The Alpha's Claim

The drums had faded and the torches had died down, but the clearing was still alive with laughter, music and the smell of alcohol in the air. Wolves from both packed mingled awkwardly, Steeleclaw's sharp eyes watched Stormhold's darker dressed warriors with suspicion, they all looked so foreboding. Darius kept Lena pressed to his side, one broad hand curled at her waist as if she was already his most treasured possession.

Everywhere she turned, he seemed to be there, pouring her wine, leading her around the most important people there, stopping any male that tried to hug her in congratulations with a smile that charmed and intimidated at the same time. He was a man that commanded the space around him effortlessly, and Lena couldn't deny the pull of him.. She couldn't wait to see his wolf.

Hold your head high Lee, we are not a sparkly ornament. Remember who we are. Amethyst reassured.

Lena's fingers tightened around the stem of her goblet. She leaned subtly into Darius's touch, she smiled at for the crowd and laughed at every joke. Her father Alpha Theron, sat across the table. His shoulders sagged with exhaustion, but relief was evident in his eyes. From tonight, Steeleclaw was safe. She had done it.

Still, unease sat like a rock in her stomach. The mark burned faintly on her skin, a constant reminder of the bond already buzzing between her and her now chosen mate. Her every breath seemed to be entwined with his.

When the moon reached its peak, the songs around them softened and the laughter died down. Anticipation filled the air as Darius leaned close to her , his lips brushed her ear "It is time little wolf, to seal our bond.

Her pulse skipped and goose bumps erupted all over her skin and prickled into her scalp. She was prepared for this, the consummation of the vow, but knowing what was going to happen didn't stop her from feeling lightheaded.

Its going to be okay Amethyst told her firmly.

Have you connected with his wolf yet? I thought you'd be able to communicate after the marking ceremony Lena asked anxiously

No, There is only silence, but I felt him when he marked us. I'm sure the connection will grow stronger after the bonding. Amethyst reasoned.

Darius stood and held out his hand, Lena took it with only a seconds hesitation, he led her from the feast, through the winding paths and into the trees. They quickly came upon a large log cabin, luxurious and beautiful, crafted to perfection. He had spared no expense, furs layered thick on the cold stone floor, and a fire already roared in the stone hearth, a large four poster bed sat waiting for them, draped in satin sheets and more furs.

When the door clicked shut behind her, silence pressed in with a static buzz.

For a moment, he only looked at her, his eyes hungrily roaming all over her body. His hand rose to cup her cheek, brushing his thumb tantalisingly over her lips he whispered "You are mine now, and tonight I will show you that I treasure what is mine" Tingles erupted down her neck and to her mark at his words, fear quickly turning to excitement.

Then his mouth covered hers, slowly at first and Featherlight, coaxing her lips into submission, Lena made a low m**n in her throat and his kisses became hungry, demanding. Her body melted beneath his touch, every nerve felt alive with electricity as he peeled her dress from her with agonizing patience.

The firelight flickered across her bare skin as he moved his lips away from her mouth, planting hungry wet kisses across her jawline and toward her throat, he grazed the fresh and still burning mate mark with his teeth and Lena nearly came undone, she arched her back beneath him "Darius" She breathed, shocked at the sensations she was feeling, and answering rumble in his chest sent sparks racing through her veins and a fresh wave of pleasure through her already trembling body.

Darius's hands worshipped her, memorising every inch of her body, until she was gasping for air. She desperately pulled his lips back to hers and kissed him with all she had, and when he finally entered her, the bond forged between them exploded like a lightning strike and flooded her body with heat and fire.

She cried out, caught between pleasure and pain, and Darius groaned her name like a prayer. His movements were commanding but patient, he ground his hips against her until her body was shivering, she clung to him desperately, lost in the ecstasy he was giving her.

When the heat finally consumed them both, she felt their wolves surge, his eyes burned a brilliant red as he reached his peak, hers, a delectably contrasting icy blue. Fire and Ice, brought together in a blaze of divine recognition.

She lay trembling in his arms afterwards, still connected, the room span with heath and sweat, every nerve felt alive with the pulse of the sealed bond. For one glorious moment Lena was thankful she had agreed to this bond, she felt wonderful.

But then the spell broke.

Darius pulled back abruptly, his silver eyes turning cold and calculating. "You are mine" He said again, his Steele voice hitting her with the force of a blow.

"i-i know" She replied, blinking with confusion.

"No, you don't know" He said, his eyes narrowed in dislike "You are MINE. you will OBEY. Your father offered you to me for an alliance, to combine our packs and become the strongest in the country. I took you because I could, I do not share power Lena, You are mine and once he is removed, your pack and your lands will be mine too"

A chill went down her spine He's going to kill your father Amethyst snarled, the words barely distinguishable from the growl in her mind.

Lena stood up on trembling legs "You You can't....."

Her words cut off with a garbled growl as he reached out and grabbed her by the throat. "Oh I can. And I will. And you...Little Luna WILL OBEY!!"

Panic gripped her with steel fists as she gasped for breath against his tightening hand. Amethyst thrashed inside her, she felt the begging of the shift at the tips of her fingers. Her wolf was roaring to be freed...But Darius was faster.

He whipped around, faster than Lena thought possible and a syringe appeared in his other hand as if from nowhere, before she could think, before she could ask what it was, before she could shift he had stabbed the needle into the side of her neck so forcefully she fell to the ground, her body was on fire.

Darius leaned close to her, "Moonbane. You will not shift again until I say so. You will stay in this room and be thankful I don't dispose of you too" he patted her on the head like a dog and left her on the floor.

"NO...NO AMETHYST!!" Lena screamed, the force tore her throat to ribbons, she clawed at the side of the bed, pulling herself up as the mark on her neck burned with the betrayal, this was not supposed to happen. She prayed for her wolf to answer her, but all she heard was one, faint whimper, and then she was gone. An awful feeling of cold loneliness replaced where the warmth of her wolf usually lived.

Darius pulled on his pants, no longer hiding the evil tyrant he was, all the rumors were bad...but the man was worse. "You will get one chance, mark or no mark, I own you now" He walked away slowly, pausing at the door and looking back at her with a smirk of satisfaction. And then came the haunting sound of the lock clicking into place after his exit.

Lena's feet pounded to the door,"LET ME OUT MOTHERF****R!" she screamed and slammed into the heavy wood as hard as she could, but without her wolf she was weak, she punched and kicked until she collapsed on the floor in exhaustion, the drug was slowly seeping through her, making her feel sluggish and giving her tunnel vision. She was powerless, trapped and utterly alone. Laid on the cold stone floor of the suddenly rediculously luxurious prison cell.

"Please" She sobbed, and then the blackness took her.