CHAPTER 2 The Monster Alpha
1290 Words
The rain had not stopped.
Thunder rolled across the mountains while icy wind rattled the windows of the Blackwood estate like claws scraping against glass.
Inside the grand hall, nobody moved.
Nobody dared.
Because Alpha Kael Draven stood at the entrance like death itself had walked through the doors.
Tall.
Massive.
Dressed entirely in black.
Rainwater dripped slowly from his coat onto the marble floor while his silver eyes scanned the room with terrifying calm.
The air itself felt heavier around him.
Dominant.
Dangerous.
Predatory.
Every wolf in the hall instinctively lowered their head.
Even the strongest warriors looked nervous beneath his gaze.
Stories about Alpha Kael existed in every territory.
Children were warned about him.
Alphas feared him.
They said he once slaughtered an entire rogue army alone.
They said his wolf was cursed.
They said no woman survived loving him.
And now he stood inside the Blackwood estate.
Silent.
Watching.
The fire crackled softly beside the walls, but the warmth never reached Lyra Nightbane.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs.
She should have looked away.
Every instinct told her to.
But she couldn’t.
Something about him trapped her completely.
Like invisible chains wrapped around her chest.
His silver eyes moved across the crowd slowly before landing on Selene.
“You’re the daughter?” Kael asked coldly.
Selene Blackwood stepped forward immediately with a bright smile plastered across her face.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Her voice dripped with fake sweetness.
She lowered herself into an elegant curtsy.
“It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Kael stared at her silently.
Too silently.
The room waited nervously.
Then—
His eyes shifted.
Back to Lyra.
And suddenly, the world felt wrong.
Kael’s wolf slammed violently against his mind.
MINE.
The force of it nearly staggered him.
Impossible.
It is absolutely impossible.
His mate couldn’t be the trembling girl standing near the back of the room.
No wolf scent.
No Alpha aura.
No power.
And yet—
Every instinct inside him screamed that she belonged to him.
Kael’s jaw tightened sharply.
The bond pulled at him harder.
Dangerously hard.
His wolf became restless beneath his skin.
Claim her.
Now.
Kael ignored it.
Barely.
Across the room, Lyra felt heat creep beneath her skin under the weight of his stare.
Her breathing became uneven.
Why did looking at him feel like standing too close to fire?
Fear curled inside her stomach.
But beneath the fear…
Something else existed.
Something unfamiliar.
Something pulling her toward him.
Vivian noticed immediately.
Panic flashed across Vivian Blackwood’s face before she quickly stepped between them.
“That girl is only a servant,” Vivian said quickly. “She’s beneath your attention, Alpha.”
Kael’s expression darkened slightly.
“I wasn’t speaking to you.”
The room instantly fell silent.
Nobody interrupted Alpha Kael.
Nobody.
Vivian forced an awkward smile.
“Of course. I simply meant—”
“What’s your name?”
The question was directed at Lyra.
Not Selene.
Not Vivian.
Lyra froze.
Selene’s smile disappeared immediately.
Kael took one slow step forward.
The sound of his boots against marble echoed through the hall.
“What,” he repeated calmly, “is your name?”
Lyra swallowed hard.
Her voice barely worked.
“L-Lyra.”
The second her name left her lips—
Kael’s wolf exploded inside him.
MATE.
The word roared through his body like thunder.
Mine.
Claim her.
Protect her.
Kill anyone who touches her.
Kael’s control nearly snapped.
His breathing deepened slightly as he stared at her.
Lyra noticed the change instantly.
The air around him became sharper.
More dangerous.
And somehow…
More alive.
Selene stepped forward quickly, forcing herself between them.
“Alpha,” she said sweetly while touching his arm, “perhaps you’d like wine?”
Kael looked down at her hand slowly.
Selene suddenly regretted touching him.
Without warning—
Kael grabbed her wrist.
Hard.
Selene gasped in pain.
The room froze.
