Locked in the Alpha’s Den
770 Words
‘I’m not staying here.”
My voice came out stronger than I felt, echoing against the high stone walls of Alpha Kael’s chamber.
His chamber.
My heart pounded as I stood just inside the massive doors that had shut behind me with a final, terrifying click. The room was nothing like the servants’ quarters I was used to—it was larger than my entire wing, dimly lit by flickering firelight, shadows dancing across dark wood and rich fabrics.
And him.
He stood near the window, back turned, broad shoulders tense beneath his black shirt.
“You don’t have a choice,” Kael said calmly.
Anger sparked through my fear.
“I’m not some object you can drag into your room and keep,” I snapped. “I have a life. A job. Responsibilities—”
“You’re my mate.”
He turned.
Those words hit harder this time.
Closer.
More real.
I swallowed, my breath catching as his gaze locked onto mine. There was something in his eyes—something fierce and raw that made my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin.
“That doesn’t mean I belong to you,” I whispered.
In a blink, he was in front of me.
Too fast.
Too close.
My back hit the door before I could react, his hand braced beside my head, trapping me between him and the cold wood. Heat radiated from his body, overwhelming, intoxicating.
“You think I don’t know that?” he murmured, voice low, dangerous. “You think I want to force this?”
My pulse raced.
“Then let me go.”
Silence.
For a second, I thought he might.
But then his jaw tightened.
“I can’t.”
The honesty in his voice stunned me.
“Selene won’t stop,” he continued, eyes darkening. “Not now. Not after tonight. If you leave this room alone…” His voice dropped to a whisper, “you won’t make it back.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“You’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not.”
The way he said it made my stomach twist.
“She’s already moving,” he added. “I can feel it.”
Of course he could. An Alpha always knew.
I hugged myself, trying to steady my breathing. “So what? I’m your prisoner now?”
His expression flickered.
“Protected,” he corrected.
“That’s not the same thing.”
“No,” he agreed softly. “But it’s the only way to keep you alive.”
The words settled heavily between us.
Alive.
Not safe.
Not happy.
Just alive.
My chest tightened. “I don’t want this life, Kael.”
Something in his eyes shifted at the sound of his name.
Neither did I expect the way his hand gently brushed a strand of hair from my face.
“You don’t have to want it,” he said quietly. “But you are in it now.”
My breath hitched.
His fingers lingered just a second too long.
And then—
A knock.
Sharp. Urgent.
Kael’s body went rigid instantly.
“Alpha!” a guard’s voice called from outside. “There’s been an incident in the west wing.”
My stomach dropped.
“What kind of incident?” Kael demanded.
A pause.
Then—
“Poison, Alpha.”
Everything inside me went cold.
Kael’s eyes snapped to mine.
Dark.
Furious.
Deadly.
“She’s faster than I thought,” he muttered.
My lips parted. “Selene…”
Before I could finish, he grabbed my hand.
“This changes everything,” he said.
The intensity in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
“You don’t leave this room,” he ordered. “No matter what you hear. No matter who calls you. Do you understand?”
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
His grip tightened.
“Aria.”
The way he said my name—
Like a warning.
Like a promise.
“I understand,” I whispered.
He studied me for a long moment… then finally released me.
But before he stepped away, he leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.
“If anyone tries to get in,” he murmured darkly, “scream for me.”
Then he was gone.
The door slammed shut behind him.
And suddenly…
The room felt too quiet.
Too still.
Too wrong.
I stood there, heart racing, trying to calm the storm inside me.
Until—
A soft voice echoed from the shadows.
“You really think he can protect you?”
My blood froze.
Slowly…
I turned.
And there she was.
Selene.
Smiling.
- Writer
