Claimed by The Alpha King

Amara POV Blood. The scent of it was woven into every inch of my clinic- the walls, the floor, my skin. It no longer bothered me. In fact, I preferred it. It reminded me that I was useful. Needed. Alive. I wrapped the gauze tightly around the huge bicep of a young warrior who’d shifted too quickly and torn the muscle in his arm. He hissed but didn’t pull away. “You’ll be fine.” I said, my voice holding a stern tone to it. “Shift slower next time. You’re not impressing anyone by rushing.” He nodded quickly, eyes fixed on the floor. I didn't expect gratitude. I wasn’t here to be liked. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here because I had carved this space myself-battered, bloodied, and built from rejection. “Next,” I called out, motioning to the next patient waiting on the bench. The day blurred into a series of injuries and questions and prescriptions. By nightfall, I was exhausted, but I didn’t stop. I never stopped. Rest left too much space for thoughts. And thoughts... well, they were a luxury I couldn’t afford. I finally slumped into the rickety chair behind my desk and peeled off my gloves. My fingers ached, and the knot in my shoulders felt permanent. “You’re pushing yourself again.” I didn’t look up. “You say that like it’s news Lena.” Lena, the only friend I tolerated, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “I say it because you’re going to collapse one of these days. You’ve barely eaten.” “I ate.” I lied. She rolled her eyes. “Sure. Air doesn’t count, Amara.” I didn’t answer. She let the silence stretch between us. After a moment, she said, “Did you hear the Alpha King is arriving tonight?” “I did.” I said flatly. “And?” “And I don’t care.” I lifted my eyes to hers. “I don’t have time to fawn over royalty.” “He’s not just visiting. Rumor is Alpha Marcus is being watched-maybe even tested. That means warriors. Politics. Orders. Things that affect us.” “He won’t even notice someone like me exists.” I reached for the stack of charts again. “And I like it that way.” Lena walked over and sat on the edge of my desk. “You think he’s like the rest of them.” “I think he’s worse. Alphas already act like gods. Add a crown? That’s a wolf who’s used to everyone groveling at his feet.” She smirked. “Bet he’s hot, though.” I raised an eyebrow.” Even if he is, I’m not interested.” “No one said anything about interested. Just... look with your eyes not your heart.” “My eyes are focused on healing open wounds, not stroking an Alpha’s ego.” She held her hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine. Just don’t glare at him too hard. He might smite you.” “Let him try.” I went back to my notes, heart steady, mind calm. The Alpha King was just another wolf. One I'd never meet, At least, that’s what I told myself. Until I walked outside to take a breath- and felt eyes burning into me. And then everything changed. Lucian’s POV I knew the second we crossed into Red River territory that something was off. The air felt... stagnant. Too quiet. Too contained. Like wolves were walking with heads bowed, waiting to be stepped on. Alpha Marcus had lost control. “This place reeks of fear.” I muttered. Idris, my Beta and the only wolf who dared backchat me, shrugged. “That’s your fault.” I shot him a look. He grinned. “You’re terrifying, Lucian.” “I’m efficient.” “Same thing.” The SUV rolled to a stop in front of the packhouse, where a crowd waited liked trained dogs. Alpha Marcus stood front and center, dressed in ceremonial robes, all pomp and false bravado. Behind him, a line of ranked wolves and warriors flanked the entrance. Submissive. Predictable. And then I saw her. Standing apart. Not in uniform. Not lined up like the others. Scrubs stained with blood. Hands crossed over her chest. Pale hair tied back like she didn’t give a damn how she looked. And her scent-goddess, her scent. Wild. Grounded. Sharp, but with something soft under the surface. My wolf surged before I could stop him. “MATE.” He roared in my head. The air shifted. My heart punched against my ribs, and for one impossible moment, time narrowed to a single point. Her. She didn’t react. Didn’t gasp. Didn’t stumble, She didn’t even look at me. I stepped out of the SUV, ignoring Marcus’s greeting. My gaze stayed fixed on her. Who the hell was she? Why couldn’t she feel it? Was the bond broken? Or... was she? I didn’t know. But I felt the pull deep in my bones. In my blood. And I'd be damned before I ignored it. Amara’s POV He was beautiful. I’ll admit that now. There was a cold elegance to him, like a sculpture carved from obsidian. Sharp cheekbones, strong jaw, thick brown hair that curled slightly at his temples. Eyes like molten silver. But it was more than looks. It was the weight of him. Like gravity shifted when he stepped out of the SUV. Everyone bowed. Everyone trembled. Everyone but me. Because I didn’t feel awe. I felt something else. Something I couldn’t name. Something that made my wolf... stir. I hated it. I turned and walked back inside the clinic, shutting the door behind me. I braced both hands on the table and tried to breathe. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Lucian POV She disappeared into the building before I could move. Before I could even think. Marcus was still talking. Something about honor and legacy and peace. I barely heard him. “I need to see your medical facilities,” I said. He blinked. “My King?” “The clinic,” I said, already walking away. “Now.” Idris cursed under his breath and followed. Amara Lena burst through the doors fifteen minutes later, breathless. “He’s coming. NOW.” I looked up. “Who?” She just stared. I didn’t need her to say it. A moment later, the door opened again- and in stepped the Alpha King himself. Tall. Towering. A living storm in human form. His eyes locked on me. “Amara,” he said, like he’d known the name forever. My blood ran cold. I squared my shoulders. “This is a medical facility, not a throne room.” His lips twitched. Not a smile. Something hungrier. “I’m not here for worship,” he said. “I’m here to ask who you are.” I clenched my fists. “I’m no one. Just a doctor.” He took a step closer. My wolf back away-but I didn’t move. “You’re not no one,” he said softly. “Your mine.” My heart stopped. And then it started again-beating so loud I was sure he could hear it. No. Not again. I couldn’t do this again, not after last time. “I don’t believe in the bond,” I whispered. His gaze hardened. “That doesn’t make it any less real.” Lucian Her voice, Goddess, her voice. Soft, but sharp, like silk draped over a dagger. She didn’t look at me like I was the King. She looked at me like I was a problem. And still... my wolf howled. She was my mate. But something had broken in her. Someone had made her doubt the very thing that defined us. I would find out who. And then I’d fix it. I’d fix her. Or I’d burn down the world trying.