His Mate

The Intruder

Chapter Six: The Intruder

Liora’s POV

I lay on the thin blanket, my body curled up against the cold floor. Sleep came slowly, though exhaustion tugged at me. The room smelled of dust and loneliness, my wolf restless inside me. I tried to think of nothing, just the warmth of sleep, but the memory of Dalin’s parents, their sharp voices and cruel words, haunted me.

The door creaked softly, and I stirred. My heart jumped.

Dalin stepped in, his tall frame blocking the dim light. His eyes were dark, unreadable as always, but tonight… there was something heavier there, something stronger. He didn’t speak at first. He just looked at me, his gaze burning into me like fire.

“Liora,” he said finally, his voice low and commanding. “Get up.”

I shook my head, my body trembling. “I… I’m tired, Alpha. Please… I just want to sleep.”

He moved closer, his steps silent but deliberate. “No. You need to listen.”

I swallowed hard. His presence made my chest tighten. I wanted to run, to hide, but my body refused. I felt frozen in place, powerless against him.

“You will remove your cloth,” he said. His voice was cold, hard, leaving no room for argument.

My eyes widened, and my hands clutched the blanket tighter. “No! Please… I can’t—don’t make me…”

“You will,” he said, stepping closer. “This is for us. You will do as I say.”

I shook my head again, tears filling my eyes. “I… I don’t want this. Please… I’m begging you…”

But he didn’t move. His jaw was tight, his eyes sharp. “Begging will not change anything. You are mine, Liora. From tonight, there is no choice. You obey me.”

My hands trembled as I started to peel the cloth from my body. Every movement felt heavy, like the room itself was pressing down on me. My wolf whimpered inside me, scared and confused.

And then… the door burst open.

“Dalin!” a voice called, bright and desperate.

I froze, my heart pounding.

A young girl, her hair golden and eyes bright, ran into the room. She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I missed you! Did you miss me too?”

I stared, frozen in shock.

Dalin’s face darkened immediately. He stiffened, his body cold as stone. His eyes flitted to the girl briefly, full of irritation and disgust, then back to me.

The girl clung to him, her laughter ringing in the small room. “You don’t like me, do you? That’s why you look so serious. But that’s okay—I’m not leaving.”

She looked at me, her gaze sharp and cruel. “Oh… so this is the new toy?” she sneered. “The one he’s supposed to… play with?”

I felt my stomach drop. My heart raced. My face burned with shame and fear.

Dalin’s voice cut through the tension, low and deadly. “Let go of me.”

The girl laughed, ignoring him completely. “What’s the matter? You’re so cold with me, and yet… you’re letting her tremble in front of you. Pathetic.”

I sank to the floor, hugging myself, tears blinding my eyes. I wanted to disappear. I wanted to vanish from this place where even the man I had chosen as my mate seemed to belong to someone else in every way.

The girl’s hands clutched at him again. “I knew it! I knew you would want someone new. But I’ll make it fun. You’ll see—I can be whatever you want.”

Dalin’s jaw tightened. His hands rose, steadying her but not roughly. There was control in his movements, a silent warning. His voice was sharp as steel. “Step back. Do not touch me like that.”

The girl laughed again, cruel and teasing, letting go of him just enough to spin around and look at me. “See? You’re just a little trembling girl. This is your place now. You’ll obey him… won’t you?”

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. My heart was pounding in my chest like a drum of fear. The room felt smaller, suffocating, like it was closing around me.

Dalin’s dark eyes turned on her, sharp and dangerous. “Enough. Leave. Now.”

She hesitated, smirking, and then laughed again. “Fine… for now. But I’ll be back. And you… you’ll see who he really wants.”

With that, she ran out, her laughter echoing in the empty house.

I sank further into myself, trembling. My wolf whimpered, frightened and restless. Dalin stood near me, his body tense, as if holding back storms of emotion.

Finally, his gaze fell on me, softer this time, though still cold. “You… stay here,” he said. “No one will touch you. Not her, not anyone. I won’t allow it.”

I lifted my head slowly, tears streaming down my cheeks. I wanted to believe him, but my heart felt heavy with fear and shame.

He knelt slightly, still commanding, still powerful, but closer. His hand hovered near me, as if offering a fragile promise of protection. “You are mine. Do you understand?”

I nodded weakly, unable to speak. My wolf howled softly inside me, sensing his power and dominance, yet trembling with mine own fear.

The room was quiet again, but this time… it felt different. Dalin had not abandoned me. He had faced her, defended me, and even if his face was cold, his actions spoke louder than words.

I closed my eyes, hugging my knees, feeling a mix of shame, fear, and something strange… hope.

He had begun to care.