Claimed by My Ex’s Alpha King Uncle

Chapter 1: "First Time?" (Eliza's POV) The dim lighting of the Moonshade Underground Garage cast long shadows across the concrete floor. My back pressed against the cold wall as his hot breath caressed my neck. His hands were everywhere, igniting fires across my skin with each touch. I could barely think straight as our bodies moved in perfect rhythm. "First time?" His deep voice was husky with desire, the question hanging between us in the musty air. I looked up at him, my gaze challenging despite our compromising position. His face was partially hidden in shadow, but I could make out sharp features and those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. "Does it matter?" I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. This wasn't how I'd planned to spend the evening of my engagement party. But then again, I hadn't planned on discovering my fiancé Charles Howe in bed with my adopted sister Victoria three months ago either. His lips curved into a dangerous smile. "I suppose not." I pulled him closer, losing myself in the moment. This wasn't about pleasure—it was revenge. Cold, calculated revenge against the man who'd planned to use me and my pack's resources while sleeping with my sister behind my back. Our bodies moved faster, more urgently. I refused to think about anything but the sensation, the freedom of this reckless act. The stranger groaned, his powerful body tensing against mine. I could tell he wasn't used to being touched this way—there was something almost innocent in his surprise at my boldness. When it was over, we stood in silence for a moment. His breathing gradually slowed as he straightened his clothes. I reached into my purse, pulled out a stack of bills, and pressed them into his palm. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What's this for?" he asked, staring at the money. "For your services," I replied coolly. "Goodbye, and never meet again." I walked away without looking back, my heels clicking against the concrete. I'd gotten what I wanted—a moment of rebellion, of taking control before returning to the mess that awaited me upstairs. The stranger stood frozen, the money still in his hand. I was already halfway to the elevator when I heard him mutter something under his breath. (Third person's POV) Ethan Howe couldn't remember the last time he'd been caught so off guard. The she-wolf had approached him boldly in the parking garage, her scent intoxicating and familiar in a way he couldn't place. He'd been waiting for his driver when she appeared, beautiful and determined. When she kissed him, his wolf had responded with immediate interest, something that hadn't happened in years. Now she was gone, leaving him with money in his hand as if he were some common— "Alpha King!" assistant Marcus Reed's voice echoed through the garage as he approached. "Sir, are you alright? " Ethan quickly pocketed the money, his expression returning to its usual stoic mask. "I'm fine, Reed." Marcus looked concerned. "Your nephew's engagement ceremony is starting. The pack representatives are asking for you." "Charles can wait," Ethan growled, his wolf still unsettled by the encounter. "Sir, with respect, your doctor advised against missing doses," Marcus continued quietly, holding out a small pill case. "And the Elders are particularly interested in your presence today." Ten years ago, the young Ethan lost his sight due to an eye disease and stayed in a sanatorium for a year. The assistant was worried about his old illness recurring. Ethan sighed, taking the medication. "Very well." He slipped on his glasses—specially designed to dampen his wolf's heightened senses in crowded spaces—and straightened his tie. "Let's get this over with," he muttered, heading toward the elevator that would take him to the Shadowcrest Banquet Hall. His wolf paced restlessly within him, still carrying the scent of the mysterious woman. For the first time in decades, Ethan found himself genuinely curious about a female. (Eliza's POV) The glittering lights of the Shadowcrest Banquet Hall were blinding after the dimness of the garage. I plastered on a smile as Charles stormed toward me, his face twisted with anger. "Where the hell have you been?" he hissed, grabbing my arm. "Everyone's been asking for you." I pulled away from his grip. "I needed some air." "Air?" Charles scoffed. "My uncle will be here any minute. Do you have any idea how important this is? You can't just disappear when there are pack alliances at stake!" I remained silent, my eyes fixed on the telltale mark on his neck—Victoria's scent mark. My wolf growled inside me, wanting to expose his betrayal right here, right now. For three months, I'd known about their affair. My wolf's senses had picked up their mingled scents, the subtle changes in their behavior. Each fake smile from Victoria, each touch from Charles—all of it had been a lie. "Are you even listening?" Charles snapped his fingers in front of my face. "This isn't just about us. This is about our packs, about territory and resources." I smiled thinly. "Of course. The Stone pack's resources are what this has always been about, hasn't it?" Charles's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" "Nothing," I replied sweetly. "Shouldn't you be greeting the Elders? I'm sure they're eager to discuss the territory alliance." Charles glanced nervously at the gathering of pack representatives. "Yes, but you need to be there too. These people expect to meet my future mate." I looked across the room to where Victoria stood, pretending to arrange flowers. Her eyes met mine briefly before darting away. "Why don't you ask Victoria to help?" I suggested innocently. "She seems so