The Alpha's Heartbound

REIKA'S POV

The clock struck midnight with a hollow clang reverberating through my body. I stood still, holding my breath, waiting for everything to change. The air in the room seemed to shift, charged with an energy that made my skin tingle. And then I felt a deep pull as if an invisible thread had suddenly snapped taut, connecting me to something-or someone.

Someone was coming. Nyx... My mate?

Nyx, the Alpha heir of our pack Shadow Claw. How could it be?

"Happy birthday, Reika," he said, his voice low and devoid of warmth.

The man before me was nothing like the Nyx I remembered from our childhood-the boy who used to laugh with me, who had once been my closest friend. Now, there was nothing but a cold, distant stranger in his place.

"Nyx," I whispered, stepping closer, my heart pounding. "You're... you're my mate."

"No, it's not what you think it is," he said flatly, his tone as cold as his expression. "I only came here to wish you a happy birthday but against my will. Father forced me like he knew this would happen." His eyes were blazing with fury.

"I... I don't understand," I stammered, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "We're supposed to be-"

"Supposed to be what?" Nyx interrupted, his voice sharp. "Together? Don't be naive, Reika. This doesn't change anything."

"Nyx, please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "We were friends once... We can be again. We're mates-"

"We were children," he snapped. "And now, we're not."

The years had changed him, hardened him into the ruthless Alpha heir he was now. He was trained to inherit his father's position as Alpha and the leader of our pack and choose someone strong as his mate. But I had never expected this kind of cruelty.

Desperate to make him understand, I reached out, my hand trembling as it sought his. "Nyx, please-"

Before I could touch him, a sharp pain shot through my wrist as someone grabbed my hand and yanked it away. I gasped, looking up to see Anya standing beside Nyx, her eyes blazing with fury.

Anya is the daughter of the pack's Beta and Nyx's girlfriend. The one who had made my life a living hell since Nyx announced her as his girlfriend. She was beautiful in a cruel, calculating way, and she always seemed to find fault in everything I did. But more than that, she was powerful and dominant and always ensured I knew my place.

"Don't you dare touch him," Anya hissed, her grip tightening painfully on my wrist. "You're nothing, Reika. You're a weak Omega-a nobody. How dare you think you're worthy of him?"

I winced, trying to pull my hand away, but she held on tighter. "I... I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean?" Anya mocked, a cruel smile spreading across her lips. "Did you think he'd want someone like you? Pathetic."

I trembled, the tears I had been holding back finally spilling over. I had always known I was nothing compared to her, and in the pack's eyes, I was barely worth acknowledging. But hearing it like this, from her, in front of Nyx, was more than I could bear.

"Anya, let go," Nyx said, his voice cold and commanding.

Anya released my wrist, pushing me back with enough force to send me stumbling. I caught myself against the wall. Nyx turned his gaze on me, and the look in his eyes extinguished whatever hope I had left.

"Reika," he began, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I'm not going to sugarcoat this. I, Nyx, reject you, Reika as my mate."

Just then, the door to my room swung open. Alpha Martin, Nyx's father, stood in the doorway, his sharp gaze taking in the scene before him. We all vowed to show respect before our pack leader.

"Nyx, take back your word. You two, apologize to Reika now," Alpha Martin commanded.

Nyx and Anya exchanged a glance, clearly confused by Alpha Martin's words. After all, Alpha Martin had always approved of Anya as Nyx's girlfriend. Why was he defending me?

"Father, why?" Nyx asked. "Why should I apologize to her? She's nothing to me. You know that."

"It's Reika's birthday, and I raised you to treat pack members with respect. You will apologize."

Anya scoffed. "Alpha, with all due respect, that's ridiculous. Just because it's her birthday doesn't mean we must be nice to her. She tried to steal Nyx. She deserves whatever she gets."

"That's enough, Anya," Alpha Martin growled.

Nyx shook his head. "No. I won't apologize."

"Neither will I. She's not worth it," Anya seconded.

"Leave. Now!" Alpha Martin's patience snapped. His voice dropped to a dangerous growl.

The fire in Alpha Martin's eyes left no room for argument. Nyx and Anya turned and walked out.

"I'll talk to him, Reika. Please don't accept Nyx's rejection."

I nodded hesitantly, eyes on the floor, refusing to meet Alpha Martin's gaze.

"Happy birthday," he added quietly before walking out, leaving me standing alone in the silence of my room.

As I went outside, the whispers began. Voices from the hallway. Servants. Pack members. They all knew. They all saw.

"She ruined everything."

"Nyx is right to reject her. She's worthless, unlike Anya, strong and worthy of being Nyx's mate."

"What she did in return for Alpha Martin's mercy was to ruin the Alpha and his relationship with his son, Nyx."

"Right. If only Alpha Martin was heartless, he wouldn't pick her from the forest."

Their words hurt me to the core. But cruel as it sounds, they were right. Because of Alpha Martin's mercy, he saved me from the forest and asked Maia to be my tutor to teach me basic writing and reading when I was old enough. He went far in helping me.

I stumbled back to my room, sinking onto the edge of my bed, my body trembling. Tears blurred my vision as I wrapped my arms around myself.

Everything was too much. Only Alpha Martin had been friendly to me besides Maia, but now I couldn't bear ruining his family because of me.

And at that moment, I knew what to do. I packed my things. Everything was about to change.

The pack was distracted tonight, the entire estate buzzing about Nyx and Alpha Martin's latest decisions. They were probably making final plans to announce Anya as Nyx's mate, sealing the fate of the Shadow Claw Pack's leadership. The thought made my chest tighten with pain, but I forced it down. I wouldn't stay to witness it.

The estate was a sprawling mansion surrounded by thick woods, but the garage was tucked far enough from the main house that it wouldn't be immediately apparent if I made a quick getaway. I had no intention of walking out of here like some pitiful runaway. No, I was taking something with me. I wanted to feel like I had a shred of control over my life.

Nyx's car. The thought made me smile bitterly. It was a small act of rebellion but enough to satisfy my burning rage. He had everything-power, wealth, love. The least he could do was lend me his car for my escape.

I slid into the driver's seat, my hands trembling as I fumbled with the keys still hanging in the ignition. He was so confident no one would steal from him that he didn't even bother hiding them. Cocky bastard.

I slammed the car into gear, my foot pressing hard on the gas pedal. The car shot forward, and I steered it toward the gate, praying the guards wouldn't stop me.

But right before the gate, a guard signal stopped me, making my heart hammer in my chest but another guard opposed. They were seemingly arguing before the second guard waved me through. His familiarity with Nyx's car was working in my favor.

I sped past them and I didn't dare look back. For the first time in my life, I was free. I drove for two hours without stopping. Every mile passed, and it felt like another layer of the pack peeled away, like I was shedding my skin. Freedom, though, came with a price I hadn't planned for.

The car sputtered suddenly, jerking forward before rolling to a dead stop. "What the-?" My heart sank as I glanced at the fuel meter-empty.

"Dammit!" I slapped the steering wheel, cursing myself for being so reckless. I had escaped without any plan, without any resources.

The cool and the darkness stretched endlessly around me as I started walking. My boots crunched against the gravel, and I quickened my pace, my senses heightened, hoping no one was tracking me. The goal was simple: get to human territory, blend in, and start fresh. But I had no idea how far that was from here. I just needed to keep moving.

Not even thirty minutes passed before I sensed something off. The air shifted, growing thick with the scent of danger. My pulse quickened.

Wolves.