Claimed in the dark

Chapter seven :WHISPERS AND SHADOWS

Chapter 7: Whispers and Shadows

I looked him dead in the eye, the silence between us heavy. "I have nothing to say," I muttered.

"I'm not doing this," I replied, trying to pull back, but Kaelen’s gaze held me trapped.

"Little bird, I’ve noticed that ever since Sienna arrived, you’ve been avoiding me," he said, his voice dropping to a low rumble.

I looked into his eyes again, then forced myself to avert my face. I had nothing to say to him. Just moments ago, in front of Sienna, I was just "Clara"a plain, ordinary name. But now that we were alone, he was calling me little bird again. The contrast stung.

"If this is about what my dad said, don’t take it to heart," Kaelen continued, reaching out to gently turn my chin back toward him. "I am not marrying Sienna."

A sudden surge of relief and happiness washed over me, melting away a layer of my armor. I looked up at him, needing absolute certainty. "Do you... do you like Sienna?"

"No, I don’t," he replied instantly. He was looking into my eyes with an intensity so profound it felt like he was lost in them.

"Listen to me. Do you trust me?" he asked.

"Yes," I breathed. Even though a part of me wasn't entirely sure, in that exact moment, wrapped in his presence, I forgot every doubt, every insecurity, and every warning sign.

"Sienna is just a childhood friend," Kaelen explained, his tone softening. "And she’s someone I respect deeply because she saved my life years ago."

Hearing that knowing his connection to her was born of gratitude rather than love made me crave him even more. The lingering jealousy turned into pure passion. Because he was so much taller than me, I reached up and dragged him down by his collar, pulling his lips to mine in a deep, desperate kiss.

When I finally tried to pull away to catch my breath, he wouldn't let me. He pulled me even closer, deepening the kiss as he guided me blindly toward the bed. He gently lowered me onto the mattress, his weight a comforting pressure above me.

With slow, deliberate movements, he began to slip my clothes off until I was left in just my underwear. Wanting no barriers between us, I reached down and slid off my panties, while my hands worked quickly to unhook and remove my bra. I lay before him completely exposed. Kaelen stood up for a brief second, his eyes darkening as he stripped out of his own clothes, before going down on me. His hands found my breasts, massaging them with a gentle, agonizingly slow rhythm that sent waves of heat through my entire body. Every touch felt like a claim, a silent promise in the quiet of the room.

After the intensity of the moment passed, a peaceful stillness settled over us. I placed my head against his bare chest, listening to the steady thud of his heartbeat, while his broad hand rested on my back, patting and stroking me gently.

"What are—" I began, tracing a pattern on his skin. I wanted to ask him the questions that had been haunting me. What am I to you? What are we doing?

"Julian! Kaelen! Clara!"

The Alpha’s booming voice echoed through the house, instantly shattering the intimacy of the moment and cutting off my words.

I bolted upright, panic spiking through my veins as I scrambled to grab my underwear. Kaelen stayed lying down for a second, just watching me.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked, a blush creeping up my neck as I hurriedly pulled my clothes on.

"Nothing," he said quietly. He stood up, grabbed his clothes, and threw them on with practiced ease. Without another word, he slid through the window to head back to his own room, using his usual route to avoid suspicion.

By the time I managed to get myself fully dressed and composed, I hurried downstairs. Julian and Sienna were already waiting in the main area.

"Where is Kaelen?" the Alpha asked, looking around the room.

"I'll go get him," Sienna volunteered smoothly.

A knot tightened in my stomach. My eyes tracked her, and my mind instantly spiraled into a dark place. I couldn't handle the thought of her going up to his room. What if she sees something? What if he's still shirtless? What if something happens between them right now?

Fortunately, Sienna hadn't even taken two steps toward the stairs when Kaelen appeared, walking down calmly as if he’d been ready the whole time.

Once he joined us, the Alpha motioned for everyone to sit.

"My wife and I will be traveling to another pack for business this noon," Alpha marcus announced, his hand resting affectionately on my mother’s waist. "I want all of you to take care of yourselves while we're gone." He paused, his sharp eyes locking onto Kaelen. "Kaelen, I want you to look after Clara and Sienna."

"Okay, sir," Kaelen replied smoothly.

I couldn't help the small, victorious smile that crept onto my face as I looked at him.

"That’s all I wanted to say," Alpha Marcus concluded, dismissing us.

As we all began to disperse back toward our rooms, I caught sight of Sienna leaning in close to Kaelen, whispering something to him. Curiosity and a sudden prickle of jealousy flared up again. I started to walk closer, straining my ears to catch what they were saying, when Julian suddenly stepped into my path.

"Hey, Clara," he said, blocking my view.

"Hi, Julian," I replied, my eyes still trying to dart around his shoulder.

"Do you want to come to a house party with me tonight?"

Because my entire focus was pinned on Kaelen and Sienna, I didn't even process the invitation. "No, thanks," I rejected him bluntly, completely unaware of what the party was or what I was turning down, my mind entirely consumed by the secrets being whispered just a few feet away.