Chapter 3 Mated

Alina pov:

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my heart pounding in my chest. Earlier today, I woke up to find myself back in my pack's forest, lying on a tree branch. Every wound I had sustained was gone-completely healed, without even a scar. That was impossible. I should still be healing, or at the very least, have some marks left behind. The only evidence that last night even happened was my torn clothes, still stained with blood and dirt

That, and the mark.

I had been mated. Marked by a vampire.

The realization sent a cold shudder through me. I had washed up in a nearby lake and changed into the spare clothes I always kept hidden in the forest-just in case I shifted and needed a fresh set. Then, I had made my way back to the pack house, trying to push away the growing dread curling in my stomach.

My father wasn't happy that I won, but he gave me his word-I had my freedom.

I should have felt victorious. I should have felt smug at the frustrated look on Zack's face. Instead, all I felt was hollow. That damn vampire had ruined everything. I swallowed hard, my mind racing. My father had only required that I return unhurt, and technically, I had. But being claimed by our enemy? That was worse than any wound.

My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms.

Strange. I had spent my entire life yearning for my mate, longing for the moment I would finally feel whole. But now? Now, all I felt was dread. Who was he? Was it the vampire who saved me? The one with the silver eyes? Or was it another?

Kaia, my wolf, had gone silent, retreating deep into my mind ever since she realized we were mated. She couldn't even recall how we made it back to pack territory. That terrified me. I always wanted my mate, yet now I didn't even know who he was. Was it my savior? My attacker? Or someone else entirely?

A surge of frustration burned through me.

"Arghhh!" I screamed, slamming my fist against the counter. Damn those disgusting creatures.

A sharp, searing agony lanced through me, so sudden and brutal that I gasped. My knees nearly gave out as my vision blurred, the world tilting sideways. I couldn't breathe. Kaia whimpered, her presence flickering in and out.

The mate bond.

It was no secret that newly found mates shouldn't be separated. My eyes flickered between golden and brown as Kaia struggled to take control. I couldn't let her. Who knew what she would do? My claws extended, sharp and deadly, and before I could second-guess myself, I drove them into my own neck-into the mark.

A raw, piercing scream tore from my lips as I collapsed to the floor.

Agony exploded through me. My body convulsed as blood spilled onto the cold tiles, pooling beneath me. I coughed violently, my lungs seizing, blocking the air from passing through. My vision flickered, darkness pressing at the edges.

I lay there, trembling, until the pain dulled into a deep, throbbing ache. My breaths came in slow, measured gulps. The pain was still there, but it was bearable. Gritting my teeth, I forced myself to my feet, gripping the edge of the sink to steady myself.

I met my reflection again.

The mark on my neck glowed faintly, an undeniable claim

My stomach twisted. I adjusted the neckline of my dress, covering it completely. My father expected me to return unscathed. But how was I supposed to explain that a vampire-our sworn enemy-had mated me?

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the hallway. The sound of laughter and chatter drifted from downstairs. The pack house was lively, buzzing with excitement.

I descended the grand staircase, gripping the railing tighter than necessary. Wolves bustled about, hanging garlands of evergreen along the wooden beams while others arranged tables, adjusting banners displaying the royal crest. The chandelier overhead was draped in strands of gold, catching the light and scattering it in warm, flickering hues.

All of this, for my brother, Nicola. The future Lycan King.

The coronation was tomorrow, and the entire pack had thrown themselves into the preparations. From the dining hall, laughter echoed as the kitchen staff prepared feast after feast. Warriors stood near the entrance, discussing security for the ceremony, while pups darted between legs, their squeals filling the air.

In the middle of it all stood my mother.

Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, so tight I was sure it must hurt. She was dressed casually, issuing instructions to those around her.

"Mom," I called, making my way toward her.

She turned, her stern expression softening as she saw me. "Alina," she greeted. "You're up."

"Where's my brother?" I asked, looking around

"He took some of the pack men and went hunting rogues," she replied.

Of course. Our pack raided rogue territories regularly. They caused nothing but pain and destruction. Clearing them out was routine

"To be out hunting the day before his coronation... how nervous must he be?" I mused.

Mom sighed. "You can't blame him. Not only is the Lycan position transitioning to him, but he also takes control of the family business. It's a massive corporation."

I hummed in acknowledgment. I remembered how I once threw a fit about going to my father's company, only to realize it was located outside pack territory-in human lands. Since he wouldn't allow me to leave, he had a life-sized replica built just for me. It wasn't the same. He even had me homeschooled.

Mom studied me for a moment. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing." She shook her head, though something lingered in her gaze. "What do you plan to do now that you've gained your freedom?"

I hesitated. "I haven't thought about it yet." A lie. I had plans-a whole world tour, disappearing for years. But now? Now I had a mate. And I had to find him. If there was any way to fix this... I needed to figure it out before it was too late.

Mom watched me closely before gesturing toward a group of wolves nearby.

When I had still been locked up in the pack, my father assigned younger wolves to keep me company. Now that I had my freedom, it was time to put an end to that. This was his last day in power, after all.

I bid my mother farewell and strode toward the waiting wolves, determination settling in my chest.

I had a mate to find. And I refused to let him control my fate.