Silver Fate

Unwanted Claim

Her heart thumped faster with each passing thought. She looked up at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair looked like a wave-struck sea; silver locks were tied neatly in an elegant braid around her head, whilst radiant green eyes stared back at her- unwavering… yet vulnerable. There was tension running through her, despite all the honour that was bestowed upon her by her Alpha. An Alpha who believed she was his destined mate.

And who knew… She might be? Still she could not shake this unsure feeling..

A shiver of apprehension ran down her spine. Her mouth was dry, and she could feel her throat being sore. It was like her entire body told her not to go to the Alpha’s quarters. It was as if something unseen was trying to get her attention- but what was it?

No, she heard her wolf say, like she had done earlier that day. She forced a smile on her face, even though Naya would not see it. ‘I know,’ she whispered silently. She knew she could speak to her wolf from within, but sometimes chose to do it out loud. ‘We aren’t eighteen yet,’ she tried to comfort her feral side. ‘It might b’- No, Naya interrupted her sternly.

Anxiety tightened her stomach, as she nervously eyed the clock- watching helplessly as its big hand inevitably reached twelve. While swallowing hard, she took a deep breath and steeled herself to stand up.

She was clad in a black lace bodysuit, which left little to the imagination and left her feeling exposed. Nadine, a friend and fellow pack member, had delivered it to her room shortly after her father had departed. Heath had requested that she wear it, and as an Alpha's request was tantamount to a command, she reluctantly agreed. To ease her discomfort, she draped a silken robe over her shoulders, though the garment did little to conceal her form as she made her way to the Alpha's wing of the manor. The idea of presenting herself in such an intimate garment to a man she had never even exchanged words with left her feeling uneasy.

She crept silently down the hall, making sure to keep her footsteps light. She did not want to warn anyone of her embarrassing stroll towards the unmated Alpha’s chambers. She paused as an unknown sound caught her ear, but quickly realised it came from outside. Her heart was racing in anticipation of what lied ahead.

Eventually, she arrived at Alpha Heath’s quarters. She took the doorknob in her trembling hand, and twisted it.

No, she heard Naya state simply- again. She ignored her inner wolf and entered the room. Right or not, she did not feel like she had a choice. Her Alpha had requested her. Only the Moon Goddess could help her now.

With a rapidly beating heart, she stepped into the dimly-lit chamber of the newly crowned Alpha. ‘Rue,’ she heard his deep, commanding voice say. Every word he spoke demanded respect. Since his victory in the fight for the Alpha role, he had embodied the very essence of a true leader. Each passing day seemed to add to his muscular frame, deepen his voice, and sharpen his gaze. He was an Alpha that their entire pack could be proud of. She entered cautiously, avoiding his gaze. Her future hung in the balance- could he truly be her destined mate? One look would reveal all...

‘What?’ she heard him whisper. He strode up to her, lacing his fingers around her chip and tipping her face towards him. His eyes, aglow with curiosity, met hers – two bottomless pools of deep brown wonderment looked straight into her soul.

No, she heard Naya say again, in solemn state; the now-familiar word piercing through any lingering daydream of secret sparks between them. At that moment, she realized it was just Heath as he always had been- nothing more than an acquaintance.

He let go of her chin, and stormed abruptly towards the huge window of the Alpha's quarter. She watched him with curious eyes, as he stared into the darkness of the night. His figure stood there, illuminated by moonlight. A part of her felt sorrow that he was not her mate; he was an absolutely gorgeous man. His muscular core glimmered in the silvery night, making him look like a work of art. She could see the veins running through his muscles, carved like a masterpiece into marble stone - an Olympian statue of power come to life.

He slowly turned back to face her with a scorching glare; disbelief blazing in his eyes. ‘I was so certain,’ he hissed.

She did not know how to answer him. ‘I am sorry,’ she whispered, while averting her eyes towards the floor. She heard him growl of discontent.

‘You don’t feel it?’ he said. ‘I was certain… Are you perhaps blocking it?’ He hurried on over to her, and hovered his fingers inches away from her lips. Promising a touch that could either bring her desire, or pain. She knew neither would come- for now. ‘There’s something there,’ he whispered. ‘But if you’re not my mate. Then what are you? Why do you do this to me… To Axl?’ he mentioned his wolf, so silently that she could barely hear him.

‘Sorry,’ she answered again, and she bit her lip. She did not know what else to say. An angry growl escaped his mouth.

‘Shut up,’ he said loudly. He waltzed back towards the window, and defiantly crossed his arms. Then he spoke, surprising her with his words. ‘It doesn't matter,’ and her fear was replaced with confusion. ‘I choose you anyway. I need a Luna, and you will do.’

