Chapter 4

 

Claiming Ground

Lyra’s POV

“You must be out of your mind, Damon, if you think you can come here, disrupt my life, flip it upside down in a matter of hours, and I’ll just listen to you.”

I don’t need a scholar to explain what Damon just did. I know exactly what it means. But if I let him walk all over me like this, I’d be showing weakness—and that’s the last thing I’ll do.

“Don’t you see what’s happening, Lyra? Don’t you see? Need a reminder?” He pointed sharply to the phone he’d handed one of his men, then back at me.

“I’m the Alpha now. I reign over you and your family.”

He emphasized it like a predator marking territory.

“I’m in charge. Accept it. You belong to me now.”

Oh, the son of a bitch.

“Fuck you! I don’t belong to anyone. Especially not you!” I screamed, fury burning across my face.

I know I should stay quiet—play along, keep everyone safe, plan my next move. But I can’t. I won’t let him claim me after everything he put me through—rejecting me, mocking me. He can go back to his whore. The whore who was better than me. The whore he chose over me.

“What did you say, little wolf?” His voice dropped an octave, furious.

“Repeat.”

Everything I thought I knew about Damon has changed. Every last shred of kindness or compassion is gone. Five years have reshaped him—body and soul.

I hate to admit it, but he’s even more damn attractive than the last time I saw him.

He stepped closer, finger tracing my chin as he lifted it slowly, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“Little wolf,” he tilted his head like a predator daring me. “What did you say?”

There was control in his voice now—barely. Like he was fighting his wolf for dominance. His eyes flickered between gold, ocean blue, and amber.

I guess his wolf doesn’t agree with his attitude. Well, neither do I.

We’re mates — a bond never severed. I hadn’t thought much about it before, but now, just inches apart, I feel his breath on my face.

“Answer me! Damn it!”

I knew the safe answer, the one that’d keep trouble at bay. But I couldn’t stop myself. I swallowed hard and said, “I don’t belong to you,” staring straight into his amber eyes. “You’ll never make me stay here against my will. You’re insane if you think that.”

In an instant, he pounced — predator’s instinct — and slammed me against the nearest wall. A gasp rippled through the room; every eye was on us.

He pinned my wrists with one hand, forcing them above my head. Pressing his weight into me, he growled, “You belong to me, little wolf. Remember that. I will hunt you from the depths of hell if you try to run or hide. And I will tear apart everyone you hold dear.”

I knew he wasn’t joking.

Hearing him call me “little wolf”—when I’ve always struggled to find my own—made me feel raw and exposed.

There’s no way I can fight this man, not here, not now. Any plan I have will take time, patience… and cunning.

I gave a small nod against his fingers, trying to pull my face away, but he held me firmly—no escape.

“I want the words, Lyra. Don’t test me.”

“I belong to you.” Motherfucker, watch where you catch me.

It was obvious from the start: he hated me like the rest. I was the plague, the unlucky one. He took my innocence and then spit hatred in my face.

Why does he even want me here? I’ve been fine on my own.

I was better off away from all this. Being back now floods me with all the reasons I left in the first place.

“Return to your room,” he said, releasing me, voice calmer as if he hadn’t just promised to make my life hell.

“I apologize for the rude welcome,” he added smoothly. “But while you’re here, you have my protection—and the pack’s. This is your home.”

Those words sounded so sweet. The fulfillment nearly overwhelmed me.

My home.

Except it never truly was.

All bullshit.

I never belonged here.

But of course, I said nothing. At least, not yet.

Damon’s POV

It’s crazy how she still gets under my skin. Even crazier that I’m letting it happen.

She left when I needed her most. She knew me better than anyone, yet she didn’t see the suffering I was drowning in.

She could have stayed.

“I want cameras planted in every corner of her room,” I ordered. “Kitchen, bedroom—everywhere. Except her bedroom, of course. That’ll wait until she throws herself at me.”

I know how bad the pack was for her before she left. I get how hard it’ll be for her to be back. That’s why I prepared rooms separated by a door only I can open.

Her own space. A little safety.

Ricco stayed silent, staring at me like I’d lost my mind. I get it. I’m acting like a maniac.

I made her leave. I forced her away. And now, I’m dragging her back—but I can’t show weakness. I’m Alpha. I’m in control.

I tell myself I just want to watch her. Protect her.

My wolf has gone quiet—he didn’t agree with my earlier actions. I fought hard to keep him from taking over. Because if he did, he’d go soft on her.

And that’s the last thing I need.

“Alpha, how many times do I have to report on her activities?” Ricco asked.

I looked at him. “You don’t report to me. Set the cameras to stream directly to my laptop. No one else gets access. Not even you. And I want it done within twenty-four hours.”

He didn’t question how. He knew it’d be hard to get Lyra out of her room so soon.

“Consider it done, Alpha.”

As he turned to leave, he looked back.

“You’ve gone crazy. I’ve never seen you let anything affect you this much since becoming Alpha. What’s she doing to you?”

I smiled darkly.

“Hell if I know.”