Claimed By The Alpha Twin

Chapter 1: The Trap Maya A sleek black car pulled into the mansion's long driveway, its tires crunching over the gravel like bones snapping under pressure. I watched it from the tall windows of the living room, my stomach already twisting into knots as my weak wolf stirred uneasily inside me, sensing the heavy tension in the air. Lucas stepped out. He moved like the world owed him something and he was tired of waiting for payment. His dark suit hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, the fabric expensive and impeccable. His jaw was sharp, set in that familiar stubborn line, and his hazel eyes scanned the house with cool detachment, already looking for any reason to leave. He didn't bother fixing his hair. He never did. He walked toward the massive oak doors, pausing for a moment to let out a heavy sigh that carried through the quiet evening air. Then he stepped inside. I was already standing in the center of the living room, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. I turned as he entered, and our eyes met. For a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just the two of us — years of quiet moments, unspoken protectiveness, and feelings I had never dared name hanging between us. My wolf whined softly, torn between longing and fear. Neither of us spoke. A few minutes later, Caleb walked in. He moved like he owned every inch of the room — because he believed he did. He was the kind of handsome that demanded attention: loud, arrogant, with a presence that made people stop and stare. And they always did. Lucas sighed softly and walked over to the couch, sitting down and crossing one leg over the other. He folded his arms across his chest like a shield. Caleb dropped onto the opposite couch, leaning back carelessly with his legs sprawled out. I remained standing right there in the center, my fingers digging into each other to hide how badly they were trembling. My weak wolf stirred uneasily inside me, sensing the heavy tension in the air like storm clouds gathering. "So," Lucas said coldly, his voice breaking the silence like ice cracking. "Why did you call this meeting? I have things I need to do. Be quick." Caleb nodded in agreement, flashing that smug grin I used to find charming. "Yeah, Maya. Everyone is busy with their lives. Go straight to the point." I inhaled sharply. The air felt thick and suffocating, heavy with the mingled scents of cedar and pine that always clung to them — strong, alpha scents that made my weaker wolf shrink back. I had practiced this moment a hundred times in my head, whispering the words to my reflection until my throat hurt. But now, standing here between the two men who had once been my entire world, the speech felt like lead in my mouth. "I called you both here," I said, forcing my voice to stay as steady as I could manage, "to inform you about my future. About my marriage." Lucas's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. A flicker of surprise — or was it something sharper, like curiosity mixed with pain? — crossed his face before it went blank again. "Okay. Who are you marrying?" Caleb leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Yeah, which one of us are you marrying?" I chuckled bitterly, looking at them both. Their faces had gone a little pale, and I couldn't tell if they were hoping I would choose them or terrified that I might. "Look at you two. You both look so pale. I cannot tell if you are hoping to be chosen or terrified by the thought of it." Lucas's voice went completely flat. "Cut to the chase." "My 18th birthday is in a few months," I said, lifting my chin even as my weak wolf whimpered inside me. "I am going to fulfill Alpha Ian's promise. I will announce my fiancé at the birthday banquet." I turned to Caleb, the boy I had loved for fifteen years, the one who had once promised me forever. "And Caleb… since we have shared everything since we were children, I expect it to be you." Caleb's smirk widened, but Lucas's eyes narrowed, something dark and unreadable flashing in their depths. "Why wait until the banquet?" Lucas asked. His voice was flat, but there was an undercurrent I couldn't quite read — something that made my chest tighten. Before I could answer, the living room door clicked open. Kate walked in, still wearing her maid's uniform. Her steps were slow and deliberate. She knew she wasn't supposed to be here. That was exactly why she came. "Miss Maya," Kate said sweetly, her voice dripping with false innocence. "You are not planning on keeping both Alpha heirs to yourself, are you? I know Alpha Ian loves to indulge you. But keeping them both to yourself would be greedy, don't you think?" Lucas's voice cut through the room like a whip. "Kate… remind me how this meeting is any of your business." Her face went pale. "L-Lucas, I was just—" "I do not recall asking for your involvement." He didn't even look at