2: Into the Alpha’s Den

“I said reject him,” my father hissed. “No questions. I’m leaving on business for the North Ridge Pack. I won’t be here to clean up your mess if you disobey.”

And then he was gone — just like that.

No explanation.

No warmth.

Just fear curling in my chest like a slow-burning flame.

No answers. No comfort. Just Kael’s name, pulsing like fire in my blood.

Hmm. Even if my mate was a vampire... I just want to taste that thing.

Glory and I reached the ceremony grounds. The air shimmered with magic and expectation.

She sat at the very back. I turned to glance at her, heart squeezing a little. What if I ended up like her — mate-less at eighteen?

But Glory didn’t seem to care. She never did. Any time I brought it up, she'd brush it off with a smile and say, “Forget that matter.”

Yet my wolf, Nyra, stirred. Uneasy.

The Elder began the ceremony.

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Smoke from incense drifted into the sky, silver trails dancing like whispers from the Moon Goddess. One by one, mates were drawn to each other — bonding, embracing, some already lost in kisses. The scent of connection filled the air, thick and intoxicating.

Then it hit me.

A scent unlike any other — wild pine, storm wind, and dark leather.

My breath caught.

I turned.

And there he stood.

“Alpha Kael…” I whispered, confused.

My wolf screamed: Mate.

His midnight eyes locked onto mine.

The world stopped.

Gasps echoed around us as the crowd parted like a sea. Even the air seemed afraid.

“You…” Kael said, voice low and unreadable.

“You are my mate.”

I turned toward Glory, but she was already on her feet, face pale as death.

But I couldn’t move. I couldn’t smile. I couldn’t breathe.

Kael approached, slow, like a predator.

He looked me up and down, expression unreadable. “Are you a prostitute? Do you sell your body?”

I blinked, stunned. “What?”

Before I could speak again, he grabbed my waist and yanked me close. His scent invaded me, but all I felt was fear.

“I sleep with she-wolves because I want to. That’s my choice. But my mate? If it turns out you’ve been with any man—” he paused, eyes narrowing — “You’ll face the consequences.”

Then he took my hand, pulling me along.

“Come with me.”

My excitement began to wither. My father’s warning echoed louder now.

Reject any Alpha. Especially Alpha Kael.

And here he was — Kael. My mate. The one I couldn’t say no to… even when my instincts screamed run.

Outside, a black limo pulled up.

“Get in,” he ordered.

I hesitated, glancing around for Glory — but she was gone, I didn't see her.

“I need to check on my friend—”

The look he gave me made my breath catch in my throat. I climbed in without another word.

The limo pulled into the Alpha estate. His mansion was huge and cold — every hallway quiet, dim, like a place ghosts whispered through.

He led me into a room, shut the door behind us. Silent.

Then he began to unbutton his shirt.

My breath caught. “W-what are you doing?”

He looked at me, blank and hard. “Do I have to spell it out?”

“What?”

“Strip.”

My heart pounded.

Yes, I wanted to be touched. I wanted romance. Passion. But not like this. Not with his voice cold and his eyes full of nothing.

“I—I’m not ready. My dad said—”

He laughed. A dark, bitter laugh that made my stomach twist.

“When you find your mate, you should be ready. Besides…” His eyes dropped to my thighs. “Your dress is already torn. Looks like someone’s been having fun in the woods.”

I looked down. My dress had ripped while I ran through the trees. “It’s not what you think.”

“We’ll see,” he said. “I’ll know once I dig in.”

He stepped toward me. I backed away, panic rising.

His hand moved toward my chest—

Then his phone rang.

He stopped. Picked up. A short, cold conversation.

He slid his shirt back on and turned to me.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

I reached out. “Wait—Kael, I—”

Before I could finish, he spun around and grabbed my throat, shoving me lightly against the wall.

“Don’t ever say my name like that again. Show some respect.”

“I—I’m sorry,” I stammered.

He scoffed. “Rubbish.” Then he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

My knees buckled.

This wasn’t what I’d dreamed of. This wasn’t the bond I craved.

I began pacing, thinking about running. But where would I go?

I just wanted a kind, gentle mate. Someone who’d hold me, not threaten me. How could a man so beautiful be so… cold?

Then the door creaked again.

I turned, expecting Kael.

It wasn’t him.

It was a man I didn’t recognize.

His smile was crooked. Off. The way his eyes roamed over me made my skin crawl.

“You’re even prettier up close,” he said, shutting the door behind him with a quiet click.

I stepped back. “Who are you? What do you want?”

“I should be the one asking that,” he replied smoothly. “But fine — I’m Kale. Kael’s only brother.”

My heart dropped. Brother?

“I’ve watched you. Wanted you. And lucky me — you walked right into my brother’s house. Sexy little thing like you… I have to taste it before he does.”

“Don’t touch me!” I shouted. “If Kael finds out—”

“He won’t.” Kale grinned. “I made sure of it. I called him, told him something urgent. By the time he finds out there’s nothing important, he’ll be too deep in other distractions, I use weapons against him — two sexy she-wolves I sent his way.”

“No…” I whispered, stepping back.

“Oh yes,” Kale said darkly. “

He lunged. And pushed me on the bed

I screamed.

I was pushing beating him

“Don’t touch me—Kael will—”

“Kael’s not coming,” Kale whispered, trying to remove my cloth. “ By the time he returns, I’ll already have what I want, And I’ve always wanted to ruin something of his.”