Claimed

Alicia's POV

I had never seen him in my life before, only heard stories of his unmatched power, and ability to command packs with a single word.

My knees went weak.

His gaze swept over the pack like a predator observing its prey, until it fell on Derrick.

“Your Majesty,” Derrick spoke, striding forward and bowing deeply. His voice shook slightly, I had never sensed fear in him before until now.

“You failed me, Alpha,” the King said in a deep cold voice, echoing at every corner of the courtyard. “No warriors sent to aid the crown’s campaigns. No tribute last moon. You defied the Lycan Court twice.”

Fear spread through the crowd like a cold wind.

Derrick bowed with his head low. “Have Mercy my King. Silvermoon will honor its debt.”

“Yes, you will. I could strip your title and take your lands. Instead, I will take something far more personal.” the King said, his tone was firm as a rock.

His glowing eyes swept the crowd again, 

“Your Beta’s firstborn,” he continued.

Gasps erupted, and my stomach dropped. My father stiffened, Clara’s hand tightening around Derrick’s arm.

Derrick didn’t hesitate. He turned to face the pack, his voice echoing loud.

“Hear me, Silvermoon! As payment for our disobedience, I give Alicia to the King. Let her be of use.” He pointed at me.

The crowd erupted in cheers, howling, shouting, “Yes!” in unison celebrating my execution. 

Clara’s lips curved into the tiniest, cruelest smile as relief flickered in her eyes.

I wasn’t the firstborn. Clara was. Everyone knew that.

Lies. It was all lies.

Why wasn’t anyone correcting Derrick? Why wasn’t my father saying anything?

Rather he just stood there, refusing to meet my gaze.

“You dare raise your voices in my presence?”  The king’s tone silenced the entire crowd.

“We are very sorry your Majesty.”

One by one, the entire pack dropped lower, foreheads touching the ground. Even Derrick’s jaw tightened before he obeyed.

The king’s golden boots crunched on the gravel as he came closer, his shadow covering me like a blanket.  

“From this moment, Alicia belongs to me. To harm her is to defy me and that will not be forgiven.”

I shivered in fear at the thought of  belonging to the Lycan king, the man who was considered a devil for his dreaded acts.

Rumor had it that he never had a mate for reasons best known to him. He didn't even care about potent she-wolfs. 

Talk more about wolfless me?

Not a single wolf dared to breathe too loudly in his presence.

Then, in front of everyone, he stretched out his right hand to me. My fingers trembled as I placed mine in his, and he pulled me to my feet. His glowing eyes locked on mine for what felt like forever. 

The pack watched in stunned silence as I stood beside him, no longer their scapegoat, but something else entirely.

For the first time tonight, I didn’t feel invisible.

“Bring my car,” he ordered, his deep voice calm as gammas jumped into action and an SUV rolled to a stop where he stood. 

The crowd gawked as he took me to the SUV and opened the rear door himself, a gesture that felt both strange and personal, then gave me a cue to get in.

My legs trembled as I slid onto the leather seat. The car smelled like cedarwood and something sharp, power, dominance, danger.

He sat beside me, his presence so strong it felt like it stole the air from my lungs.

Outside the window, Derrick stood stiff as a board, his jaw clenched.

The King’s eyes glowed faintly as he spoke, his words a final warning.

“See to your pack to be up and doing, Alpha. You have just traded away something you cannot replace.”

Derrick bowed, and the driver pulled away.

The convoy rolled out of Silvermoon Pack grounds. We drove for hours, I was exhausted, yet too tense to sleep.

“You let them throw stones at you,” the King said suddenly, his quiet voice cut through the silence.

I flinched. “How did you know?”

“I saw the stones in their hands ” he replied, with a calm gaze.

“I got rejected by Alpha Derrick… what was I supposed to do?” My voice cracked. “Fight back? I don’t even have a wolf.”

He was silent for a moment, then let out a soft, dark chuckle.

“No wolf,” he repeated as though it amused him. “And yet you stood there and faced them. Most would have begged for mercy.”

“I am broken,” I whispered, staring at my hands.

“No,” he said, his golden eyes glowing in the dim car light. “You are hurting. There is a difference.”

He had only been with me for a few hours, yet he cared enough to want to understand how I felt. I pulled away from his gaze and looked out the window.

When we finally stopped, it was almost dawn. The convoy drove into a large compound, its gates sliding open to show several armed guards in black.

The king stepped out first, then opened my door and offered his hand. I hesitated, then took it because I didn’t want to trip with everyone watching. 

“You’ll stay here tonight,” he said, guiding me toward a separate guesthouse. “No one will touch you, little wolf. You’re under my protection now.”

He turned slightly. “Kylian.”

The Beta was already there, standing at attention. “I’ll see to her safety, Your Majesty.”

The King gave him a brief nod before walking away.

Kylian looked at me, his gaze was steady but kind.

“You should rest,” he said quietly. “The road to his Majesty's stronghold is long. You’ll need your strength.”

I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”

His lips curved, just barely, as though he wasn’t used to gratitude. “Get some sleep” he said softly before turning to take up guard outside.

Inside the well decorated room, I sat on the edge of the large bed, hugging my knees.

My life at the Silvermoon Pack ended tonight but that was the beginning of something new.