Claimed by My Ex’s Alpha King Uncle

Chapter 3: This Wolf, I Want Him

Chapter 3: This Wolf, I Want Him

(Eliza's POV)

The cool night air caressed my skin as I stepped out of the Shadowcrest Banquet Hall. My fiery red dress clung to my curves, drawing appreciative glances from the werewolves lingering outside.

I felt strangely powerful. For months, I'd been the pitiful Omega whose fiancé had cheated with her sister. Tonight, I'd turned the tables completely.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Eliza Stone."

I recognized that voice immediately. Blake Thompson, heir to the Thompson pack and one of my most persistent suitors before my family's financial collapse.

"Blake," I acknowledged coolly, continuing toward the parking lot.

He fell into step beside me, his wolf's arrogance evident in his swagger. "Quite a show you put on in there. Charles Howe on his knees, begging his uncle for mercy."

I kept walking, my heels clicking against the pavement. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Always knew you had more fire in you than you let on," Blake said, moving closer. His expensive cologne couldn't mask his wolf's scent – predatory and opportunistic.

"What do you want, Blake?" I asked, stopping to face him.

His eyes traveled down my body, lingering on the curves accentuated by my dress. "Just offering my services. Silver Creek can be a dangerous place for a lone she-wolf."

"I can take care of myself," I replied.

Blake's smile widened. "But wouldn't you rather have someone take care of you? Call me 'Honey' and I might consider it."

My wolf bristled with indignation. Before our pack's downfall, Blake had pursued me relentlessly. Now he was offering to "take care" of me like I was some charity case.

I stepped closer, letting him think I was interested. His wolf preened, thinking he'd won.

"You know what, Blake?" I purred, watching his pupils dilate.

"What's that, sweetheart?" he asked, leaning in.

In one swift motion, I brought my heel down hard on his expensive leather shoe. He yelped in pain, jumping back.

"You think you're worthy!" I hissed, my amber eyes flashing with anger. My wolf snarled beneath my controlled exterior, wanting to show this arrogant male exactly what she thought of him.

Blake's face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful b***h! Do you know how many females would kill to have my attention?"

"Then go find one of them," I suggested sweetly. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled with your... modest offerings."

His wolf's pride wounded, Blake grabbed my arm. "You've gotten bold since losing everything. Maybe you need a reminder of your place."

His claws partially extended, digging into my skin. "Get in my car. Now."

Before I could respond, a blur of movement caught my eye. Suddenly, Blake was stumbling backward, clutching his side.

Sebastian Frost stood between us, his normally cheerful face twisted with protective fury. "Touch her again, and you'll lose that hand."

Blake straightened, his wolf clearly calculating whether to challenge Sebastian. Though not an Alpha, Sebastian's Beta status and reputation as a skilled fighter made him think twice.

"This isn't over," Blake growled, retreating toward his car.

"Actually, it is," I called after him, pulling out my phone. "I'm reporting you to the territory patrol for attempted assault and reckless driving."

Blake's face paled. Even with his family's influence, a formal complaint could damage his standing in the pack hierarchy.

As he peeled out of the parking lot, I noticed a black SUV parked in the shadows. Behind the wheel sat Ethan Howe, his light eyes visible even at a distance.

My wolf stirred, drawn to the powerful Alpha. Without thinking, I started walking toward his vehicle.

Ethan held my gaze for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he started the engine and drove away, leaving only his scent lingering in the air.

(Sebastian's POV)

"Holy moonlight, Liz!" I exclaimed, watching the Alpha King's SUV disappear into the night. "Was that really him?"

Eliza nodded, her eyes still fixed on the spot where Ethan's car had been. "Yes."

I couldn't contain my excitement. My wolf was practically bouncing inside me. "He's even more gorgeous in person! Those shoulders! That jawline!"

Eliza turned to me, a smile playing at her lips. "Down, boy. Your crush is showing."

"Can you blame me?" I asked, fanning myself dramatically. "He's the Alpha King! The most powerful wolf in the Northern Territory!"

I'd known Eliza since we were pups, long before her family adopted Victoria. We'd grown up together in Silver Creek, sharing secrets and dreams. I'd been there when she discovered she was an Omega – a werewolf with a weak wolf – and I'd defended her fiercely against anyone who dared mock her for it.

