THE ALPHA’S FORBIDDEN MATE

CHAPTER 9: "YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM"

The knock came again.

Harder.

“Ravendon. Open up.”

Lila’s voice was sweet. Too sweet.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

`Drake: 20 seconds. Do NOT open that door.`

The mark on my neck felt like someone pressed a hot coin to my skin.

It was glowing. I could feel it.

The doorknob jiggled.

Then stopped.

Then _clicked_.

She had a key.

The door opened.

Lila stepped in like she was walking into her own house. Red dress. Red heels. Hair perfect.

Her eyes scanned the room and landed on me.

Then on my neck.

Her whole body went still.

“Well,” she said softly. “What do we have here?”

She moved.

One second she was by the door. The next her fingers were around my throat.

She slammed me against the wall.

“You think you can steal him from me?” she hissed. “A _human_?”

I couldn’t breathe. I scratched at her hands.

The mark on my neck burned hotter.

`Raven! Fight!`

Drake’s voice in my head. Panicked.

Something in me snapped.

The silver glow shot from my neck, down my arm, into my hands.

I shoved her with everything I had.

Lila flew back and crashed into my desk. My laptop clattered to the floor.

She stared at me, breathing hard. “You’re channeling him. That’s impossible.”

The front door exploded inward.

Drake.

He looked like he’d run 10 blocks. Chest heaving. Eyes glowing gold.

He took one look at me. Gasping. Red marks on my throat.

Then at Lila. By my broken desk.

His expression went blank. Deadly.

“Get away from her,” he said. Quiet.

Lila stood up slowly, smoothing her dress. “Drake, baby. She attacked me first.”

She pointed at my neck. “But I see you’ve already made your choice.”

The mark was fully formed now.

A silver crescent with three claw marks through it. Glowing. Right where everyone could see.

Drake’s jaw tightened.

He stepped in front of me. “Yes. I have.”

Lila laughed. But it sounded broken. “The elders will kill you for this. She’s not pack. She’s not even wolf.”

“Then let them try,” Drake said.

Lila’s eyes filled. With anger. With hurt.

“This isn’t over,” she whispered. “You just declared war on the entire North Pack.”

She turned and walked out. Didn’t slam the door.

She didn’t need to.

Silence.

Drake turned to me.

His hands were shaking.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded. Couldn’t speak. My throat hurt.

His eyes dropped to my neck. To the mark he’d given me.

“I didn’t do that,” he said hoarsely. “The bond did. It completed itself.”

He reached out. Hovered his hand near my skin but didn’t touch.

“It’s supposed to be private. Between mates.”

A bitter laugh. “Now the whole city will know by dawn.”

I touched the mark. It was warm. It didn’t hurt anymore.

It felt... right.

“I don’t want this,” I whispered.

“I know,” he said. “Neither did I.”

He met my eyes. “But it’s too late now, Raven.”

Outside, I heard car tires screeching.

Lila was gone.

But she was right.

This was just the beginning.