“If you touch me again without permission,” Kael said softly, “I’ll break it.”
Selene’s face paled instantly.
Kael released her.
She stumbled backward, humiliated.
Fear spread through the guests.
Lyra’s pulse quickened.
He frightened her.
But strangely…
She didn’t think he would hurt her.
And that terrified her even more.
Kael’s eyes returned to Lyra again.
“Come here.”
The command sent a shiver down her spine.
Vivian immediately stepped forward.
“Alpha, she’s not suitable company—”
Kael looked at Vivian once.
Only once.
But it was enough to shut her up completely.
The room felt suffocating now.
Every eye fixed on Lyra.
Waiting.
Judging.
She slowly stepped forward.
One step.
Then another.
Her hands trembled slightly beside her dress.
Kael watched her carefully the entire time.
The closer she got…
The stronger the mate bond became.
Kael could hear her heartbeat now.
Fast.
Nervous.
Beautiful.
His wolf pressed violently against the surface.
Mine.
Lyra stopped inches away from him.
Too close.
She could smell rain and cedar wood on his skin.
Could feel the dangerous heat radiating from his body.
Kael lowered his head slightly toward her.
“You fear me.”
It wasn’t a question.
Lyra hesitated.
“…Everyone fears you.”
A few guests gasped quietly.
Nobody spoke to Alpha Kael so directly.
But Kael only stared at her.
Then—
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
“And do you believe the stories?”
Lyra looked down quickly.
“I don’t know.”
“Look at me.”
Her eyes slowly lifted again.
The second they connected—
Pain shot through her chest.
Lyra gasped softly.
A strange heat spread beneath her skin.
Kael felt it, too.
The mate bond pulsed violently between them.
Silver flickered briefly in Lyra’s eyes before disappearing.
Kael saw it.
And so did someone else.
Damon.
Kael’s Beta stood near the entrance, watching carefully now.
Concern darkened his expression.
Because wolfless girls did not react to mate bonds.
Unless…
No.
Impossible.
Kael gently reached toward Lyra’s face.
She flinched instinctively.
The movement hit Kael harder than expected.
Someone had taught her to fear touch.
Rage stirred inside him instantly.
Dangerous rage.
But Lyra stayed frozen as his fingers brushed lightly against the bruise near her cheek.
Kael’s silver eyes darkened.
“Who did this?”
Lyra immediately stepped backward.
“It’s nothing.”
Kael’s wolf snarled violently.
Mine.
Hurt.
Kill them.
Vivian quickly interrupted.
“She’s clumsy.”
Kael looked toward Vivian slowly.
Too slowly.
Suddenly, Vivian felt genuine fear for the first time in years.
Because Alpha Kael looked at her like a predator deciding where to bite first.
Before anyone could speak again—
BOOM.
Thunder exploded outside.
At the same moment—
The lights flickered.
Then, the estate suddenly shook violently.
Screams erupted through the hall.
“What was that?!”
Another violent crash echoed outside.
Then came the howl.
Long.
Deep.
Monstrous.
Every wolf in the room froze instantly.
Rogues.
Kael’s expression changed immediately.
Cold became lethal.
“Stay inside,” he ordered sharply.
A guard burst through the doors seconds later covered in blood.
“Alpha! Rogues breached the northern gate!”
Panic spread instantly.
Women screamed.
Guests rushed backward.
Another howl echoed closer this time.
Kael stepped in front of Lyra automatically.
Protective instinct taking over completely.
Damon noticed immediately.
So did Selene.
Jealous fury burned through her chest.
No.
This wasn’t happening.
Kael belonged to her.
Not Lyra.
Not the wolfless freak.
Selene’s nails dug into her palms as hatred twisted inside her.
Meanwhile, Kael stared toward the storm outside.
His wolf was restless now.
Violent.
Because rogues weren’t the real danger tonight.
The real danger stood behind him.
Small.
Broken.
Beautiful.
And somehow…
His mate.
- Writer