eager to repay my family's kindness in adopting her after her parents died." Victoria's head snapped up, her face paling. Unlike me, she had a wolf—a thin, pale gray thing that cowered submissively whenever confronted. Charles growled protectively. "Leave her out of this. She's been through enough." "Has she?" I raised an eyebrow. "How interesting that you're so concerned about her wellbeing." Charles's face flushed with anger. "What's gotten into you today? This isn't like you." "Maybe you don't know me as well as you think," I replied. The tension between us was palpable. Guests were beginning to notice, whispering behind their hands as they watched our exchange. Charles grabbed my arm again, pulling me into a corner. "Look, I don't know what game you're playing, but it ends now. There's too much at stake." I yanked my arm free. "You're hurting me." "Good," he snarled, his mask slipping. "Maybe pain will knock some sense into you." Something in me snapped. Three months of silent suffering, of watching them betray me while planning to use my pack's resources—it all came to a boiling point. "I want to break our mating agreement," I said clearly. Charles blinked, clearly not expecting this. "What?" "You heard me," I continued, my voice growing stronger. "I don't want to mate with you. Not now, not ever." His shock quickly gave way to anger. "You can't do that. The agreements are already signed. Your father—" "My father would understand that I can't mate with someone who doesn't respect me," I interrupted. Charles laughed, a harsh sound that drew more attention. "Respect you? Why should I respect an Omega like you? Weak wolf, no real power—you're nothing but a convenient alliance." His words stung, but I refused to show it. Being an Omega—a werewolf born with a weak wolf—had always made me an outsider, even in my own pack. "Charles!" Diane Howe, his mother, appeared at his side, her face tight with concern. "What's going on here? Everyone can hear you." Charles pointed at me accusingly. "She wants to break the mating agreement. After everything we've done for her family!" Diane's eyes widened. "Eliza, dear, surely you're just nervous. This isn't the time or place for such discussions." I smiled coldly. "Actually, I think it's the perfect time. With all the pack representatives here to witness." Charles's face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful b***h. Do you know who I am? I'm the Beta of the Howe pack, nephew to Alpha King Ethan Howe himself!" "Charles, please," Diane pleaded, glancing nervously at the growing audience. "Your uncle will be here any moment." But Charles was beyond reason. "Let him come! Let everyone hear what kind of female I almost mated with. Did you think I wouldn't find out about your... activities? The way you throw yourself at any male who shows interest?" The crowd gasped, and whispers rippled through the banquet hall. I stood frozen, shocked by his audacity. He was accusing me of exactly what he had been doing. "You're not worthy to be anyone's mate," Charles continued, his voice rising. "Certainly not mine. Victoria is twice the female you'll ever be." The banquet hall doors swung open with a thunderous crash. The crowd fell instantly silent as a commanding presence filled the room. Alpha King Ethan Howe stood in the doorway, his power radiating outward in waves that made every wolf present lower their gaze submissively. Tall and imposing in a perfectly tailored black suit, his cold eyes surveyed the scene with dangerous calm. I felt my breath catch as recognition dawned. The man from the garage—my impulsive act of rebellion—was none other than Ethan Howe, Alpha King of the Northern Territory and Charles's uncle. A hysterical laugh threatened to bubble up from my chest. Of all the men I could have chosen for my moment of defiance, I'd picked the most powerful Alpha in the territory. My eyes met his across the room, and I saw the moment he recognized me too. His nostrils flared slightly, no doubt confirming my scent. Instead of panic, I felt a strange sense of calm settle over me. This could work to my advantage. "Alpha King," Charles stammered, immediately bowing his head. "We weren't expecting you so soon." Ethan ignored his nephew, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin tingle. I straightened my shoulders and stepped forward. "Actually, I was just explaining to your nephew that I wish to cancel our mating agreement." Diane gasped. "Eliza! This isn't the proper—" "Let her speak," Ethan commanded, his deep voice silencing the room. "As I was saying," I continued smoothly, "Charles and I are not compatible. I believe it would be best for both our packs if we ended this arrangement." Diane stepped forward, her smile strained. "Alpha King, please forgive this awkward scene. Eliza is simply nervous about the upcoming ceremony. Perhaps we could discuss this privately—" "Actually," I interrupted, "I'm not nervous at all. I'm quite certain of my decision." I turned to face Charles and Victoria, who stood frozen in shock. "I wish you both a long and loving future together." My words were civil, but my tone carried the low growl of my inner rage. Diane's face flushed with anger. "How dare you slander a Beta of the Howe pack! Charles would never—" "I have proof," I cut in, pulling out my phone and tapping a few buttons. The large screen behind us, meant for displaying congratulatory messages during the ceremony, suddenly lit up with images that made the entire room gasp. There, in full color and unmistakable detail, were dozens of photos of Charles and Victoria together—embracing, kissing, entering hotel rooms. The evidence of their betrayal displayed for all pack representatives to witness.