THE ALPHA'S UNWANTED MATE

Chapter 7: Claimed

One week later.

Damien stood at the hospital entrance with Leo in his arms.

A tiny bundle wrapped in white was cradled between them.

Their daughter.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Damien whispered.

Leo nodded. Weak, but her eyes were clear. "Yes. It's time."

Outside, 200 wolves waited. The entire Blackwood Pack.

Cameras flashed. Phones recorded.

This was not just a hospital discharge.

This was a claiming.

Damien walked to the center. His wolf eyes glowed gold.

The crowd went silent.

"This," his voice boomed, "is my mate. Leo."

He looked down at her. Then at the baby.

"And this... is my daughter. Princess of the Blackwood Pack."

A growl rumbled in his chest. "Anyone who touches them, dies."

Leo’s heart pounded. She was terrified.

But Damien's arms were steady.

He turned to her. Slowly.

Then he bared his neck.

"Mate me," he whispered. "In front of everyone. So they all know."

Tears filled Leo’s eyes. "Damien... are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything."

Leo leaned in. And bit.

Right on his neck. His mating mark.

Damien roared. Pleasure and pain and bond slammed through them both.

The bond snapped into place. Gold light connected them.

The pack howled.

Damien pulled back, breathing hard. Then he did the same.

He sank his teeth into Leo’s neck.

Pain. Then warmth. Then... home.

"She's mine," he growled against her skin. "Forever."

He lifted the baby up. "And she is ours."

Cheers erupted.

From the crowd, an old woman stepped forward. The Pack Elder.

She handed Damien a small silver necklace with a moonstone.

"For the Luna," she said. "And the heir."

Damien put it around Leo’s neck. Then around the baby's tiny wrist.

That night, in their room, Leo finally broke down.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "What if I'm not good enough to be Luna?"

Damien pulled her close. Baby sleeping between them.

"You already are," he said. "Because you love her. And you love me."

He kissed her forehead. "And I will spend the rest of my life proving you deserve all of this."

Leo smiled. For the first time in months, she felt safe.

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END OF CHAPTER 7