Claiming The Iron Queen

ARISELLE'S POV I stood at the edge of the great hall, watching as another woman was pulled into a mate’s arms. Cheers rose and drums beat harder. Wolves of the Ironcrest pack laughed and shouted, drunk on joy and bond scent. Hands Teeth grazed necks. Claims were made openly tonight, without shame. I felt nothing. Well, I was alert. That had to count as a feeling too. “Smile, Ariselle,” one of the court ladies whispered as she passed me. “It is a mating ceremony.” “I am smiling,” I replied calmly. She looked at my face and said nothing more. I was twenty three. Alpha Dan’s daughter. The only mateless woman my age in the Ironcrest Pack. People whispered about it often. Some pitied me and some feared me. Some thought I was proud because they knew I had decided to be mateless by choice. I simply had work to do. “Alpha’s daughter,” a warrior greeted as he bowed slightly. “The hall is secure.” “It is,” I said. “Keep your eyes open.” He nodded and moved on. Music swelled again. Another claiming howl echoed through the hall. I turned my gaze away from the dancing wolves. Tonight, who were even you her than I was, were going to be claimed by their mates. They would be mated with for the first time and they'll be marked, bound to their mates for life. I was loyal to the pack and my duty to it. What was important to me was how well I protected my people as the only female warrior of the Ironcrest pack. I walked out toward the large entrance and then I saw it. There was a shadow lurking. It moved fast past the tall entrance pillars. It was so fast I could hardly catch its full figure. That was not a member of the pack. My hand went to the dagger at my thigh. I did not hesitate. I slipped away from the hall, quiet as breath. No announcement and no escort. The drums covered my steps as I followed the shadow into the outer corridor. “Show yourself,” I said softly. The shadow bolted. I ran. Boots hit stone. Breath burned. We turned corners. I caught a glimpse of unfamiliar colors. Dark fur. Foreign scent. “Enemy,” I growled. He spun suddenly and lunged. I blocked with my arm and drove my knee into his stomach. “You picked the wrong night,” I said. He snarled. “You Ironcrest wolves are too busy mating to guard your borders.” I twisted his wrist until the dagger fell. I slammed him against the wall. “And you forgot who guards them,” I replied. He tried to shift. I struck his throat. He dropped. Within moments, Ironcrest warriors surrounded us. “Bind him,” I ordered. “Now.” They did. “Who sent you?” one warrior demanded. The enemy spat blood and laughed. “Lock him in the lower cell,” I said. “Question him later.” The warriors obeyed. One bowed to me. “You saved the ceremony.” “I did my duty,” I answered. When I returned to the hall, the music slowed. Word had already spread. “She caught him alone,” someone whispered. “Again.” “Alpha Dan raised her well.” Hands clapped when I entered. Cheers rose. I ignored them. “Ariselle,” my father called from his seat. “Come here.” I approached and bowed slightly. “You did well,” Alpha Dan said. His voice was proud but firm. “As always.” “Thank you, Father.” The ceremony resumed. More mates were claimed. More howls rose. Later, when the moon climbed higher and the hall emptied, I found my place on the balcony. Cool air brushed my skin. The pack lands stretched before me. Quiet. Safe. For now. “You never dance,” my father said as he joined me. “I never miss threats,” I replied. He sighed. “You are always watching.” “Someone must.” There was silence between us. “Tonight reminded me of something,” he said finally. I waited. “You are the only one left,” he continued. “Mateless. Unclaimed.” “I know,” I said. “It worries me.” I turned to face him. “Why?” “Because leadership is heavy,” he replied. “And sharing it does not make you weak.” “I am not weak,” I said calmly. “I know,” he said. “But even the strongest wolves choose mates.” “I have chosen Ironcrest,” I answered. “That has not changed.” He studied me closely. “Do you truly believe you can rule alone forever?” “I believe I must,” I said. He frowned. “Is this fear talking or pride?” “Neither,” I said. “It is clarity.” He shook his head. “You deny yourself much.” “I deny nothing that threatens the pack,” I replied. I stepped closer to the balcony edge and looked down at the quiet courtyards. “Tell me something, Father,” I said. He turned to me. “What would have happened tonight,” I asked slowly, “if I was dancing off with a mate, lost in his arms, blind to everything else, while an enemy slipped into our hall?” He did not answer. “What would have happened,” I pressed, “if I chose love over watchfulness?” Silence stretched. Finally, he exhaled. “You always have an answer.” “I always have a reason,” I said. He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I will not force you,” he said. “Not yet.” I nodded. “But prepare yourself,” he added. “Change is coming.” I looked at him. “What kind of change?” “We are expecting guests,” he said. “Alpha Caelan of Nightfall Pack and his father.” My jaw tightened slightly. “Nightfall,” I repeated. “Yes,” he said. “They arrive soon.” “Why?” I asked. “Business,” he answered. “Alliances. Borders. Futures.” I looked back at the land. “Be ready,” he said. “This meeting will matter.” “I am always ready,” I replied. He studied me one last time, then turned and walked away. Alone on the balcony, I lifted my face to the moon. Mateless.