Chapter 2: The Alpha Who Claims Without Permission

“Get back.”

The guard reached for his blade but stopped short of drawing it. His words came unevenly, almost shakily. "My lord Vorthran... the captive is set to hang by first light. That won't work

Kael kept it quiet,no shouting, no fuss. "I'll act as I choose." No volume was needed. "Get out," he said instead.

The guard turned pale. His eyes flicked to his partner, then shifted to Kael. “The elders”

“Will they speak to me if they have concerns?” Kael stepped closer to the bars. “Now get out before I make you regret wasting my time.”

Both guards fled the scene.

Their footsteps echoed through the hall,quick and shaky. After that, there was nothing but silence.

Eiren pressed his body against the wall, but the chains clattered regardless, the links straining until each breath became nearly impossible.

Kael stood across from the bars, staring intently. His golden eyes remained wide open,no flicker, no change at all.

You sense it,not a question.

Eiren's throat tightened, but he gave a slight nod.

“Fine.” Kael took a key from his belt. With a snap, the lock gave way. Then, slowly, the door creaked open.

Eiren jerked away. "Just stop

"Don't what?" Kael stepped inside the room, placing one foot after the other deliberately slow, not rushed at all. say that thing belongs to me?'

not yours. The words came out broken. no one's. I was rejected. I'm—

"Broken?" Kael squatted down beside him. Up close, the guy looked bigger,marked by scars, rough around the edges. "Is that the story they gave you?"

Eiren looked away. "Yeah, it's real."

"Really?" Kael's arm snapped forward. He caught Eiren's jaw, locking their gaze. His hold remained firm,not harsh, just steady. "Bet destiny slips up now and then?"

“I don’t know,” Eiren’s voice shook. “I don’t know anything anymore.”

The connection throbbed,tight and raw. Unlike the earlier one, which was softer and kinder, Rhydan's had waited, almost politely. But this? No warning. It coiled around his chest, thick as a rope,worse than the metal biting into his skin.

“Who are you?” Eiren whispered.

“Kael Vorthran.” He released Eiren’s chin. “Pack executioner. And now, your mate.”

The words landed hard, like a punch to the gut.

Executioner.

The man who took down Broken Wolves executed orders swiftly, without hesitation. He was feared by most people around him.

“No.” Eiren shook his head. “No, you can’t be”

"The bond tells no lies." Kael stood up, then took a second key from his belt and used it to free Eiren's wrists. The chains fell, clanging loudly against the ground. you move with me."

“My quarters.”

Eiren’s stomach twisted. “I can’t. The elders said”

“The elders answer to the Alpha. The Alpha doesn’t interfere with my work.” Kael grabbed Eiren’s arm and pulled him to his feet. “And you’re mine now. That makes you untouchable.”

Eiren's legs nearly buckled, but Kael steadied him effortlessly.

“I don’t understand.” Tears welled up behind Eiren’s eyes. “Why would you want me? I’m weak. I have no scent. I’m”

“Exactly what fate gave me,” Kael said flatly. “Now move.”

He went ahead without asking. Pulling Eiren along, he quickly moved toward the exit.

Eiren staggered backward, pain shooting through his limbs. The severed connection with Rhydan throbbed deep in his ribs, while the fresh bond pressed hard beside it, vying for space,like being pulled apart from both sides.

They climbed the rocky stairs. Although Eiren tried, he moved slowly. Since Kael walked quickly, Eiren fell behind.

Kael eased up,only slightly. Yet his grip remained tight.

Up the stairs, they entered a hallway. Along the walls, torches burned softly. Near the far end, two members of the group lingered, speaking quietly between themselves.

They spotted Kael, who suddenly became quiet.

They looked down at Eiren, a wave of surprise washing over their faces.

“Lord Vorthran,” one of them found his voice. “Is that the defective omega? The one who was rejected?”

“He has a name,” Kael said, his tone sharp enough to cut glass. “And he’s under my protection now.”

“But the execution”

“It's canceled.” Kael started walking again, dragging Eiren with him. “Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me directly.”

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Eiren could feel eyes on him as Kael walked ahead. The silence pressed heavily against his skin, growing more intense with every step. He wished he could simply fade away,vanish like smoke, leaving no trace behind.

