Chapter 3: The Jealous Rival

Kael led me through a maze of stone corridors, past tapestries and torches, until we reached a heavy oak door. He pushed it open, revealing a spacious chamber with a large bed, a fireplace, and a window overlooking the Darkclaw territory.

"Your room," Kael said. "The Alpha instructed me to give you anything you need. Food, clothes, books. Just ask."

I stared at the room, disbelief washing over me. "This is a prison, not a palace."

Kael's scarred face twisted into something resembling a smile. "The Alpha doesn't treat prisoners like this. You're different."

"I'm not different," I snapped. "I'm his enemy."

"Maybe," Kael said. "But you're also his mate. And an Alpha's mate is sacred. Even if you reject him, he will protect you with his life."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Kael was already walking away.

"Get some rest, Beta Sera," he called over his shoulder. "Tomorrow will be... interesting."

The door closed behind him with a heavy thud. I was alone.

I collapsed onto the bed, my body aching from the battle and the chains. The mattress was soft—too soft. I didn't deserve comfort. I deserved revenge.

*Orion. I need to find Orion.*

But I was trapped. No weapons. No allies. No way out.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to breathe. I had survived the rejection of my Alpha. I had survived the battle. I would survive this too.

---

I woke to sunlight streaming through the window.

For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then the memories crashed over me—the battle, the capture, the mate-bond.

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow.

A knock at the door made me freeze.

"Enter," I called reluctantly.

The servant from last night—the nervous girl—crept inside, carrying a tray of food and a bundle of clothes.

"The Alpha requests your presence at breakfast," she whispered. "He said to tell you it's not optional."

I sighed. "Of course it's not."

I dressed quickly in the clothes she brought—a simple but elegant gown of deep blue silk. It was softer than anything I had ever worn. I hated how comfortable it felt.

The servant led me back to the main hall, where Draven sat at the head of a long table laden with food. Ravenna was there too, shooting daggers at me with her ruby eyes. A few other pack members sat nearby—warriors and nobles who watched me with suspicion.

"Ah, Sera," Draven said, gesturing to an empty seat beside him. "Please, join us."

I sat as far from him as possible. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Breakfast was tense. Ravenna glared at me the entire time, her fingers drumming against the table. She was clearly waiting for me to slip up, to give her a reason to attack.

I didn't give her the satisfaction. I ate silently, ignoring everyone.

Draven broke the silence. "Ravenna has something to say to you."

Ravenna's face contorted with barely concealed rage. "I don't—"

"Ravenna," Draven said, his voice sharp.

She took a deep breath, her jaw tight. "I... apologize for my words last night. They were... inappropriate."

I blinked, genuinely surprised. "Why are you apologizing?"

"Because the Alpha ordered it," she spat.

"I see." I turned to Draven. "You made her apologize?"

"I made her apologize because she was wrong," Draven said simply. "You are not a whore. You are my mate. And I will not allow anyone to disrespect you."

Ravenna's face flushed crimson. "You're protecting her over me? I've been loyal to you for years!"

"Loyalty doesn't give you the right to insult my mate," Draven said coldly. "You will treat Sera with respect. Or you will leave this pack."

The table fell silent. Ravenna stared at Draven, her eyes wide with shock. Then she pushed back her chair and stormed out of the hall.

I watched her go, a strange mix of satisfaction and unease settling in my chest.

"Why did you do that?" I asked Draven quietly. "You've known her for years. You've only known me for a day."

Draven met my gaze, his steel-gray eyes unreadable. "Because you're my mate. And I protect what's mine."

"I'm not yours," I said firmly.

"You are," he said. "Whether you accept it or not."

I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. "I'm done with this conversation."

"Sera, wait—"

I was already walking away.

---

The castle was a maze of stone and shadow.

I wandered through the corridors, searching for a way out. But every door was locked, every exit guarded. I was trapped.

I rounded a corner and nearly collided with Ravenna.

She was waiting for me, her ruby eyes blazing with hatred.

"You think you've won, don't you?" she hissed. "You think Draven will choose you over me?"

I crossed my arms. "I don't think anything. I don't want him."

"Liar." Ravenna stepped closer. "I saw the way you looked at him. You want him. You want his power, his protection, his—"

"I want nothing from him," I cut her off. "I hate him. I hate everyone in this pack. I'm only here because I have no choice."

Ravenna laughed—a cold, bitter sound. "You hate him? That's rich. I've watched Draven for years. He's never looked at anyone the way he looks at you."

"What do you mean?"

"He's obsessed," Ravenna said, her voice dripping with venom. "He's been searching for his mate his entire life. And now that he's found you, he will never let you go. You could reject him a thousand times, and he would still chase you to the ends of the earth."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "That's not true."

"It is true," Ravenna snarled. "And it will destroy him. Because you don't love him. You'll never love him. You'll reject him, break his heart, and leave him shattered."

She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And when that happens, I'll be there to pick up the pieces. I've waited years for him. I'm not going to lose him to a Silvermoon dog."

She turned and stalked away, leaving me alone in the corridor.

I pressed my back against the cold stone wall, my heart pounding.

*She's wrong. I don't want him. I don't feel anything for him.*

But even as I thought it, I knew it wasn't true.

---

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, Draven's face haunting my thoughts.

*Why does he care about me? Why does he protect me when I'm his enemy?*

I didn't understand. He had killed my pack mates. He had captured my brother. He was everything I hated.

But he had also saved me. He had given me a room, clothes, food. He had defended me against Ravenna. He had healed my brother.

*It doesn't matter,* I told myself. *He is still the enemy. I will escape. I will save Orion. And I will make Draven pay for everything.*

A soft knock at my door made me sit up.

"Sera?"

Draven's voice, low and careful.

I hesitated, then opened the door.

He stood in the hallway, still dressed in his black suit, his hair tousled as if he had been running his hands through it.

"What do you want?" I asked flatly.

"I wanted to check on you," he said. "You left breakfast in a hurry."

"Because I couldn't stand to be near you."

He winced. "I know you hate me. I know you have every reason to. But I need you to understand something."

"What?"

He stepped closer, his steel-gray eyes burning into mine. "I am not your enemy, Sera. I am your mate. And I will do everything in my power to protect you."

"I don't need your protection."

"You do," he said softly. "You're trapped in enemy territory, surrounded by wolves who want you dead. You need me."

"I need nothing from you."

"Sera—"

"Stop," I said, my voice shaking. "Stop pretending you care about me. You killed my pack mates. You captured my brother. You—"

"I killed your pack mates because they attacked my people," he cut me off. "I captured you because you were the enemy. But I didn't know you were my mate. The moment I found out, everything changed."

"Nothing has changed," I hissed. "You're still the Alpha of the Darkclaw Pack. I'm still a Silvermoon Beta. We are enemies."

"Then let me change that," he said, reaching out to touch my face.

I flinched back. "Don't touch me."

He lowered his hand, his expression pained. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sera. I could never hurt you."

"Liar."

"I'm not lying." His voice cracked with emotion. "You are my mate. The one I've been searching for my entire life. The one I dreamed about when I was a lonely pup. I never thought I would find you. And now that I have, I will do anything to keep you safe."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. There was something raw and honest in his eyes—something that made me question everything I thought I knew.

"I hate you," I whispered.

"I know."

"I'll never love you."

"I know."

"I'll escape the first chance I get."

"I know." He smiled sadly. "But until then, I'll protect you. Even if you hate me. Even if you never love me. Because you're mine, Sera. And I will never, ever let you go."

---

**End of Chapter 3**