His Mate; His Obsession

Chapter 1: Claire Walters

The devastating sounds of her mother’s screams still lived rent free in her head. No matter how many years passed, Claire knew she will never forget them.

She remember that night as if it happened yesterday.

The cold tiles beneath her bare feet. The flickering candles along the corridor. The scent of rain drifting through the open windows.

And blood. So much blood she couldn’t think clearly.

Claire Walters was only eleven when she watched her mother die before her eyes.

Her mother Dianna was just an ordinary maid in the Alpha King’s household for as long as she could remember.

Claire grew up within these walls, learning from her mother that servants were expected to keep their heads down, their mouths shut, and their opinions to themselves. Her mother always told her that obedience would keep them safe.

With the turning arms of time. Dianna has proven herself to be wrong.

That night, nothing could have kept her safe from the Queen. Not even the Alpha King, as he stood there helplessly as his Luna plunged a knife through her chest.

Before the horrific attack Dianna tucked Claire in bed early. She said a small prayer on her knees near a candled light, before she lay on a small bunk bed not too far from her daughter. Before she could have thought of dozing off to sleep the king soldiers suddenly badged in and dragged her away. Waking Claire from her slumber.

Minutes after, the queens voice could be heard echoing through the corridor wreathing with anger.

Determined to discover what all the commotion was about Claire got out of bed and tiptoed down the corridor. She hid behind one of the enormous pillars and looked into the Ballroom.

There her mother was, on her knees.

The Queen Caura Carter stood before her.

The king David Carter sat on his throne as if turning a blind eye to what was happening before him.

Even from where Claire was hiding, she could see the fury in the Queen’s eyes.

“Please, Your Majesty,” Dianna begged. “I swear I did nothing. Please have mercy!”

The Queen’s lips curled into a cold smile.

“You rats could never take my place. You and your bastard daughter will always be nothing but filthy maids!” Barked the Luna launching a powerful slap across her face.

Dianna eyes suddenly found her daughter big grey eyes,

For one terrible second, they stared at each other. Dianna eyes widened as a tear trickled down her cheek.

She knew Claire was there.

And without saying a word, she begged her to run.

Claire couldn’t move. She watched as the Queen shifted. Launching the knife straight through her mother’s chest. A terrifying growl echoed through the hallway.

And then everything happened too quickly. Her mother’s scream pierced the night before collapsing to the floor.

Dead

Her own blood pooled around her.

Claire covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Tears blurred her vision.

Claire’s world felt like it died along with her.

“Take her body deep into the forest and bury it.” Was the queens cold words to the two guards who also stood witness to the Luna’s brutality.

The Alpha king remained non-chalant as if nothing happened.

Claire couldn't remember how she made it back to her tiny room that night.

She doesn’t remember crying.

Perhaps there were no tears left.

She only remember sitting on the floor, staring at her mother’s empty bed.

As her body shivered in agony she made a promise.

One day, they would pay.

She would make every person responsible for my mother’s death suffer.

Especially the Queen ‘Caura Carter’

She couldn’t care less that Caura was the most powerful woman in the pack.

Claire didn’t care that she was the Alpha King’s mate.

And she certainly didn’t care what happened to herself.

From that night forward, she stopped being the obedient little maid her mother had raised.

She became someone else.

Someone colder.

Someone patient.

Someone who could wait.

Years passed, but she never forgot.

Claire is nineteen now. She is no longer a cleaner but now a kitchen servant.

Standing inside the same palace where her mother had died, She looked across the grand ballroom at the royal family.

The Alpha King sat proudly upon his throne. The Queen sat beside him. And beside them stood their two sons.

The eldest Eric Carter 26, was everything a future Alpha should be—powerful, intimidating, and painfully handsome.

His younger brother Donavon Carter 21, stood beside him, quieter but no less dangerous.

Two princes.

Two wolves.

Two men who had no idea that the woman serving them wine had spent years dreaming about destroying their family.

Claire lowered her eyes before anyone could notice the hatred burning inside them.

“Claire Walters!”

She immediately straightened.

The Alpha King’s voice had caught her attention.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

His eyes remained fixed on her as if the alcohol was already hitting his sweet spot.

But there was something different about his expression tonight.

Something almost… guilty.

“I need to speak with you.”

Claire's heart began to pound. She followed him from the ballroom, her mind racing.

Had he discovered my hatred?

Had someone told him what I had witnessed all those years ago?

Or had my carefully guarded secret finally been exposed?

They stopped when they reached his private study.

The Alpha King closed the door behind him.

For a moment, no words were spoken.

Then he looked at her with an expression she had never seen on his face before. He then began moving slowly towards her. Claire immediately began stepping backwards, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. Suddenly she could feel her buttocks resting against his study desk. But he kept moving towards her until he was inches away from my face. The alcohol scent escaping his mouth was pungent enough to make any woman cringe.

“This belongs to your mother, I know she would want you to have it” he said hooking a strange-looking necklace around her neck.

“Claire,” he said quietly. “There is something you deserve to know.”

Claire's heart raced as she held her breath.

“What is it?”

He looked away.

“Your mother was a good woman, she will forever hold a special place in my heart.” he declared.

Claire's blood ran cold. She couldn’t quite understand what he was saying.

“Is he confessing that his Luna killed my mother or is he saying something else something that I’m unaware of?” she asked herself.

“I want to make this right.” He continued.

“And I have spent years knowing that you deserved justice.”

Claire stared at him. A bitter smile touched her lips.

“You can’t bring my mother back.”

“No,” he whispered. “But perhaps I can give you something else.”

Claire frowned.

“What?”

He looked toward the door.

Then he said the words that would change her life forever.

“I want you to marry my youngest son.”

For a moment, she thought she had misheard him.

Marry him?

She almost laughed.

Did the Alpha King truly believe she could forget her mother’s death simply because he offered her a crown?

But then a dangerous thought entered her mind.

Perhaps this wasn’t a punishment.

Perhaps it was an opportunity.

If she became part of the royal family…

She would finally have access to the people who had taken everything from her.

She looked toward the door.

Then back at the Alpha King.

Slowly, a smile formed on her lips.

“Very well,” she whispered.

His expression softened with relief.

But he didn’t know the truth.

Claire wasn’t accepting his offer because she wanted his son’s love.

She wasn’t accepting it because she wanted to become a princess or Luna

She was accepting it because she had finally been given a way inside the family she had sworn to destroy.

And this time…

She wasn’t going to be the victim.

She was going to be their worst nightmare.