His Claim

The soft light of morning touched Rina’s face.

She opened her eyes slowly, blinking at the pale ceiling above. For a moment, she forgot where she was.

Then she sat up fast.

The bed beneath her was soft, warm. The blanket, still wrapped around her, smelled clean. She looked around the room. No dirt. No cold walls. No chains.

She was still in the pack house.

She touched the pillow. Her fingers trembled. “This… is real?”

“He really did fight to see that we have a better place to rest our head. He is the good one.” Mel whispered inside her.

Rina felt tears of gratitude stinging the sides of her eyes. It was the first time someone had fought for her to be treated better. But why was she doomed to be Rowland's property when Kendrick was her mate? What cruel joke was the universe making of her?

She took a deep breath as she sat up in the bed. Her life was probably starting to get better and she would do everything she could to not go back to where she was coming from.

When she thought of her life back at the Sauna pack and the last few days at the Crystal pack, she shuddered.

A knock came on the door.

She jumped, heart racing.

“Breakfast is in the dining room,” a female voice said from outside. “You’re allowed to eat with the royal servants now.”

Rina stood up slowly. “Thank you…”

She put on the soft blue dress they had left for her. It was light and flowed down to her knees. She had never worn anything so clean.

But something didn’t feel right.

She looked around the room again.

No broom. No pile of laundry. No bucket.

No chores.

She stepped out of the room and walked toward the old servant quarters out of habit. She passed one of the guards.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I was going to wash the floors,” she said quickly.

“You’re not allowed to do that anymore,” he replied.

“But I’ve always done it—”

“New rules,” the guard said. “Go back to your room or eat.”

She blinked. “I… I can’t just do nothing.”

The guard frowned. “Those are the Alpha’s orders. You stay in the house. Light work only. No heavy cleaning. No running around.”

“But—”

“Go,” he said.

Rina turned around slowly.

She walked back to her room, confused and lost. She sat on the bed.

Her hands were shaking.

What do I do now? Who am I now?

Won't I get whipped for not doing any chore?

She looked at her fingers. They were scarred, but not bleeding. Her back still ached, but the wounds were dry. The balm Kendrick gave her had worked.

Kendrick…

A small smile touched her lips.

Then she heard it. A click.

Her heart dropped just as the door creaked open.

And there, sitting on her bed, legs crossed, eyes dark and still, was Rowland.

She froze.

Her chest rose and fell fast. “W-what are you doing here, alpha prince Rowland?” she caught herself asking.

Rowland didn’t speak right away.

He stared at her.

His lips curled into a small, fake smile.

“I wanted to see how you’re enjoying your new room.”

She stepped back. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

He looked around the room. “It’s nicer than that shed, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Rowland leaned forward a bit, elbows on his knees. “So… what did Kendrick do for you last night?”

Her eyes widened. “N-nothing bad. He just—he brought me balm for my wounds. And some bread.”

Rowland’s jaw tightened.

“I didn’t ask him to,” she said quickly. “I was in pain. He helped. He didn’t touch me. I swear.”

Rowland’s eyes were like ice. “Did you sleep in his bed?”

Rina’s voice was small. “He let me rest there. I was shaking. I couldn’t breathe. He just… stayed beside me so I wouldn’t panic.”

His fists curled. “So, he touched you.”

“No!” she cried. “He never hurt me. Not even once. He just stayed close. That’s all.”

Rowland stood up.

He walked toward her slowly.

She backed up until her back hit the door.

He didn’t stop.

He leaned close.

His breath was hot on her face.

“You think you’re clever?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, Alpha prince. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You made him fall for you.”

“No—”

“You’re a slave,” Rowland hissed. “A toy. A tool. And now, because of your tears and your weak little face, my own brother is turning against me.”

Rina was crying now. “I never asked him to help me. I don’t know why he did.”

“You’re mine,” he whispered.

She sobbed. “I’m no one.”

“Oh, but you are,” he said with a crooked smile. “You’re going to be something very important to me.”

Her breath caught.

Rowland stepped back.

He looked at her body from head to toe.

Then he said coldly, “Starting tomorrow… I’ll begin mating with you.”

Her knees almost gave out.

“No…”

“I need heirs,” he continued. “And I don’t care if you cry or scream. You will carry my children.”

She shook her head over and over. “Please… please don’t do this…”

“You belong to me,” he said. “And it’s time you start doing what you were brought here to do.”

Rina dropped to her knees, hands over her mouth.

“Why are you doing this?” she whispered.

Rowland’s face didn’t change. “Because it’s what’s right. You’re nothing more than a body to use. And it’s time I mark it as mine.”

“No…”

He leaned down close, voice low and ominous “And if you ever go near Kendrick again, I’ll cut his heart out.”

Rina gasped, crawling backward until she hit the wall.

Rowland turned toward the door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Then he left.

The door slammed shut.

And Rina sat on the floor, shaking.