C35 Growl

SYDNEY

The two men visited me again at the hospital the next day.

I was still reeling from what happened yesterday — Alaric’s sudden visit. I remembered how his eyes had burned into me like they wanted to consume every excuse I’d ever given myself for pursuing him. I had felt my breath hitch, my heart hammer, my entire body leaning in like a fool.

And then—Andy.

Andy with his perfect timing, his enigmatic smile, his maddeningly calm presence that never failed to throw Alaric into a storm.

“Came to see you, Sydney,” Andy said smoothly, his eyes flicking from me to Alaric like he had just walked into a lovers’ quarrel. “Hope you're doing better.”

“Why are you here again?” Alaric’s voice was low, harsh, each word laced with venom. He didn’t even bother to mask his irritation.

Andy smiled that infuriating smile. “Why wouldn’t I be? Sydney invited me. Or did you think she only had time for you?”

My cheeks flushed at his words, though not in the way Andy probably hoped. His tone was teasing, but it jabbed at something raw inside me. Alaric’s gaze cut to me, sharp as a blade, and for a moment I thought he might demand an explanation right there, in front of Andy.

But instead, he gave a mocking laugh. “Of course. Sydney never runs out of admirers, does she?”

“Don’t,” I snapped, the word coming out harsher than I intended. My pride bristled under his disdain. I didn’t want Andy thinking I was some fickle celebrity juggling men like accessories. But I also didn’t want Alaric dismissing me like I was nothing.

Andy stepped closer, his hand brushing against my arm. “Relax, Sydney,” he murmured, though his eyes stayed fixed on Alaric. “No need to get worked up. I’m sure he understands where he stands.”

Alaric’s eyes narrowed, and the air between the two men thickened with something primal. My stomach twisted because I could feel it—the territorial energy radiating off Alaric, the cryptic challenge rolling off Andy.

“Watch your words,” Alaric said quietly, but the edge in his voice could have sliced steel.

Andy tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Or what? You’ll growl at me some more?”

My breath caught. That remark. Growl. The way Andy said it—so deliberate, so knowing—wasn’t just a random jab. It was loaded, layered.

Alaric stiffened. His fists curled at his sides, and I could swear for a second, the room itself seemed to dip into shadow, as if the walls were holding their breath.

“What did you say?” Alaric’s voice was low, dangerous.

Andy shrugged like he hadn’t just poked a hornet’s nest. “Relax. Just a figure of speech. You seem the… animalistic type sometimes.” His eyes glittered. “Don’t you agree, Sydney?”

I blinked, caught in the crossfire. My brain scrambled for a safe answer, but all I could think was how both men seemed to be circling me like predators—one too guarded, the other too cryptic.

Alaric took a step forward, his presence towering. “You should leave. Now.”

Andy chuckled softly. “Leave? When Sydney and I have plans? That would be rude.” He glanced at me, lowering his voice. “I heard you're being discharged from the hospital today. I can drive you home. You look tired.”

The audacity. My heart was hammering not from flattery but from the sheer tension.

I opened my mouth, but Alaric beat me to it. “She’s not going anywhere with you.” His tone was sharp, final.

“And who are you to decide that?” Andy shot back, his mask of calm slipping just enough to show something sharper beneath.

I finally snapped. “Stop it! Both of you!” My voice cracked with frustration. “I’m not some prize for you two to argue over.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Andy looked at me with a strange softness, but there was something calculating behind it, like he was filing away every word for later use. Alaric’s eyes, however, stayed fixed on me—stormy, conflicted, like he hated himself for caring but couldn’t stop.

“I’ll wait outside,” Andy said finally, his tone light again. “Sydney, take your time.” He gave Alaric one last knowing look before strolling out like he owned the place.

The door shut.

I exhaled shakily, rubbing my temples. “Do you have to be so—so impossible?”

Alaric’s gaze didn’t waver. “Do you have to be so reckless?”

“Reckless?” I gaped at him. “For going with him? For letting someone else care about me when you—” My voice broke before I could finish.

“When I what?” Alaric demanded, stepping closer. His voice was harsh, but his eyes… his eyes betrayed something else. “When I won’t give you what you want? When I won’t lie to you?”

“Lie?” My throat felt tight. “You think everything between us is just in my head?”

The silence stretched, heavy, suffocating.

Alaric’s jaw flexed, his lips parted, but no words came out. He looked torn, furious, and yet—haunted.

That hesitation was my undoing. My pride shattered, my heart aching, I let out a bitter laugh. “Forget it. I must’ve been insane thinking you’d ever want me.”

I pushed past him, the brush of my shoulder against his chest igniting sparks I wished didn’t exist.

“Go to Andy then,” Alaric called after me, his voice rough, almost a growl. “See where that gets you.”

I froze, the words slicing deeper than they should have. My fists clenched at my sides. I wanted to scream at him, to demand he explain himself, but if I stayed another second, I knew I’d break.

So I walked out. Straight into Andy’s waiting smile.

And as I let Andy lead me to his car, I could still feel Alaric’s eyes burning into my back, a storm he refused to unleash.

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