Alpha's Regret, Queen's Revenge

SHE'S MINE

RYAN

The sound of my fists pounding out the rhythm on the heavy bag echoed through the gym, with every strike ringing around the space. My arms and chest were slick with sweat, and every movement caused my muscles to ripple. Metal, labour, and the faint vestiges of my wolf's ancient might hung in the air. This was à therapy session for me and not training. Every jab and every uppercut was a comfort. I wasn't satisfied even though the punching bag swung wildly beneath my attack. I grabbed the chain, reshaped my stance, and attacked again. I was incited by every thought of betrayal and every gossiping rumour that Hailey was injured. My nurturing instinct expanded and became more bestial when I knew she was carrying my pups inside her. No one dares to encroach on her like my world does.

The repeated battering of my fists was broken by Logan's yell, "Alpha," and I came out of my daze. Standing at the door as calmly as ever, his presence was, however, not to be ignored. "What's it?" I snarled and administered one more vicious hit before I pulled back. Raw knuckles notwithstanding, I savoured the pain. I spotted his sly grin when I took a towel and wiped my face. Logan rested against the wall with his arms crossed before he spoke, "Business update." I wasn't deceived by his relaxed demeanour. Logan was a predator like me, always watching and always thinking, even behind his easy smile. "Go on." As I continued to the bench press, loading up on weights until even my wolf growled with the strain, I motioned him on with a wave of my hand.

Unfolding his tablet, Logan scanned a couple of pages. "Life is good. That tech firm we invested in last month has closed its Series C funding round, and the European hotel chain received a record number of bookings during the last quarter." "Well done." I sat down on the bench and took hold of the bar. "Is there anything else?" Logan paused, something that was not like him and which caused me to pause. "What? "I glared at him and growled. Choosing his words with care, he replied, "It's about the fashion brand." "Do you recall how you told us to find a new face for the campaign? Someone with personality and new appeal? My muscles tensed against the strain as I raised the weights up, grunting. Yes. Have you found someone?

Logan grinned. "We found two." I raised the bar. After putting the bar back in its rack, I sat up and dried my hands on the towel. "Go on." "Hailey is the new female face." The words knocked me for six like a goods train. "What?" I jumped up in a hurry and snapped. Logan held up his hands, displaying the ultimate calm. She didn't sign up for it by herself. "The marketing team drooled at how she looked when they discovered her profile on social media, She was persuaded to do a one-time promotion". Fuming inside of me, I clenched my fists. My wolf protested at Hailey-my Hailey being set up for the world to be proud of.

"What about the male model?" Logan hesitated once more, and that just enraged me further. "Who is it?" Growling in my voice, I barked. "Some pretty human boy" obviously amused by my outburst. "They're intimate shots." Imagine sultry kisses and sultry stares. Get the picture. I despised the photo, not merely snapped it. My wolf sprang to life and began to battle for dominance. I would have lost my mind just thinking about a human or wolf laying hands on Hailey, even for a photo. "That campaign is off," I said in a gentle, lethal tone. Logan's eyebrows shot up. It was you who told me the brand requires fresh energy. Now unplugging would- I interrupted, pacing like an animal in a cage, "Not off." continued. With me as the face of the man. Logan smiled more broadly. "YOU? Is the Alpha King taking out an advertisement for clothes?" "I am not authorizing you. I am commanding you. I bellowed. "Make it so. I'll redo every shot with Hailey. Closely. The air had grown thick in the room. Logan looked at me gravely. "This is going to get complicated, you know. Blending business and life—"Do it," I commanded, overruling him. "I won't let anyone else touch her." Logan smiled again and nodded. "I understand, Alpha." I pounded my fists against the punching bag again as he walked out, my punches rattling the chains. Even if it was just for show, the idea of Hailey in someone else's arms made me furious.

I had her.

Mine. HAILEY'S RETURN The shoot was scheduled two days later. The studio had been converted into a lavish, private room with velvet drapes, soft lighting, and a satin-covered bed. The creative director had obviously taken some liberties and gone beyond the boundaries of eroticism. Hailey walked into the studio with an interesting charisma. Her cheeks were rosy naturally, and she was dressed in a black, sleek gown that accentuated her shape. My defence heightened as I observed her, seeing how the crew's eyes followed her everywhere she went. When she saw me walking up to her, her eyes grew wide and she cried out, "You're here?" I answered softly, "I'm the male model." Her gaze swept over mine, confusion being replaced with awareness. "I—" Ryan started. "Let's go," I cut in with my tone. Despite puckering her lips into a narrow line, she refused to protest. The early photographs were chaste—glaring at the lens while standing together. But poses became progressively closer as the sitting continued. With directions from the photographer, I draped my arm across her waist and drew her close to me. "Closer," he barked. "Lost in the moment, you two are lovers." Hailey tensed, her fear evident in her aroma. My lips grazed her ear as I leaned in closer. "Calm down," I growled in a harsh tone. "Just the two of us." I could feel her body eased against mine as her breath caught. The air between us was charged as the photographer moved around us, taking picture after picture. "Perfect," the photographer said. Now lift her chin, Ryan. Close your eyes as if waiting for a kiss, Hailey. I tipped her face up toward me, and she obediently closed her lashes. My thumb brushed her jaw, imprinting itself eternally. For an instant, it was just not a photograph as the world outside our little bubble disintegrated. It was reality. The photographer grumbled, "Beautiful." "Remember that." I stiffened, looking at her. My wolf inside was growling, urging me to take her and remind her of her true master. We were both panting because of the intensity of the situation, so I held back. Hours later, the photo shoot was over, but the tension did not dissipate. Hailey came up to me and looked into my eyes as the crew was breaking down. In a firm but gentle voice, she asked, "Why did you do this?" I stated matter-of-factly, "Because no one touches what's mine." Her eyes were wide open as a string of emotions, which varied from confusion, anger, mockery, and lust, crossed her face. She could not reply earlier. Logan showed up in the room before she was able to reply to me, and he looked gloomy. "Alpha," he answered, his voice panicked. There has been an attack. The entire full house is where the rogues are aiming their attacks. The ground had rolled beneath me when Hailey let out a blood-curdling scream. Lethal lust ran high through my wolf and I advanced.

I snarled and grabbed Hailey's hand and said, "They'll regret this." "Leave now." I was set to face whatever storm was raging in. Nothing would stop me from my pack, my mate, or my pups.