Jacob lifted his gaze toward the Beta, who stood a few steps away, clearly waiting for him to get up. The silence between them stretched for a moment before Jacob finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a quiet resistance.
"Aren't they the Alpha's guests?" he said, leaning slightly against the trunk of the tree. "I don't think my presence there really matters. I'd rather stay here for a while… get some rest and breathe."
The shade of the tree, the soft rustle of leaves, and the cool air brushing against his skin gave him a sense of peace he rarely felt inside the main house. It was the only place where he didn't feel watched—where he could exist, even just for a moment, without pressure.
But Kulas didn't look convinced. "You wouldn't want the Alpha himself to come out here and drag you back inside, would you?" he replied, his tone firm, though not entirely harsh.
Jacob's brows pulled together slightly.
Kulas stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. "Don't give him another reason to hurt you again," he added. "You know what happens when you refuse him."
That was enough to make Jacob's hands curl into fists at his sides.
He hated how true those words were.
For a moment, he considered refusing anyway—standing his ground just this once. But the thought of what might follow quickly extinguished that idea.
He didn't have the strength to deal with another punishment.
Not today.
Letting out a quiet breath, Jacob pushed himself up from the soft grass. He brushed off the back of his clothes, his movements slow and reluctant, as if each action weighed heavier than it should.
"Looks like you're all talk after all," Kulas muttered.
Jacob shot him an irritated look. "Just be quiet," he snapped before turning and walking toward the house without waiting for a response.
Behind him, Kulas simply shook his head and followed.
The moment they stepped inside, Jacob's attention was immediately drawn to the living area.
Damon's guests had already arrived.
The space felt larger than usual—too open, too exposed.
Jacob unconsciously slowed his steps as every pair of eyes turned toward him at once. The sudden attention made something uneasy stir in his chest.
"Jacob, it's been a long time." The warm greeting came from Alpha Albe.
Jacob offered him a small, polite smile as he approached, careful to keep his composure.
As he drew closer, he noticed that the table in front of them was still empty—no drinks, no food.
"I'll prepare something for you," Jacob said, already turning slightly as if to leave.
"Let the she-wolves handle it. That's their job" Damon's voice cut through the room, firm and leaving no room for argument.
Jacob paused and looked back at him, confusion faintly showing on his face. "Isn't that part of my responsibility as well?" he asked.
Slowly, Damon lifted his head.
Their eyes met—
And for a brief moment, Jacob felt his chest tighten, his heartbeat stumbling in a way he couldn't explain.
"You've been getting too comfortable," Damon said, his tone low and edged with warning. "I've allowed you to speak back to me before, but don't mistake that for permission. Don't push me to the point where my patience runs out."
The message was clear.
Jacob pressed his lips together, swallowing whatever words he had been about to say.
Around them, the other Alphas and their mates watched in silence. Some exchanged subtle glances, clearly sensing the tension that had settled in the room.
Jacob remained where he stood, unsure of what to do next.
Then Damon gave a small gesture toward the seat beside him.
"Sit."
Just one word this time—
But just as commanding.
Jacob didn't argue.
He moved quickly and took the seat beside Damon, choosing compliance over conflict, especially with guests present.
But the moment he settled—
Damon's arm slid around his waist, pulling him closer without warning.
Too close.
Their bodies nearly pressed together, leaving no space between them.
Jacob stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the sudden contact, but he forced himself not to react.
The air grew heavy again, thick with something unspoken.
Thankfully, Alpha Xyro broke the silence. "We actually came here to introduce our mates to you, Jacob," he said casually, a light smile playing on his lips. "We figured you might want some company. People you can talk to… maybe even spend time with."
Jacob blinked, clearly surprised. His attention shifted to the three men seated beside the Alphas.
He studied them quietly.
There was something gentle about them—their expressions softer, their presence calmer, a stark contrast to the dominance radiating from their partners.
But what caught Jacob off guard the most—
Was that they were all male.
His gaze lingered for a second longer than it should have.
And that was enough.
Damon's hand suddenly gripped his chin, turning his face back toward him.
"Stop staring," Damon said, his voice low, carrying a dangerous edge. "Unless you're thinking about something you shouldn't."
Jacob frowned, irritation rising despite himself.
He was just about to respond—
"Relax, Damon," Alpha Rafael cut in, amusement evident in his tone. "You're going to scare him off one day if you keep acting like that."
Damon shot him a sharp look. "And you're any different?" he replied.
Rafael only chuckled before glancing at Jacob.
"There's no meaning behind those looks, right?" he asked lightly, though there was something unreadable in his eyes.
Jacob cleared his throat, feeling the weight of attention on him again. "My apologies, Alpha," he said respectfully, lowering his gaze. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just… surprised."
Alpha Albe let out a soft laugh. "There's no need to apologize," he said kindly. "It's understandable. Anyone would feel a bit overwhelmed in your position."
Jacob gave a small nod but didn't lift his head.
Not long after, two she-wolves entered, carrying trays of food and drinks. They placed everything neatly on the table before leaving just as quietly as they arrived.
Kulas remained standing beside Damon, silent and observant.
For a moment, the room fell into a brief, uneasy calm.
Then Damon spoke. "So… what exactly brings you here?"
Xyro leaned back slightly, his arm resting casually around his mate. "We just thought we'd visit," he replied. "And at the same time, introduce our mates to Jacob. It doesn't seem right that the only people he knows here are you, your Beta, and your Gamma."
A faint grin appeared on his lips.
Damon's expression darkened almost immediately. "Are you implying that I don't allow him to meet others?" he asked, his voice cold.
Xyro raised a brow. "Isn't that exactly what you're doing?"
The shift in atmosphere was immediate.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Even the air felt harder to breathe.
The tension between the two Alphas was enough to unsettle everyone in the room.
Jacob felt it pressing down on him—the weight of their power, the threat hidden beneath their words.
"Alpha…" Jacob spoke softly, glancing toward Xyro, his tone almost pleading.
Xyro let out a small laugh and raised his hand in surrender. "Alright, I'll drop it."
"Idiot," Damon muttered under his breath. "You talk as if you've never done the same."
At that, Clyde—Xyro's mate—lifted his gaze slightly.
Jacob noticed immediately. The tension in his shoulders. The unease in his expression.
And without thinking, Jacob spoke. "H-Hi…" His voice was quiet, hesitant—but enough to draw everyone's attention.
"I'm Jacob," he added with a small, polite smile. "It's nice to meet you."
Clyde blinked, then returned the greeting, his voice just as soft.
"H-Hello… I'm Clyde. Alpha Xyro's mate."
Jacob nodded gently before turning to the others.
"I'm Jiro," one of them said, offering a polite smile. "Alpha Albe's mate."
"And I'm Zairon," the last one added. "Alpha Rafael's mate."
Jacob acknowledged each of them, his expression softening slightly.
And just like that—
The suffocating tension that had filled the room began to ease.
Not completely.
But enough for everyone to breathe again.
And for the first time since he walked in—
Jacob felt something unfamiliar settle in his chest.
He wasn't entirely alone anymore.