This felt heavier than death.

Folks would say the killer owned him now,tagged like a prize taken in exchange for staying alive. Most would assume he sold himself just to survive: weak, begging for mercy without uttering a word.

Perhaps they are correct.

Kael shoved the thick wooden door wide open. This was his place. With a yank, he pulled Eiren inside, then quickly closed the door behind them.

The space felt empty,just a mattress on the floor and a chair in the corner. Blades were fixed to the wall instead of artwork. There were no cushions anywhere. It was cold,really cold.

"Sit," Kael said, gesturing toward the bed.

Eiren didn’t move. “What are you going to do to me?”

the bond.

Panic hit Eiren hard. "No way. Please, just... I don't—

“You don’t have a choice.” Kael crossed the room in two strides and grabbed Eiren’s shoulders,not roughly, but firmly.“The bond is already there. If we don’t seal it properly, it’ll tear you apart.”

“I don’t care,” Eiren’s voice broke. “Let it be. I’d rather die than”

what? Be mine? eyes narrowed. think I want this either?

The words hit harder than expected,yet somehow lingered even longer.

“Then why?” Eiren’s hands curled into fists. “Why claim me? Just let them kill me. It would be easier for both of us.”

“Because fate doesn’t give us what’s easy,” Kael said, his grip tightening. “It gives us what we need. And right now, whether you like it or not, we need each other.”

"I'm fine alone." That false thought left a sour taste.

“Yes, you do.” Kael pulled him closer. “Without me, you’d be dead by morning. With me, you’re protected,safe.”

“Safe?” Eiren let out a bitter laugh. “You’re the executioner. You kill people like me.”

“I kill people who break pack law,” Kael said, his voice dropping. “You didn’t break anything. You were rejected. That’s not a crime; it’s cruelty.”

The words hit Eiren by surprise. Yet he stared at Kael's expression, searching for lies or sneers instead.

He found neither one.

"I can't understand what you mean," Eiren said quietly.

don't need to." Kael released one shoulder, then brought his other hand up to Eiren's neck,his thumb grazing the sensitive spot where warmth pooled. "Just say yes; that's enough."

Eiren’s breath hitched. “And if I don’t?”

“Then you’ll spend the rest of your short life fighting a bond that won’t let you go.” Kael leaned closer, his breath warm against Eiren’s skin. “Your choice.”

It wasn't a deliberate decision; it just kind of happened.

Eiren shut his eyes. do it.

Kael's teeth sank into his throat.

The pain struck quickly, cutting deep. Eiren flinched, instinctively grabbing Kael's arms. Yet it faded swiftly,just a flash. Then warmth followed, rushing beneath his skin, burning slowly.

The string was pulled tight.

It hit him like waves,too much, overwhelming, everything all at once.

Eiren's legs gave out. Kael caught him, steadying him as the connection locked into place. It was like being tied to a hurricane,fierce, unpredictable, and terrifying.

Once the tension eased, Eiren slumped into Kael's arms. Every muscle trembled,weak and spent. Though exhausted, he remained close, breathing slowly. Silence settled around them, replacing words.

Kael picked him up effortlessly and laid him on the mattress. After that, he stepped back.

Eiren remained down, breathing heavily, struggling to recall the moments before. Yet her mind raced without finding any answers. Although everything felt blurry, one thing was clear,nothing made sense anymore.

The connection was established,locked in and unchanging.

He was part of Kael Vorthran’s world these days.

“Rest,” Kael said as he moved toward the door. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

“Hold on,” Eiren said, so quietly it was almost inaudible. “What makes you pick me?”

Kael paused, his fingers resting on the metal knob. A full beat passed,no words came.

He glanced behind him. The golden eyes felt icy,empty and distant.

“Because fate failed,” he said. “And I don’t trust broken things to fix themselves.”

The door closed after he left.

The lock clicked.

Eiren gazed up at the ceiling. Inside his chest, the link throbbed,restless and insistent. His fingers brushed the spot on his neck where Kael had left his mark. It felt sore and swollen.

He was tied to a creature.

He didn’t know whether it was better than dying or if it fell short.