The Alpha's Forced Mate

oor clicked. The lock engaged. The silence was immedi

lawn. The lawn ended at the thick forest line. The glass was triple-paned.

r. She ignored the panic. She focused on fac

fireplace, and a large bathroom. The furniture was bolted down. Th

dows. The shower stall was large. The mirror was secured to the wal

. The safe was there. The manila envelope was inside. Her fil

ded to think. Dax knew her mission. He knew her intent. This change

It was primal. It was the sound of a large animal moving.

e needed the code. She needed physical access to

slot closed. A white-clothed silver tray sat inside. The aroma of roasted meat and fresh vegetable

ext to the plate. The car

r. She turned it over. Tiny, neat script filled the

ROTOCOL: IN

Immediate compliance is expected. Refusal results in forced

. Do not interfere with the Alpha's transfo

provided in the wardrobe. Use only the provided items. They

pha. Do not attempt to communicate with staff or other pack

al occurs seven nights from tonight. Pr

tual. A claim. This was not a slow seduction. This was a fo

th a small, decorative silver lighter left on the mantle. She watched th

efore the claim. Seven

ll in neutral, earth-toned colors. She noticed the slight musky odor. It was the same scent that had hit he

acks. She changed quickly. She felt more prepared in t

. She looked at the door. She looked a

urn soon. He would check on hi

eathing exercises her mentor had taught her. Inhal

was distinct. Dax entered the room.

saw the crumpled ashes in the fir

not eat,"

m kidnappers," Elara coun

es in the fireplace. He walked to the fireplace. He picked u

. It was not a question. I

protocol. I re

He moved toward her. She rema

ve. It blotted out the light. "Defiance is unwise, Ela

ot your dog. Punishment is

o his coat pocket. He pulled out a small electronic packet. I

ll inside. They are all unusable. The packet dampens all signa

ifeline. Her communication to the outside wor

me that?"

e reality of your situation. You need to stop fighting things y

matt

now. The other packs know I have you. They know you are the Luna.

ara focused on the ne

focus. The journalist was back. He

hey are led by

? Anoth

eir. He is the one I locked away. He wants this

ther was locked away. Dax lied abo

used. "You stole his title. Yo

ak. He is sentimental. He would have led us to ruin. He i

htful heir. Yo

currently operating south of here. They are watching this compound. They saw

n. The claim.

target. You are the center of the co

e looked at the locked door. Impenetrable. She loo

asked. She kept her voice

nder his weight. He was close. Too close. The scent w

ion of the mate bond. It anchors the wolf. It confirms

oiled. "I am human

. The contact was instant electricity. Elara tried to pull awa

ost invisible crescent scar just above her wrist bone. It

It is dormant. It requires the Alpha's Claim to activate. Yo

d. The implications were staggering. She was not a journal

g. My parents

the pack to live a human life. A pathetic, fearful life. She gave

Her parents' disappearance. Not a boating accident. Not a jour

illed because of t

ted. They abandoned the pack. They betrayed the code.

You knew who I was

know your parents' full history. That is irrelevant. Your connection to the Lycia

your h

able. In this life, the strongest takes t

ngs. Do not attempt to harm yourself. You will eat your food. You will sleep. I

n is obedience,

ack at her. "You are smart. That is a strength. Use it to acce

closed. The lock c

s. They were executed by Dax's rival brother. Dax knew. He held the key to the myste

ble. But the atmosphere was heavy. The forest was dense.

he looked at the faint crescent mark on her wrist. She was a weapon waiting to be armed.

aitor's daughter. She would not wait for the claim. She would not accept her fate. She would find her way out. She would find the tru

. Dax's hand movements had been quick. Too quick to see. She neede

etter opener. It was her first tool. Small. Insignificant. But

e was ready. The game had changed. It was no longer about journalism. It was abo