Bound To The Alpha

Chapter 3 – Kael Draven

Elara’s POV

His dark hazel eyes met mine as he stared at me, neither of us refusing to break contact. Tousled dark brown hair that framed his face perfectly well, complimented his chiseled jawline. He had to be at least 6ft tall with a lean but muscular build. Even under the bookstore’s warm light, there was something hauntingly magnetic about his gaze. Like I dare not try to look away.

He looked effortlessly captivating, like he had walked out of a dream I had forgotten.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. My mind had completely gone blank.

“Ahem, Can I help you young man?” Selene’s voice broke the silence, releasing us from whatever trance we were both in.

I guess she noticed I wasn’t myself. Hopefully I wasn’t drooling because it definitely felt like I could have.

I blinked, suddenly aware of how red my cheeks were. His gaze drifted towards Selene, but that didn’t help much because then…he spoke.

“Sorry…I was wondering if you have anything on old myths?”

Deep. Smooth. The kind that sinks into your skin and lingers.

“Maybe local legends?” he added, casually.

Selene smiled slyly. “I believe we do…right, Elara?”

I swallowed hard and forced a tiny smile. “Yeah. I’ll, um… check the back.”

I turned too quickly and fled like a coward, my cheeks burning.

I could feel his eyes on me as I walked away.

“Get it together Elara,” I muttered under my breath, pressing my back against the wall. My heart was pounding in my chest, fast and loud. “It’s just a guy…a ridiculously good-looking, jaw-droppingly magnetic guy, but still, a guy.

I took a deep breath, then another. I could hear him chatting with Selene.

I started pulling a few books on local legends and mythology, using that time to rewire my brain. By the time I stepped out, I had composed myself, mostly.

I returned to the counter and placed the books down, careful not to look at his face.

“Will these do?” I asked, eyes fixed anywhere but his face.

“Do you usually avoid eye contact when helping customers?” His tone, low and amused.

Of course, he noticed.

I glanced up, reluctantly, and our eyes met again.

A smirk played on his lips. He was enjoying this.

Pissed at this, I narrowed my eyes.

That wiped his smirk away.

He tilted his head, studying me.

“Yeah…this will do.” he said at last.

I started packing the books into a small bag. “Okay,” I murmured, barely beyond a whisper.

“Elara right?” he asked.

The way he said my name…it did something to me.

“Y-yeah.” I answered, clearing my throat and focusing way too hard on the receipt I was folding.

We reached for the payment at the same time and our hands brushed. Heat shut up my arm like a spark had left his skin to mine.

I fumbled slightly, nearly dropping the bag.

“I’m Kael.” He said finally, not moving. His voice is gentler now.

I looked up and he smiled. This time it wasn’t teasing.

It was warm. Honest. Safe.

“Kael Draven,” he added.

Then he turned and walked out the door. Just like that.

The bell jingled softly above him.

I stared at the empty doorway, my mouth opened, like I had forgotten how to speak.

****

I couldn’t stop thinking about him all through the weekend and, of course, Selene wouldn’t let it go.

“You’ve got it bad,” she teased me.

Now here I was, at the mall with Grace, supposed to be focused on finding the perfect birthday outfit but look who isn’t paying attention. .

“Earth to Elara,” Grace snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Are you even listening?”

“Y-yeah. Totally,” I blinked, trying to play it cool.

She narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it as she shoved two dresses in my arms. “Try these on before I dress you myself.”

After hours of shopping, we were finally done. Grace had everything planned out, including a party I hadn’t agreed to. Somehow, she even managed to convince my dad to let it happen, but only under two conditions: no drinking or smoking and no s*x.

Apparently, she had also invited Luca, who on the other hand, invited half of the school.

By 7pm, people were already flooding my house. I wore a white ruffled dress with thin straps and my mom’s necklace resting lightly on my collarbone. Grace looked stunning in her burgundy top and blue jeans.

Then Luca showed up.

“Happy birthday,” he said, handing me a tiny gift box.

“Aww…thanks,” I opened it slowly and gasped. A delicate gold bracelet with a crescent moon and star charm shimmered inside.

“Oh my God, Luca…this is beautiful.”

“I noticed you always wear that necklace,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “so I thought…moon theme?”

“Wow…that’s really thoughtful,” I smiled.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “You look really beautiful by the way,” he added.

I blinked. “Oh. Thanks.”

Was he…flirting with me?

Before I could say anything else, his friends whisked him away. I looked back at the bracelet and smiled. But something in me felt bad about feeling this way.

“Come on birthday girl!” Grace grabbed my hand, pulling me to the dance floor.

We danced, laughed and, I had to admit, I had fun.

I kept on catching Luca staring at me.

Later, we ended up in the garage to grab some cleaning supplies. Some guests had thrashed the kitchen.

“I think my dad keeps them here,” I said, searching.

“I’ll check the shelves,” Luca offered.

We both searched in silence for a few seconds until he turned around holding the mop.

“Got it,” he said, then chuckled. “Saving your own party.”

I smiled. “Welcome to my glamorous life.”

He stepped closer, offering me the mop. “Tonight’s been fun…mostly because of you.”

I looked up, caught off guard by how sincere he sounded. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

As I reached for the handle, his hand brushed mine and our eyes met. I felt a brief flicker of something.

He took a small step forward, his eyes dropping to my lips now.

“Elara…” he said softly.

My breath hitched.

He leaned in slightly, and before he could close the gap between us, I turned quickly towards the shelves.

“ Oh-uh-found the bucket,” I said, grabbing it a little too fast.

Luca stepped back immediately, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make things weird.”

“No, no, you didn’t.” I said quickly, hugging the bucket to my chest. “I just…don’t really know what I’m feeling right now.”

He nodded. “It’s okay.”

I gave a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Come on, let’s get back upstairs before someone sets the house on fire,” He said, with a light grin.

I chuckled. “ Yeah, sure.”

We returned upstairs, and I tried to push the moment from my mind. Unfortunately, someone else had thrown up on the lawn.

Gross.

I grabbed the bucket and headed outside. That’s when I felt it.

The familiar aching pain in my chest. It felt like it was coming from the woods.

Without a second thought, I started walking towards it…until I was deep inside the woods. Alone.

I stayed still, scouting for any sign of movement but nothing. I decided to head back, but then something darted through the trees. It was fast.

Before I realized it, a massive brown wolf burst from the shadows.

I froze, bracing myself for the impact, but it never came.

Another wolf had tackled it in midair.

I stumbled back, eyes wide as the two beasts clashed viciously in front of me. That’s when I saw them—red glowing eyes.

The black wolf growled at me, as if telling me to run.

I didn’t hesitate.

I ran, but I was stopped in my tracks as another wolf blocked my path. It’s amber eyes staring at me. Hungry.

I stepped back slowly.

Then the black wolf appeared behind me, growling low as he used his body to cover mine, as if…protecting me?

I ran again, the sounds of the fighting wolves echoing behind me. I saw the light of my house up ahead, relief washing over me.

Then…

A car’s headlights, blinding, racing towards me. I hadn’t seen it on time.

The last thing I heard was the screech of tires and the sound of my name.