Episode 9 – Claimed by the Alpha
The clearing fell silent.
The wolves who had been laughing moments earlier now stared in horror at the man standing behind Wren.
Alpha Hunter Silver.
His golden eyes burned with fury as he stepped between Wren and her attackers. The air around him crackled with Alpha power, forcing weaker wolves to lower their heads instinctively.
“What were you planning to do to my mate?” Hunter growled.
No one answered.
The scent of Wren’s fear wrapped around him like fire. One look at her trembling figure was enough to unleash the beast inside him.
The first wolf tried to run.
Hunter caught him before he took three steps.
A sickening crack echoed through the forest.
The others scattered immediately.
“Cowards,” Hunter spat.
Wren watched with wide eyes. No one had ever protected her before. No one had ever looked at her as if she mattered.
Hunter turned toward her, his expression instantly softening.
“Are you hurt?”
Unable to speak, Wren shook her head.
Hunter gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. His touch was careful, as though she were something precious.
“You don’t have to be afraid anymore,” he said.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
There was only the mate bond pulling them together.
Then Hunter noticed the scent lingering on her—the scent of exile.
His jaw tightened.
“They banished you.”
It wasn’t a question.
Wren lowered her eyes.
Rage flashed across Hunter’s face.
“The Wolfhart Pack rejected you?”
He took her hand firmly.
“Then let them.”
Wren looked up in surprise.
Hunter’s gaze never wavered.
“From this moment forward, you belong with me.”
For the first time in her life, Wren felt something impossible.
Home.
And somewhere deep inside Hunter’s cursed soul, a long-forgotten feeling began to awaken—hope.
