MATED TO MY ALPHA MATE
The night was heavy with silence, except for the faint rustle of leaves outside the window. Derek stood at the edge of the forest, his sharp eyes fixed on the glowing moon above. The weight of his title as alpha pressed down on him, but tonight, his thoughts were consumed by something else—her.
Diva.
She was supposed to be his mate, bound to him by fate, yet she rejected him at every turn. Her defiance was a thorn in his pride, but it was more than that. She stirred something in him, something unfamiliar, something dangerous.
"She's not like the others," Derek muttered to himself, his voice low and gravelly. He tightened his fists, the claws beneath his skin itching to break free. "But that doesn't mean she can defy me forever."
A sudden sound broke his thoughts—a low growl from behind him. Derek didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Still brooding over the girl?" A voice sneered. It was Caleb, his second-in-command, stepping out of the shadows with a smirk on his face. "You're wasting too much energy on this, Alpha. If she doesn't want to submit, maybe you should remind her what happens to those who defy you."
Derek turned slowly, his eyes glowing with a dangerous light. "Careful, Caleb," he warned, his voice icy. "You speak as if you've forgotten who you're talking to."
Caleb held up his hands in mock surrender, though the smirk didn't leave his face. "I'm just saying, Derek. We have bigger problems than a stubborn mate. The packs are restless, and the rogue attacks are increasing. You need to focus on that, not some girl who thinks she can outrun destiny."
Derek didn't respond immediately. He knew Caleb was right, but the bond he felt with Diva wasn't something he could ignore. It wasn't just about her being his mate; it was the way she challenged him, the way she stood up to him when no one else dared.
"Get the patrols doubled," Derek ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And keep an eye on the borders. If the rogues are testing us, they won't get far."
Caleb nodded and disappeared into the night, leaving Derek alone with his thoughts once more. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to push aside the growing frustration.
Meanwhile, back at the house, Diva sat on her bed, staring blankly at the wall. Her mind replayed the events of the past week—the confrontation with Derek, the whispered warnings from Mikael, and the cold realization that she was bound to a man she didn't trust.
A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Diva? Are you awake?" It was Mikael's voice, soft but insistent.
"Come in," she said, her voice tired.
Mikael stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His expression was serious, his usual playful demeanor replaced by concern.
"I've been thinking," he began, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "About Derek. About everything."
Diva frowned. "Don't start, Mikael. I'm not in the mood for another lecture about accepting my fate."
"It's not that," he said quickly. "It's just… I think there's more to this than we realize. You've heard the stories about the alpha bond, haven't you? How it's supposed to strengthen both mates, make them unstoppable?"
Diva rolled her eyes. "And what's your point?"
"My point," Mikael said, leaning closer, "is that maybe there's a reason you were chosen. Maybe this bond isn't just about you and Derek—it's about something bigger."
She stared at him, his words sinking in. As much as she hated to admit it, he might be right. But that didn't make her feel any better.
Before she could respond, a loud howl echoed through the night. It was close—too close.
Mikael jumped to his feet, his eyes wide with alarm. "That's a warning howl," he said. "Something's wrong."
Diva stood up, her heart pounding. She could feel the tension in the air, the sense of danger creeping closer.
The door burst open, and Caleb stormed in, his face pale and his breaths ragged.
"Alpha Derek needs you," he said, his voice urgent. "The rogues have broken through the border. This isn't just an attack—it's war."
TO BE CONTINUE.....