The Dark Alpha's Claim

chapter4

Annika slowly looked around the room Alpha Kaiden led her into, her lips parted in surprise.

She still couldn't believe her luck when she saw him in the forest and felt the strong pull of the mate bond. And when he ordered Odessa to let go of her, relief had washed over her.

Not only did the moon goddess save her, she also paired her with the alpha of her pack, Alpha Kaiden Jefferson. The only man who could protect her.

The pack house was magnificent. The room he showed her was larger than the basement she lived in back at Odessa's house. A huge bed occupied the middle of the room, thick duvets and pillows thrown carefully on it.

It was simply exquisite.

She turned around and noticed him staring at her.

"Thank you for bringing me here." She murmured. "My stepmother had planned to sell me off. You saved me."

"You don't have to thank me." He brushed her gratitude aside. "You're my mate, and I had to protect you."

Aurora gulped softly. He was acting so stiff and formal towards her.

"What is your name?" He asked out of the blue.

"Annika." She answered. "Annika Stevens."

"You're the orphaned omega?" Kaiden asked with a deep frown.

Annika didn't know how to answer that question, so she nodded. He was staring at her strangely.

Kaiden was silent for a moment. Then he turned and headed towards the door. "Get some rest. I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Wait." Annika stopped him.

He turned around, his gaze resting on her. "What is it?"

"I... I thought you would stay with me." She stuttered. "I mean, we're mates. Aren't we supposed to spend the night together?"

She trailed off, unable to complete her words.

"Have you ever shifted, Annika?" Kaiden asked suddenly.

She was taken aback by the sudden question. Moistening her lips, she answered.

"No, I haven't."

"So you have no wolf." It wasn't a question.

Annika fell silent, a confused frown creasing her brows. Before she could say another word, Kaiden turned away.

"Go to sleep." He repeated. "We will discuss this tomorrow morning."

Aurora frowned, surprised at his cold behavior. She hurried after him and grabbed his arm.

"But Kaiden, I don't understand."

"Don't touch me." Kaiden snapped, his eyes flickering angrily. "And it's Alpha Kaiden to you."

Annika jerked away and took a step back. He terrified her and the way he behaved was totally different from when he found her in the forest.

"I'm sorry, Alpha." She murmured. "Forgive me."

Kaiden turned away again and paused at the door.

"You're not the mate I wanted." He muttered, loud enough for her to hear, then he slammed the door shut.

Annika stood rooted to the spot, listening to his receding footsteps. His words echoed in her head.

You're not the mate I wanted.

He didn't want her. Then why did he bring her to the pack house?

Tears gathered in her eyes and she crawled into the bed, burying her face in the pillows.

She had waited all her life to find her mate so he could rescue her from her the abusive life she had.

But now it seemed finding her mate didn't change a thing. Kaiden wanted nothing to do with her.

...

That same night, Kaiden couldn't resist the pull of the mate bond. Though he didn't feel the slightest attraction for Annika, she appealed to him.

He stared at Jessica, sleeping in his arms. She had cried so much when she realized he was mated to Annika. She had threatened to leave him, and he had spent most of the night pleading with her to stay.

He loved her, but the mate bond was stronger. If she discovered that he went back to Annika's room, she would be livid.

But he couldn't resist the bond that connected him to Annika.

When he couldn't bear it anymore, he quietly got off the bed and slipped out of the room. Before he could stop himself, he was back in Annika's room, leaning over her on the bed.

She stirred and opened her eyes. When she saw him beside her, her eyes widened and she sat up.

"Alpha..."

"Sshhh." He shushed her, pulling her into his arms. "I can't resist the bond no matter how much I try."

Annika watched him, her heart beating fast. Could it be that he was reconsidering his actions and wanted her now?

All the thoughts in her head disappeared when he pressed his lips on hers.

Letting him have his way, she lay back, sighing softly as he undressed her.

When he parted her thighs and thrust through her hymen, she bit her lips, her fists clutching the duvet tightly. The pain was terrible, but she tried to endure it.

Kaiden didn't slow down as he kept pounding into her. The rush of pleasure that coursed through him when he felt how tight she was overwhelmed him. Lifting her thighs slightly, he slammed repeatedly into her, his groans of pleasure filling the room.

"I'll make you my mate." He whispered in her ear, his voice filled with passion. "I'll make you my Luna. I promise."

All the doubt Annika felt faded when she heard him. She held him tighter, wrapping her legs around his waist. Nothing else mattered anymore. All she wanted was Kaiden.

Suddenly he stiffened and collapsed on her as his climaxed. Rolling away from her, he lay on his back, breathing heavily.

She lay beside him, her thighs throbing, her feminine part hurting badly. She knew the warm liquid that trickled down her inner thigh was blood, but she was glad Kaiden deflowered her. She was glad he wanted her now.

She turned to face him, a warm smile on her face. But he suddenly got off the bed and buttoned his pants.

"I didn't know you were a virgin." He said in a cold, detached voice. "I never should have touched you."

"But I wanted you to." Annika pulled the sheets up to cover her breasts, lifting herself on one arm. "Stay with me tonight."

"I told you you're not the mate I wanted." He snapped all of a sudden. "The moon goddess never should have paired us. I'm in love with someone else."

It was only then that Annika realized what was happening. Kaiden didn't come back because he suddenly wanted her. Those words he whispered to her, it was because he was in the throes of passion. He mated with her because he couldn't resist the mate bond, not because he wanted her. He didn't even try to mark her.

Kaiden watched her silently, his gaze lowering to the stained bedsheets.

"Go back to sleep now." He said finally. "I will see you in the morning."

Without a backward glance, he left the room and slammed the door.

Annika felt a surge of disgust and she let out a shrill scream, her heart shattering into a thousands pieces. She had never felt so used in her entire life.