Rejected By The Alpha, Claimed By The Enemy

Chapter 7: Mine to Protect

After the attack, everything changed.

Dante didn’t let me out of his sight.

"New rule," he said while wrapping my scraped hands. "You don’t go anywhere without me or Rafe."

"I can take care of myself," I argued, even though my voice shook.

"I know." His golden eyes met mine. "But I like doing it."

The way he said it made my stomach flip.

---

For the next few days, Crescent Fang was on lockdown.

Training stopped. Instead, Dante taught me how to fight for real.

Knives. Stances. How to break a hold.

"Again," he ordered, pinning me to the mat.

I was under him, breathing hard. Our faces inches apart.

"You’re distracted," he murmured.

"Because you’re on top of me," I shot back.

His lips twitched. "Problem?"

Before I could answer, Rafe burst in.

"Alpha. We found something."

Dante got up instantly. All business.

"Stay here," he told me.

I didn’t.

I followed them to the war room. A map was spread on the table.

Red pins around Crescent Fang territory.

"Rogues aren’t acting alone," Rafe said. "Someone’s paying them."

He pointed. "Silver Moon."

My blood went cold. "Kieran?"

Dante’s jaw ticked. "Looks like it. He wants you back. Or dead."

He looked at me. "Which is why you’re not leaving this house."

"I’m not a prisoner."

"No," he agreed. "You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine."

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

So I went to the library.

I wasn’t alone.

Dante was there. Shirtless. Reading by firelight.

"You should be sleeping," he said without looking up.

"So should you."

He set the book down. "Can’t. Too busy thinking about the girl who almost got herself killed."

"To save you."

"To save me," he echoed. He stood and walked to me.

"Do you know what happens when an Alpha claims someone, Elara?"

I shook my head.

"It’s not just words. It’s a bond. It hurts. It ties you together."

He brushed a strand of hair from my face. "I’ve been feeling you for days. Your fear. Your anger. Your..."

He paused. "Your hope."

"Don’t," I whispered.

"Why? Because it scares you? It scares me too."

He stepped closer. "I killed people from your pack, Elara. You should hate me."

"I do," I lied.

"Bullshit." He smiled, sad. "You look at me like I’m not a monster."

I reached up. Touched the scar on his jaw.

"Maybe you’re not."

The air got heavy.

Dante leaned down. His forehead touched mine.

"Elara..."

The doors slammed open.

"Alpha!" A guard shouted. "Rogues at the gate! They’re demanding the girl!"

Dante pulled away instantly. Rage in his eyes.

"Get to the safe room. Now."

He grabbed my hand and ran.

At the door to the safe room, he pushed me inside.

"Stay here. No matter what you hear."

"Dante—"

He kissed me. Fast. Hard.

"For luck," he said. "Don’t die, little wolf."

Then he left. To fight for me.

Alone in the dark, I heard screams.

And I made a choice.

I wasn’t going to hide anymore.

End of Chapter 7