Claimed by the Alpha

Taken into the Alpha’s den

He didn’t ask if I could walk.

Kael lifted me like I weighed nothing, one of his arms locked around my back, the other one under my knees. I stiffened and struggled a bit, but his grip tightened instantly—possessive and warning.

‘’Don’t fight me,’’ he said quietly.

It wasn’t a request.

The forest blurred as he moved. He didn’t run, but his strides were long and steady. My cheek pressed against his chest. I could hear his heart beating at a normal pace, setting a rhythm.

The howls followed us, this time ringing louder.

I flinched every time one sounded too close. ‘’They’ll scent me,’’ I whispered. ‘’My pack—‘’

‘’They won’t touch you,’’ he said.

‘’How do you know?’’

His arm tightened again. ‘’Because I’ll kill them first.’’

The way he said it made my stomach twist. He wasn’t just saying it, it was a fact.

Bright light appeared with wolves huddling together. The northern pack.

The moment they saw him, they dropped to their knees in respect with their heads bowed. No one looked at me directly but I felt their attention like arrows.

Alpha Kael didn’t slow down.

‘’Clear the hall,’’ he ordered.

The command worked right away. They quickly opened doors and cleared the way. We walked into a large stone building, and everything went quiet. He set me down only when the door slammed shut behind us.

I staggered. My legs barely held me upright.

‘’Stay put,’’ he said.

The word landed heavy. My body obeyed before my mind could argue. I hated that. He turned away from me, pacing left and right across the room. I could feel his restraint like a living thing in the room.

‘’You should not exist,’’ he muttered.

My chest hurt. ‘’I didn’t ask for this.’’

His head snapped towards me. His eyes were darker now. ‘’You walked into my territory,’’ he said. ‘’You triggered a bond that cannot be undone.’’

‘’I didn’t know,’’ I said. Tears slipped down my face before I could stop them. ‘’Please, I’m scared.’’

He closed the distance between us in two steps and I shrank bank till my back hit the wall. He trapped me against the wall by placing his hands on either side of me.

‘’You should be,’’ he growled. ‘’Because from this moment on, nothing in your life is yours alone.’’

My breath slowed. ‘’Are you going to hurt me?’’

‘’No, I’m going to protect you.’’

That scared me more.

I shook my head in refusal. ‘’I won’t survive this.’’

His gaze dropped to my neck again. His throat moved like he was holding himself back.

‘’You will,’’ he said. ‘’Because I won’t let you die. And I won’t let anyone take you.’’

‘’Take me where?’’ I asked softly.

His eyes held mine, glowing.

‘’From me.’’

He straightened suddenly, stepping away like distance was the only thing keeping him sane.

‘’You’ll stay in the east wing,’’ he said. ‘’I’ll station guards at the door, you’re not leaving without my permission.’’

‘’I’m a prisoner,’’ I whispered.

‘’No, you’re my weakness.’’

He whistled and the doors opened, two burly guards stepping in.

As they led me away, I looked back once.

Kael stood alone in the center of the hall, clenching his fists with his head bowed like a king fighting a war within himself.

And I knew then…

The cage had already been closed.

And the Alpha was just as trapped as I was.