Bound to a Werewolf

SOPHIA'S POV I stepped out of the Salvatore Mansion, carrying only my bow, a few arrows, and a small bag slung across my shoulder. Inside were my essentials: wolfsbane, silver daggers, and a few scraps of food. No extra clothes. I wouldn’t burden myself with luxuries I wasn’t meant to have. Freedom wasn’t something I owned. Not even now. Adjusting my robe, I walked toward the waiting carriage. The mansion sat at the heart of town, far from the danger that lurked beyond the woods — where real wolves roamed free. Unlike me. "Please drop me at Omega Bars," I told the coachman softly. He nodded and cracked the reins. The carriage lurched forward. The ride was silent. I watched the town blur past — the busy streets, the wary stares. People knew better than to ask questions when a pet of the Salvatore Clan traveled alone. Minutes later, we reached Omega Bars — a battered outpost at the northern edge of town. Beyond it, no law protected anyone. I tossed a few coins to the coachman and stepped down. Pulling my hood over my head, I began the long walk northward. The woods were still eighteen miles away. I sighed. If only I could shift into my other form — but shifting would destroy my clothes, and I couldn’t afford to be exposed out here. Besides, a Sigbin was never meant to be seen. I trudged onward, stopping only to nibble on food or rest when my legs trembled. Hours dragged by under the brutal sun, each step heavier than the last. By the time I reached the treeline, my pocket watch read one o’clock. Six hours since I’d left the safety of stone walls. "Great. Now the real trouble begins," I muttered, squinting into the dark forest ahead. I scaled the nearest tree and nestled into a thick branch, closing my eyes briefly. South — the Black Night Walkers pack was south of here. That’s all Mr. Salvatore had said before sending me to retrieve Master Drake. No map. No allies. Just obedience. Always obedience. After a few minutes, I dropped from the tree, pulled out my compass, and pressed deeper into the woods. The forest swallowed the light quickly. My heartbeat quickened — not from fear, but from a gnawing wrongness deep inside me. The woods smelled of blood and hidden eyes. Three more hours passed. My legs burned with exhaustion. Still no sign of the pack. At last, I stumbled upon a small stream. Dropping to my knees, I cupped cool water into my mouth, refilling my bottle. That’s when a weight crashed into me. I gasped, pinned to the ground by a massive wolf. Golden eyes glared into mine, hot breath fanning across my face. Panic slammed into me. This wasn’t a wolf like me. This was something fiercer — trained to kill. I fumbled for the dagger strapped to my boot. My fingers brushed it — —and sharp teeth sank into my shoulder. I cried out, pain blinding me. Growls erupted all around. When I dared to lift my gaze, I saw them — wolves. A full circle of them, closing in. One shifted into human form — a man with hard eyes and a cruel mouth. "A rogue," he said coldly. "Why are you here?" Another wolf tossed him my bag. He rifled through it and found the wolfsbane. His lip curled in disgust. "Kill her." My heart stuttered. The wolves pressed closer, their growls rumbling the earth beneath me. I fought to rise, but the wolf on top of me wouldn’t budge. I clenched my eyes shut. So this was how it ended — not as a warrior, not as a savior. Just another dead pet of the Salvatore Clan. "STOP! RELEASE HER!" The voice shattered the clearing. Instantly, the wolves froze, heads bowing low. I snapped my eyes open — and stared. A man stood there, naked under the dappled sunlight, power rippling off him in waves. His green almond-shaped eyes locked onto mine. He was beautiful — terrifyingly so — with a sculpted body, a sharp jawline, and a presence that seemed to bend the world itself around him. "Alpha Luther," the cruel man protested, "she’s a rogue — and carries wolfsbane. She’s a threat—" "She’s my mate," Luther snarled. "Get off her. Now." Obediently, the wolves backed away. My body moved on instinct. I scrambled up, grabbed my bow and arrow, and aimed it squarely at Luther. Snarls erupted at my defiance, but I didn’t flinch. Luther raised his hands slowly, a frown pulling at his perfect face. "I won’t hurt you," he said, voice low and steady. "You can put that down." I didn’t. He took a careful step forward — and I loosed the arrow. It grazed his cheek, drawing blood. The scent of silver filled the clearing — and his wound didn’t heal. The wolves bristled, but Luther remained perfectly still. "Don’t move," I warned, my voice trembling but fierce. "I’m sorry," he said gently, raising his hands higher. "You can search me if you want." I scoffed. "Your presence alone is danger enough." He smiled faintly, almost sadly. "I won’t hurt you. You’re my mate. I can help you. Why are you alone in the woods?" I hesitated. How much could I trust a stranger — even one fate seemed to tie me to? "I’m looking for the Night Infernal Pack," I said at last. His eyebrows lifted in surprise. "That’s my pack." I tightened my grip on the bow. "Then... you’re the Alpha." He nodded once. A long, tense silence stretched between us. "Can I sit with you?" he asked finally, gesturing to a fallen tree. I studied him carefully, then gave a small, cautious nod. He moved slowly, sitting a safe distance away. We sat there, strangers bound by something I barely understood. "What’s a mate?" I asked, breaking the heavy silence. He blinked, clearly surprised. "It’s... like a soulmate. Someone the Moon Goddess chose for you." "A soulmate," I repeated softly. "The one you love?" "Yes." I stared down at my hands. "But... I’m not allowed to have a mate," I whispered. His body tensed, the air around him thickening with unspoken rage. "Why not?" he asked, voice low. I shrugged helplessly, unable to explain years of chains in a single breath. "I need to find the Night Infernal Pack," I said instead, standing. He rose immediately. "I’ll take you," he said, offering his hand. For a moment, I hesitated. Then, before I could think better of it, I placed my hand in his. His warmth seeped into me — strange, new, dangerous. We walked together into the forest — a Sigbin and an Alpha, bound by fate neither of us fully understood.