Claimed by the Alpha, Bound to the Vampire

Chapter 5: The Alpha's Territory

Selene's POV

The moment I stepped through the gates of the Blackthorne Pack, I realized one thing.

I was no longer in the world I knew.

The massive iron gates closed behind us with a deep sound, separating the pack from the outside world. Tall stone walls surrounded the territory, protecting the people inside.

But this wasn't a prison.

It was a home.

At least, that's what it looked like.

Beautiful houses lined the streets. People walked around greeting each other, children laughed as they ran through gardens, and warriors patrolled the area with serious expressions.

Everyone stopped when they saw me.

Their eyes followed me.

Some looked curious.

Others looked surprised.

And some...

Looked afraid.

I lowered my voice.

"Why is everyone staring at me?"

Kael, who had been walking beside me silently, glanced around.

"They know who you are."

I frowned.

"Because I'm your mate?"

He nodded.

I looked away.

That word still felt strange.

Mate.

It was a word from stories.

Not something that happened to real people.

Especially not me.

I was just Selene Ashford.

A normal woman who had spent most of her life avoiding trouble.

Yet somehow, in one night, I had become important to an entire supernatural community.

"Are they going to hurt me?"

Kael immediately looked at me.

"No."

The answer came so quickly that I believed him.

"No one in my pack will harm you."

His voice carried a quiet authority.

A promise.

Before I could respond, a young woman ran toward us.

"Kael!"

She stopped when she saw me.

Her eyes widened.

Then she smiled.

"So it's true."

Kael sighed.

"Lyra."

The woman ignored him and looked at me.

"I'm Lyra Blackthorne."

She offered her hand.

"My sister."

I hesitated before taking it.

Her smile was warm.

Unlike everyone else, she didn't look at me like I was something dangerous.

"I'm sorry you had to meet us this way," she said softly.

"I imagine tonight has been overwhelming."

That was the first time someone actually acknowledged how I felt.

I nodded.

"You have no idea."

She gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Actually... I think I do."

Kael's POV

Seeing Selene speak with Lyra eased some of the tension inside me.

My sister had always been able to make people comfortable.

She was the opposite of me.

Where I was controlled and distant, Lyra was warmth and kindness.

Damon walked beside me.

"You found her."

I looked at him.

"Yes."

He smiled.

"After all these years."

I didn't answer.

Because despite finding my mate, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The rogue attack.

The mysterious stranger.

The fact that they knew exactly where Selene would be.

Someone was watching.

Someone was planning.

"Increase patrols around the border," I ordered.

Damon's expression changed.

"You think they'll come back?"

"I know they will."

He nodded seriously.

As Beta, Damon understood better than anyone.

A threat against my mate was a threat against the entire pack.

Selene's POV

The room they gave me was larger than my entire apartment.

I stood near the window, staring at the territory below.

Everything felt unreal.

A few hours ago, my biggest problem was my broken car.

Now I was surrounded by werewolves.

I touched the silver pendant hanging around my neck.

The vampire's gift.

Lucien.

I still didn't understand him.

He was supposed to be dangerous.

A creature people feared.

Yet he had saved me.

I wondered why.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing Kael.

For some reason, my heartbeat changed when I saw him.

Something about him made me feel nervous.

Not scared.

Just...

Aware.

"How is your ankle?"

I looked down.

"I forgot about it."

His expression softened slightly.

"You're injured and still worrying about everyone else."

I shrugged.

"It's a habit."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he stepped closer.

"I know this is difficult."

I looked at him.

"You think?"

A small smile almost appeared on his face.

Almost.

"I know you don't understand any of this."

"That's an understatement."

He looked toward the window.

"The mate bond is sacred to werewolves."

I stayed quiet.

"When I found you tonight, I knew immediately."

"And what if I don't feel the same?"

The question escaped before I could stop myself.

Kael became completely still.

For the first time, I saw something other than confidence in his eyes.

Uncertainty.

Pain.

"I won't force you."

His answer surprised me.

"I want you to choose me because you want me."

The honesty caught me off guard.

Before I could respond, a loud alarm suddenly echoed throughout the territory.

Kael's entire expression changed.

The calm man disappeared.

The Alpha returned.

"What is happening?"

He moved toward the door.

"Stay here."

"Kael—"

He stopped.

Then looked back at me.

"Please."

One word.

But the concern in his eyes made me freeze.

After he left, I walked toward the window.

Outside, warriors gathered near the main gate.

Something was happening.

Then I saw it.

A figure standing beyond the pack walls.

A familiar figure.

My breath caught.

Even from a distance, I recognized those crimson eyes.

Lucien.

But he wasn't alone.

Behind him stood dozens of vampires.

And they weren't here peacefully.

They were here for me.