The Alpha's Claimed Mate

I stepped back and ducked as soon as the cat snarled. I saw that coming, to be honest. Didn’t really expect for the cat to be anymore respectful than its owner.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I asked dryly, brushing past her into the living room as she walked over to the couch and set down the cat.

“I would never commit such a crime,” she replied, sarcasm heavy in her voice. I shook my head at her. This girl either knew something I didn’t, or just had a death wish.

Probably the latter. She would have to tame that sharp tongue of hers when she started working for me. I let it go at the moment since I didn’t have a right to exercise control over her, but I expected absolute respect from all my employees and pack members.

I took in everything in the room. Which was pretty much nothing other than the ancient-looking couch and walls painted in varying shades of grey. There was no other furniture in the room and only a single door was present, which probably led to her bedroom.

‘Does that mean she doesn’t have a kitchen?’

She obviously didn’t consider this place ‘home’. Even my room back at the Eternal Frost Mansion was better decorated than this, and that was saying something.

“This place looks…Cozy.”

She gave me a sideways glance.

“I only come here to sleep. Nothing more. You can snoop around. I’ll take the notes and be back in a second. Don’t touch Mika if you want your pretty face to remain unscathed,” She said, more like ordered me and headed over to her room. 

It was pretty clear that there was nothing to see here, so I followed her quietly.

Luckily for me, her cat didn’t follow. The thing unnerved me. It had the same eyes as Ash, if that was even possible, but I knew I was right. Her eyes were a unique shade of molten gold, cunning, calculating and filled with cruel mirth, pulling me in seductively. 

It was hard to describe with just words, but the cat had the same damned eyes. I didn’t know why, but it didn’t seem like a coincidence. Maybe I was finally going mad. Maybe all those years of stress were finally catching up to me.

The whole day had been incredibly weird. First, it was how she was all I could smell, then I couldn’t catch her scent at all. Then I finally got information to pin that psychopathic brat. Let’s not forget the fact that the weakest omega I had ever met won a duel with an Alpha Heir. 

In all my years as an Alpha Superior, none had been weird as this one. And I hoped that this was the last time because, I must admit, not knowing what was ahead and just winging everything was exhausting.

I also felt like something terribly wrong was about to happen soon. We Lycans relied on our instincts more than anything else. It’s the one thing that separated us from other magickas and mythickas. We had a primal instinct that warned us of danger and provided us with raw, predatory power.

But my instincts were screaming at me to bed the woman walking in the front, so I was definitely not trusting it today. I wondered how long she was planning to hide it from me.

When she stepped inside her bedroom, I stood by the doorway. Not because it was rude to enter without permission, but because the room was too small to hold the both of us, and I was sure she needed space to search for the notes.

I had a feeling that she was one of those people who forgot things like this easily. To my amusement, she began to look under the cot, then lifted the pillow to see if it was there. Then she scowled at the bed like it would give her what she wanted if she stared hard enough.

I folded my arms and leaned against the doorway.

“Having trouble?”

She whipped her head towards me and glared, noticing the amusement in my voice.

“Why are you looking so smug? You’re the one who needs it, not me. I can just escape without giving you the notes.”

“Did you consider looking in that cupboard over there?” I asked, ignoring her comment, and pointed towards the small wooden cupboard near the even smaller window. It was the only piece of furniture in the room other than the uncomfortable-looking bed.

I went there myself as it was faster and opened the tiny thing that looked like it would break if I forced it a little.

ASH’S POV:

Zak’s face had an expression of triumph for a minute, before he turned to meet my eyes. It’s washed away as soon as he sees my face. His icy blue eyes darkened.

I could tell from his expression what he had found. The Wolfsbane sigil. Well, he needed to know that it wouldn’t do shit if I reported anything alone. That’s why Jared sent me those disgusting things in that paper. To taunt me that I couldn’t do anything, even with so much evidence.

Zak too seemed to understand as he said nothing, his eyes burning with cold fury as he walked towards me.

“This is powerful evidence. Nobody will try to turn it against you when I am on your side. Trust me. And I will make sure something like this never happens again in this godforsaken pack.”

I gave him a small smile. He may be rumored to be a col tyrant, but I could see that he was a fair one.

“I’m glad this will help you do whatever you want, but I don’t really care, you know. I just want to leave this place.” I took out a sealed letter and handed it to him. He raised an eyebrow at me, but took it anyway.

“This a letter for Claire, the blonde you saw in Daniel’s memories,” I explained as I walked out of the room. I’m pulled back by my wrist into a cold hard chest and I froze as I realized my mistake.

‘Oh, fuck. I’m screwed.’

“Firstly, you are not going anywhere till your Alpha Heir is in prison. Secondly, mind telling me how you know I can see through his memories?” He asked, turning me around to face him.

“Uh, people talk?” I offered weakly.

“I sincerely doubt that.” He tilted his head in curiosity as I took a step back from him.

“I know you guys have an oath and all, but people still talk, you know,” I said as I got ready to run, but he kept walking towards me.

“You know about the oath, too.” Zak backed me into a wall.

Man, I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. I was basically just digging myself into a deeper grave with each word. I put up a hand in defense, trying to maintain some distance between us, but it was useless as pleasant tingles went down my spine when Zak caught them and pulled me against him.

“Well, you see…” I trailed off as his eyes glazed over for a second and he put up a hand for me to stop. So I did. I guessed it was something important. He rubbed his face tiredly. 

Zak dragged me out of the room, not giving me a chance to speak.

“You are not going to leave my side. You will also tell me everything you know. Everything. No more half truths and lies,” he said, his glare intensifying with each word. He wasn’t asking anymore. It was an order. I swallowed my pride and nodded.

‘Why? Why the hell can’t I just keep my mouth shut?’

He paused for a moment, deliberating something.

“You can also bring your cat.” 

Mika looked up at me, and, as if noticing he was mentioned, jumped from the couch to the floor. He happily strode towards me and brushed up against my leg, purring contently.

Zak raised an eyebrow at this.

“You have trained him well,” He said as he let go of my hand.

“He’s always been like this.” I picked up Mika into my arms. He wasn’t heavy at all. All fur and a little fat.

“You are not coming back here, right?”

I shook my head. Never. I was leaving the moment he let me go. He held out his hand, beckoning for me to take it. I put my hand in his hesitantly.

“Good. Because I’m taking you with me.” He said, as darkness enveloped us once again.