The Claim

Raven’s POV

I heard noises downstairs but dared not to leave my room. What if it was a continuation of Anika and Lightning’s issue?

But then, when Roselia came to my room and told me the alpha’s mother wanted to see me, I panicked. What have I done wrong?

I had meekly followed her. Then, I saw his mother, elegantly seated on the couch with so much aura. She carried so much feminine power. A presence graceful regal, yet fierce. Her beauty was the kind that made you feel both small and safe. Misty liked her immediately.

She looked at me ever so gently and I felt my heart tug. I liked her too.

“The alpha claims you as a slave, and Ace claims you as his mate. Your choice should be obvious.” She said calmly.

“That’s because the alpha doesn’t understand,” I said softly.

“Understand what, my dear?” She asked.

I looked up at her, then at Lightning. “That he’s my mate.” 

Shock was evident on her face. It was quick, then gone.

“If you say that again, I will break your neck,” Lightning warned, his tone low and dangerous.

But his mother readjusted on her seat and her expression turned grave. “Are you sure?” She asked.

Something in her voice made me ignore Lightning’s warning.

“Yes, my lady. He’s my mate.”

The words had barely left my mouth when I was suddenly lifted off the ground. My back slammed against the wall, the air leaving my lungs in a painful rush.

Lightning’s fingers wrapped around my throat, his eyes burning with unholy fire. “Didn’t I warn you? Do you wish to die?”

I clawed weakly at his wrist, choking, my vision blurring. His strength was merciless. My feet dangled helplessly above the floor.

“Let go of her!” Ace shouted.

“Don’t, alpha. She has been a pain in the neck since she arrived, and now she’s claiming to be your mate?” I heard Anika’s voice. When did she arrive?

Ace charged at Lightning, but with his free hand, Lightning flung him backward like he weighed nothing. The sound of his body crashing into the furniture echoed through the room. How can one Lycan possess so much strength?

I gasped and choked, desperate for air. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I could feel Misty thrashing inside me, begging for us to breathe.

“Lightning, let go of her!” His mother’s voice was sharp and commanding.

His grip loosened slightly, but not enough. I met his burning eyes, and for a fleeting second, I saw something flicker there, conflict, maybe.

“Please,” a fragile plea barely escaped my lips.

I didn’t think he would let go, but he did. His hand released me, and I crumpled to the ground, coughing violently, my throat aching as I gasped for air.

Before I could steady myself, a loud crack split the room. His mother had slapped him.

The sound silenced everyone.

“I have had enough of your insolence,” she seethed, her voice trembling not with fear, but fury. “I taught you better!”

He stared hard at her. “Why isn’t it clicking to you all, I don’t have a fucking mate and can never have?!”

She didn’t reply. Instead, her jaw tightened and her eyes glistened with restrained emotion. Then she turned to me, and her whole face softened.

She helped me up. “Forgive him on my behalf,” she said gently. “I raised him well, but he carries too much of his father’s temper.”

She led me towards the couch and made me sit beside her.

She tucked a wayward strand of my hair behind my ears. “I believe you.” She smiled at me.

 Her words hit deep. My lips trembled, and my eyes filled with tears, not of fear this time, but of relief.

“Mother, why are you believing her? Every woman in this pack has lied about being the alpha’s mate just to be with him,” Anika blurted out, unable to contain her jealousy.

She turned a piercing glare toward her. “Just like you weaved your way into his bed?”

I almost snickered as Anika froze, her face draining of color.

She looked back at me tenderly. “You must be so confused, having two mates. Do not worry. No one will pressure you to pick whom you will be with. Take your time to make a choice,”

I nodded, and she cupped my face. “Bless your heart, child.”

Lightning was fuming. “I don’t know what you’re doing. But, keep this in mind, she remains my slave and nothing more." With that, he stormed out.

“We’ll see how long you can keep up with that attitude.” She snapped after him.

With the way she smiled at me, she reminded me of how my mother used to care for me before she passed away.

Anika’s POV

I slammed the door to my room so hard the walls trembled. “Arghhh!” I screamed in frustration and swept everything off my vanity table. Bottles shattered, glass scattered across the floor, and my reflection in the mirror fractured into tiny, twisted pieces.

That bitch. That pathetic little slave. She had to walk in and ruin everything I’ve worked for. Five miserable years I have spent trying to make the mighty Lycan-Vampire notice me, and she manages to do it in just two days. To crown it all, she has found favour with his mother.

I could sense it. My position was threatened. How on earth would I be able to make the alpha fall for me and trust me so it will be easy to have him killed. I will never forget how he took everything away from me. He must pay for it all.

I try to steady my breathing. “You heard him clear, Anika. He sees her as just a slave. Perhaps, she’s no threat,” My wolf, Nyra said.

“You saw the way he kissed her at the stairs, Nyra. A brute kissing a slave tenderly. He has never kissed me like that!”

“And what do you care? Stick to the plan,”

“I am,” I paced around. “That’s why I want her out of the way. The alpha must fall in love with me.”

Just then, the door to my room opened and Zane stepped in. “Anika?” His voice was gentle, concerned. He had probably heard the noise.

He froze when he saw the mess. “Are you alright?”

“Do I look alright to you?” I snapped. Then I softened my tone and forced tears to pool in my eyes. “Oh, Zane…” I moved toward him and collapsed into his arms. “Do you see how he treats me? How he humiliates me in front of everyone?”

“I told you to be with only me, but you wouldn’t listen. You’ve had your eyes set on the alpha since the day we conquered your pack.” Bitterness was laced in his voice.

Of course I had my eyes on the alpha. Lightning commanded packs. They bow before him and tremble at the mention of his name. I wanted that power. Even though I began to fall for Zane after our first encounter, he couldn’t give me that which I wanted.

He was just a dog groveling at his master’s feet.

He had been the first to fuck me when I was brought to the pack, and had continued even after I told him he had my heart but I wanted the alpha. He had been mad for days. But when he saw I wouldn’t pay attention to him, he was forced to give in and showed me a way to seduce Lightning.

I intertwined my fingers in his hair as I batted my lashes at him. “You still have me, Zane. That’s why I let you fuck me first when you all arrived from the Trinity pack,”

He traced my lips with his thumb. “I want you all to myself. It drives me crazy to see you with him,”

“I have plans for us. Don’t worry, love.” With that I kissed him.

He grabbed my waist, his restraint snapping. “You make me crazy,” he growled, and before I could respond, he kissed me hard, desperate, angry.

Good. Anger made him easier to control.

He lifted me and pinned me against the wall, his touch rough, claiming. I let him. It was the only time I felt any power left. When he took me, I wasn’t the rejected one, or the forgotten one. I was desired.