Page 5 of Storm

Reed notices. His stormy gaze follows Rook's, landing on me with unsettling precision. Something flickers across his face—curiosity, maybe. Or worse, interest.

"That your girl, beta trash?" Reed's taunt carries over the crowd's roar, his eyes still locked on me with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. "She’s watching you get your ass handed to you, Holloway."

Something dangerous flashes in Rook's eyes—a protective fury I've seen only a handful of times. Without warning, he launches himself at Reed, landing a solid hit to the elite's ribs that actually makes Reed grunt.

The crowd goes wild, and I find myself shouting with them, my heart hammering against my chest.

"Don't you fucking look at her," Rook growls, his voice dropping to that alpha bark that makes even me shiver despite being immune to its command.

Reed's smile turns predatory. "Hit a nerve, did I?"

What happens next is brutal. Reed stops playing. His movements become sharp, precise—each blow calculated for maximum damage. Rook fights back with everything he has, but it's like watching someone try to hold back a hurricane with their bare hands.

I can't look away, can't breathe, can't think. Each hit Reed lands on Rook feels like it's striking me instead. The crowd's cheers fade to white noise as I watch the boy I love—the only person who's ever truly been mine—getting systematically taken apart.

When Rook goes down again, I don't think. I just move.

"Stay down," I hear Reed say, his voice carrying over the noise. "No shame in knowing when you're beat."

But Rook is struggling to his feet again, blood streaming from his nose, one eye already swelling shut. His gaze finds mine as I push to the front.

“Rook.” I reach out to him.

"Storm, I told you to stay back," Rook manages through gritted teeth, but there's no actual anger in his voice—just worry.

Reed's gaze shifts between us, something calculating in those stormy blue eyes. Behind him, Jonathan Kingsley has straightened from his casual stance, suddenly alert.

"Well, well," Reed drawls, "the beta trash has a death wish."

I ignore him, focusing only on Rook. "It's not worth it," I hiss. "This isn't just a payday. He's trying to kill you. Please Rook, let’s leave."

Reed's gaze locks on me, those stormy blue eyes narrowing with interest. My heart hammers against my ribs, but I keep my chin high, refusing to show fear. Behind him, Jonathan Kingsley moves closer to the edge of the ring, his piercing green eyes drilling into me with unsettling intensity.

"What's this?" Jonathan's voice cuts through the noise, smooth and cold. "Is your beta girl trying to kiss your boo boo’s better?"

I feel the crowd shift around me, attention turning my way. I shouldn't have come forward. Shouldn't have drawn their attention. But it's too late now.

"Get back," Rook growls, pushing himself to his feet. Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth, his breathing labored. "I've got this." He’s unsteady on his feet.

I know he doesn't. Anyone with eyes can see he's barely standing.

"You're done," I tell him.Fuck Reed. Fuck Jonathan.“I’m taking you home.”

Reed's eyes track my every movement as I step up into the ring. I don't care about the rules anymore—not when Rook's barely standing, not when I can see the pain he's trying to hide.

"The fight's over," I announce to Reed, my voice stronger than I feel. "He's done."

A murmur ripples through the crowd. No one walks into a ring during a fight—especially not a beta woman facing down an elite alpha.

"I don't believe anyone called it," Jonathan says from just outside the ring.

“I called it. It’s over.” I grab Rook’s arm and try to steady him against my small frame.

Reed steps closer and I stand taller. If he wants to fight me. It’s gonna be quick and dirty. Rook tries to push me behind him, but I stand my ground. "You've had your fun," I say, meeting Reed's gaze directly.

Reed's eyes hold mine for an endless moment. I expect anger, maybe even violence—alphas don't like being challenged, especially not by betas. But what flickers across his face is something else entirely. Something that makes my stomach knot.

"You've got fire, Little Beta," he says, his voice low enough that only Rook and I can hear. "Few would step into a ring to face me."