CHAPTER 4 — THE ALPHA’S MARK
886 Words
Annabelle didn’t sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt him — the phantom pull of the bond, the echo of Lucien’s breath against her neck, the heat of his hand where it had wrapped around her hip. She could still hear the way he’d whispered “little wolf”like it belonged to her — or she belonged to him.
But she didn’t belong to anyone.
Right?
By the time dawn broke, she sat up, exhausted and furious at herself.
Furious that one moment, one wild second in the forest, could unravel every wall she had spent years building.
A sharp knock sounded.
Her heart jumped.
Lucien.
She felt him before she even reached the door. His presence pulsed against her skin like electricity, alive and hungry. She tried to steady her breath, but her wolf trembled.
Annabelle cracked the door open.
He stood there, tall and dangerous, eyes burning in a way that made her knees weaken. His hair was damp, like he’d been running. Sweat clung to the edge of his jaw.
He looked like a man trying to outrun something he couldn’t.
“Get dressed,” he said softly.
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
“We’re going to the border. I want to see exactly where you were attacked.”
His tone held no room for argument.
She lifted her chin. “I wasn’t attacked.”
His eyes darkened.
“Something clawed you.”
He stepped closer.
“And I’m going to find it.”
Her breath caught. The air between them heated instantly. She hadn’t realized how close he’d moved until the scent of him — pine and smoke — surrounded her.
Annabelle stepped back, trying to breathe.
“Fine,” she said quickly. “Give me five minutes.”
But Lucien didn’t leave.
He just stood in the hallway, staring at the closed door as though he could see through it. She could feel his frustration. His restraint. His hunger. She dressed quickly, her mind racing, hands shaking slightly.
When she stepped out, Lucien’s jaw visibly tightened.
She wore simple jeans and a fitted long-sleeve top. Nothing special. But his eyes dropped to her waist… lingering where his hand had been last night.
She swallowed.
“We’re wasting time.”
He nodded once and turned, motioning for her to follow.
The forest was silent when they reached it. Too silent.
Lucien walked ahead, scanning everything, muscles tense, instincts sharp.
Annabelle followed, pretending her senses weren’t entirely focused on him.
He stopped at the clearing — the same place where fate had shattered her world.
“This is where I found you,” he said.
She nodded.
Lucien crouched, fingers brushing the dirt.
“Something was here. Recently.”
Annabelle felt her pulse jump. “A rogue?”
“No…” His eyes narrowed. “Something worse.”
She froze.
Worse?
Before she could ask, Lucien suddenly stiffened, nostrils flaring.
“Annabelle,” he said, voice low. “Come here.”
Her heartbeat hammered. She walked to him slowly.
He inhaled again — deeper this time — and his jaw clenched.
“You’re carrying my scent,” he murmured.
Her breath stuttered.
“And it’s driving me insane.”
Her knees nearly buckled. “I didn’t ask for your—”
“You didn’t have to.”
Lucien rose, towering over her, his voice turning raw.
“Your body remembers me. Even if you don’t want to admit it.”
Annabelle stepped back, shaking her head.
“No. No, I—I have a plan. A future somewhere else. I’m not staying here. I’m not—”
His hand shot out and caught her wrist.
Not hard.
Not painful.
But firm.
Steady.
“Stop running.”
His voice dropped to something almost vulnerable.
“I’ve never asked anyone for anything, Annabelle. But I’m asking you this—don’t run from me.”
She stared at him, stunned.
Lucien looked away first, dragging a frustrated hand through his hair.
“I know this is fast. I know you don’t trust me.”
He exhaled shakily.
“But the bond is real. I feel you in my blood. In my bones. Fighting this is killing me.”
Her throat felt tight.
“Lucien…”
He turned back to her, hunger and fear warring in his eyes.
“I won’t force you,” he said softly. “But understand something.”
He stepped closer until their bodies nearly brushed.
“My wolf has chosen you — and he doesn’t let go.”
Annabelle’s chest ached.
Something inside her cracked open just a little.
But before she could answer, a sharp howl ripped through the forest — loud, urgent, and close.
Lucien’s head snapped up.
His voice hardened instantly.
“That wasn’t one of mine.”
Annabelle’s stomach dropped.
Something was here.
Watching.
Waiting.
Lucien grabbed her hand, pulling her behind him as his eyes shifted — silver bleeding into black.
“Stay close to me,” he growled.
“If anything touches you again…”
His wolf surged to the surface.
“…I’ll tear it apart.”
And for the first time, Annabelle realized something terrifying.
Lucien wasn’t the most dangerous thing in this forest.
Something else was hunting them.
Something that wanted her.
Something that didn’t care she was his mate.
- Writer
