Claimed By The Alpha of shadows

chapter: 3

The Blackmane convoy cut through the forest like a dark river, Mila watched the trees blur past the carriage window while the air shifted from the familiar scent of Silvercrest territory to something wilder, older, heavier with power

Blackmane land, she felt it before she saw it.

A pressure rolled across her skin, like invisible claws dragging lightly over her arms, her wolf stirred weakly in response, a fragile spark flickering under the binding spell, Mila pressed a hand to her chest, the tether pulsed once, then quieted.

Alexander noticed, he didn’t miss anything,

“It reacts to strong territory lines,” he said. “Your binding wasn’t crafted for simple punishment, whoever did this wanted your wolf erased.”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t know how to,

Outside, the carriage slowed, the forest opened into a broad clearing, guarded by towering black pines and jagged stones carved with runes, warriors in dark armor stood waiting, each radiating the same fierce, unflinching confidence that marked Blackmane wolves.

Rowan rode ahead, speaking to the border guards, Mila saw one guard glance at the carriage with curiosity, then another with suspicion.

Alexander pushed open the door and stepped out, Mila tensed when he turned back to her and extended a hand.

“Come,” he said, the simple word tied something in her throat, she hesitated, then placed her palm in his, his grip was warm, steady, too sure for a man who barely knew her. It made her feel unsteady.

He helped her down, not rushing or pulling. The warriors at the border followed her movements closely, their eyes flicking between her and their Alpha.

“Alpha,” one guard said. “the council is waiting for your report.”

“Later,” Alexander said, “first, I deal with this,”

His tone left no room for questions.

Mila stood beside him, uncertain, her brother always made sure she was beneath him, behind him, out of sight, Alexander did the opposite, he placed her at his side, in full view of his pack.

The guards exchanged looks, one guard stepped forward, “who is she?”

Mila’s spine stiffened, a reflex from years of being treated like an object, Alexander answered before she could speak,“she is Mila, she is under my protection.”

The guard blinked, several warriors

straightened, tension cutting the air, under my protection, no one had ever spoken those words for her.

Alexander glanced down at her, “You don’t speak unless you want to, no one here has authority over you.”

She nodded slowly, still unsure how to exist outside a command.

They crossed the border, and the shift in energy hit her like a breath of cold water. Blackmane territory thrummed with raw power, older and deeper than Silvercrest ever had. Even bound, her wolf tried to rise.

A sharp sting jolted through her chest. She stumbled, Alexander caught her elbow, “easy.”

“It hurts,” she whispered, “It will until we break the spell.”

Her vision blurred. “You can’t break it. No one could," “Someone will,” he said “I’ll see to it,”

There was no hesitation in his voice, no doubt.

He guided her back toward the carriage, but she stopped at the doorway. “You shouldn’t trust me,” she said quietly.

Alexander faced her fully, “should I trust your brother instead?” she shook her head, “then I will trust my instincts,” he said

Hours later, the forest gave way to open plains. A vast mountain range rose in the distance, crowned with mist and silver snow, at the base of the tallest peak stood a sprawling fortress of dark stone and iron, the Blackmane Stronghold.

It was enormous, intimidating, and strangely beautiful.

The gates opened as they approached, massive wolf statues carved into the arch. Warriors lined the entrance, silent and watchful.

Mila kept her gaze lowered out of habit,

Alexander tapped the side of the carriage, “Head up," she hesitated, “Why?”

“Because no one bows to you here,"her breath caught, she lifted her chin.

It felt wrong, exposed. Vulnerable, but something in Alexander’s tone convinced her not to hide.

When the carriage stopped inside the courtyard, Alexander stepped out first, Mila followed, her legs trembling.

A woman with silver-streaked dark hair approached, her posture sharp, she looked like she could snap a tree in half with her bare hands.

“Alpha,” she said. “The elders want...” her words cut short when she saw Mila, her eyes narrowed, “who is this?”

Alexander didn’t flinch, “Mila, she stays in the Alpha Wing," the woman’s brows shot up, “With you?”

“With my protection,” he corrected, Rowan came up behind them, arms crossed, watching the exchange carefully.

The woman studied Mila again, not cruelly, not kindly, Assessingly, “does she know what she is?” the woman asked Alexander.

Mila froze, Alexander’s answer was calm. “not yet," a chill raced down her spine, what did that mean?

The woman gave a slow nod, “I’ll have the rooms prepared.”

She walked away, leaving Mila with more questions than answers.

Alexander gestured toward the stone steps leading inside, “come, there’s something I need to show you.”

Mila followed him into the fortress, the air smelled of pine smoke, steel, and the faint sharpness of magic.

They walked through tall halls lined with ancient runes and portraits of former alphas. Mila felt the hair on her arms rise.

“Why did that woman ask if I knew what I was?” she asked quietly.

Alexander didn’t slow his steps, “because you’re not what Silvercrest raised you to believe," her pulse hammered, “then what am I?”

He stopped in front of a heavy door carved with swirling marks.

“You’ll understand soon, but before anything else…” his gaze dropped to her chest again, sensing the bind, “we need to loosen the spell before it tears your wolf apart.”

She shivered. “Loosen it? Isn’t that dangerous?” “It’s more dangerous to leave it untouched.”

Her heartbeat thudded in her throat, “who’s going to do it?” Alexander opened the door.

Inside, the room glowed with faint blue light, Crystals lined the walls, In the center stood an elder woman with pale eyes and a cloak woven with sigils Mila didn’t recognize.

The woman turned toward them, her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Bring her here,” the elder said, “the truth inside her is screaming to be freed.”

Mila stepped back instinctively, Alexander’s hand came to her shoulder, a steadying weight.

“It’s time,” he said, and Mila realized she was about to learn what her brother had kept hidden for six long years.