Novels by DORCAS ELI

After the ClaimThe night felt different after Justin's claim.The pack had dispersed, returning to their lodges in uneasy silence. Some bowed their heads as they passed me. Others avoided my eyes completely. I didn’t know which hurt more.Justin led me to his lodge at the edge of the clearing. The place was simple but strong, built of dark wood and stone. It smelled like pine, smoke, and him.“You don’t have to stay here if you’re not ready Justin said quietly.I looked at him, surprised. “You’d let me leave?”“If that’s what you need,” he said. “The claim doesn’t erase your choice.”Something loosened in my chest. “I’ll stay.”He nodded, relief flashing briefly across his face.Inside, the lodge was warm. A fire burned low, casting soft light across the room. The tension I’d been holding all night finally pressed down on me.“I felt it,” I admitted, sitting on the edge of the bed. “The bond. It’s real.”Justin leaned against the wall, keeping his distance. “It will grow stronger.

The Rogue’s ChoiceThe attack came suddenly.One moment the forest was silent, and the next it exploded with sound and movement. Wolves rushed out from the trees, their growls filling the night. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.“Stay behind me,” Justin said sharply.I didn’t argue. I pressed against his back, gripping his shirt as he stood firm like nothing could move him.Then the rogue Alpha appeared.He was taller than the others, his presence heavy and frightening. Scars lined his face, and his red eyes locked onto me with hunger.“There you are,” he said calmly. “I’ve been searching for you.”Justin let out a low growl. “This ends tonight.”The rogue Alpha smiled. “No. Tonight, I take what belongs to me.”Before Kael could say more, the rogues attacked.Everything happened too fast.Justin shifted partly, claws tearing through his skin as he lunged forward. Bones cracked. Bodies flew. He fought like pure power, strong and unstoppable.I tried to stay still, but fear froze me in

Close to DangerThe forest was silent except for the distant rustle of leaves. Every sound made my heart jump. I kept close to Justin , my hand wrapped around his, feeling the warmth of him through the darkness.“I can’t believe this is happening,” I whispered. “All my life I thought I was normal.”“You’re anything but,” Justin said softly. His thumb brushed my hand, sending shivers up my arm. “And now you’re awake. That makes you even more dangerous… and more irresistible.”I blinked. “Dangerous? Irresistible? Justin, what are you saying?”He didn’t answer right away. His eyes, glowing faintly gold in the moonlight, stayed locked on mine. His expression was intense, full of something I didn’t have words for.“You’re mine, Aria,” he said finally, his voice low and steady. “And I don’t care if you don’t understand it yet. I won’t let anyone touch you. Not now. Not ever.”I swallowed hard. I wanted to step back, but I couldn’t. The pull between us was stronger than fear. Stronger than l

The Alpha’s Claim The night air was cool and heavy as Justin led me through the forest. His hand held mine firmly, and every step he took made me feel like he was the only solid thing in the world.When we reached a clearing near his pack grounds, he stopped and turned to face me.“Aria… we need to talk,” he said, his voice low and serious.My stomach knotted. “About what?”Justin ran a hand through his dark hair, frustration flickering in his eyes. “About you. About what’s happening to you.”I swallowed. “I don’t understand. What’s happening?”He stepped closer, his golden eyes intense. “You’re not fully human, Aria. Something in your blood… it’s rare, powerful. And it’s waking.”I took a step back. “I’m not a wolf. I’m not… anything special.”Justin shook his head. “You are. And that makes you a target.”My heart raced. “A target? Who wants me?”His jaw tightened. “Rogue wolves. A rogue Alpha. They’ve sensed your power. They want to use it.”I shivered. “And you… you just claim me?

The rogue Alpha stepped closer, and everything inside me screamed danger.Justin moved the same second, standing in front of me so fast it felt like the air shifted with him.“Touch her,” Justin said quietly, “and I’ll end you where you stand.”The rogue smiled, but there was nothing friendly about it. “You think you can protect her forever? You can’t even explain what she is.”Justin stiffened.My heart thudded. “What… I am?” I whispered.The rogue’s eyes slid to me, slow and greedy. “You don’t know, do you?”He chuckled darkly. “Of course you don’t. They kept you hidden.”Justin growled. “Shut up.”But I stepped forward before he could pull me back.“What do you mean hidden?” I asked.Justin grabbed my arm gently but firmly. “Aria, don’t listen to him.”But the rogue kept talking, his gaze locked onto me like I was a prize he had waited years to claim.“You’re not human,” he said. “Not fully. Wolves can smell it. It’s faint, but it’s there. Something rare. Something old.”My stoma

The night outside felt heavy, like the air itself knew something bad was coming.Justin tood in front of me, tense, listening to the distant howl that had frozen my blood.“A rogue Alpha?” I whispered.“Yes,” he said quietly. “And he’s coming for you.”I didn’t know what to do with that. My hands shook. My thoughts were all over the place. A few hours ago, my biggest worry was buying bread at the market. Now an Alpha wanted to take me?“Why would anyone want me?” I asked.Justin turned to me slowly, and the look in his eyes made my stomach flip.“Because you’re important,” he said. “More than you know.”Before I could question him, he stepped closer, lowering his voice.“You can’t stay here, Aria. Your home isn’t safe anymore.”My chest tightened. “But my aunt”“She’ll be protected.” His tone softened. “You’re the one they’re after.”Aunt Mila rushed forward. “Justin, she can’t just leave with you. She doesn’t know anything yet.”He turned to her with a calm that didn’t match the da