Bound by the Alpha

Chapter 4:The Tension Builds

The days following Damian’s visit felt like a blur. Selena went through the motions of her usual routine, but everything had changed. Her apartment, once a place of comfort, now felt like a cage. Every creak of the floorboards, every soft whisper of wind through the cracks in the windows, made her tense, her mind racing with thoughts of Damian, the rival pack, and the dangers she couldn’t comprehend.

Despite her best efforts, sleep came fitfully. Each night, she would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the sound of a knock, the glimpse of glowing eyes in the dark. She’d hear the occasional siren in the distance, the hum of the city, but her mind would always return to him. To the Alpha.

Selena wasn’t sure if she hated him or feared him more. She had never been one to rely on anyone—especially not someone who appeared out of nowhere with cryptic warnings. And yet… when he’d looked at her, his golden eyes had been filled with something that resembled care—something she wasn’t sure how to handle.

By the fourth day, she could no longer ignore the pull of the mystery surrounding Damian and his world. The restless energy was eating at her, and she knew she needed answers. The part of her that wanted to push it all away, to close the door on this nightmare, had lost its strength. Instead, the questions began to demand her attention.

It was a chilly afternoon when she received a message on the preprogrammed phone Damian had left her.

Damian: Stay inside today. I’ll be by later to check on you.

Selena frowned, her heart skipping a beat. What did he mean by “check on you”? Was this his version of a threat, or was it genuine concern? And why today? Why now?

The message felt like a prelude to something, an inevitability. She had almost gotten used to her new reality, but this was a reminder that danger was never far away. She glanced at the window, her pulse quickening. It had been raining for the past hour, the sky gray and the streets slick with water. She knew better than to go outside. For the first time since she met Damian, the feeling of being watched was palpable, like a shadow at the edge of her vision.

She glanced at the clock on her wall. A few hours before Damian would arrive. She tried to push away the anticipation, but it gnawed at her. What would happen when he showed up? Would he tell her more about the rival pack? Or would he leave her with even more questions than before?

By the time the knock came, Selena’s nerves were frayed. She stood frozen for a moment, staring at the door, the phone in her hand. She’d thought about not answering, about pretending she was out, but something told her that would be a mistake. If there was one thing Damian had proven, it was that he was persistent—and he didn’t seem like the kind of man who took “no” for an answer.

With a deep breath, she opened the door, the heavy weight in her chest making her movements slow. Damian stood there, his broad frame silhouetted against the dim hallway light, his expression unreadable. He looked every bit the part of an Alpha—strong, confident, and untouchable.

“Damian,” she said, her voice thick with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. “What’s going on?”

He gave her a brief nod, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. His golden eyes swept over the room, and for a moment, she wondered if he was scanning for danger or simply observing her. His presence filled the small apartment, making it feel smaller, tighter.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his tone unexpectedly soft.

Selena frowned. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he moved to the window, peering out into the rain. The city lights reflected off the wet streets, creating long shadows that seemed to stretch endlessly. His gaze lingered there for a moment before he turned back to her. His face was more serious than usual, as though something weighed on him more heavily than he was willing to admit.

“You should be careful,” Damian said, his voice low. “They’re getting closer.”

Selena’s pulse quickened. “Who?”

“The rival pack,” he said, his jaw tight. “They’ve been watching you. They know about the connection between us.”

She froze. “What do you mean? What connection?”

Damian’s gaze shifted to her, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. “You don’t remember? You were marked the moment you saw me. By the time they learned about you, it was already too late. You’re tied to me, Selena. Whether you accept it or not.”

The words felt like a punch to the gut, but there was no time to process the implications. Something else was happening—something darker.

“I don’t understand. You said I was in danger,” she said, her voice trembling with frustration. “But I still don’t get why I’m a threat.”

“You’re not a threat,” he said sharply. “But to them, you are. They don’t care about why you’re involved. They care about power. And they’ll do anything to take it from me.”

Selena’s heart sank. She wanted to ask a thousand questions, but the words caught in her throat. She could see the tension in his posture, the weight of responsibility that seemed to press down on him like an invisible burden. For all his confidence, there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—a flicker of vulnerability that confused her even more.

“I don’t want to be a part of this,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damian’s eyes softened for just a moment before hardening again. “You don’t get to choose, Selena. This is your life now. And I won’t let them take you from me.”

His words hit her like a storm, the gravity of the situation settling over her like a heavy cloak. She didn’t know what to say. There were so many questions, so much fear bubbling up inside her, but for the first time, she didn’t feel like she was facing this alone. Damian was here. And for reasons she couldn’t fully understand, he was determined to protect her.

“Then what happens now?” she asked, her voice quiet but steady.

He looked at her, his expression hard to r******w, you follow my lead. You stay hidden until we deal with them.”

Her chest tightened. She had never been good at following anyone’s lead, but she also knew she had no choice. This was no longer about her. It was about survival.

“Alright,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Damian’s gaze softened, just for a moment, before he nodded. “Good. Stay close to me, Selena. And don’t trust anyone else.”

The door clicked shut behind him as he left, and Selena was left standing there, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was certain: she was no longer in control of her own destiny.