OWNED BY A MAFIA WAREWOLF

The sky above the city was heavy with storm clouds, thick like secrets waiting to burst. The kind of night that whispered warnings to anyone wise enough to listen. But I wasn't wise. Not that night. Not when I stepped into the lion’s den—his den. I should’ve known better than to sneak into Raventhorn territory. Everyone knew who ruled this side of the city—the mafia werewolf king they whispered about in fear: Alpha Lucien Draven. A name that rang like gunfire in the streets. A name mothers used to hush crying babies. A name that sent grown men running for shelter. But I wasn’t scared. Not yet. I tightened the hood over my head as the rain began to fall, misty and sharp against my skin. My hands trembled, but not from the cold. I had one job. One mission. Get in. Steal the file. Get out. I had done harder things before. I had danced with danger. I had lied, cheated, survived. But I had never faced him. The estate loomed before me like something out of a gothic nightmare—black marble, iron gates twisted into wolf heads, and guards that looked like they’d kill first and ask questions never. I crouched behind a trimmed hedge, waiting for the right moment. My heart pounded like it wanted to flee from my chest. "Now or never," I whispered to myself. I slid under the fence, avoiding the laser sensors I had studied for weeks. I moved like a shadow, darting past security cams, hugging the walls. I was a ghost. Until I wasn’t. The moment I stepped into his private office, I felt it. A growl—not loud, but low, rumbling, and ancient—vibrated through the air like thunder under my skin. My breath caught. I turned, slow and trembling, and there he was. Lucien. He didn’t move. Just stood there, towering, wrapped in shadows like a god of war. His dark eyes gleamed like molten gold. His shirt was half-unbuttoned, revealing a sculpted chest covered in tattoos that twisted and shifted with every breath he took. His scent hit me next—woodsmoke, leather, blood, and danger. “You’re either very brave or very stupid,” he said, voice like velvet and blades. I couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. His aura was suffocating. “I—I was just—” I stammered, stepping back. “Stealing from me?” His head tilted. “In my home?” My back hit the cold desk behind me. There was nowhere to run. "Please, I needed it—" “You're a thief,” he cut in, stepping closer, his boots silent on the marble floor. “But not just any thief.” His nose flared. “You smell... different.” “I don't know what you mean,” I whispered, but I did. I had always been different. Faster, stronger, able to sense things others couldn’t. My blood had always burned with secrets. My mother once told me I was cursed—or gifted. Lucien’s eyes glowed faintly as he circled me like a predator. “You're not fully human.” I swallowed hard. "You're mistaken." He laughed, a deep, dangerous sound that made my knees weak. “I never am.” Then, before I could blink, he was in front of me. One arm caged me against the desk. His other hand lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. I could feel the power rolling off him in waves. "I should kill you," he murmured. "But..." "But?" His thumb brushed my lip. My pulse exploded. “You’re mine now.” “What?” “You entered my territory. You spilled your scent on my floors. You disrespected my law. You belong to me.” “I don’t belong to anyone!” I snapped, finally finding my voice. His smile was sharp. “Oh, sweetheart, you will. I don't let go of what's mine.” And just like that, my fate was sealed. The moment I crossed into his world, I became his. Owned. Marked. Hunted. I tried to move, to twist away from his hold, but my body betrayed me. My heart thundered in my chest, and his touch burned hotter than fire. There was something ancient in his eyes, something not entirely wolf… something darker. I had heard rumors. That he wasn’t just any Alpha. That he had been created, not born. That the blood running through his veins was cursed with something older than time itself. Lucien leaned closer, his breath brushing my cheek. “What’s your name?” I hesitated. He raised a brow. “Don’t make me command it out of you.” My voice was barely a whisper. “Aria.” “Aria…” He rolled the name on his tongue like it was a forbidden delicacy. “Pretty. But I’ll call you mine.” My chest tightened. “You don’t own me.” He chuckled again—low, smug, deadly. “You broke into the home of a mafia Alpha, little thief. You walked through fire and thought you wouldn’t burn?” He stepped back just slightly, giving me a sliver of space to breathe. “You knew exactly where my files were. Who sent you?” I stayed silent. I couldn't risk dragging anyone else into this. Even if it meant dying right here, at the hands of a beast. He watched me carefully. “Protective. Loyal. Hm. You’re brave. But foolish.” Suddenly, the door burst open behind us. “Alpha!” a voice shouted—a younger male wolf, eyes wide, panicked. “The Crimson Vires are moving in fast. They're attacking the docks.” Lucien didn’t even flinch. He kept his eyes locked on mine. “Put her in the red room,” he ordered. “Don’t let her escape. If she does… you die.” The boy swallowed and nodded. Lucien’s hand brushed down my arm, a possessive touch that felt like chains. “Don’t worry, Aria. I’m not done with you yet. Not even close.” Then he was gone. The boy dragged me roughly down the hall, through corridors that looked like something from a twisted palace. The mansion was beautiful but cold, filled with art, weapons, and locked doors. Wolves passed us, all armed, all tense. “Why is he keeping me alive?” I asked the boy. He didn’t answer. We reached a heavy crimson door with carved runes glowing faintly on its surface. He shoved it open and pushed me inside. The door slammed shut and locked behind me. I stumbled, catching myself on a velvet couch. The room was dimly lit, with tall shelves of old books, a roaring fireplace, and walls covered in strange symbols. It smelled like old magic and blood. I took a deep breath and sat down, the weight of everything crashing over me. What had I done? I had come here to steal a document that would expose Lucien’s illegal dealings, hoping to trade it for information about my brother. He vanished last winter—last seen near Raventhorn territory. I had no proof… until now. I was willing to risk anything to find him. But I didn’t expect this. Didn’t expect to be caught. Didn’t expect to feel this strange pull to the Alpha who should have killed me. My fingers dug into the fabric of the couch. I couldn’t stay here. I had to escape. But as I stood, the door creaked open again. Lucien entered—his black shirt dusted with ash, eyes glowing brighter now, darker. Wild. Dangerous. He didn’t speak. Just stared. Then he said, “Your blood. It’s not just wolf.” I froze. “What are you?” he asked. I didn’t answer. Because the truth was—I didn’t know. Not yet.