"And apparently, he's your mate now," I continued, still processing the night's events. "How did that even happen? Last I checked, you were engaged to his nephew."

Eliza's eyes gleamed with determination. "This wolf, I want him first."

I nearly choked. "Excuse me?"

"Think about it, Seb," she said, her voice taking on a dreamy quality I'd never heard before. "Charles and Victoria would have to address me as their aunt."

My jaw dropped at her boldness. Then I burst out laughing, imagining Charles's face. "Oh my goddess, you're right! That would be priceless!"

Eliza joined in my laughter, her earlier tension melting away. "Exactly."

I studied my friend's face, noting the new confidence in her expression. "You're serious about this, aren't you? You actually want to pursue the Alpha King."

"Why not?" she challenged. "He claimed me as his mate in front of everyone. Might as well make it real."

I shook my head in amazement. "Liz Stone, the quiet Omega, aiming to become Luna to the most powerful Alpha in the territory. Who would have thought?"

(Eliza's POV)

The Stone Pack House loomed before me, a shadow of its former glory. Once the pride of Silver Creek, our family home now stood as a testament to our fallen status.

I pushed open the heavy front door, immediately sensing another presence. My wolf growled in warning.

Victoria stood in our family's grand foyer, the Ancient Blood Ruby Vase clutched in her hands. The centuries-old artifact gleamed deep crimson in the dim light, its gold inlay catching what little illumination filtered through the dusty windows.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, stepping forward.

Victoria startled, nearly dropping the priceless heirloom. "Eliza! I didn't expect you back so soon."

"Clearly," I replied coldly. "Put the vase down."

Victoria's gray wolf cowered slightly, but her human side remained defiant. "This was a gift from mom and dad."

"It belongs to the Stone pack," I corrected her. "And it's worth five million dollars – money we desperately need."

Victoria clutched the vase tighter. "They gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. You were there."

"They let you display it in your room," I clarified. "That's not the same as giving it to you."

My wolf growled as I stepped closer. "Besides, I find it interesting that you still call them 'mom and dad' when you've refused to help with the pack's debts."

Victoria's eyes hardened. "Why should I? This isn't my responsibility."

"They took you in when your parents died," I reminded her. "They gave you everything – a home, an education, a family."

"And look where that got me," Victoria snapped. "Adopted into a pack that's now the laughingstock of Silver Creek."

I felt my anger rising. "Put. The. Vase. Down."

Victoria's lips curved into a cruel smile. "You should know, I legally nullified my adoption bond last month. I'm no longer a Stone."

The revelation hit me like a physical blow. "You what?"

"You heard me," she replied smugly. "I'm a Stern again. And I don't owe your family anything."

I pulled out my phone. "I'm calling the territory enforcers. You're stealing pack property."

Victoria's wolf finally emerged in her eyes, which began to glow with fury. "You wouldn't dare."

"Watch me," I replied, dialing the number.

What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion. Victoria's face contorted with rage as she raised the Ancient Blood Ruby Vase above her head.

"If I can't have it, neither can you," she snarled.

With a vicious swing, she smashed the priceless artifact against the marble floor. The sound of shattering crystal echoed through the empty house as fragments of blood-red glass scattered across the foyer.

"No!" I gasped, staring at the destruction of our family's most valuable remaining asset.

Victoria stood amidst the shards, her breathing heavy. "There. Problem solved."

I should have been devastated. The vase was worth five million dollars – money we desperately needed to pay off our debts. But inwardly, I was pleased.

"Do you have any idea what you've just done?" I asked, my voice deliberately shaky.

Victoria smirked. "Prevented you from using my inheritance to save your pathetic pack."

I held up my phone, which had been recording the entire exchange. "You've just destroyed pack property on camera after admitting you nullified your adoption bond. That's not just theft – it's criminal damage."

The color drained from Victoria's face. "You were recording?"

"Of course," I replied. "I've learned to document everything where you're concerned."

My wolf purred with satisfaction as I watched Victoria realize the implications. By nullifying her adoption bond, she'd legally declared herself not a Stone – making her actions those of an outsider destroying pack property.

"This will only make things worse for you legally," I pointed out. "And it might actually help our case against you."