The King’s Claim

He didn't attack. He shifted right there in front of me, turning into a man with silver hair and a body like a god. It was the Lycan King, the man even Alphas were terrified of.

He walked toward me, his scent filling the room. It smelled like rain and power. He pinned me against the wall, his eyes burning into mine.

"I've been looking for you for a long time, little wolf," he growled, his voice vibrating against my chest. "Did you think you could run from your True Mate?"

I stood frozen against the wall. The Lycan King, Kaelen Thorne, was so close I could feel the heat coming off his skin. He was the most powerful man in the world. He ruled over all Alphas with a fist of iron. And now, he was looking at me like he wanted to eat me alive.

"My... True Mate?" I whispered. My heart was thumping against my ribs.

This couldn't be happening. I was a rejected wolf. I was supposed to be broken. But the way my body hummed when he touched me told a different story. My inner wolf, the White Wolf, was purring. She wanted him.

Kaelen leaned down, his nose brushing against my neck. He took a deep breath, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "I have searched for five years for this scent. I didn't think I would find my queen in a skyscraper in the city."

"I am nobody’s queen," I said, trying to push him away. "I am Sylvia Browne. I have work to do. I have a pack to destroy."

Kaelen gripped my wrists gently but firmly. His golden eyes turned dark with desire. "I know who you are, Sylvia. I know what Harden did to you. And I know you are planning to go to that ball."

I stopped struggling. "How do you know that?"

"Nothing happens in the wolf world without me knowing," he growled. He let go of my wrists and stepped back, his eyes scanning my body. "You want revenge. I want my mate. Why don't we help each other?"

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't need help. I have my own pack. I have my own money."

Kaelen laughed. It was a deep, sexy sound. "You have a small pack of fighters. I have an empire. You want to humiliate Harden? I can make him crawl on his knees before you even say a word. Come with me to the ball. Not as a guest, but as my woman."

I looked at the invitation on my desk. I had planned to go alone, hidden behind a mask. But walking in on the arm of the Lycan King? That would kill Harden and Cassidy faster than any sword.

"Fine," I said, lifting my chin. "But this is just a deal. I am not your little pet."

Kaelen stepped closer again, a smirk playing on his lips. "We will see about that, little wolf."

The night of the Alpha Ball arrived.

The SilverLine packhouse looked different. Five years ago, it was full of life. Now, the paint was peeling. The gardens were dead. The guards at the gate looked thin and tired.

Harden had truly ruined my father’s legacy.

I sat in the back of a black limo. I was wearing a dress made of silver silk that looked like liquid moonlight. It had a slit up the leg and a low back that showed off my warrior muscles. On my face was a mask made of tiny diamonds. I looked like a goddess of war.

Next to me, Kaelen looked deadlier than ever in a dark suit. He reached over and took my hand. His touch sent sparks through my skin.

"Ready to break some hearts?" he asked.

"I'm ready to break some bones," I replied.

The limo stopped at the front of the hall. When the door opened, the cameras started flashing. Every Alpha in the room turned to look. They were used to seeing Kaelen, but they had never seen a woman by his side.

We walked into the ballroom. I saw Harden immediately. He was standing near the buffet, looking stressed. He was wearing an old suit that looked too big for him. Beside him was Cassidy. She was wearing a bright blue dress, but she looked cheap. Her face was covered in too much makeup to hide the wrinkles of greed.

"Who is she?" I heard Cassidy hiss to Harden. "She’s wearing more diamonds than I’ve seen in my life!"

Harden didn't answer. He was staring at me. He didn't recognize me yet, but I could see the lust in his eyes. It made me want to vomit.

"Alpha Harden!" Kaelen’s voice boomed, silencing the room. "I heard you needed a loan. I brought my partner to see if your pack is worth the investment."

Harden rushed forward, bowing low. "King Kaelen! Thank you for coming. And who is this lovely lady?"

He reached out to take my hand to kiss it. Before he could touch me, I pulled my hand back and wiped it on my dress as if he were covered in filth.

The room went silent. Cassidy stepped forward, her face red with anger. "How dare you! Do you know who he is? He is the Alpha of this pack! Show some respect, you masked brat!"

I looked at Cassidy through the holes in my mask. "I show respect to those who deserve it. Right now, I only see a thief and a failure."

"What did you say?" Harden growled, his Alpha aura trying to crush me.

I didn't flinch. I let out a tiny bit of my own power. The air in the room turned cold. The Alphas near us gasped and backed away. My power was ten times stronger than Harden's.

"I said your pack is a dump," I said clearly. "And your Luna looks like she found that dress in a trash can."

Cassidy screamed and lunged at me. She didn't shift; she just tried to claw at my face like a jealous cat.

I didn't even use my full strength. I stepped to the side, caught her arm, and twisted it. I kicked the back of her knees, forcing her to hit the floor with a loud thud.

"Cassidy!" Harden yelled. He looked at me with pure rage. "You come into my home and attack my mate? Guards! Remove her mask! I want to see the face of the woman I am going to execute!"

The guards moved in. Kaelen stepped back, crossing his arms. He knew I didn't need him.

I reached up and slowly unclipped the diamond mask. I let it fall to the floor.

"You wanted to see me, Harden?" I whispered.

Harden’s face went from red to ghost-white. He began to shake. His eyes went wide, and he stumbled back, tripping over his own feet.