Riley Twin's Attempts

Riley Twins First Attempt - Verbal Attack

The air inside the ballroom thickened as the Riley twins approached.

Allysa led the charge, heels clicking with authority, her champagne glass still in hand like this was just another casual stroll through high society. Alliyah followed half a step behind, lips curled in a smirk that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Krishna didn't bother to stand from her barstool. She sipped her drink, letting the cold burn of vodka slide down her throat, legs still crossed, one boot dangling with lazy elegance.

"A Beta… sitting at the bar like she owns the room," Allysa began, voice sugar-sweet but sharp enough to draw blood. "Don't you ever get tired of playing dress-up, Krishna?"

Krishna's gaze slid up slowly, unimpressed. "You mean like you two playing dress-up as relevant?"

Alliyah's jaw tightened. "Careful."

"Oh? Are we doing warnings now?" Krishna tilted her head, smiling wider, deliberately slow. "Cute."

Allysa took a slow step forward, lowering her voice just enough for only the three of them to hear. "You've been poking at things that don't concern you. That Beta at the store? None of your business. You're pushing too far."

Krishna laughed. Loud. Unapologetic. "You really wanna lecture me on boundaries? After the little show you two put on at the cosmetics aisle?"

Alliyah's smile dropped for a beat, teeth clenching. "We're just reminding you… stay in your lane."

Krishna set her drink down with a soft clink. "And I'm reminding you…" She uncrossed her legs, stood, and leaned in close, close enough for both sisters to catch the full weight of her stare. "…that I don't have one."

For a second… neither twin had a comeback.

Then Allysa forced a breathless laugh. "Enjoy your night, Beta. While you still can."

Krishna raised her glass in mock-toast as they turned to leave.

"Oh, I will."

---

Second Attempt: Physical corner, a few days later.

It started like most bad decisions do, two men, too cocky, and far too sure of themselves.

Krishna had just turned the corner near her apartment, plastic bag swinging lazily in one hand, soda bottle cradled against her hip, still munching on a half-finished bag of chips.

It was late. Quiet.

But not quiet enough.

The moment she spotted them, two Alphas posted like cheap muscle near the lamppost, with their oversized coats and worse intentions, Krishna sighed like the universe had personally offended her with their existence.

The first man stepped forward, fake grin in place. "Evenin', sweetheart. Lost?"

The second circled her left side, cracking his knuckles like some bad movie extra.

Krishna didn't stop walking until she was within arm's reach.

She tilted her head, eyes half-lidded, like she hadn't noticed the obvious setup.

Then, casually… she let the bag of chips slip from her fingers.

As the first man reached for her wrist--

Her entire body moved like coiled wire snapping loose.

A sharp pivot.

Her elbow cracked against his temple with enough force to send his skull bouncing off the lamppost behind him. The sound echoed down the street.

The second guy lunged.

Bad choice.

Krishna grabbed the soda bottle from under her arm and smashed it, glass and sticky cola exploded across both of them.

Then her knee shot straight up between his legs with lethal accuracy.

He dropped like a bag of bricks, gasping, clawing at the pavement.

But she wasn't done.

"Oh, no, no, no." Krishna crouched low beside him, grabbing a fistful of his hair and slamming his face against the curb. Once. Twice. Enough to split his lip and leave him dazed, blood pooling from his nose onto the concrete.

The first guy, still conscious but groaning, tried crawling away.

Krishna's boot landed square on the back of his knee.

A sickening pop followed.

He screamed.

The second man, now half-conscious, attempted to grab her ankle in a last-ditch move. Krishna turned sharply and drove her heel down on his wrist until she heard a crack.

By the time she stood, both men were sobbing, bleeding, and completely unable to stand.

Breathing hard, but smiling like she'd just finished yoga, Krishna fixed her jacket, stepped over their ruined bodies, and dusted off the glass shards clinging to her pants.

But just before she entered her building, instinct made her pause.

She turned slowly toward the parked car down the block.

There, tucked behind tinted windows, the Riley twins watched.

Allysa in the passenger seat, face pale but furious.

Alliyah gripping the steering wheel like she was seconds away from gunning the engine forward.

Krishna held their gaze for a long beat.

Then?

She smiled.

Not a polite smile.

Not a warning.

But a dare.

She lifted two fingers in a lazy, taunting salute before disappearing into her building like nothing happened.

Inside the car, Alliyah cursed.

Allysa?

Silent.

But her nails dug half-moons into her palms as she hissed through her teeth.

"This isn't over."

Not by a long shot.

---

The Warning from a Beta

Later that night… a sleek, cream-colored envelope arrived at the Riley estate.

No sender.

No return address.

Inside?

A single note.

Handwritten.

In messy, looping letters.

---

"Two warnings. One verbal. One physical."

"Third strike's mine."

"Try again… and I'll bury you both loud enough the whole country will hear it."

---

Allysa's hand trembled as she read it.

Alliyah snatched the note from her, eyes narrowing.

"She's bluffing," Alliyah hissed.

But neither of them missed how the paper smelled faintly of cigarette smoke and gunpowder.

Or how there were faint smudges of red along the corner…

…like someone had written it with blood still on their fingers.

For the first time since the gala…

Neither sister laughed.