Hated and His to Claim

IVYAlpha Vladimir’s words, "You will do as I say" still echoed in my ears as a shiver traveled down my spine. I swallowed hard, his touch lingering like a bruise seared into my memory.Without a word, he turned and left. The sound of his boots on the floorboards a physical blow, each thudding step a weight pressing the air from my lungs. I just remained there, my heart hammering a wild rhythm against my ribs, like a bird suddenly freed in a cage too small to fly.What was that strange sensation? That tingling that had swept through me when he touched my chin. Was it fear? Hatred? Or something else entirely?I didn’t have time to make sense of it.The man in black, still inside the burning room, stepped closer. Unlike his Alpha, he hadn’t turned to leave. No, he was here to carry out the order. To take my unconscious mother and me away like sacks of grain.My stomach twisted in dread.I couldn’t let that happen. My eyes flicked to the weapon at his side. He was armed. If I could just

VLADIMIRShe turned to her side and it was then she noticed the unconscious, bleeding women.She shrank back, visibly horrified.At that moment, I sent a mindlink to my Beta, Tom, instructing him precisely. I wanted everyone else out. I needed her alone with me. No distractions, no support. Just my presence, heavy and suffocating.I turned to Craig and said coldly, "Dispose of the bodies.""Sure," Craig replied.He and the other guards filed out of the room.She turned back to me, her voice trembling. "They did nothing wrong. They shouldn’t have been killed. Is this how you go around murdering innocent people?""Yes," I replied flatly.I could almost hear the air escape her lungs as she gasped."Now, unless you want to end up like them, you better seal your mouth shut."She fell silent.The air thickened, tension swelling in the room until the very walls seemed to press inward. It was too quiet, so quiet I could feel the bond between us crackling, its pull unbearable.The Elders of th

IVYHis presence felt like a hand closing around my throat, squeezing the air out of me. A shiver slid down my spine. Only after that did Vladimir step back and storm out of the ward. I swallowed a heavy, fearful gulp and eased myself down onto the floor, trying to breathe in as much as I could.Fear crept in like something cold. Uncle Amos, the one person who might have been my escape, had failed me. Now I was truly stuck with this Vladimir as my Alpha. To think I signed the contract.I swallowed again, harder this time.Footsteps approached. I looked up and my face met Craig’s.My state did not faze him. He did not bat an eye. He simply said, "Alpha Vladimir requests that you leave the hospital premises and prepare for tomorrow."I knew what he meant. The contract said the wedding was tomorrow.I stayed on the floor, tears pricking at my eyes. "No, I am not marrying that monster."Craig said, "Alpha Vladimir insists I drag you out if you refuse. Is that what you prefer, Miss Ivy?"I

VLADIMIRIvy shot me a filthy look. I scooped her up and settled her into the car. She flung herself through the other door, collapsing to the floor again. The whole time she moaned, trying to gather strength."And now she is crawling away," I scoffed.Growing more irritated, I hauled her up and pulled her hand toward me. Then I shoved her into the seat while still holding her wrists. She groaned and writhed, dragging her hands wildly to wrench free from my hold. I tightened my grip on her wrists.Craig clicked the doors shut and put the car in motion."Let me go!" she screamed.I kept my hold on her wrists. Without warning she swung a foot at my face. I ducked and her foot brushed my hair instead. She groaned and slumped back into the seat, obviously aiming with her other foot.Before that foot reached me I released her hands. I seized both of her feet and planted them firmly across my knees."Let go!" she groaned, squirming like a child throwing a tantrum to escape a scolding.Now h

VLADIMIR The word seer crash-landed into my mind like a stone shattering glass. I had never believed in that man, Norman. Others whispered about his visions, swore by his psychic abilities, but I only saw a parasite. He had appeared in our pack after my parents’ deaths, cloaked in pity, feigning the role of a weary traveler seeking refuge. Shelter turned into influence. Before long, he had wormed his way into the hearts of my people, feeding them his riddles and shadows. One of those absurd prophecies had shackled me to Ivy in marriage."You do know that seer is dubious and fake," I said, my voice edged with disdain."Alpha, he’s the only choice we’ve got," Tom muttered. His eyes flicked away, unwilling to meet mine. I followed his gaze. The beds. The warriors stretched across them, their bodies stiffening, their skin pale, blood drying like rust at the corners of their mouths. Cold. Gone."Bleeding from every opening isn’t normal, Alpha," Tom pressed, his tone weighted with unease.