Chapter 4: The Monster Inside the Alpha’s Territory
695 Words
Chapter 4: The Monster Inside His Territory
Nyra could not move.
The creature stepping out from the darkness was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
Tall.
Massive.
Its glowing eyes locked onto her with terrifying precision as low growls vibrated through the cold air.
Nyra instinctively stepped backward.
Her breathing turned uneven.
“What… what is that?” she whispered again.
Zayden remained completely calm beside her.
Almost bored.
“That,” he said quietly, “is one of the reasons weak wolves do not survive in my territory.”
The creature moved closer.
Moonlight revealed sharp claws, dark fur spreading across twisted limbs, and teeth stained with old blood.
Nyra’s heart slammed violently against her chest.
It wasn’t fully wolf.
And it wasn’t fully human.
It looked cursed.
The creature suddenly growled louder and lunged forward.
Nyra gasped.
Her body reacted before her mind did.
She stumbled backward, nearly falling as panic exploded inside her chest.
But before the creature could touch her—
A terrifying pressure filled the air.
The ground beneath them cracked slightly.
The creature instantly stopped.
Whining.
Retreating.
Nyra froze.
Slowly, she turned toward Zayden.
His golden eyes glowed brighter now.
Dangerously bright.
“You’re afraid,” he said calmly.
Nyra stared at him in disbelief. “That thing tried to attack me!”
“It obeyed my command,” Zayden replied.
“That doesn’t make it normal!”
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
It vanished almost immediately, but Nyra saw it.
And somehow, that frightened her more.
The creature lowered itself near the shadows, still watching her carefully.
Like it was waiting.
Nyra swallowed hard.
“What is this place?” she asked quietly.
Zayden walked past her slowly. “A place where only the strong survive.”
Nyra clenched her fists.
“I’m not supposed to be here,” she muttered.
“You are now.”
The simple answer made anger rise inside her chest.
For the first time since arriving, Nyra stopped backing away.
“You keep talking like I belong to you,” she snapped. “I’m not your property.”
Silence followed.
Dangerous silence.
Zayden slowly turned toward her again.
His expression darkened slightly.
“You still don’t understand,” he said.
Nyra held his gaze even though fear crawled beneath her skin.
“Then explain it to me.”
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then suddenly—
He moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Nyra barely had time to react before he was standing directly in front of her.
One hand pressed against the wall beside her head.
Trapping her completely.
Nyra’s breath caught instantly.
The heat coming from his body made it difficult to think clearly.
“You were offered to me,” Zayden said quietly.
His voice was calm.
But underneath it was something possessive.
Something dangerous.
“And I accepted.”
Nyra’s pulse raced.
“That doesn’t mean I belong to you.”
His eyes darkened.
“It does in my world.”
Nyra hated how close he was.
Hated how powerful he felt.
Hated how her heartbeat betrayed her every time he looked at her like that.
Then suddenly—
The creature behind them growled again.
This time louder.
More aggressive.
Zayden’s expression changed instantly.
He turned sharply toward the darkness.
Nyra noticed it immediately.
Alertness.
Something was wrong.
The creature backed away slowly, ears lowered in fear.
And then another growl echoed through the territory.
Not one creature.
Several.
Nyra’s stomach tightened.
The shadows around the castle began to move.
Zayden’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Get inside,” he ordered.
Nyra frowned. “What’s happening?”
But Zayden was already staring into the darkness beyond the gates.
And for the first time since meeting him—
He looked ready for war.
Author's Note ❤️
Thank you so much for reading Owned by the Ruthless Alpha! Your support means the world to me. If you're enjoying Nyra and Zayden's journey, please don't forget to vote, comment, add this story to your library, and share it with your friends. Every vote, comment, and follow motivates me to keep writing. See you in the next chapter! ❤️🐺
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