UNMARKED CLAIM:THE FORBIDDEN HEAT OF THE BASTARD DAUGHTER

Chapter 3

The last hours before dawn were the most gruesome. Della lay in the darkness of her basement room, Bryan's arm heavy and possessive around her waist, his breath warm and steady on her neck. He wasn't really asleep. She could feel it. His body remained alert, every muscle taut like a bowstring, ready to spring up and kill at the slightest sound.

She herself couldn't sleep a wink.

Every heartbeat felt like a countdown. Four hours to go. Three. Two.

Her skin burned wherever he had touched her. A sweet, painful echo throbbed between her thighs. She carried his marks within her, on her, around her. His scent clung to her like a second skin. Jaw. Storm. Blood. And beneath it all, that deep, animalistic fragrance that made her wolf tremble.

She hated herself for wanting it so badly. Again. Already. Despite everything.

"You're thinking too loudly," Bryan suddenly murmured into her hair.

Della flinched.

"I can't help it."

He turned her around in his arms until she was looking into his face. In the dim moonlight that filtered through the tiny window, his features appeared even sharper. The scar above his right eyebrow shone silver. His eyes were almost black, with only a narrow gray ring around his dilated pupils.

"Afraid of the duel?" he asked quietly.

"Fear of what comes next."

He stroked her lower lip with his thumb. Slowly. Anguishedly.

"There is no aftermath if I lose."

"And what if you win?"

"Then you belong to me. Officially. In front of the whole pack. In front of the moon. In front of everything that matters."

Della laughed bitterly. A sound devoid of joy.

"An unmarked girl as Luna? They'll laugh at you. Then tear you apart."

Bryan smiled thinly. Dangerously.

"Then they will die."

He rolled halfway over her. His weight pressed her into the thin mattress. Not crushing. Just... dominant. Inescapable.

"Stop fighting," he whispered. "Not against me."

"I'm not fighting against you," she whispered. "I'm fighting against myself."

His hand slid beneath the torn blanket. Found bare skin. Stroked across her stomach, higher, until it cupped her breast. His thumb slowly circled the already hard tip.

Della gasped softly.

"Your body doesn't lie," he murmured against her neck. His lips brushed the sensitive skin below her ear. "It's begging."

"I..."

"Say it."

"I want you," she whispered. The words burned like poison and honey at the same time.

Bryan growled deeply. A sound that vibrated through her entire body.

The next moment he kissed her. Hard. Passionately. His tongue plunged into her mouth, exploring every nook and cranny, as if he wanted to mark her from the inside out. Della wrapped her arms around his neck. Nails dug into his shoulders. She returned the kiss with the same ferocity, with the same desperation.

His free hand wandered lower. He spread her thighs apart. Fingers slid through moist heat. Found the most sensitive spot. Caressed. Pressed. Circling. Slowly. Then faster.

Della bent towards him. A stifled groan escaped her.

"So wet," he whispered against her lips. "So ready for me."

"Bryan... please..."

"Excuse me?" His fingers penetrated her. Two at once. Deeply. Curving. Finding that spot inside her that made her see stars.

"More," she gasped. "Please, more."

He laughed darkly. Removed his fingers. Della whimpered in protest.

"Patience," he murmured.

He slid lower. Kissed her neck. Her collarbones. Her breasts. Took a tip to his mouth. Sucked. Nibbled. Tucked with his teeth. Della let out a soft cry. Her fingers dug into his hair.

He continued his downward movement. Over her stomach. Her hips. Then he spread her thighs wide. His breath caressed her most intimate area.

Della froze.

“Bryan… what…”

"Quiet."

His tongue touched her.

Once. Slowly. From bottom to top.

Della reared up. A scream escaped her throat.

He held her hips firmly. Unyieldingly. And then he licked her. Really. Deeply. Greedily. His tongue plunged inside her, circled the little button, sucked on it until she trembled and whimpered and begged.

"Bryan... I... I can't take this anymore..."

He raised his head just enough for her to see his glossy lips.

"You can endure what I give you."

Then he lowered his head again. Sucking harder. Two fingers penetrated her simultaneously, moving in time with his tongue. Fast. Mercilessly.

Della screamed his name. Her body tensed like a bowstring. The c****x struck her like lightning. White-hot. Blinding. She arched her back, clutching the sheets, trembling all over.

Bryan didn't stop. He licked her through her o****m. He prolonged it. He tormented her with gentle, small flicks of his tongue until she whimpered and begged.

Only when she sank back, completely exhausted, did he raise his head.

His eyes were glowing.

"Beautiful," he murmured. "So damn beautiful when you come."

Della could barely breathe.

He crawled back up. Positioned himself between her legs. His p***s lay heavy and hard at her entrance. Pulsating. Demanding.

"Look at me," he commanded.

Della opened her eyes. Tears ran down her temples.

Bryan slowly penetrated her.

Millimeter by millimeter.

Della gasped. He was so big. So hard. He filled her completely.

When he was completely inside her, he paused. Forehead to forehead. Both were breathing heavily.

"Say it," he whispered.

"What?"

"That you belong to me."

"I belong to you," she whispered.

He began to move.

Slowly at first. Deep. Each thrust a deliberate claim. Then faster. Harder. The bed frame slammed rhythmically against the wall. Della wrapped her legs around his hips. Took him deeper. Deeper.

Her nails left bloody marks across his back.

Bryan growled. He bit her shoulder. Not enough to leave a mark. Not yet. But enough to make her scream.

"Come again," he commanded roughly. "For me."

His hand slid between them. Found her sensitive spot. Rubbed it in time with his thrusts.

Della lost her mind.

