Chapter Eleven: Alpha's Claim
633 Words
The moment I got back to my room, I shut the door behind me.
My heart was still beating too fast.
The banquet kept replaying in my mind.
The stares.
The whispers.
And Lucien’s hand.
I touched my own hand without thinking.
The same place he held.
I frowned immediately and pulled it away.
“What is wrong with me?” I whispered.
A knock came at the door.
I froze.
“Who is it?”
No answer.
I walked closer slowly.
“Lucien?”
Silence.
Then the door opened.
And yes.
It was him.
Again.
I sighed loudly.
“Do you not knock in this house at all?”
Lucien walked inside calmly.
“It’s my house.”
I pointed at him.
“That is not an excuse.”
He ignored me.
As usual.
I closed the door behind him.
“What do you want now?”
Lucien looked at me for a second.
“You left the banquet early.”
I crossed my arms.
“So?”
“You were shaking.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I was not.”
Lucien stepped closer slightly.
“You were.”
I looked away.
“Everyone was staring at me.”
“That is normal.”
I frowned.
“For you maybe.”
Silence.
He didn’t argue.
That surprised me.
Lucien walked further inside the room.
Then he stopped near the window.
For a moment, he didn’t speak.
I studied him carefully.
Something about him felt different tonight.
Less cold.
More… present.
“What happened after I left?” I asked.
Lucien didn’t turn.
“Nothing important.”
I scoffed.
“Everything is always ‘nothing important’ with you.”
That made him pause.
Then he finally turned slightly.
“Do you want the truth?”
I blinked.
“Yes.”
A beat of silence.
Then—
“Your ex lost control.”
My heart dropped slightly.
“Damien?”
Lucien nodded once.
“He tried to approach you again.”
I frowned.
“At the banquet?”
“Yes.”
I crossed my arms tighter.
“And?”
Lucien’s eyes darkened slightly.
“I stopped him.”
That made me pause.
Something tightened in my chest.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
Lucien looked at me.
“I know.”
Silence again.
Too heavy.
Too close.
I didn’t know why, but I suddenly felt nervous again.
“You always act like I belong to you,” I said quietly.
Lucien didn’t respond immediately.
Then he walked closer.
Slowly.
Controlled.
Stopping just a few steps away from me.
“I don’t act,” he said.
My breath caught slightly.
“What does that mean?”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he looked at me properly.
Like he was deciding something.
Then he said:
“Sleep.”
I frowned.
“That’s your answer to everything?”
“Yes.”
I stared at him.
Annoyed.
Confused.
And something else I didn’t want to name.
Lucien turned toward the door.
But before he left, he stopped.
Without looking back, he said:
“Tomorrow, you will stay with me during the meetings.”
I blinked.
“What meetings?”
No answer.
Of course.
He opened the door.
Then paused again.
“One more thing.”
I waited.
My heart slowed slightly.
Lucien’s voice dropped lower.
Calmer.
But firmer.
“Don’t let anyone else touch you.”
My breath stopped for a second.
“What?”
But he was already gone.
The door closed.
And I stood there in silence.
My chest felt tight.
Not from fear this time.
But from something I didn’t understand.
Because one thing was clear.
Lucien wasn’t just protecting me.
He was starting to control everything around me.
Including me.
And the worst part…
I wasn’t sure if I hated it anymore.
- Writer
