Chapter 4: The King's Claim
488 Words
Alina didn’t sleep.
The word wouldn’t leave her mind.
Mate.
It didn’t make sense.
It shouldn’t be possible.
A knock pulled her from her thoughts.
“Come in.”
A maid stepped in. “His Majesty requests you in the hall.”
Her stomach tightened. “Alright.”
Moments later, she was walking through the palace again. But this time, everything felt different.
Eyes followed her.
Whispers spread.
When the hall doors opened, the tension hit instantly.
They were all there.
Watching her.
“The human…”
“The King’s mate…”
Alina clenched her hands and walked forward.
Kael stood at the front, waiting.
“Stand beside me,” he said.
She hesitated… then obeyed.
Silence fell.
“Alina will remain here,” Kael announced. “Under my protection.”
Low murmurs rose.
But he ignored them.
Then suddenly—
His hand grabbed her wrist.
Alina stiffened.
Before she could react, he pulled her closer.
“Watch,” he said.
Her heart started racing.
“What are you—”
Pain.
Sharp.
Sudden.
Alina gasped as his fangs pierced her neck.
But the pain didn’t last.
Heat replaced it instantly.
It spread through her body, fast and overwhelming.
Her breath shook.
Something inside her awakened.
When he pulled away, she stumbled slightly, grabbing her neck.
“What did you do to me?” she demanded.
No one answered.
Instead, the room erupted.
“The mark—”
“It’s real—”
Alina turned toward the polished pillar nearby.
And froze.
A faint silver mark glowed on her neck.
Her breath caught.
“No…”
Kael’s voice cut through the noise.
“You are now bound to me.”
Her heart dropped.
“You had no right!”
Murmurs spread again.
But Kael didn’t react.
“This was necessary.”
Before she could argue—
The doors burst open.
A guard rushed in.
“Your Majesty!”
Kael turned. “Speak.”
“Alpha Magnus has declared rebellion.”
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
“How many?” Kael asked.
“Three packs.”
Shock rippled through the hall.
Kael’s gaze shifted back to Alina.
Cold.
Calm.
“You see now.”
She frowned. “See what?”
“Why you matter.”
Her chest tightened.
“What does that mean?”
He stepped closer.
“The prophecy,” he said quietly.
Her heart skipped.
“What prophecy?”
“That a human mate will decide the fate of the Lycan throne.”
Alina’s breath caught.
“I didn’t choose this.”
“No,” he said.
“But now you’re part of it.”
Across the hall, someone spoke.
“Then she’s not just a human anymore.”
Alina swallowed.
“What am I?”
The answer came quietly.
“A target.”
Silence returned.
But this time—
It carried fear.
Because now everyone understood.
This wasn’t just a bond.
It was the beginning of war.
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