All Chapters of THE ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN MATE: Chapter 1 - Chapter 6

The arrow whistled past my ear, embedding itself in the tree beside me with a sickening thud.I didn't flinch.I was too busy driving my blade into the throat of the Darkclaw warrior who had dared to attack me. His eyes went wide with shock, a gurgling sound escaping his lips as he crumpled to the forest floor, blood pooling beneath him."Sera! Fall back!"My brother Orion's voice cut through the chaos of battle. I turned, counting my breaths, scanning the blood-soaked clearing around me.We had been ambushed.The Darkclaw Pack had been waiting for us at the border — a trap we had walked straight into. Now warriors from both packs were locked in brutal combat. Teeth and claws tore through flesh. Screams echoed through the ancient trees. The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air.I wiped the crimson from my face and sprinted toward Orion. "We need to retreat! They outnumber us —"Before I could finish, a massive body slammed into me from the side.I hit the ground hard, the air

Kael led me through a maze of stone corridors, past tapestries and torches, until we reached a heavy oak door. He pushed it open, revealing a spacious chamber with a large bed, a fireplace, and a window overlooking the Darkclaw territory."Your room," Kael said. "The Alpha instructed me to give you anything you need. Food, clothes, books. Just ask."I stared at the room, disbelief washing over me. "This is a prison, not a palace."Kael's scarred face twisted into something resembling a smile. "The Alpha doesn't treat prisoners like this. You're different.""I'm not different," I snapped. "I'm his enemy.""Maybe," Kael said. "But you're also his mate. And an Alpha's mate is sacred. Even if you reject him, he will protect you with his life."I opened my mouth to argue, but Kael was already walking away."Get some rest, Beta Sera," he called over his shoulder. "Tomorrow will be... interesting."The door closed behind him with a heavy thud. I was alone.I collapsed onto the bed, my body a

Her lips were still on mine when the world tilted. Not a tilt. A crack. Right down the middle of my sternum. The bond didn't hum anymore. It *screamed*. A low, guttural frequency that made my back teeth ache. I pulled back so fast my skull knocked against the stone wall behind me. Draven's eyes were still closed. His lips were parted. Just a sliver. Like he was tasting the air I'd left behind. When he opened his eyes, the steel-gray wasn't cold anymore. It was molten. Liquid metal pouring down a forge. "Say it again," he breathed. I didn't. I couldn't. My tongue was glued to the roof of my mouth. My hands were shaking. When did they start shaking? He stepped closer. One step. His chest grazed mine. I didn't move back. I wanted to. Every rational bone in my body screamed at my legs to carry me to the other side of the room. But my feet were rooted. Betrayal. Pure biological betrayal. "Sera." His voice dropped to something that wasn't quite a whisper. It was a vibration. A hum a