Chapter 3 The Alpha's Claim

*Maya's POV*

I woke up early, full of jitters. Today I would meet Kane Shadowmere again-the man who agreed to wait four years for a girl who left him. The man who would be my partner, my Alpha, my future.

After a quick wash, I looked at my clothes, thinking what to wear. The old me would have worn something bold-torn jeans and a tough jacket, maybe. But I'm not that girl now.

I picked a plain black dress that fit well but wasn't too showy, and boots good for the mountain. Smart but still a woman. A woman who knows her worth.

Downstairs, the house was busy. The smell of fresh coffee and bacon took me to the kitchen, where a few from the pack were starting the day.

"Maya!" Elena, a younger wolf, smiled big. "I heard you were back. Great to see you!"

"Great to see you too, Elena. How's training?"

"Good! They put me on guard last month."

I spent the morning with the group, checking our land, feeling what it was like to be part of something larger again. These wolves looked up to my dad now, and one day, they'd look up to me. The weight of it was both scary and thrilling.

Near noon, Marcus found me in the training yard, working off nervous feelings.

"Your dad wants you," he noted. "Alpha Kane will be here in an hour."

My heart sank. "An hour? I thought he was coming later."

"Plans changed. He's ready to see you."

I took another quick shower, then changed into a fresh dress-this one in deep green that made my eyes stand out. I wore my mom's green jewel at my neck, a sign of my strong family.

I was walking around in my room when I heard a car outside. My breath stopped as I went to the window, and I saw a sharp black SUV drive up to the house.

The driver's side opened, and Kane Shadowmere got out.

Four years had shaped him. He was taller, stronger, with a way about him that pulled your gaze. His dark hair was shorter, and lines by his silver eyes told of duty and tough lessons learned.

He moved like a hunter, each move clean and meaning something. Even from up here, his strength hit me hard.

"He has really stepped up, hasn't he?"

I turned and saw my dad in the door, smiling like he knew something.

"Thank you." I felt good that my voice did not shake. "Good to see you again, Kane."

He came close enough for me to smell him-cedar, mountain snow, and something else only he had. My wolf side was up and looking, but I kept my face calm.

"Can we talk alone?" he asked, eyes fixed on mine.

My dad nodded. "I'll be in my office if you need me."

Then it was just us. Kane pointed to the couch, and I sat, aware of every move I made. He took the chair across, near but giving me room.

"Four years," he said slowly. "I can't say I didn't feel bad when you left."

"I was eighteen and dumb," I said back. "I thought I knew what I needed."

"Now?"

"Now I know more." I looked at him strongly. "I know that right choices are not always easy choices."

He leaned in, hands on his knees. "Tell me about Seattle. Tell me what made you know you had to come back here."

So I told him - about Damien, the lies, being just a stand-in. I told him how Seraphina's return hit me hard, breaking my fake dreams.

Kane just listened, his face getting dark as I went on. When I was done, his eyes were hot with quiet rage.

"I should end him," he said simply.

"That's what my dad said."

"Your dad is smart." Kane stood, pacing now. "You were not treated right, Maya. You were thrown away like you were nothing. I can't let that go."

"It's done," I said. "I don't want to think about it more."

He stopped and faced me. "You're saving him."

"I'm saving myself. Payback won't fix what's broken."

"But maybe fair play will."

There was something in his voice that made me shiver. "Kane, say you won't hurt him."

"I can't say that."

"Then say you won't start a war for him. He's not worth it."

Kane was quiet, then sat next to me on the couch, close so I felt his heat.

"You're right," he said at last. "He's not worth it. But you are."

His hand moved to my face, thumb on my cheek. "I waited four years for you, Maya. Four years to see if you would come back, if you saw what I saw."

"What do you see?" I barely spoke.

"Power. Might. A woman who could rise with me, build something huge." His thumb touched my lip. "A woman who is my match in every way."

My heart raced. "Kane..."

"I get it, you don't love me," he kept on. "You're here as you have no other place. But know this - I won't take half a heart. I need the real thing from you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you say yes, I expect you all. Your loyalty, your help, your drive to build with me." His fingers touched my neck, near my pulse. "I won't be a backup, Maya. I won't be a second pick."

His voice made heat rise in me. "What if I can't give that?"

"Then I'll set you free. Help you find your way, no matter what it is."

I looked into his silver eyes, true there. He gave me a choice-real togetherness or full freedom. No guilt, no must, no sadness.

"I need time," I said.

"How much?"

"A week. Maybe two."

He nodded. "I'll wait. But Maya?" He got close, his breath warm. "Don't take too long. I'm not as calm as before."

He walked to the door, then stopped. "One more thing. The Shadowmere Pack needs not just a Luna but a co-Alpha. Someone to lead with me, not after me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you say yes, you're not just my mate. You're my full partner in all things, all choices." His smile was sharp. "Think you're up for that?"

After he left, I sat alone, thinking. Co-Alpha. Full partner. The idea excited me more than I expected.

My phone rang with a text from a number I didn't know: *I know you're back. We need to talk. Don't make it hard.*

I frowned, not sure who it was. Before I could answer, another message: *You can't hide, Maya. Some debts need paying.*

Chills ran through me. Who was this? What debt?

A third message: *48 hours. Come alone, or I'll come get you.*

My hands shook as I read. Just when I thought I had left my past, it pulled me back.

I was about to call my dad when Kane's voice came through the window-he was outside, talking firmly.

"-don't care how. Find out who is threatening her and stop them."

"Yes, Alpha," someone answered.

My blood froze. Kane had seen the messages. But how? What would he do?

I walked to the window and saw him by his SUV, a phone held to his ear. Even far, his stance said he was ready for a fight.

"Maya Blackwood is now under my care," he spoke into the phone. "If anyone dares to harm her, they face me. Pass it on."

He hung up and his eyes found mine through the glass. No smile, no wave. Just a nod-a pact, a vow of war to anyone trying to touch what's his.

And even with my fear, I felt a rush. Kane Shadowmere was not just on my side-he was giving me a shield, strength, and a loyalty I had never known.

But as his SUV left down the mountain road, I knew saying yes to him would turn everything different. Not just for me, but for our packs too.

Was I set for that shift?