The Alpha’s Mate Unleashed
721 Words
Chapter 13: The Alpha’s Mate Unleashed
The first thing Ronan taught me was how to breathe.
“Power follows emotion,” he said, standing a few feet in front of me in the open training yard. “Lose control of one, you lose control of the other.”
The ground beneath my bare feet was cold stone. The night air bit at my skin, sharp and awake. Wolves surrounded the edges of the yard—not close enough to interfere, but close enough to watch.
Always watching.
“I feel ridiculous,” I muttered.
Ronan’s lips twitched. “You won’t in a minute.”
I crossed my arms. “That’s not reassuring.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “Close your eyes.”
I hesitated, then did as he said.
“Now focus on the bond,” he continued. “Not me. Not them. Just the connection.”
At first, there was nothing.
Then warmth.
A steady pulse in my chest, deep and slow, like a second heartbeat. It spread through my veins, down my arms, into my fingertips.
I gasped.
“There,” Ronan said quietly. “Don’t fight it.”
The warmth flared brighter—too bright.
My hands started to glow.
“Ronan,” I whispered. “Something’s wrong.”
“Stay with me,” he said firmly. “You’re in control.”
I opened my eyes.
Light poured from my palms, silver threaded with gold. The wolves around us stiffened. I heard a few sharp intakes of breath.
“That’s impossible,” someone murmured.
Fear surged—and with it, the light exploded outward.
The ground cracked.
I cried out as Ronan grabbed my wrists, grounding me instantly. The power snapped back like a leash, slamming into my chest.
I collapsed against him, shaking.
Ronan held me steady, his arms iron around me. “Easy,” he murmured. “I’ve got you.”
My breathing came in ragged bursts. “I almost hurt them.”
“You didn’t,” he said. “And even if you had—this is why we train.”
I pulled back just enough to look at him. “They’re afraid of me.”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
His golden eyes softened. “I’m proud of you.”
That did something dangerous to my heart.
The wolves slowly dispersed, whispering among themselves. Seraphine lingered, her expression unreadable.
“She’s stronger than expected,” she said.
Ronan met her gaze. “She’s exactly as strong as she needs to be.”
Seraphine studied me for a long moment. “Power like that draws enemies.”
“So does an Alpha,” I replied quietly.
Something like respect flickered in her eyes. “You’ll need discipline.”
“I’ll learn,” I said. “Or die trying.”
Ronan’s jaw tightened. “That won’t happen.”
Later, after the yard emptied, Ronan walked me back toward the cabin.
“You pushed too hard,” he said.
“I didn’t know how to stop.”
“That’s on me,” he admitted. “I should’ve warned you.”
I stopped walking. “Why are you really doing this?”
He turned to face me. “Because the bond is accelerating. Soon, your instincts will kick in whether you’re ready or not.”
“And if I’m not?”
“Then I’ll be there,” he said simply. “Every step.”
The bond pulsed in agreement.
A howl echoed from far beyond the territory—long, mocking.
Ronan’s body went rigid.
“That wasn’t a rogue,” he said slowly.
My stomach dropped. “Then what was it?”
His eyes darkened. “A rival pack.”
Fear crept up my spine. “They know about me.”
“Yes,” he said. “And they won’t stop until they have you… or destroy you.”
I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t have much time.”
Ronan reached out, brushing his thumb over my glowing mark. “No,” he agreed. “We don’t.”
Above us, the moon burned brighter than ever.
And for the first time, I understood the truth the pack had been too afraid to say out loud—
I wasn’t just the Alpha’s mate.
I was becoming his greatest weapon.
- Writer
