The Alpha's Reluctant Mate

Chapter 10-Fair and Square

Elara’s POV

My head felt like someone had split it open with an axe. A pounding headache slammed against my skull the second I tried to open my eyes. I groaned and pressed my palm to my forehead.

“What did that bastard do to me?” I whispered.

Everything hurt. My back, my ribs, my legs…every single muscle screamed from the fight. That cheap neck chop he gave me still left my body feeling heavy and strange. I forced myself to sit up slowly, breathing through the dizziness.

Everything around me was dark…black sheets, black furniture, dark wood walls that looked like they could swallow light whole. The air felt thick with power, heavy and masculine, like the room itself was breathing with dark alpha energy. It reeked of him. Alpha Thorne.

This was his bedroom. His territory.

My stomach twisted. I wasn't in my pack anymore. I was in his world now.

I swung my legs off the massive bed and stood up. The world spun hard for a second. I grabbed the bedpost, shook my head, and steadied myself.

Not today.

I wasn’t going to fall apart in his stupid house.

I scanned the room. It was huge and luxurious…bigger than any room I'd ever slept in. Heavy curtains, a fancy couch in the corner, gleaming surfaces that probably cost more than my father's entire house. But it was empty. No one else was in the room. Good. That gave me time.

I rushed to the door on shaky legs and twisted the handle. Locked. Of course the asshole locked me in like some prisoner. My blood boiled.

“No way in hell am I marrying that jerk,” I muttered, pacing across the room. My bare feet made no sound, but my heart was beating so loud I'm sure anyone close could hear it.

I had lost the duel, yeah. But that didn’t mean I was going to roll over and become some docile little wife. These men weren’t going to decide my life for me. Not my father, not Alpha Thorne, not anybody. I was Elara. I fought for everything I had. I wasn’t stopping now.

My whole body ached with every step, but pain didn’t matter. Anger felt better than fear.

I spotted the window and ran to it. My hands shook as I pushed it open. Cool evening air rushed in. I leaned out and looked down. Second floor. Not too high. I could survive the jump. I scanned the area…no guards visible.

The coast was clear.

I glanced down at my dirty, torn clothes from the fight. No time to care. No time for anything.

I climbed onto the windowsill, heart hammering. “You think you can own me?” I whispered. “Watch me disappear, you arrogant prick.”

I took a deep breath and then I jumped.

The ground rushed up fast. My legs hit hard. A sharp shock shot up my ankles and knees. “f**k!” I groaned, stumbling forward. Pain flared, but I straightened quickly.

“That was easy,” I told myself, a wild smile tugging at my lips. Freedom was so close I could taste it.

I took one step.

Then another.

Suddenly, four tall men stepped out from the shadows, surrounding me in a perfect circle. All of them wore the same amused looks, like they’d been waiting for this show.

“Told ya she was going to try to run,” one of them said with a low chuckle.

My stomach dropped, but I lifted my chin. I ignored them and darted left, trying to break through. They moved like lightning, blocking every path.

“I’m sorry, Luna,” one said, sounding almost polite. “You’re not allowed to leave. Alpha’s orders.”

Luna? The word made me want to vomit.

“Go tell your alpha that I said f**k off!” I snapped.

I tried to run again, but my body was still weak from the fight. Two of them grabbed my arms, one on each side. Their grips were firm but not painful. Still, it burned my pride.

“Let me go!” I shouted, kicking wildly. “Get your hands off me!”

They ignored me completely and started dragging me back inside the house. I twisted and struggled, heels digging into the dirt. The other two men followed behind, clearly entertained.

“I think our Alpha’s life just got some colors,” one of them laughed. “Things are about to be interesting around here.”

“Shut up!” I hissed, but it only made them grin more.

We climbed the stairs. My heart raced with fury and a tiny thread of fear I refused to show. They pushed open the door to the same dark room and shoved me inside. I stumbled but caught myself.

The second the door started closing, I spun around and banged on it with both fists.

“Let me out!” I screamed. “I won’t marry your stupid Alpha! Let me out of here!”

A deep, calm voice came from behind me.

“Is that so?”

Ice shot down my spine. I froze mid-bang, then slowly turned around.

There he was.

Alpha Thorne sat on a black couch in the corner like he owned the entire world. One arm rested casually along the back, legs spread, silver eyes locked on me. He looked completely relaxed. Like a king watching his subject throw a tantrum.

My nightmare in the flesh.

“Yes, you heard me,” I said, voice shaking with anger. “I won’t f*****g marry you.”

His face stayed blank. No anger. No amusement. Just cold, unreadable stone.

“In case you’re forgetting,” he said slowly, voice low and rough, “you’re now my property. Which means I can do whatever I want with you.”

The words hit like a slap. I stepped forward, fists clenched. “I am nobody’s property,” I spat.

“Not yours. Not anyone’s.”

He just watched me. Those silver eyes studied every inch of my face, my dirty clothes, my trembling hands. The silence stretched tight between us. Tension filled the room until I could barely breathe.

“Let me out of here,” I tried again, forcing my voice to stay strong. “Let’s forget this ever happened. Let’s forget we ever crossed each other’s paths. You don’t want me. I don’t want you. Win-win.”

Something dark flickered across his cold eyes. Just for a second.

“Don't pretend you forgot the deal,” he said, voice dropping even lower, “I gave you a choice. Fight me and win—you’re free. I win—you’re mine. I won. This was done fair and square. If you want to act like a spoiled princess, be my guest. But I know exactly how to deal with your type.”

My blood burned. I took a step forward, even though my legs trembled.

“You’re a f*****g piece of—”

“Strip,” he said suddenly.

I froze completely. The air left my lungs.

“What did you just say?” I asked, shock ringing in my voice. I wasn't sure I heard him right. My ears must be playing tricks.

His face gave nothing away. No smirk. He just remained cold. Calm and completely in control.

“You’re my property,” he said flatly, voice low and steady.

“I want to see what I won. So strip.”