Claimed by the Alpha

Don’t flinch

Kael didn’t move right away.

He just stood there, watching me like he was taking me apart piece by piece. His eyes weren’t gentle, they weren’t cruel either. They were sharp.

‘’Liora,’’ he called.

Hearing him call my name made my stomach twist. No one ever said it like that, like it meant something. Like it belonged to him already. I straightened my back, clenching my fist nervously.

Easy, my wolf whispered. Don’t show him fear.

I tried. I really did.

Kael took another step closer, then another. He stopped only when there was barely any space between us. I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

‘’You didn’t eat,’’ he said.

It wasn’t a question.

‘’I wasn’t hungry.’’

His eyes dropped to my hands. He noticed the way my fingers were trembling.

‘’That’s a lie,’’ he said. ‘’You’re used to being denied food.’’

I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. I was focused on calming my beating heart.

Something dark crossed his face, maybe anger or something worse. He reached out suddenly, and I flinched before I could stop myself.

His hands froze midair. The room turned very silent.

Kael’s jaw tightened as he asked ‘’Who made you like this?’’

‘’It doesn’t matter.’’

‘’It matters to me.’’

I shook my head. ‘’Please.’’

He stared at me for a long time, then he turned away sharply, like he was holding himself back from something. ‘’Look at me,’’ he ordered. I didn’t move. His voice dropped. ‘’Liora. Look at me.’’ I forced my eyes up.

He was angry now. His silver eyes staring hard at me.

‘’No one touches what’s mine without permission,’’ he said. ‘’No one breaks you and walks away.’’

‘’I’m not broken,’’ I said, even though my voice shook.

My wolf shifted uncomfortably inside me. We’re cracked, she said quietly. But still standing.

Kael stepped closer again. He reached out this time and took my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look up at him. His grip wasn’t painful but it wasn’t gentle either.

‘’You don’t get to decide that alone,’’ he said. ‘’Not anymore.’’

I swallowed. ‘’That’s what scares me.’’

‘’Good.’’

My pulse increased.

‘’Fear keeps you alive,’’ he continued.

I hated that a part of me was scared…of him and the other part wanted to submit to him, probably because of the mate bond.

An urgent knock came at the door.

Kael didn’t look away from me. ‘’Speak.’’

‘’Intruders,’’ a voice said from outside. ‘’From the southern border.’’

Kael’s eyes narrowed. His grip on me tightened a little. My wolf moved inside me.

Danger, she warned.

Kael released my chin but didn’t step back. ‘’Lock this wing down,’’ he ordered, his eyes darkening a little. ‘’Make sure no one enters and no one leaves.’’

He looked back at me, his gaze dark and possessive.

‘’You’re not as invisible as you think, Liora,’’ he said. ‘’And they’ve started to notice.’’

‘’What does that mean?’’ I asked.

He leaned in close, with his mouth near my ear.

‘’It means,’’ he murmured, ‘’I’m running out of time to keep you hidden.’’

He gazed at my neck one last time, clenching his jaw before he turned to leave.

And just before he did, my wolf whispered, terrified—

There’s real danger ahead.