Claimed By The Alpha King

Chapter 21: The Road to War

The ride back to Blackthorn territory was silent.

Maya sat behind Kade on his motorcycle, her arms wrapped around his waist, her head resting against his back. The adrenaline from the fight was gone, leaving only exhaustion and a hundred unanswered questions.

Caelen rode ahead on his own bike, scouting the road. None of them spoke. The weight of what was coming hung over them like a storm cloud.

When they crossed into Blackthorn land, the atmosphere changed. Wolves lined the fences, watching. Guards stood at every gate, weapons drawn. News of the attack had spread fast.

Kade pulled into the packhouse courtyard and killed the engine. He helped Maya down, his hands lingering on her waist for a second too long.

“Get her inside,” he told one of the warriors. “Get her cleaned up and fed. No one sees her until I say so.”

Maya frowned. “Kade, I can speak for myself—”

“Not right now,” he said firmly. “You used the Bloodfire. You don’t know what that did to you.”

Before she could argue, he turned to Caelen. “You. My office. Now.”

Caelen followed without a word.

Maya watched them disappear into the packhouse, frustration bubbling up. She was tired of being treated like she was fragile.

“I’m fine,” she muttered to herself.

The warrior beside her cleared his throat. “Luna, if you’ll follow me.”

“Luna?” Maya repeated.

He nodded. “You are Kade’s mate. That makes you Luna of Blackthorn.”

The title sat heavy on her shoulders. She hadn’t earned it. Not yet.

Inside, the packhouse was chaos. Warriors moving, messages being sent, the scent of fear and steel in the air.

Maya’s room was at the top floor, quiet and untouched. The warrior left her there with a tray of food and a promise to send the pack healer.

Alone, Maya looked at her hands. The faint silver glow was gone, but she could still feel it under her skin. Waiting.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” she said.

The door opened, and Kade stepped inside. His expression was unreadable.

“We have a problem,” he said. “The Blood Fang knows you’re alive. And they’re marching.”