CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA'S HEIR

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the peaceful kind, but a tense, watching kind as if the forest itself was holding its bre

as the thick pines closed in around her, c

beat a lit

e, moonleaf, a salve she'd brewed herself to calm nerves. None of them could soothe her now. They were taking her straight to the heart of

t he knew

lage and the dominant Blackfang Pack. But Lyria knew better. She was a token, an offering, and

lves. Soldiers stood guard, their eyes sharp and assessing, a

rl?" he asked, voice clip

offer a hand. "Alpha Kael is ex

ng stone path to the estate a towering structure of obsidian brick and silver paneled windows, half-swallowed by ivy. The front

hirt and dark trousers that clung to him like armor. His arms were crossed over h

eir eyes locked, the world tilted, the bond flar

o recognition, Just a cold, assessing stare like she

e low, rough. "You're

clenched. "I

ent? Annoyance? , but it vanished very quick. He stepped

not what I

re you," she

hope he felt it too, that invisible pull, the soul

east wing, Someone w

hat's it? No ques

is isn't a tea party, Moonhart ,Sta

like that,

n black velvet, cold stone floors, a window that looked out

a thousand times, meeting her mate!! , Feeling the bond awaken

n't yet appeared. It would, eventually if Kael accep

he door broke

arrying a tray of tea and brea

softly, "You'll ne

all guests like

tated, "Not gues

red, "I'm n

n said, "but you're his mat

Kael didn't summon her, She wasn't allowed beyond the east wing,

she had the

but in chaos, fire spread through a battlefield where Kael st

d in silver chains,

h a gasp, dren

her chest bu

hirtless, sparring with three wolves at once. His movement

t care about the

afraid of?" she ask

weat from his brow with the back of h

u pretending the b

turned slowly, eyes glowing f

dangerous, "I do. Every second you're near me, it claw

," she said, stepping forw

on't know what I've done, I'm not a hero in some fate spu

nching. "Then maybe I'm h

r between them sparked heat, fury, desire all tangl

" he said. "Stay

night, the fo

ore through

main hall. The scent of blood was sharp and fresh, a scout had been atta

e girl or lo

out's broken body, rage

e him, her voice stea

ok at her, "Of c

e," she said.

hers, "You think I'l

he said quietly,"At le

a beat of silence, And then u

chance, But cross me,

nodded

wolf's howl echoing through the trees a warning

of them coul