Slip of the Heart

Dean was on his way back from patrol when he saw a figure standing by the edge of the garden that looked all too familiar. He froze mid-step, narrowing his eyes as Emma stood out here with none other than Merina. His chest tightened; of all people to be finding Emma out here, why did it have to be Merina? Dean knew that she had a penchant for stirring up trouble. Her jealousy and possessiveness could bring out the worst in her. His alarm about Emma's well-being surged and he moved forward swiftly.

"Emma," he spoke, his voice quickening as he approached. Softening, "What are you doing out here? Need anything?"

She turned back to him, her eyes warm as she offered a small smile. "Just getting some fresh air. I didn't realize there was anyone around," she replied casually, her tone neutral.

But Dean saw the flash of tension in Merina's eyes as she darted a glance between them. She was taken aback, and Dean sensed her displeasure like a burning heat. Merina cleared her throat as she gave an awkward bow, though her voice wavered with underlying rancor. "Alpha Dean. I didn't realize you'd be here so early."

Dean's face set into stone as he turned to her, the spark of annoyance hot. "What are you doing here, Merina?”

She straightened, her chin tilting with defiance as she lifted a small basket. "I came to bring fresh fruit for you and your brothers. Thought it might be appreciated."

Dean's voice now went sharp; his patience was wearing off. "This area is off-limits, Merina. You know that.”

Her face fell, color draining as she clutched the basket tighter, jealousy flashing in her eyes. Her gaze landed back on Emma, resentment darkening her expression. "If I'm not allowed here," she said bitterly, "then why is she?”

She watched the exchange, her amusement barely concealed as she looked up at Dean, tilting her head in a playful challenge. "Oh, so she's one of your… lovers?" she asked, her tone light but carrying an edge of curiosity.

Dean's face stormed over as he flashed a glare at Merina; the accusation struck a nerve. "No," he said strongly, his tone sounding angry. "Merina, whatever you have said stops here. You do not have the right to speak for any of us.”

Merina's face contorted in humiliation and anger. She'd always prided herself on how close she was to the brothers, even convinced herself that one of them would finally choose her. Yet here she was-this woman who kept their attention with so much ease-and worse, their loyalty.

Her voice broke, her words exposing a hurt that was laced with incredulity. "Dean… you can't just act like I don't mean anything to you. I've always been there for you. I thought…" She turned to Emma, her voice seething with jealousy now. "I thought I was important."

"That's enough," Dean said sharply. His voice brooked no further argument, and his eyes flashed a warning as he nodded toward the path behind her. "Leave. Now.”

Tears sprang to Merina's eyes as she stepped back, her pride cracking as she looked at him and then at Emma. Giving a trembling breath, she turned on her heel and hurried off, bitterness evident in the set of her shoulders as she vanished into the trees.

She watched her leave, raising an eyebrow as the corners of her mouth twitched with a suppressed smile. "Wasn't that a bit harsh?" she asked, folding her arms as she glanced back at Dean.

Dean's face warmed as frustration and residual anger constricted in his chest. "She was out of line," he muttered, not looking at Emma. But he was aware of the weight of her amusement, he bristled, and felt oddly vulnerable.

"Why are you so angry?" Emma asked, a teasing lilt to her voice as her eyes danced with mischief. "It's only natural for men like you to have admirers, right?”

The response was immediate and unthinking, words spilling from Dean in a rare flash of unguarded honesty. "Even if we were looking for someone… it would be you.”

The words seemed to finally sink in, and Emma's eyes blinked as surprise flashed across her features. They just stood there-the tension heavy between them while the full impact of what he'd said lingered in the air. Too late, Dean felt an electric jolt of panic at how badly he'd slipped up. Her gaze softened, but she didn't say anything, leaving the silence to grow more charged.

Finally, she turned to him with a soft smile, the sort that quickened his heartbeat. Turning, she began to walk back in the direction of the house, light steps but reflective mood. Dean watched her go, half-relieved, half-regretful, silently cursing himself on his recklessness.

Left to himself, he fisted his hands as frustration welled anew. How had he managed to let his defenses down so easily? The last thing he wanted was to come off as possessive or overbearing, yet now he'd handed her a piece of his heart on a silver platter without a second thought. Worse, he didn't know how she'd take it-or if she'd tell Dan or Dave, which would only stir the competitive fire smoldering between them all.

He winced, turning on his heel to make for the compound's edge, where his brothers were wrapping up a conference about patrol. He needed their advice—but more than that, he needed to make sure they weren't going to try and surge ahead of him in this sensitive balance of power with Emma.

Dean spotted his brothers and yelled, "Hey!" His voice was tight, enough that Dan and Dave turned around; both knew in an instant that something was wrong.

Dave gave him a sidelong glance. "What's got you all wound up?"

Dean tempered; he knew by the weight of his words how his brothers would look at him. "I… might have said something to Emma. Something I didn't mean to."

Dan snorted, crossing his arms over his chest with an arrogant curve to his lips. "Didn't take you for the type to slip up so easily, Dean. What'd you say?"

Dean exhaled loudly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I told her that… if any of us were looking for someone, it'd be her.”

The silence afterwards was thick with unspoken tension. Dave and Dan exchanged glances; their minds were racing with implications from Dean's slip. Dan was the first to speak, a mixture of amusement and competitiveness lacing his tone.

"Well, looks like someone's getting a little too attached." Dan's smirk was wide, his tone challenging. "So, are you going to try and claim her first?

Dean shot him a glare. "It's not like that. I just… it slipped out. I don't want to push her into anything."

Dave's eyes turned thoughtful, a flash of competition lighting his gaze. "But if she's our mate, don't you think she has a right to know how we feel? We can't just tiptoe around her forever.

Dan shrugged, an arch glint in his eye as he looked toward the house where Emma had gone. "Seems like Dean's already made his feelings clear enough. Guess it's our turn now, huh?"

Dean's jaw clenched, the weight of their competitive gazes boring into his resolve. They had shared everything from victories to losses, but this was something different altogether. Emma wasn't a prize to be won, yet each felt the undeniable pull to be the first into her favors.

Don't get ahead of yourselves," Dean warned, though his voice lacked the sharp edge of a warning. "This isn't some game. She's not ready."

Dave leaned his head to the side, the look in his eyes confrontational, as he crossed his arms over his chest. "We get that, but we're all in this, and none of us back down.

Dean's fists knotted, but it was the same fire that seared his own chest he saw reflected back in his brothers' eyes. Everything had changed with Emma's arrival in their lives, their connection to her growing stronger with each passing day. And whereas previously they had fought back-to-back, loyal to the death, now they skirted a thin line between brotherhood and competition, none willing to step aside and lose the possibility that she might choose him.

With a nod, Dean whirled away, the weight of his brothers' silent challenge following him. He could only hope his words hadn't put Emma off, or she'd see his heart before any of them lost their chance.