Claimed by the Alpha

Fighting side by side

The courtyard was chaos. Smoke emanated from the broken walls, the fire from the blast still burning in corners. Wolves and guards scrambled, trying to hold back the invaders, but there were too many.

Kael kept me close, one arm around my shoulders, pressing me against him like he’d never let me go. My heart pounded, but not just from fear. The bond burned hot in my chest, connecting me to him, pulling me into his strength.

“Stay behind me,” he said, voice low and hard. “Do not leave my side.”

I nodded. My wolf stirred inside me, tense and alert. We’re stronger together, she said. But we can’t fight them all alone.

Kael’s eyes moved to the invaders. They were organized, fast, and hungry for me. Gold. They had sensed it. They weren’t just testing him. They were hunting me.

The first wave of attackers lunged. Kael shifted instantly into part wolf, part man. He moved like lightning, flashing his claws and baring his teeth. I ducked instinctively, but the bond flared, guiding me. My body moved before my mind could catch up.

A golden glow erupted from my chest. Warm and fierce. The light spread across the courtyard like wildfire. Some attackers screamed, clutching their eyes. Others hesitated, sensing the power they couldn’t touch.

Kael’s grip on me tightened. “Good,” he growled. “Don’t stop. Keep it up.”

My wolf howled in delight. Yes! Push it! Make them fear us!

I did. Every step, every breath felt like I was growing stronger. I could feel the light running through my veins, pulsing with the moon’s energy. I wasn’t just Gold—I was dangerous.

One attacker broke through the guards, aiming straight for me. Kael moved first, throwing him aside with a growl that shook the courtyard. The man hit the ground hard and didn’t move. Kael’s eyes were fierce, protective, possessive. Every ounce of him wanted to claim me, mark me, keep me forever. But he held back.

“You’re too precious,” he whispered, almost to himself. “Not yet.”

I wanted to tell him I didn’t care. I wanted him to mark me. But even saying it out loud felt impossible. Instead, I let the golden light burn brighter, pushing back the attackers.

The invaders faltered back and regrouped. Then I saw movement at the edge of the courtyard. A massive shadow, taller than any wolf or man I had seen. Its presence made the ground vibrate. My chest tightened. My wolf growled low, warning me.

Kael noticed it too. His body went rigid. “Stay close,” he said. “Whatever that is, it’s not like the others.”

The shadow stepped into the golden moonlight. It was not human form, but twisted, dark, terrifying. And it was smiling.

My stomach dropped.

Kael pressed me closer. “Do you feel that?” he asked. His eyes were sharp, glowing faintly. “It knows about Gold. It wants you.”

“Yes,” I whispered, my own body trembling with fear and something else—power. My wolf stirred inside, charged and fierce. It’s coming for both of us. We need more.

Kael’s hand rested on my jaw, lifting my face to meet his. “You’re mine, Liora. No one touches you.”

The shadow’s grin widened. It lifted a hand, dark energy pulsing from its fingertips. Flames began to spark around it.

My golden light flared in response. The bond pulsed between Kael and me, strong, protective, desperate.

But even as we prepared, I felt it deep in my chest, something inside me stirring, something old, something awake.

The shadow spoke. Its voice was like thunder. “Gold… it belongs to me now.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Not while I breathe.”

The golden light between us pulsed again. My wolf growled, warning. This is bigger than him. Bigger than us. We’re not ready.

The shadow lifted a hand higher. Flames licked the edges of the courtyard.

I squeezed Kael’s hand, heart racing. Hold on, I thought. We can’t lose now.

The air crackled. The moon flared brighter, almost reacting to me.

And then…

Something crashed into the courtyard wall behind us. A second shadow. This one was larger and closer, smiling with intent.

Kael’s jaw tightened. He pulled me back. “Liora… stay with me. Don’t move.”

I could barely nod. The bond screamed through me. My powers flared uncontrollably.

The enemies weren’t just coming for Gold.

They were coming for us.

And I didn’t know if even the Alpha could protect me.