Her muscles tensed, paralyzing her every movement. ‘What?’ she stammered, her voice trembling with surprise and a hint of fear. As the Alpha, he had power over her and she knew what he was capable of.

‘Fated or not, I need a Luna. Even if it's temporary,’ he continued, his voice authoritative. ‘To strengthen the pack. And like I said, you will do. You're the Beta's daughter, and I know you will be a capable Luna.'

With a subtle pull, he undid her chamber dress's belt, revealing the lace bodysuit beneath. His eyes glowed up slightly, turning the brown colour into Alpha-red. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

‘No,’ she said, perplexed, but sternly. She pressed her palms against his hard chest, attempting to shove him away. Futile, of course. She was nothing compared to him.

He brushed the robe off her shoulders, causing it to fall to the floor. With his hand, he grabbed her hair and pulled her face aside, exposing her neck. She heard him growl as he bared his teeth.

‘No,’ she said again, slightly less certain of her sternness. She could feel his warm breath in her neck and was paralyzed by fear. Was he really going to mark her..?

In a haze of anger, she felt her wolf - Naya - rising. Gratefully, she let her take over and together they pushed Heath away with renewed strength. Using the flat side of her hand - because he was still her Alpha and she couldn't punch him in the face - she slapped him on the cheek.

His face turned to her, the expression unflinching, as though the blow had no effect on him. Still, he took a step back and released her.

‘How dare you?’ she challenged him, her voice ringing with courage. ‘Who do you think you are, claiming me without the Moon Goddess's blessing?’

His eyes blazed a fiery red, shoulders widening with his anger. ‘Who am I?’ he thundered. ‘I am your Alpha, and you will obey me!’

She felt her wolf cringe when he spoke the words Alpha, and Obey.

‘Even you are not above the Moon Goddess.’ She squeezed her lips. ‘What if you claim me now, and find your fated mate tomorrow?’ She was surprised by her sudden confidence- and she saw he was too.

She noticed him calming down, because the red glow left his eyes. His strong, dominant aura, diminished. ‘Fated mate or not,’ he said nonetheless. ‘If I choose you, then I choose you. I can take care of two women. Even at the same time.’

‘At least give me one week,’ she begged him submissively, trying her hardest not to ignore the insult of having her as a backup wife. ‘I’ve only just turned eighteen. Maybe my mate is in our pack. Maybe I’ll meet him within twenty-four hours even.’

She instantly regretted her choice of words, as she saw the red glow reappear. ‘Nobody claims you without challenging me first,’ he growled possessively. ‘And after I beat your fated mate, whoever he is, you will become mine. Fated or not.’

‘And what about my wolf?’ she protested. ‘Won’t you allow her the chance to find her fated soulmate?’

A second unsatisfied growl came from her young Alpha. ‘You are terribly disobedient,’ he yelled at her, making her heart skip a beat. She did not mean to be disobedient to her leader- her Alpha. But she could not let him ruin her life like that. Not without protest.

‘I apologize,’ the wolf inside of her submissively said. ‘But I can’t just give up. You deserve to find your fated mate, and I deserve to be loved by mine.’

As Heath's fingertips grazed her exposed neck, he drew her closer with his other hand and pressed his lips to hers without hesitation. The gentle touch of his kiss stole her breath and set her body on fire in a way she had never felt before. His tongue slipped inside her mouth and she couldn't help but moan in pleasure. All too soon, he pulled away, but kept his face close to hers as he whispered softly, ‘I could love you. Then you wouldn't need anyone else, would you?’

Fiery emotion surged through her like electricity, igniting a battle of wills within. Every fibre of her being wanted to embrace her Alpha --but there was something else inside that cautioned restraint. Naya. Never before had she been so divided between conflicting feelings; she had never before felt so differentiated from her wolf. It felt almost as if two distinct personalities resided in one body -one yearning for his touch while the other warned her for... for something.

'Give me until I’m twenty-one,’ she whispered. ‘If I do not find my mate before then, I will give myself to you willingly.' She knew what she asked of him was bold, but she had to try.

‘One month,’ he offered to her surprise.

‘One year,’ she dared to enter into negotiations.

‘Three months, and that’s final,’ he belted, dominating her to let her know there was no further discussion possible. ‘And if you find your mate,’ he continued. ‘I forbid him to claim you. You bring him to me, and give me the honest chance to beat him in a one-on-one fight for the right to mark you. He will not mark you beforehand.’

‘Thank you, Alpha Ray,’ she let out gratefully. She quickly crouched to the floor, grabbed her robe and opened the door behind her.

She gasped as the door slammed shut, trapping her in place. She stared into his face just mere inches away from hers; she could feel his warm breath on her skin.‘Three months, Rue,’ he said with a stern voice.

‘And then you’re mine.’