CHAPTER 3 — “The Alpha’s Claim”

Aeris woke with a sharp gasp.

Softness surrounded him,a real bed, warm blankets. The air smelled fresh, like pine and wood smoke.

This wasn’t the cold shed anymore.

He sat up quickly. His heart beat fast.

“Don’t move.”

The voice came from the shadows, low and firm.

Killian stepped into the light by the window. He looked taller, stronger here. His eyes still glowed with that strange light.

“Where am I?” Aeris’s voice was rough.

“My safehouse, deep in my land.”

Aeris looked around. Stone walls, fire crackling in a hearth, animal skins on the walls. This was a strong man’s home.

“How long was I out?”

“Six hours.” Killian came closer, slow and careful. “You collapsed. You were nearly dead.”

Six hours. Aeris touched his face. The swelling was gone. His lip was healed.

“You healed me.”

“Not me. The bond did.”

That impossible bond.

“You should hate me,” Aeris said softly. “You don’t want someone like me.”

“Don’t tell me what I want.”

“I’m cursed. I bring ruin.”

“There is no such thing as curses.”

“My pack believed it. Three wolves died because of me. That’s why they beat me and threw me away.”

“Superstition,” Killian growled. “The only wrong thing was what they did to you.”

Aeris shook his head. Tired of explaining. No one understood.

“You need to eat,” Killian said, nodding toward the table. Bread, meat, fruit,more food than Aeris had seen in months.

“When was your last real meal?”

Aeris stayed silent. The question hurt.

“That long, huh?” Killian’s hands clenched. “Get up. Eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You’re starving. I can hear your stomach growling.”

Right then, Aeris’s stomach growled loud and clear. Heat rose to his cheeks.

“I don’t deserve it.”

“Stop.” Killian crossed the room fast. He grabbed Aeris’s chin, making him look up. “You don’t decide what you deserve anymore. I do. And I say, you eat.”

A shock went through Aeris at the touch. The bond flared warm and bright.

Killian’s grip softened.

“Please,” he said quietly. “Eat.”

That single word from the strongest Alpha broke something deep inside Aeris.

He nodded.

Killian pulled out a chair and helped him sit. Then he sat across and watched silently.

Aeris stared at the food. His hands shook as he picked up bread.

This had to be a test. Soon, Killian would laugh and take it away.

But Killian just watched, quiet and still.

Aeris took a small bite.

Warmth exploded on his tongue. Real food.

He couldn’t stop. More bread. Then meat. Then fruit.

“Slow down,” Killian warned. “You’ll get sick.”

Aeris tried, but hunger controlled him. It had been too long.

Killian filled a cup with water and handed it over.

“Drink slowly.”

Aeris obeyed. The water eased the pain in his gut.

He looked up. Killian was watching, quiet and unreadable.

“What?”

“You flinched when I moved near,” Killian said softly. “You thought I’d hit you.”

“I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be.” Killian slammed his hand on the table. Wood cracked. “No one should live like that.”

Aeris curled inside himself. Old habits kicked in.

Killian’s face changed. Anger mixed with pain.

“I will never hurt you,” he said slowly. “Do you understand?”

“You say that now. But when you see what I am…”

“I know what you are. My mate.”

“I don’t have a wolf. I have no scent. I’m broken.”

“You’re not broken.” Killian moved around the table and knelt in front of Aeris. “Look at me.”

Aeris couldn’t meet his eyes.

Killian touched his knee softly. A spark passed between them, not through the air, but through the bond.

“They starved you. Beat you. Lied until you believed them.”

“They’re not lies.”

“Yes, they are.” Killian cupped Aeris’s face. “And I will prove it.”

The touch felt strange. Memories flashed in Aeris’s head,not his own, but Killian’s.

He saw himself, bruised and bleeding, dragging through the woods. He felt Killian’s anger,not at him, but for him.

The bond shared more than feelings. It shared sight. Thought.

Killian pulled back, eyes wide.

“What was that?” Aeris whispered.

“I don’t know.” Killian paced by the fire. “Mate bonds don’t heal or share memories.”

“See? Even the bond is broken.”

“Or maybe it’s stronger than you think.”

Aeris almost laughed. Strong? His pack crushed him without trying.

“I saw your memories,” Killian said. “Just flashes, but enough.”

Dread twisted Aeris’s gut. “What did you see?”

“The shed. The hunger. How they made you wait to eat. Pour cold water on you. Left you out in storms.”

Aeris looked away, burning with shame.

“I’m going to kill them,” Killian said, voice dark and sure. “Every last one.”

“You can’t start a war over me.”

“Watch me.”

“The Bloodfang pack broke no laws. I’m not pack anymore. They can do what they want.”

“They hurt my mate,” Killian said, eyes glowing. “That’s enough.”

“Stop.” Aeris stood, room spinning, but steadying himself. “They don’t matter. I don’t matter.”

Killian stepped closer, hands on Aeris’s shoulders.

“Say that again. I dare you.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re worth everything.” Killian pressed his forehead to Aeris’s. “And I’ll burn anyone who made you think otherwise.”

The bond pulsed between them, hot and wild. It wrapped tighter with every heartbeat.

It was too much. Too fast. Aeris didn’t know how to take kindness or protection.

“I need air,” he whispered. “I can’t breathe.”

Killian let go and stepped back quickly. “Sorry. I’m too strong.”

“It’s not that. I just need a moment.”

“Don’t go far. The woods aren’t safe.”

“I’ll stay close.”

Killian watched, torn between coming closer and stepping back.

“I’m outside,” Killian said at last. “Checking for anyone following us. I can smell them.”

“Who?”

“Don’t know yet. But I will.” He grabbed a knife from the table. “Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone but me.”

“Okay.”

Killian moved to the door, paused, and looked back.

“I mean what I said. You’re mine now. I protect what’s mine.”

Then he left. The door shut behind him.

Aeris stood alone. The bond hummed inside him,soft, real, and terrifying.

He walked to the window. Outside, Killian disappeared into the trees.

He had never been wanted before. This was different. Chosen.

It wouldn’t last. Good things never did.

A soft sound came behind him. Like a whispered breath.

Aeris spun around.

A shape stood in shadow, eyes glowing red.

“How did you get in?” Aeris backed up. “The door was locked!”

The shape moved forward, silent and wrong.

“The omega should be dead,” it whispered, like leaves rustling. “The old prophecy must not wake.”

“What prophecy? What do you mean?”

The figure tilted its head. “You don’t know. They kept you broken on purpose.”

“Who are you?”

“A messenger. A warning.” The red eyes locked on him. “The Alpha claims you, but claiming means nothing. You will destroy him. You will destroy everything.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You will.” The figure faded like smoke. “When the blood moon rises, the truth will come out. And by then, it will be too late.”

“Wait!”

But it was gone, as if it had never been there.

Aeris froze, heart racing, hands shaking.

The door burst open. Killian stood with his knife ready.

“I felt your fear through the bond. What happened?”

Aeris opened his mouth, but no words came.

The old prophecy must not wake.

What prophecy?

Why did everyone else seem to know something he did not?