Once Ignored, Now Claimed

Elara's POV"There has to be some kind of curse on me. Maybe I should find a witch and ask why all the misfortune keeps befalling me."I stared into my glass of rum, feeling completely hopeless."Elara, it's all just a coincidence." Cora sat down beside me and patted my shoulder. "Your birth parents probably ran into trouble. Your adoptive father was a Gamma, and he died in battle. And Adrian... he's just a total asshole. That's it. That's all there is to it."I watched the blue-purple foam drift in my glass and whispered, "And me? I'm a she-wolf nobody wants.""You're a she-wolf with terrible luck in love," she said, shoving her fruit wine into my hand. "Forget Adrian. If he won't mark you, that means you're free to live your own life."My throat tightened. "I've spent nearly all these years existing for him. If I lose him... how can I ever have a life of my own?""You just need a real job," Cora said, nudging me toward the bar. "Don't tie your life to Adrian's so tightly."I

Elara's POVAdrian's Alpha Command slammed into my spine like a spike. Pain ripped through me, stealing the air from my lungs. I couldn't even take a step back.I cried out through the agony. "Let go of me, Adrian!""If you had given me a child sooner, we would have completed the Blood Bond already. My power would be stronger, and maybe I would have become Alpha King by now," he spat each word like it was tearing into my skin. "You worthless piece of trash!"A shrill ringtone cut through his roar.He scowled and snatched up the phone. "What now?"Whoever was on the other end spoke for a few seconds. I couldn't see his face, but his shoulders stiffened, and fear flashed briefly in his eyes."I understand," he said, his voice dropping. "I'll be there now."He hung up and didn't spare me a single glance. It was as if the one he had just pinned to the floor was not his fated mate, but a stray dog on the roadside.The pressure vanished instantly. I collapsed against the floor, gasp

Elara's POVI dropped my head instantly. If I admitted it, what would come next?"You really seem to have a poor grasp of the situation," he said.I stuttered, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lie to you..."I couldn't get another word out, and my terror was reflected in his golden eyes.After what felt like thirty seconds, he let out a soft sigh. That single exhale sent chills down my spine.He lifted a hand and spoke to the black-clad werewolves behind him. "Take her away."Adrian struggled to rise from the floor and shouted, "What are you going to do to my Luna?!""Yours?"The Alpha King turned, golden eyes sweeping over him.With just a glance, Adrian collapsed like someone had snapped his spine. He knelt with a muffled grunt, lower than before. His face was pale, and sweat streamed down his temples.The Alpha King looked back at me, his voice calm. "His nose is sharp. He can smell me on you."The black-clad werewolves advanced, grabbing my arms and dragging me out.I gl

Elara's POVI was still reeling from his sudden, unexpected care, but my instincts took over. I bowed my head and rubbed my tears and runny nose into the sleeve he'd handed me.It was all so overwhelming. Just a day ago, I could never have imagined losing control like this.Footsteps echoed outside. Werewolf footsteps. They were heavy, steady, and measured.Draven shook off the sleeve, draping his coat over my shoulders. It clung tightly, covering my bare upper body. I breathed in short, ragged gasps, instinctively curling into the chair back, but the ache along my spine made me groan.The door opened, and another black-clad werewolf stepped inside, handing a stack of papers to Draven. My eyes were drawn to the crisp white sheets, but I didn't dare look up at him. I could only stare at my knees as tears fell onto the luxurious fabric of his coat. There was no sound, no visible wet spots, but I knew it was there.I caught fragments of their conversation. Words like "security camer

Elara's POVMarielle's words froze both Adrian and me in place. My heart sank.I saw a flash of disgust cross Adrian's exhausted, wary face. For a moment, I thought he might sniff me, but then he suddenly grabbed my neck.I screamed, "Let me go!"He spoke in a low, cold voice. "Elara, you don't deserve to be Midnight's Luna."He slammed me onto the sofa and barked an order to the nearby werewolves. "Lock her in the cellar."I furiously shouted, "You can't do that!""I most certainly can." Adrian leaned closer. "Of course I can, Elara. I am Midnight's Alpha. I can do whatever I want."Something had clearly unsettled him since I was taken. Draven must have done something, because Adrian seemed off.Marielle sauntered forward, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "Don't be so hasty, Adrian. What if you're wrong about Elara? Let's make sure she really betrayed you."Adrian frowned, still catching his breath. "How do you propose we check that?"Marielle smirked and let her gaz