The Alpha's Claimed Mate

Chapter 4

Mate

Nyra's Pov

The faint smell of seasoned roasted vegetables filled my nose as sunlight poured through the window, warming my face.

“Nyra… wake up!” Mira’s voice echoed through my mind.

“Wake up, or you’ll get punished again,” she continued, spiraling aggressively through my thoughts.

“Wake up…”

“I’m awake,” I muttered, trying to calm her down.

I stayed still for a few minutes, forcing myself to pull together the fragments of strength left in me.

“We need to get dressed now.”

“I know, Mira. I know,” I replied, pain and exhaustion screaming through my bones.

The Alpha’s meeting was to be held today, something Alpha Rowan had been talking about endlessly.

“The Alpha’s meeting will be in a few days’ time. Different Alphas from various packs will be in attendance. That means we’ll be having a lot of guests, so you all need to prepare properly and be on your best behavior,” he had admonished us almost every morning.

Everyone had been assigned their duties for the event. I was to be in the kitchen, of course and as it stood, I was already late, which meant another round of punishment if I got caught.

I staggered to my feet, my legs too weak to carry me. Reaching for the bedrail to steady myself, I forced my body toward the bathroom.

The bruises on my skin ached as I washed. My lips pressed tightly together as the pain sent sharp shocks through my body.

I slipped on an oversized gown and quietly made my way to the kitchen. Entering through the back door, I prayed not to be caught by either Elena or her mother. Thankfully, they weren’t there.

A warm, inviting aroma had already begun to fill the kitchen. My mouth watered as I eyed the platter of roasted chicken resting on the cabinet, wondering what would happen if I took just one piece.

But I crushed the urge almost immediately. Luna Elizabeth had probably counted every last piece down to the ounce.

Stealing even one would have made me a thief and she would have gladly skinned me alive if she ever found out. That was how much she despised me.

“Are you all not done yet?” Luna Elizabeth barked as she stormed into the kitchen.

“We’re almost done, Luna.” the chef replied quickly, his hands never stopping as he stirred the sauce in the pan.

A few minutes later, the maids stood in a line, each holding a tray and waiting to enter the dining room. I hurried to fall in line with them, picking up the last tray from the cabinet. We waited silently for Luna Elizabeth to inspect the trays before we were allowed to move.

She nodded in satisfaction, signaling for us to enter while she walked behind. We laid the food on the table and immediately returned to the kitchen to tidy up.

By midday, the sound of engines rattled outside. Some of the omegas quickly hid in corners, eager to catch a glimpse of the arriving Alphas, excitement practically vibrating in their bones.

Limousines poured in endlessly, one after another, with elegantly dressed men and women stepping out like royalty. If Dad and Mom were alive, we would probably be here today, I thought, swallowing the lump in my throat as tears welled in my eyes.

The tears trickled down in thin strokes—soft, yet unrelenting. I reached for the hem of my gown and pressed it against my face to wipe them away.

Then I caught it—an unusual scent of amber and hazelnut. Electricity shot through my veins, my wolf stirred restlessly. My mouth watered, and Mira rose within me, arching and roaring in my mind, desperate to shift.

“Mate…” she called out.

What? Our mate is here? I muttered under my breath.

“Yes, let’s go find him. He is close,” Mira jerked in excitement, making my head spin.

“Mira, we should be looking out for Alpha Derick and Alpha Darius, not hunting a mate.”

“Doesn’t this revenge matter to you?” I asked, anger lacing my voice.

“If he’s an Alpha, you could tell him about it, I’m sure he would help us with our revenge,” she murmured, trying not to upset me.

“Really? And what if he’s one of the people who betrayed my family?” I snapped.

“Let’s find him first, Nyra. Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Mira said, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Since all the Alphas from every pack were arriving today, it was the perfect day to begin my revenge but first, I had to make sure they were here.

I hurried towards the Omegas, who were excitedly watching the visitors step out of their cars.

As I drew closer, the scent grew stronger, thick and intoxicating, lingering heavily in the air. I tried to restrain the pull, but Mira was restless, pacing endlessly in my mind.

My gaze fell on the man standing beside Alpha Rowan, and my breath caught in my chest.

He stood there, smiling easily at Alpha Rowan and his Luna as they exchanged pleasantries, his presence commanding yet effortlessly calm.

He was tall, his skin dark and smooth, with neatly trimmed chocolate-brown hair that caught the sunlight and mesmerizing greenish-blue eyes, the kind that held your gaze.

His lips were full and luscious, softening the sharpness of his jaw, which looked as though it had been carved with quiet strength.

The fabric of his shirt clung to his chest, outlining the firm muscles beneath, and his long legs carried an effortless authority that made it hard to look away.

He was breathtakingly beautiful…

I felt a magnetic pull, a swirl deep in my stomach. He was nothing like I’d imagined, his presence screamed power and authority. Yet his smile… It was comforting, the kind of comfort I had always longed for.

Something in me wanted to go to him — to let him claim me, to have me unapologetically.

But then someone called his name. The name that had lived in my mind for the past nine years.

“That's Alpha Darius” an omega by my side giggled

I stumbled back, almost losing my balance. “Darius?” I whispered, confusion, anger and betrayal crashing through me at once.

My mate—Darius. The man who betrayed my parents.

No, that couldn’t be. The Moon Goddess couldn’t be this cruel. My heart raced in confusion.

I pushed through the crowd, my heart pounding with every step, and headed straight for my room. Tears blurred my vision as I moved faster, reckless, trembling. The Moon Goddess couldn’t be this cruel. She hated me. She did.

I shoved the door open and stumbled inside. My legs buckled, forcing me to my knees. I covered my face with my hands and broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

The sound of my sobs echoed through my room, raw and hollow. Every memory, every scream, every drop of blood replayed in my mind, twisting my stomach until the pain bled into something darker.

I wiped my tears, my breathing steadying. My mind was made up on how to start my revenge. And it would start with him.