Chapter 6 Claiming
Amelia's POV
Mine, my wolf howled. MINE.
I felt the disconnect between mind and body—I was fully aware but completely powerless as my muscles coiled and launched me forward. My hands seized Alexander's shirt, yanking him toward me with strength I didn't know I possessed.
His eyes widened in shock as I pressed my lips against his with savage desperation. This wasn't a gentle first kiss. This was claiming, marking, a primal statement of possession that horrified the rational part of my brain even as my body demanded more.
I felt his momentary resistance, then a growl rumbled through his chest as his control slipped. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer as the kiss deepened. My fingers tangled in his hair, nails scraping his scalp as his hands gripped my waist with bruising intensity.
Stop this! my human side screamed distantly. You're attacking the Alpha of Shadow Kingdom!
But that voice was drowned out by thundering need. My hands moved without permission, sliding under his shirt to feel the heat of his skin. My hips pressed forward, seeking closer contact.
Daniel and Nathan stood frozen in shocked silence. Even they knew better than to interfere with a mate bond manifestation—it was like interrupting a sacred ritual.
Then the sharp crack of a branch breaking cut through the night, followed by a familiar scent carried on the breeze.
"Daniel?" a female voice called from the darkness. "Are you out here? The campus is swarming with guards searching for Amelia, and you weren't answering your phone..."
Vanessa emerged from the tree line, following Daniel's scent trail. She froze mid-step, her eyes widening as she took in the scene before her—me wrapped around a man, our bodies pressed together in what looked like a passionate embrace. From her angle, she could only see the man's back, not his face.
Her expression shifted from surprise to vindictive satisfaction. "Wow, Amelia. And here I was actually feeling guilty about Daniel. Guess you moved on pretty quickly, huh? All that heartbreak just for show while you were hooking up with someone else?"
The interruption shattered the moment. The man—Alexander—suddenly gripped my shoulders and shoved me backward with enough force that I fell hard onto the forest floor. The sudden rejection felt like having a limb torn away, a physical pain that made me gasp.
Alexander turned, his face now visible to Vanessa. The vindictive smile died on her lips as recognition dawned. She paled dramatically, her hand flying to her mouth.
"A-Alpha Alexander," she stammered, immediately dropping to her knees, head bowed. "I—I had no idea—please forgive my intrusion."
Alexander wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes blazing with fury and humiliation. His chest heaved as he fought to regain control of himself.
"What," he snarled, each word dropping like acid, "was that?"
I sat stunned on the ground, my body still humming with desire even as my mind caught up with what I'd just done. Horror washed over me as reality crashed back. I had just assaulted the Alpha of Shadow Kingdom—in front of my brother, his brother, and my ex-best friend.
A rumbling growl built in Alexander's chest, vibrating through the clearing. I instinctively cowered, recognizing the sound of an enraged Alpha. When he took a threatening step toward me, eyes glowing with supernatural light, Nathan quickly stepped between us despite his injured leg.
"Great Alpha Alexander," he said, his voice steady but deferential, "I apologize for my sister's disgraceful behavior. She's untrained, pathetically weak in control—her first shift and mate recognition in one night has overwhelmed her undisciplined mind."
Nathan bowed his head slightly, tone shifting to admiration. "Your restraint is commendable, Great Alpha Alexander. Any lesser Alpha would have retaliated against such impropriety, but your leadership is as exceptional as always. The pack is fortunate to have an Alpha who understands the weaknesses of new wolves and shows such mercy."
Alexander's nostrils flared as he drew in several deep breaths, Nathan's flattery giving him time to collect himself. His eyes remained dangerously bright, but the immediate threat of violence receded slightly.
"Control," he said finally, his voice deadly quiet, "is the first lesson any wolf must learn."
Nathan nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha. I'll personally ensure she learns that lesson thoroughly."
Alexander's gaze shifted to Vanessa, who remained kneeling with her head bowed, then to Daniel, who immediately lowered his eyes in submission.
"And you are?" Alexander asked Vanessa, his voice deceptively smooth.
"Vanessa Lawrence, Great Alpha Alexander," she whispered, not daring to look up. "I'm a freshman at Shadow Heights University."
"Miss Lawrence," Alexander said coldly. "Interesting that you tracked Daniel so efficiently through these woods at this hour."
Vanessa trembled visibly. "I—I heard the commotion on campus... Daniel just rushed out, and I got worried. He wasn't answering his phone, so I... I just followed his trail to make sure he was okay..." She trailed off, realizing she was only digging herself deeper.
Alexander's gaze flickered between her, me, and his brother, his expression hardening as a look of utter contempt settled on his features. So this was the mess his brother had made.
"Daniel," he said icily, "it seems we need to have a conversation about your... extracurricular activities."
Daniel's face paled further, and he seemed to shrink before my eyes.
Alexander straightened his rumpled clothes and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. When he turned back to me, his eyes were cold and calculating.
"This," he said, gesturing between us, "is not over, Miss Throne. We will discuss what happened here when you're... more yourself."
The threat—or promise—in his words sent a shiver down my spine.
"Nathan, get your sister home," he ordered. "Daniel, Miss Lawrence, you'll both accompany me back to the estate. Now."
With a final glance that seemed to burn straight through me, Alexander turned and strode away, his rigid posture radiating anger. Daniel followed meekly behind, not daring to look at me or Vanessa. After a moment's hesitation, Vanessa hurried after them, shooting me a look of pure hatred over her shoulder.
As they disappeared into the trees, my legs gave out completely. I sank to the ground, trembling with the aftermath of adrenaline and hormones.
"What the hell just happened?" I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself.
Nathan limped over and helped me to my feet. "That," he said with a grimace, "was your wolf claiming her mate. And possibly starting a diplomatic incident."
The walk home was slow and painful. Nathan's broken leg had begun to heal—werewolf metabolism at work—but he still limped heavily. I supported him as best I could, though my own legs felt like jelly.
"I'm so sorry," I said for what must have been the twentieth time. "Nathan, I got you demoted. I couldn't control myself—it was like watching someone else use my body."
Nathan squeezed my shoulder. "It's okay, Lia. The first transformation is always rough. Add in a mate bond activation? I'm surprised you didn't completely lose consciousness."
"A mate bond," I repeated numbly. "With Alexander Westbrook. The Alpha who already has a fiancee."
"Yeah," Nathan sighed. "Talk about complicated."
We walked in silence for a while, the events of the night settling over us like a heavy blanket.
"How did you know I was in trouble?" I asked finally. "How did you find me before..." I couldn't finish the sentence.