her. His arms remained folded, his expression completely frozen. "Maya's decision is none of your business. Leave." Caleb slammed his hands on his knees and stood up. "Lucas, you cannot talk to her like that! Especially not because of Maya. Kate is a member of this pack." Lucas finally turned his head, his eyes cold and commanding. "Now," he said firmly. Kate looked at Caleb, then at Lucas, her lower lip trembling in that practiced way of hers. "I am so sorry, Lucas. I was just trying to help." Then she rushed toward me. She grabbed the fabric of my dress, tears instantly streaming down her face. "Miss Maya, I am sorry! I overstepped! I am just a maid with a weak wolf. Please do not punish me!" Before I could pull away or say a word, she released my dress and threw herself backward. She stumbled hard and collapsed to the ground with a loud thud. The fall was perfectly timed, perfectly placed. She had done this before. Caleb rushed to her side, lifting her up immediately. She sobbed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him like she was terrified. "Maya, why did you do that?" Kate whimpered, pointing a trembling finger at me. "Why did you push me?" My mouth dropped open in shock. "What? I did not touch her—" "Enough, Maya!" Caleb's voice was a sharp bark. "All she did was ask a question! Did you really have to try to hurt her? You are getting too full of yourself just because my father spoils you." He turned to Lucas. "And you. Did you really have to come after her like that? Maya is turning into a monster." Lucas sighed deeply, standing up from the couch. He adjusted his suit jacket and looked at me with clear disappointment in his eyes. "It was not necessary to hurt her like that, Maya. Are you really that desperate for attention?" My hands were shaking violently. My chest heaved as I struggled to breathe. I had done nothing wrong. And yet they were both looking at me like I was the villain in my own life. "What is wrong with you both?" I said, my voice cracking under the weight of it all. "I did not do anything! I am standing right here!" Kate slowly released herself from Caleb's grip, wiping her eyes. She walked toward Lucas, her eyes wide and watery, reaching out to grab his expensive suit jacket. "Lucas, please do not talk to Maya like that. It is not her fault. I am just clumsy…" Lucas's gaze dropped to her hand on his fabric. He grabbed her wrist firmly and removed it. "Do not touch me," he said calmly, his voice completely empty of emotion. She gasped, stepping back. "I am so sorry, Lucas." "Leave," he repeated. She nodded quickly, turning around and hurrying out of the room. But as she passed the doorway, she glanced back at me over her shoulder. The tears were gone. Her smile was dark and victorious. She had won this round. I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the betrayal burning like acid in my throat. "Now that she is gone," I said, "let us continue. I am choosing Caleb. I will be the next Luna of this pack." Caleb scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Are you going to make us feel sorry for you with that 'I saved father' story? Fine. I will marry you when you turn 18. But you will have to stay away from Kate. Promise not to use her as your punching bag." I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh in the empty room. "You cannot bargain with me, Caleb. I know the truth, even if you are too blind to see it." Lucas stared at me for a long moment. His hazel eyes were completely unreadable. He opened his mouth, almost like he was about to say something important. Then he closed it again. He simply turned, put a hand in his pocket, and walked upstairs toward his room. Caleb glanced at me one last time, a mixture of irritation and guilt in his eyes, before storming out after Kate. I stood there for a long moment, the silence pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. Then I rushed up the stairs, my feet barely touching the steps. I burst into my room and slammed the door shut. I locked it and rested my back against the heavy wood, closing my eyes as the first tear finally spilled over. They weren't always like this. I remembered a time when Lucas and Caleb used to protect me from the pack's cruelty. When they used to be on my side. When I felt safe in this house, wrapped in their care like it would never end. But that was before Kate. Before the forest. Before everything changed. She had wormed her way into their hearts with her tears and lies, and slowly, she was stripping away everything I had. My place. My love. My future. But I loved Caleb. I had loved him for fifteen years. I believed that once we were officially engaged at my banquet, he would finally see Kate for who she truly was. I just had to hold on. I just had to endure a little longer. I told myself that. Over and over. Like a prayer. Like a lie. I didn't know that my patience would cost me everything.