Chapter Three: The Alpha's Claim
Selena woke to birdsong and pain.
The bed beneath her was soft, but foreign. The sheets smelled of pine and something darker like storm clouds before they broke. She opened her eyes slowly, wincing at the sunlight filtering through the tall windows.
For a moment, she forgot where she was.
Then it all came rushing back.
The fire.
The transformation.
The Deathfangs.
Kael.
She sat up abruptly, the soft blanket falling from her bare shoulders. She was in a simple but elegant room stone walls, a fireplace, heavy furniture made from dark wood. On a chair nearby, folded neatly, were clothes.
Someone had cleaned her up.
Selena touched her neck where the pendant used to rest. All that remained was the faint mark of the chain.
"Good morning," came a voice from the doorway.
She jumped.
Kael stood there, arms crossed, wearing a black tunic that clung to his broad frame, his golden eyes focused on her. She couldn't tell if he looked curious or dangerous.
Or both.
"You sleep like a mortal," he said, stepping inside.
She pulled the blanket tighter around herself. "Maybe because I thought I was one until last night."
A ghost of a smirk played on his lips. "Fair."
She narrowed her eyes. "Where am I?"
"My stronghold. Blackridge. You're safe here."
Selena stared at him, trying to read him. "Why did you bring me?"
"You were unconscious. Injured. I couldn't leave you behind."
"That's not what I meant."
Kael tilted his head slightly, eyes unreadable. "I told you. I've been searching for you. The moment I saw you shift, I knew. You're the one."
"The one who what?" she snapped. "The one who's supposed to save everyone? The one your goddess chose like a pawn on a chessboard? I didn't ask for any of this!"
Kael stepped closer. His scent woodsmoke, earth, danger washed over her.
"No," he said quietly. "You didn't. But destiny rarely asks permission."
She looked away, heart pounding.
This was too much. Too fast. One day she was a village healer's apprentice. Now she was a white wolf with powers she didn't understand, fated to fight a monster she'd never even met.
Her whole body ached, not from wounds but from change.
"I don't know how to be what you think I am," she whispered.
Kael's voice softened. "Then let me help you learn."
Later that morning, Selena stepped out into the courtyard of Blackridge, dressed in the clothes Kael had provided black leggings, a fitted tunic, and boots that laced up to her knees.
The stronghold was massive.
Stone towers rose into the sky, surrounded by thick walls and watchful guards. Wolves both human and shifted moved through the grounds, training, talking, sparring.
She felt their stares as soon as she walked out.
Whispers.
"Is that her?"
"Gods, look at her eyes…"
"She's the one from the prophecy."
Selena's stomach twisted.
"I should've stayed hidden," she muttered.
"You were never meant to be hidden," said a voice beside her.
She turned. A woman in her thirties approached tall, muscular, with fierce grey eyes and a braid down her back.
"I'm Commander Elira. Kael's second-in-command. Welcome to Blackridge."
Selena blinked. "Thanks…I guess?"
Elira gave a short laugh. "You'll get used to the stares. You're the first white wolf we've seen in centuries. The bloodline was thought extinct."
"Lucky me," Selena said dryly.
Elira studied her. "You look fragile. But there's fire in you. I saw it last night. You fought a Deathfang alone and won."
"I don't remember how. It was like…my body knew what to do."
"That's the wolf in you. She's ancient. She remembers even if you don't."
Selena looked down at her hands. They were still trembling slightly.
"Come," Elira said. "Time to see what you're made of."
Training was brutal.
Elira handed her a practice blade and tossed her into the middle of a combat circle.
"Defense first," the commander said. "Don't worry about attacking. Just survive."
Easier said than done.
Two sparring partners took turns lunging at her. Selena dodged clumsily, her body not quite used to moving with speed and grace.
The others watched from the edges. Some murmured encouragement. Others scoffed.
"She's too soft."
"She won't last a week."
Selena's temper flared.
And then
Something snapped into place.
Her senses sharpened.
She ducked a strike without thinking, spun, and slammed the hilt of her blade into her opponent's ribs.
The circle went quiet.
Elira grinned. "Good. Do it again."
By the end of the session, Selena was bruised, sweating, and exhausted.
But she was standing.
And for the first time in a long time, she felt…strong.
Kael watched from the balcony above, arms folded.
"She's adapting faster than I expected," Elira said later, joining him.
"She was born for this," he murmured.
Elira shot him a sideways glance. "You feel the bond, don't you?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "It's none of your concern."
"She's your mate, Kael. The moon doesn't make mistakes."
He didn't reply.
Because he didn't want to admit it.
Yes, he felt the pull, an invisible thread tying them together, electric and deep. But Selena wasn't ready. And neither was he.
His world was war. Vengeance. Blood.
She deserved peace.
But the truth was, she was already in the middle of his storm.
And there was no turning back.
That night, Selena sat by the fire in the chamber Kael had given her. A tray of food rested beside her, roasted meats, vegetables, warm bread,but she hadn't touched it.
Her thoughts spun in circles.
Her dreams had been filled with flames. A woman with glowing eyes whispering her name. A voice saying Run, or burn. Rise, or fall.
A knock came at the door.
She didn't answer.
Kael entered anyway.
She didn't turn. "You always just walk into people's rooms?"
He said nothing. Just stepped in and placed something on the table.
A moonflower.
Selena looked at it, surprised.
"You remembered," she said quietly.
"You mentioned it before everything exploded," he replied. "Thought it might help."
They stood in silence.
Then Kael asked, "Why didn't you eat?"
"Not hungry."
"You need strength."
"I need answers," she said, turning to him. "Why me? Why was my family hunted? Why am I different?"
Kael moved closer.
"Because the blood of the Moon Goddess runs through you. The Lunaris wolves were guardians once. Until Ruvan slaughtered them."
Selena swallowed. "Why did he want them dead?"
"Because your kind can destroy him."
She met his eyes. "And now he knows I'm alive."
Kael nodded. "He'll come. Sooner than we'd like."
"Then teach me to fight. Teach me to survive."
Kael reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
"You're not just meant to survive, Selena," he murmured. "You're meant to rule."
Her breath caught.
"I'm not a queen," she whispered.
"No," he said softly. "You're something rarer."
Their eyes locked.
The bond between them pulsed—hot, undeniable.
Then Kael stepped back, breaking the moment.
"Rest. Tomorrow, we begin again."
He turned and left without another word.
Selena touched the moonflower.
And for the first time, she wondered—
What if I don't want to run anymore?
Far across the land, in a ruined cathedral surrounded by ice, Ruvan stood before a wall of shifting shadows.
"She has awakened," he said coldly.
The shadows hissed.
"Then the final hunt begins," one whispered. "She cannot be allowed to rise."
"She won't," Ruvan promised, his eyes glowing. "Because when I take her light…I will become eternal."
He raised a bone dagger to the moonlight.
And whispered a curse older than time.