Claimed by the Alpha

Episode 6:The Bond That Burns

As soon as Aria stepped into Blackfang territory, a fiery sensation surged through her veins. It wasn’t just the late afternoon sun blazing down on her skin; it was something deeper, something instinctual.

She stumbled slightly, her breath hitching in her throat as her wolf stirred within her, responding to the unfamiliar land, the new energy… and him.

Kade.

His name floated on the breeze, a bittersweet ache in her chest. Her wolf whimpered, caught in a tug-of-war between longing and trepidation. Aria willed herself to stand tall. Her heart pounded like a war drum. The pack’s territory had shifted. Guards now patrolled the perimeter in sleek black tactical gear, their weapons adorned with silver runes—a clear indication they were bracing for conflict.

A tall warrior approached, his piercing gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. “You’re not supposed to be here,” he growled, stepping closer.

“I’m here to see Alpha Kade. He’ll want to talk to me.” She managed to keep her voice steady, even as her hands balled into fists at her sides.

The guard didn’t seem convinced. “What’s your name?”

“Aria.” Just her name. No titles, no backstory. Not yet.

The man’s brows furrowed. He tapped his earpiece and murmured something under his breath. A few tense seconds passed, thick with unspoken danger, before he nodded curtly. “He’ll see you.”

Aria followed him through the thick woods, down a well-trodden path that led to the pack’s stronghold—a sprawling estate, half-hidden in stone and moss, as ancient as the legends and reinforced with sleek, modern security. She swallowed hard. This was a risky move. A reckless, emotional leap.

But it was also her only way forward.

The doors swung open to reveal Kade, standing in the grand hall like a tempest barely contained. His black shirt clung to his form, and his eyes were darker than the shadows swirling around him.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked, his voice low and menacing.

Aria didn’t flinch. “We need to talk.”

He stepped forward slowly, as if he were battling the urge to reach out and grab her. His scent enveloped her, wild and electric, sending a shiver down her spine. Her wolf was both purring and snarling, caught in a whirlwind of emotions.

“I should just throw you out,” he said, his voice low.

“You could,” she replied, meeting his gaze. “Or you could actually listen to me. Because I think someone’s betraying you from the inside.”

Kade’s eyes narrowed, clearly intrigued by her words.

“I found a tracker,” she continued, reaching into her coat to reveal the tiny device. “It was embedded in my shoulder. Not by your guards, but by someone who knew my escape route.”

“You think it’s one of my people?” he asked, skepticism creeping into his tone.

“I think someone doesn’t want me here… and they definitely don’t want me with you.”

Kade gestured for her to follow him into his war room, the walls lined with maps, surveillance screens, and an array of weapons. He slammed the door shut behind them, the sound echoing in the tense air.

“You should’ve stayed away, Aria,” he said quietly, a hint of concern in his voice. “You’re dangerous to me.”

She leaned against the table, crossing her arms. “Then why haven’t you thrown me out yet?”

Their eyes locked, a spark of heat igniting between them.

“I should reject you,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

“But you won’t,” she challenged, her heart racing.

He stepped closer, his hands bracing on either side of her, effectively caging her in. “Because the bond won’t let me. Because I still want to claim you… every single inch of you.”

Her breath hitched in her throat. “Then do it.”

His lips hovered just a breath away from hers, the tension thick in the air, until a sharp buzz sliced through the moment. Kade turned away, his jaw tightening as he answered the call.

“Yes?” he said, his tone now icy.

There was a pause, and she could see his expression darken.

“What?” he snapped. “Lock it down. I want eyes everywhere.”

He hung up and turned back to Aria. “Someone just broke into the east wing. They knew the passcode.”

She stiffened, anxiety creeping in. “What were they looking for?”

Her blood turned to ice. “You can’t be talking about me?”

“No,” he replied. “I’m referring to my former mate. The one I was supposed to reject when I found you.”

Aria took a hesitant step back. “Is she still part of the pack?”

“Not anymore. She vanished two days ago.” His eyes were fixed on her. “And now I understand why.”

An electric silence hung between them. Outside, a howl pierced the night, followed by the sharp crack of gunfire. The estate trembled.

Kade moved toward the window. “We’re being attacked.”

Aria turned to follow him, but a sharp sting pricked her neck. Her vision started to fade. She stumbled back.

“Wha—?”

A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness behind her. The last thing she saw was the look of horror on Kade’s face as she slipped into oblivion.

The stillness of the forest was unsettling.

Liana’s breath came in quick, uneven bursts as she raced through the shadowy trees. Her bare feet thudded softly against the damp ground, the hem of her nightdress torn and fluttering behind her. Moonlight filtered through the branches above, casting eerie silver patterns across her pale skin. Behind her, the sound of paws—large, fast, and relentless—grew louder.

They were after her.