Defy The Alpha(s) 2: Rebel Beast

Chapter 75: Be The Second Choice

"Sometimes the safest place in the world is the one you swore never to enter."

~ Rebel Beast

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Brittney smiled like an addict whose fix had finally arrived. Even Trisha released her arm. There was no stopping her now.

"I did have childhood crushes," Dimitri admitted proudly. "Or rather, they had crushes on me."

He said, "Growing up attached to Maverick’s hip and being practically part of his family was bound to attract attention."

The smile lingered only briefly before turning wistful.

"Unfortunately, that turned out to be both a blessing and a curse."

He looked up. "I’ve only been in one relationship." Dimitri paused. "It lasted a month."

"A month?!" the girls exclaimed in unison.

They all looked at him differently now. A month? That was suspicious.

Dimitri had the easygoing charm people often associated with heartbreakers. He was handsome, approachable, and knew exactly how to make people feel comfortable.

Nothing like Professor Maverick. For some reason, Aria’s mind supplied the comparison on its own.

And yes, Maverick Nightshade wasn’t cute.

He was all sharp edges, intense, and the sort of presence that made people think twice before speaking.

Dimitri noticed the skepticism written across their faces and couldn’t help but chuckle.

"I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I was the one who ended the relationship."

The girls exchanged another look. In the end, they had been right.

Then Dimitri said, "Turns out she wasn’t interested in me after all." His smile became self-deprecating. "She was in love with Maverick. Dating me was simply the closest she could get to him."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Trisha let out a long, low whistle.

"Ouch."

"That..." Brittney said, shaking her head. "That was genuinely horrible."

"Are you alright?" Alek asked.

Everyone turned toward her. There was no curiosity in her voice, only concern.

"That must’ve hurt."

For reasons Dimitri couldn’t explain, those simple words settled somewhere deep inside him. He met her eyes and smiled.

"It did." He shrugged lightly. "But it happened two years ago. Thankfully, it only lasted a month. Had it gone on any longer, I might not have walked away with my sanity intact."

"Can I ask you something?" Aria said.

"Sure."

"How do you deal with it?"

Dimitri asked confused. "Deal with what?"

She hesitated, searching for the right words. "Living under Professor Maverick’s shadow."

"I mean..." Aria continued, "doesn’t it bother you that you’ll always be everybody’s second choice? That no matter how hard you try, you’ll always be the alternative?"

"You’re overthinking it," Dimitri told her.

"I am?"

"I don’t get jealous of Maverick." His answer came so naturally that the girls found themselves surprised.

"Maverick isn’t my biological brother," Dimitri explained, "but we’ve grown up together for so long that we’ve never really seen the difference. We were practically raised side by side. If you ask my mother, she’d probably tell you she raised twins."

He laughed softly at the thought before his expression turned thoughtful.

"Besides, we’re completely different people. Maverick commands attention as easily as breathing. That’s just who he is. Maverick Nightshade."

Dimitri pointed to his chest. "Me? I actually have to make an effort. He’s naturally intimidating. I’m naturally approachable. He’d rather avoid people. I enjoy being around them. He’s patient enough to sit in silence for hours. I would’ve gone insane after the first ten minutes."

"That is true," Trisha admitted. "I honestly can’t imagine Professor Maverick making jokes."

"So there was never any point in comparing myself to him. We’re too different."

He added more hesitantly, his eyes resting on Aria. Almost as if this secret wasn’t his to divulge.

"And contrary to what most people believe, Maverick didn’t have it easy. A lot of people look at him now and assume life has always favored him because he’s strong, respected, and talented."

He shook his head. "They couldn’t be more wrong. If people actually knew what Maverick has lived through, they wouldn’t envy him."

The room fell silent.

Aria found herself staring at Dimitri.

Professor Maverick was pitiful? That was impossible. The man seemed almost untouchable. Everything about him spoke of control, confidence, and power.

So what could have happened to someone like him? Was that why he always kept everyone at arm’s length and rarely smiled?

The questions came one after another until Aria almost groaned inwardly.

What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly so interested in Professor Maverick Nightshade?

She barely knew the man.

Dimitri noticed the curiosity flickering across her face but chose not to elaborate. Instead, he turned back to Brittney. "As for your original interrogation..."

Brittney immediately straightened, ready to resume taking notes. "I won’t beat around the bush, I do have... noncommittal lovers."

Brittney’s eyes widened, he was surprising honesty.

"You mean friends with benefits?"

Dimitri nodded without the slightest embarrassment.

"They take care of my needs, and everyone involved understands exactly what it is. After my first relationship, I realized I wasn’t ready to trust someone with my heart again. At least, not yet."

"But," Dimitri continued, "if fate ever decides to smile on me and sends me a genuinely good woman, then I’d like to believe I’d still have the courage to fall in love again."

As he said it, his eyes drifted toward Alek. It wasn’t obvious, yet Alek caught it, and heat immediately rushed into her cheeks.

She quickly looked away, pretending to study the bookshelf as if it had suddenly become the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen.

Dimitri cleared his throat. "Well, I’d better leave you ladies to settle in. It’ll be dark soon."

His easygoing smile returned.

"Unpack your things, get some rest, and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll have someone bring dinner up shortly."

He walked toward the entrance before stopping. "As for your classes, don’t worry about them tonight. Tomorrow we’ll sort everything out."

"Thank you," Aria said sincerely.

The others echoed her gratitude.

Dimitri gave them a small salute before stepping out of the suite, quietly closing the door behind him.

Silence lingered for several seconds.

Then Brittney said, "I’ve decided."

Trisha sighed.

"Here we go."

"I like him."

Alek nearly choked. "Brittney!"

"What?" Brittney grinned innocently. "Not for me."

Her eyes slowly shifted toward Alek. "For somebody else."

Alek’s face turned even redder. "Get lost."

"Someone’s in love with the beta." She teased her.

Trisha laughed.

"I’m out of here," Alek couldn’t wait to be rid of them. Brittney especially.

"Good idea," Aria said, "We should unpack before our resident matchmaker starts planning a wedding."

"Whatever," Brittney said, making a face. "You guys can’t run from love forever."

Just like that, the girls drifted toward their rooms, still exchanging playful remarks as they disappeared one after another.

Aria closed her bedroom door behind her and finally had a chance to take everything in properly.

The room was spacious without feeling overwhelming. A queen-sized bed occupied the center, dressed in crisp white linens with a deep forest-green throw folded neatly across the foot.

Matching walnut bedside tables stood on either side, each holding a warm reading lamp. Opposite the bed sat a study desk positioned beneath a broad window, while a tall wardrobe occupied one wall beside a bookshelf with empty shelves waiting to be filled.

The room carried the same blue-green walls as the suite outside, making it feel calm and unexpectedly peaceful. For the first time since arriving at Bestiaris, Aria felt safe.

She walked toward the window, letting the cool evening breeze brush against her face. Then her phone suddenly vibrated inside her pocket.

She pulled it out eagerly, thinking it was Davina. Her face fell just as quickly. It was an email from Doctor Eniola.

Aria’s heartbeat quickened as she unlocked the screen and opened it.

Report everything that’s happened so far.