Marked by the Alpha’s son

The trap

Stephanie’s hands shook as she read the urgent message. Darien’s group was surrounded by rogues. The trap had been set carefully. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed. The bond in her chest pulled tight with worry.

“I have to do something,” she said to Damien, who had brought the news. “I can’t just wait here.”

Damien looked serious. “Darien would want you safe. But I know that look. You’re not the type to hide.”

Luna Elara joined them. “We can send a second group. You can go with them if you stay protected. But promise me you’ll be careful.”

Stephanie nodded. She quickly prepared — a strong knife, a small bag of healing herbs, and the confidence she had built over the past weeks. She rode out with a group of twenty warriors. The bond with Darien guided her south, warm and steady even through the distance.

The journey felt long. The forest paths were quiet, but everyone stayed alert. When they reached the area near the southern border, the sounds of battle reached them first. Howls and growls filled the air.

Stephanie’s group joined the fight from the side. She stayed near the healers at first, helping the injured. But when she saw Darien’s massive black wolf surrounded by several rogues, she couldn’t stay back.

She grabbed a spear from a fallen warrior and ran forward. “Darien!” she shouted.

Her voice seemed to give him new strength. He broke free from two rogues and fought his way toward her. Stephanie swung the spear at a rogue that tried to attack him from behind. The hit wasn’t perfect, but it gave Darien the opening he needed.

Together, they turned the tide. Darien’s power combined with the new reinforcements pushed the rogues back. The battle ended with the enemy fleeing into the trees. Many were injured on both sides, but the trap had failed.

Darien shifted back to human form and pulled Stephanie into his arms. He was breathing hard, covered in dirt and blood, but he held her like she was the only thing that mattered.

“You came,” he said, voice rough. “You shouldn’t have, but you did. My brave Luna.”

Stephanie hugged him tight. “I couldn’t wait at home. I felt you through the bond. I had to help.”

They tended to the wounded together. Darien made sure Stephanie stayed close while the healers worked. His hand never left hers for long. When the group was ready to return, he rode beside her the whole way, his silver eyes watching her with deep love and pride.

Back at the mansion, Alpha Thorne met them with relief. “You both did well. The rogues are weaker now. But we still need to find their leader.”

That night, after cleaning up and eating, Darien took Stephanie to their suite. He was gentle as he checked her for any injuries. Then he pulled her close and made love to her with slow, deep passion. His powerful body moved with care, showing how much he had feared losing her. Stephanie held onto him, the bond glowing strong between them. They whispered words of love and promises as they found pleasure together.

Afterward, they lay tangled in the sheets. Darien stroked her hair. “You’re not the girl I watched from the shadows anymore. You’re my equal. My partner.”

Stephanie smiled against his chest. “And you’re not the devil they call you. You’re my mate. My home.”

The next few days brought some peace. Repairs continued on the mansion. Stephanie trained harder with Darien. Their love grew deeper with every shared moment — quiet talks in the meadow, tender nights in their bed, and working together for the pack.

But the rogues weren’t finished. One afternoon, a captured rogue was brought in for questioning. He laughed when he saw Stephanie.

“The outcast thinks she’s Luna now? The master has plans for you. Your blood will pay for the devil’s sins.”

Darien grabbed him by the collar. “Who is your master?”

The rogue only smiled. “You’ll find out soon.”

They locked him away, but the words left everyone uneasy. That night, Darien held Stephanie extra close. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. We’ll end this together.”

Stephanie kissed him softly. “Together.”

As they fell asleep, the bond felt stronger than ever. But far in the distance, new howls rose — different this time. They sounded like a call. A bigger force was gathering.

The final battle was coming.