The Stranger Who Claimed Me
1218 Words
Ava’s wolf went completely still.
The words echoed in her head like thunder.
“My mate… has finally appeared.”
Impossible.
That was the only thought running through her mind.
She had already been rejected.
The bond between her and Kael had snapped—she felt it. The pain of it still lingered in her chest like a deep scar that refused to heal.
So how could another bond exist?
Her human form returned slowly, her body shaking from exhaustion. The shift had taken more energy than usual, especially after the rejection.
The rogues backed away immediately from the silver-eyed stranger.
Fear filled their eyes.
Not anger.
Not defiance.
Fear.
That alone told Ava something important.
Whoever this man was… he was powerful.
Very powerful.
The largest rogue who had attacked her earlier forced himself to stand up, wiping blood from his mouth.
“We didn’t know the girl belonged to you,” he muttered quickly.
The stranger didn’t even look at him.
His gaze remained fixed on Ava.
Cold.
Calculating.
Interested.
The rogue swallowed nervously.
“We’ll leave.”
No one argued.
Within seconds the rogues disappeared back into the darkness of the forest.
The moment they were gone, silence returned.
Only the wind moved through the tall trees.
Ava stared at the man in front of her.
Up close, he was even more intimidating.
Tall—easily over six feet.
Broad shoulders.
Dark hair that fell slightly over his forehead.
But his eyes were what unsettled her the most.
Silver.
Not blue like Kael’s.
Not brown like most wolves.
Silver.
Her wolf shifted uneasily inside her.
“He’s dangerous.”
The man finally spoke again.
“You shouldn’t be alone out here.”
His voice was deep and calm, but there was authority in it.
Not the kind that demanded respect.
The kind that expected it.
Ava crossed her arms defensively.
“I’m not your mate.”
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
“No?”
“No,” she said firmly. “That’s not possible.”
He studied her face for a long moment.
Then his gaze dropped slightly—to her neck.
Where the faint mark of Kael’s rejection still burned.
Understanding flickered in his eyes.
“Ah.”
The sound was quiet.
“So that’s what happened.”
Ava stiffened.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You were rejected.”
The bluntness of his words felt like a slap.
Ava looked away quickly.
The last thing she wanted was pity from a stranger.
“It doesn’t matter,” she muttered.
But the man stepped closer.
Ava immediately felt it.
That strange pull again.
The invisible force tugging at her chest.
The mate bond.
Her breathing became uneven.
“No…” she whispered.
This couldn’t be real.
The man seemed to notice her reaction.
“You’re feeling it too.”
Ava shook her head stubbornly.
“No.”
But her wolf betrayed her.
“Mate.”
The word echoed inside her mind.
Loud.
Certain.
Her heart raced.
This made no sense.
“You can’t have two mates,” Ava said quickly. “That’s impossible.”
“Rare,” the man corrected calmly. “Not impossible.”
Her mind struggled to process the information.
The stranger stopped just a few feet away from her.
“What’s your name?”
“Ava.”
He nodded slightly.
“Ava Hayes.”
Her eyes widened.
“How do you know my last name?”
His lips curved slightly.
“I know a lot of things.”
That answer did not make her feel better.
“And you are?” she demanded.
For a moment, the stranger didn’t answer.
Then he said quietly—
“Alpha Lucien Nightfall.”
Ava’s breath caught.
The name sounded familiar.
Too familiar.
Then it hit her.
The Nightfall Pack.
One of the strongest packs in the entire region.
Feared.
Respected.
And extremely territorial.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You’re that Alpha?”
Lucien tilted his head.
“I assume you’ve heard of me.”
“Everyone has.”
Rumors about the Nightfall Alpha spread through every pack.
Some said he defeated rogues single-handedly.
Others said he expanded his territory faster than any Alpha in history.
And some whispered darker things.
That he was ruthless.
Unforgiving.
Dangerous.
Ava suddenly felt very aware of the fact that she was alone in the forest with him.
Lucien studied her expression carefully.
“You look nervous.”
“I’m not.”
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Then his expression turned serious again.
“You were attacked by rogues.”
“I handled it.”
“Yes,” he said slowly.
His eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“That was… impressive.”
Ava frowned slightly.
She remembered the moment clearly.
The speed.
The strength.
She had never been able to fight like that before.
“I don’t know what happened.”
Lucien looked thoughtful.
“The blood moon,” he said.
Ava glanced up at the sky.
The red moon hung above them like a warning.
“What about it?”
“It’s a rare event.”
“So?”
Lucien’s gaze returned to her.
“It can awaken dormant abilities.”
Ava blinked.
“You think that’s what happened to me?”
“It’s possible.”
Her wolf stirred again.
Something about his words felt… right.
Before Ava could ask another question, Lucien suddenly looked toward the distant pack territory.
His expression darkened.
“Your former Alpha is looking for you.”
Ava frowned.
“What?”
Lucien’s senses were sharper than hers.
Much sharper.
“Several wolves just left the pack grounds,” he said calmly.
“They’re tracking you.”
Ava’s stomach twisted.
Kael.
Was he coming to punish her further?
Or make sure she truly left the territory?
Lucien looked back at her.
“You can’t stay here.”
“I’ll go somewhere else.”
He shook his head slightly.
“You won’t make it far.”
Ava didn’t like the confidence in his voice.
“I’ve survived this long.”
“Have you?”
The question stung.
Lucien stepped closer again.
“Come with me.”
Ava’s eyes narrowed.
“Why?”
His silver eyes held hers.
“Because you’re my mate.”
Her heart pounded.
“And because,” he added quietly, “the moment the other packs learn a rejected wolf is wandering alone… they will hunt you.”
The truth of those words hit her immediately.
Lone wolves were easy targets.
Lucien extended his hand slightly.
“Come to the Nightfall Pack.”
Ava hesitated.
Everything in her life had fallen apart in a single night.
Her mate rejected her.
Her pack banished her.
Now another Alpha stood in front of her claiming she belonged to him.
Nothing made sense anymore.
But the wind shifted suddenly.
Carrying a scent she recognized instantly.
Kael.
And several other wolves.
They were getting closer.
Lucien’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Your time to decide is running out.”
Ava looked once more toward the direction of the pack.
Toward the life she had just lost.
Then she looked back at Lucien.
The mysterious Alpha with silver eyes.
The man her wolf was already calling mate.
Her future now depended on a single choice.
And somewhere in the forest…
Alpha Kael Blackwood was getting closer.
- Writer
