the alpha. He sat back a little. That’s when I noticed that he was trying to keep his body turned away from us. But no matter how he turned, the sweet smell of his arousal was there in the air, practically embedded in my skin.

And those thin white boxers couldn’t hide his massive erection. Trying to be respectful, I forced my gaze to his face. I cleared my throat, keeping my voice soft and encouraging as I nodded toward Greek.

"Demon, go on. Keep feeding him," I said, hoping it would get us all back on track.

Demon hesitated only a moment before lifting a piece of toast toward Greek’s lips, following my suggestion without complaint. Greek’s eyes widened, flicking from me to Demon as if he couldn’t quite believe the alpha was following orders, my orders, no less. I could feel the tension ease a little as Greek took a tentative bite.

His posture relaxed, and the note of fear in the air began to dissipate. I sat there, transfixed, watching the way Demon’s gaze lingered on Greek as if memorizing every little expression that crossed the omega’s face, just as he had when he’d fed me. The look wasn’t just possessive, but something deeper, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

Greek took a few more bites, and I could see him visibly relaxing with each one. But then he shook his head, signaling he was finished. My heart melted at the look Demon shot my way, a pained expression, full of worry. Clearly, he wanted the omega to eat more but didn’t want to push him. Instead, he wanted me to be the bad guy. Not today, Demon!

Holding back a smile, I said gently, “Greek, you did a good job eating.”

Demon cocked his head, not happy with my words.

“I’m sure you haven’t had a proper meal in a while,” I continued, more for Demon’s sake than Greek’s. “Eating too much at once could make you sick.”

Understanding replaced the worry in Demon’s gaze as he caught on.

“Drink some milk to wash it all down,” I added, giving them both an encouraging nod.

Demon didn’t miss a beat, immediately reaching for the glass of milk. Greek’s hand moved at the same time, their fingers grazing each other’s, sending a shock through the air that seemed to ripple between them. They both jerked back at once, and the glass tipped, spilling milk onto the floor.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it, but my amusement faltered as they both looked up, their gazes locking onto mine. Oh, no. Not again . My laughter died as the air became charged with the same haze of lust from before sparking between us. I could feel their eyes on me, both of them looking like they wanted to devour me, and I couldn’t deny the way my pulse quickened, the warmth spreading through my body.

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to stay composed. “Look at you two, making a mess,” I chided gently, fighting to keep my tone even. “Greek, take the cup from Demon and drink your milk, love. And Demon, while he does that, clean up the mess you’ve made. You’ve gotten milk all over the floor.”

They both blinked, breaking out of the haze, then did exactly as I asked. Greek took the glass, his cheeks flushed, and began to sip. Demon, for his part, knelt down to wipe up the milk with a napkin he’d had on the edge of the tray.

They were well-behaved when guided, and the thought sent a thrill through me, unbidden. Images flashed in my mind, unrestrained and wild: the two of them taking instructions from me, obedient in far more... pleasurable settings. I could practically see myself with them, both of them pleasing me, attending to each other, all under my gentle direction.

I bit my lip, fighting to rein in my mind, but my body was already betraying me, the scent of my arousal intensifying, curling around us in the small room. They looked up at me again, their eyes darkened, and I could see that my scent was affecting them just as much as theirs was igniting me.

Their pupils dilated, and I knew they could smell the heat emanating from me, as undeniable as the lust that shimmered in their eyes. Damn you, biology. But I couldn’t deny that the look in their eyes made me want to surrender, to offer them the sweetness my body was craving to give.

My eyes kept flitting from one to the other. And a little jingle had taken up residence in my head. Sofia, Greek, and Demon sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N... What the hell was I singing in my head?

And why did they look like they were singing the same song in theirs?