The second c****x hit her even harder. She screamed his name. Her insides contracted rhythmically around him, milking him.

Bryan followed seconds later. A deep, animalistic roar escaped him. He thrust deep inside her one last time, ejaculating hot and pulsating.

Then he collapsed on top of her. Breathing heavily. Covered in sweat. Still inside her.

They lay like that for many minutes.

Tied together.

Merged.

Until the first grey of dusk seeped through the window.

Bryan rolled off her and pulled her to his chest.

"It's time," he said quietly.

Della began to tremble.

"You could lose."

"I don't lose."

"But if so..."

He cupped her face in both hands.

"Then you will die with me. Quickly. Painlessly. I will not allow them to torture you."

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I don't want to die."

"Then pray that I win."

He kissed her one last time. Tenderly. Almost desperately.

Then he stood up. He got dressed. In black. Like death itself.

Della wrapped the blanket around herself. She also stood up. Her legs were trembling.

Bryan looked at her. For a long time.

"You're staying here," he said. "Until it's over."

"No."

“Della.”

"I'm coming with you."

He growled.

"It is dangerous."

"I know."

He stared at her. Then he gave a curt nod.

"Then get dressed. Quickly."

She slipped into her grey dress. Tied her hair back. Barefoot. As always.

Bryan took her hand.

His fingers intertwined with hers.

For the first time, it didn't feel like a shackle.

But like a promise.

They left the cellar and climbed the stairs through the silent corridors of the castle. Guards nodded to Bryan. No one dared to stop him.

They stopped in front of the large portal.

Outside, the frozen lake awaited. White. Still. Deadly.

Hundreds of pack members had already gathered in a wide circle. Torches blazed. Their breath stood in white clouds.

Alpha Victor stood in the middle. In full battle gear. A huge broadsword in his hand.

Georgia is next to him.

Her eyes were red from crying. Incomprehension. Hurt.

When she saw Della, they widened.

"Della?" she whispered.

Della wanted to go to her. To explain everything. But Bryan held her back.

"Later," he murmured.

Victor laughed ugly.

"You're bringing your w***e? How touching."

Bryan smiled coldly.

"She is not a w***e. She is my companion."

Murmurs arose from the pack.

Victor spat.

"Unmarked. Worthless. You're throwing everything away for a piece of dirt?"

Bryan stepped forward. He pulled Della with him.

“I don’t throw anything away,” he said loudly. “I take what’s mine.”

He turned to Della and looked deep into her eyes.

Then he leaned forward. And bit down.

His teeth dug into the space between his neck and shoulder.

The pain exploded.

Della screamed.

But at the same time... warmth. Embers. A silvery glow spread from the bite. It took shape. Into a perfect crescent moon.

The pack panted collectively.

Georgia staggered backward, her hand pressed over her mouth.

Victor roared with rage.

"Witchcraft!"

Bryan lifted his head. Blood dripped from his lips.

"Fate does not lie," he said calmly.

Then he turned to Victor.

"You demanded a duel. Now you'll get it."

He let go of Della. He stepped into the circle.

Two alpha males. A frozen lake. A girl caught in between.

The crowd fell silent.

The first blow was struck.

Swords clashed.

Sparks flew.

Bryan moved like a shadow. Fast. Precise. Deadly.

Victor was stronger. Bigger. More brutal.

Each blow made the ice tremble.

Della stood at the edge, her hands pressed to her mouth. Tears were streaming down her face.

She felt every hit Bryan took in her own body.

Blood turned the ice red.

Bryan was bleeding from a deep wound on his side.

Victor from the shoulder.

No one gave in.

Then an error occurred.

Victor stumbled.

Bryan took advantage of it.

His sword descended.

Victor parried the shot. Too late.

The blade pierced Victor's chest.

Deep.

Up to the magazine.

Victor gasped. Blood gushed from his mouth.

He stared at Bryan. Incredulously.

Then he fell.

Get on your knees.

Then forwards.

Dead.

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Bryan stood breathing heavily over the body.

Blood dripped from his blade.

He turned around.

She looked at Della.

And smiled.

A genuine smile. For the first time.

"It's over," he said quietly.

Della ran.

Across the ice. Right into his arms.

He caught her. Held her tight.

The pack erupted in cheers.

Not for Victor.

For the new Alpha.

For Bryan.

And for the new Luna.

The unmarked bastard daughter, who suddenly bore the most sacred mark a pack had ever seen.

Georgia stood off to the side. Tears streamed down her face.

But she nodded slowly.

A small, sad nod.

Forgiveness? Maybe.

Acceptance? Maybe.

Bryan lifted Della up. Carried her like a bride off the ice.

Past the cheering wolves.

Past the dead body of her father.

Back to the castle.

Into his chamber.

It's no longer theirs.

Their shared one.

He laid her on the bed.

Gentle this time.

She kissed away every tear.

"Now," he whispered. "Now everything begins."

And Della knew he was right.

The bond pulsed warmly and vibrantly between them.

The mark on her shoulder shone silver.

And for the first time in her life, she didn't feel invisible.

She felt seen.

Loved.

Highly sought after.

And powerful.

Bryan slowly undressed.

Then he undressed her too.

Skin to skin.

Heart to heart.

He slowly grew to love her this time.

Tender.

Extensively.

Every kiss is a promise.

Every touch is a vow.

When they came together, quietly, intimately, merged, Della knew:

This was not the end.

That was the beginning.

Something bigger.

Something wild.

Something eternal.

And outside, above the frozen lake, the sun rose.

Red like blood.

Gold like hope.

And the moon slowly faded.

But its light remained.

In them.

Forever.