Chapter 2- The Alpha’s Claim
1078 Words
Chapter 2- The Alpha’s Claim
Elena flinched when Kaelen’s growl rolled beyond the crisp night air, rattling through her bones – a feral howl of primal dominion, making every single werewolf who surrounded her fall stiff to the floor in a fit of cowering obedience. The frantic drumming of the festival silenced, halting mid-beat into a dead hush. Elena froze mid-run, the back of her sole still embedded into the wet earth at the base of the dark forest.
I must escape.
Every one of her human cells begged her to run and hide in the vast darkness of the night, but Kaelen’s intense golden eyes held her captive, forcing her to stay in place.
He did not walk but stalked with impossibly fast strides as he powered towards her through the throng of werewolves who made space for his imposing form. An open path was immediately cleared, with the pack falling aside like dried leaves in a gale wind.
“What is he doing?!”
Chloe breathed from near the front of the crowd, her features twisted into one of complete astonishment and dread as Kaelen strode past without as much of a look, his eyes fixed on the dark trees behind Elena.
“Why is he going into the trees?” Her heart beat at a speed that seemed entirely outside the rest of her body, pounding in a way that surely echoed through the courtyard. But as he grew closer, the scent of winter rain, fresh mint and the deepest earthy cedarwood filled her as an immensely strong aroma and she inhaled deeply. A blast of searing heat hit her chest again, stealing her breath all over again.
Kaelen finally stopped, standing only inches away from her. He was at least a foot taller than she was, and he blocked out the light, casting a large shadow over her. Elena had to throw her head back to look at his face.
His jaw was tight enough that a muscle twitched under his scarred skin, and he was breathing shallow, heavy breaths.
"Alpha?"
Her voice was a rasp, a tremble so faint she could hardly hear it over the pop and crackle of the bonfire. Kaelen said nothing, only launched himself forward with a blinding speed. With lightning fast movements, his massive, callused hand clamped down on her wrist with a steel grip.
As his bare skin touched hers, an electrical current sparked and jolt through Elena's body; it was overwhelming, wildly exhilarating to feel the charge that belonged to her soulmate, her infamous mate's spark, Elena gasp as her eyes fly open and an involuntary whimper escapes her throat.
Warmth bloomed throughout her, chasing away the years of yearning she felt inside and a stirring began deep in her belly, the awakening of a wolf she never knew was within her. Kaelen's eyes flare gold as he feel her reaction, a low rumble starting deep in his chest, and he squeeze her wrist tighter.
"Mine."
Kaelen growls, his tone deep and commanding, sending shivers down Elena's spine. He yanks her toward him and wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly into him and flush against his hard body. Elena place her hands on his chest for support, her fingers raking across the coarse fabric of his shirt, and her feet lose balance beneath her.
Elena can feel his heart beating against hers like a trapped bird fluttering behind her rib cage, and across the crowd, a chorus of gasps arises from the wolves as the shock wash over them all.
"No! That cannot be! That has to be a mistake!" Chloe scream, stepping forward, her eyes blazing wild with a fierce hatred.
"Alpha Kaelen!
She is a defect! She hasn't shifted, Alpha! She is a human servant, a piece of garbage!
She can't be your mate!
She can't be our Luna!"
The pack Beta, Chloe's father, push between the two of them quickly.
"Alpha, I'm sure your senses are a bit overloaded after all that travelling.
Elena has no standing in pack society. She holds no power. Our supreme pack need a powerful female to breed and create more alphas," Chloe's father spat at her with distaste. Elena flinches as his words hit her, a heavy shame overwhelming her, and try to pull away from his grip.
Kaelen tightens his hold around her hips, pulling her against him again.
Slowly, Kaelen turn his head towards the pair, the gentle warmth he had just directed to Elena replaced by a deadly, murderous glare that make Chloe's father turn his head away. "Are you questioning the Moon Goddess?" Kaelen ask in a voice booming with the power of the Alpha command, knocking the few wolves nearby onto their knees with his words.
"Are you questioning my wolf?"
"N-No, Alpha."
The Beta stutter, turn white with fear, and drag the seething Chloe behind him back towards the group.
Kaelen turn back toward Elena, his glare softening when he notice the tremors wracking her body, the sharp fear that waft through her scent.
An expression of fury cross Kaelen's face, not at Elena, but at anyone who would make her uncomfortable. Ignoring the others completely, Kaelen bring his free hand from around her hips up her side until it settle over her neck. He brush his thumb along her jawline, his enormous frame making the touch incredibly tender. Elena hold her breath, gazing into the feverish look of devotion that burn in Kaelen's golden eyes.
Kaelen lean closer and press his lips against her cheek, just below her jaw.
It's a deep, possessive kiss that sparks another wave of lightning through her and cause Elena to flutter her eyelids close. Kaelen lingered, drawing in her sweet scent possessively before turning to all eyes, marking Elena with his own scent, and proclaiming to all wolves present that she was his. When Kaelen pull away, Elena cheek burn red and she still dizzy with shock.
"You are my Luna," Kaelen whisper against Elena's skin, wiping a single tear she didn't realize she was crying from her cheek. "And you will never be disrespected again." Before Elena could process the words, Kaelen scoop her into his arms, her knees bent and his large arms supporting her under the thighs and behind the back.
Elena instinctively throw her arms around his neck, press her face in his shoulder, and he carry her from the festival and towards the massive pack house.
- Writer
