Claimed By The Alpha King

Maya thought her 20th birthday would be normal. Wake up, go to work at the diner, pretend she didn’t notice the way people avoided her eyes. That was her life. Quiet. Safe. Boring. She hated it. The bell above the diner door chimed at 9 PM, making her jump. It was late, and her shift was almost over. She looked up, expecting Mrs. Carter from the bakery, but the air in the room changed instantly. It got colder. Heavier. A man walked in. Tall. Too tall. Over six and a half feet, broad shoulders filling the doorway like he didn’t belong indoors. His hair was dark, his jaw sharp enough to cut glass, and his eyes—god, his eyes—were gold. Not brown, not hazel. Gold, like a predator’s. The entire diner went silent. He didn’t look at anyone else. His gaze locked onto her like a hawk spotting prey. Maya’s heart started pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it. “You’re late,” he said. His voice was low, rough, like he hadn’t used it in days. Maya blinked. “Excuse me?” He stepped closer, and the smell of pine and smoke hit her. It was intoxicating and terrifying at the same time. “I said you’re late, Maya,” he repeated. “Your birthday was three hours ago. I’ve been waiting.” She shook her head. “I don’t know you.” A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. It didn’t reach his eyes. “You will,” he said. “Because I’m Alpha Kade Blackthorn. And you’re my fated mate.” The world tilted. Maya’s knees went weak. Fated mate. Werewolf stories. The things her grandmother used to whisper about before she died. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. But the way her body reacted to him—heat pooling low, skin prickling, a pull deep in her chest—told her it was. Kade reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers were cold. “Pack your things,” he said quietly. “You’re coming home with me tonight.” Home. Maya didn’t have a home. Not anymore. And something told her that whatever Kade Blackthorn called home, it was dangerous. She should run. But she didn’t.