The music sputtered into silence, matching the abated breaths of the onlookers in the club. The two Alphas were growling now, fangs gleaming in the poorly lit space. Rhea's scent was already spiking the air with sharp citrus and hot fury. Cassian's, dark and musky, rolled over hers in warning. The crowd was backing away, forming that perfect, dangerous ring of spectators that always came before violence.
"Stop—" Elias stepped between them before he thought twice. His voice came out cracked and small, but somehow it cut through the tension. "Just stop it!"
The female Alpha snarled. "Stay out of this—"
"No!" Elias snapped, louder this time. His hand shot up, pressing against Cassian's chest. The muscle beneath his palm was firm, and heat pulsed through his skin in a way that made him want to snatch it back immediately. But he didn't. "You're all insane. Nobody's fighting. Take your boyfriend and go. Next time, don't drag people into your half baked melodrama."
