The night she became the Alpha's mate, she realized something terrifying—she had not claimed a male wolf. She had claimed power, dominance… and a wolf who could destroy her with a single command.
"Now, I'm legally claimed by the Alpha of the pack; what next?" she asked herself as her eyes fixed on the stronghold's private fence adorned with golden string lights, giving the entire territory a cool, glowing aura. She shifted her gaze to the lights draped across the trees, turning the property into an illuminated wolf's den. She was ecstatic but increasingly nervous. Brandon was every she-wolf's dream mate—handsome, slim, tall, with a dangerously alpha physique—but she despised the ruthless power he wielded and the fear his name commanded across territories.
After securing all doors and windows, she returned to her bed, yet sleep eluded her. She stared at the ceiling, wondering why her sister despised her so deeply that she arranged a howling union for her. It was not her fault that none of her plans had ever succeeded.
In the early hours, she bathed swiftly and dressed meticulously, taking her time to appear presentable. She didn't want to miss breakfast, as she had dined sparingly the previous night. Since Alpha Brandon considered those who rejected his authority as foes, she needed to prove she was neither his enemy nor fully his ally.
She stepped from the house and made her way toward the mega-stronghold. The doors opened and closed as she stepped onto the correct sigil marks etched into the stone floor.
The building was labyrinthine, and she didn't know where the grand pack hall lay. She spotted a long hallway and walked in that direction.
Voices reached her ears, and she tried to trace their source. She stopped and leaned against the first door to eavesdrop. Her foot landed on the correct pressure mark, and the door swung open unexpectedly. She fell inside. She tried to stop it from closing, but it was like trying to move a stone wall enchanted by wolf magic.
Her eyes fell on shirtless Alpha Brandon, lying on a bench, lifting a dumbbell above his chest. Her wandering gaze fell lower, and a primal fear gripped her. She struggled to escape, desperate to flee while his guards were absent. Her panic surged when the door refused to budge, making her limbs tremble. She felt caught in a trap of his own alpha design.
Exhausted, she ceased struggling and faced him. His sculpted alpha physique and rippling muscles quickened her pulse; she breathed noisily.
Alpha Brandon lowered his hands and pointed to a door at the far end of the chamber, eyes closed. She wondered how he knew she had been staring. Tiptoeing to the door he indicated, it opened the moment she stepped on the red sigil. She breathed a silent thanks and decided to leave before falling into another trap.
"Good morning, Alpha's mate," a voice said from behind. She turned to see Bernard smiling at her. Terrified, she faked a smile.
"I'm Bernard," he said, grinning wildly. His bewilderment was apparent, as if seeing her for the first time in the wolf pack, which she found strange.
"I know, we met last night, didn't we?" she asked.
"Honestly, I didn't see your face clearly; the dim moonlight deceived me. I didn't know it was you!"
"Do you know me? Have you seen me before last night?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Yeah… I… mean no!"
She tried to figure out why he acted so unusually excited. Last night he had spoken with resentment; this morning, he was cheerful.
"I guess you're searching for the grand pack hall," he said. She nodded.
"Come with me."
She walked silently behind him. He attempted conversation, but she ignored him, still puzzled by his strange behavior.
Bernard led her to the grand pack hall where she had eaten yesterday. The table was neatly arranged with a wolf-queen's breakfast. She pulled out a chair and sat, mind wandering as she admired the sight.
"Relax, Alpha's mate. Here is your den. I'm assigning four maids and a mother to guide you. Always allow them to do their duties."
"Four maids?" she asked.
"Yes."
"And the mother's role?"
"She's your marital adviser. She will teach you how to keep your mate happy and give him heirs worthy of the pack."
"I don't need her."
"Oh yes, you do, Alpha's mate."
"Do I look like a cub to you?"
"Oh… are you saying you can…"
"I'm not ready for anything!"
"Alpha's mate…"
"Bernard, I'm not ready and I don't need her guidance."
"Will you at least let me finish my sentence?"
"Okay, I'm listening."
"The Alpha doesn't beg; he claims what he wants. You need a mother."
"Will he force me to do as he said?"
"No, but…"
"Well, I'll teach him how to kneel and ask for what he wants; I care not for his power or wealth."
"Considering… never mind. Let them serve you."
"Considering what?"
"Don't worry."
"Did the Alpha command you to assign a mother to me?"
"We know our roles and fulfill them without instruction. This is my duty, Alpha's mate." Bernard grinned and bowed. "He will join you shortly," he said, then departed.
"Who? The Alpha?" she asked, standing.
"Your mate," he replied.
"No, please take me to the pack hall," she said, moving away.
"You know you shouldn't be there," Bernard said softly.
"This is my den; I may choose my path, correct?" she asked. Bernard grinned, shrugged, and walked away.
She followed him to the far end of the hallway, reaching the pack hall.
"Alpha's mate, please disregard some things I said last night. If I had seen your face clearly, I wouldn't have spoken them."
"What do you mean? Have you seen me before last night?" she asked.
"No," he shook his head.
"Then what are you saying?"
"Never mind." Bernard bowed and left.
"This is strange," she murmured, shrugging as she entered the hall.
The domestic pack were laughing loudly. The voices she had heard came from them. She wondered why Alpha Brandon allowed such freedom—did it mean he wasn't harsh on them?
Her presence caused uproar as they celebrated a new pack member. They clearly didn't know she was their Alpha's mate. She smiled, waved, and pulled a chair beside a chubby little she-wolf absorbed in her phone—Thalia.
"Hi, good morning," she said. The little she-wolf sighed, still focused on her device. Strange, she thought.
Soon, the maids brought assorted dishes. A pleasant aroma filled the hall.
"Table manners, please," Ryan, one of the staff, instructed. Silence fell. She wasn't supposed to be there but felt comfortable, probably because they were low-born, like her.
Exiting the general pack hall, she discovered a back door.
"This way, Alpha's mate," one of Brandon's guards said. She hesitated.
"The Alpha wishes to speak with you," he added.
A cold knot formed in her stomach; her mind swirled with fear. The freedom enjoyed by the pack staff gave a glimmer of hope, yet his dominance and the weight of his authority filled her with dread.
"Where is he?" she asked the muscular guard.
"Follow me, Alpha's mate," he replied, bowing low.
The doors ahead slowly opened on their own.
Brandon stood at the center of the dim chamber, no longer relaxed, no longer silent. His eyes were glowing.
"Close the doors," he commanded.
And in that moment, she realized this morning had never been ordinary.
It had been a summon.
And the Alpha was done being patient.
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