Chapter 6 The Alpha's Warning

The heavy oak doors of the Crescent Moon mansion slammed shut behind her, echoing like a final verdict. Selene's heart pounded in her chest, a drumbeat of confusion, fear, and a strange flutter of something she couldn't name. Not yet. The inside of the mansion was every bit as imposing as the man who ruled it - sharp edges, dark wood, cold marble. Everything screamed power. Everything whispered, You don't belong here.

And yet, here she was.

Selene turned to look at him.

Alpha Kael Draven.

His back was turned as he unbuttoned his blood-stained shirt. Muscles rippled down his spine, marked with scars - not just of battle, but of life. Harsh. Raw. Ruthless. She hadn't been able to look at him too long when they were in the forest. But now, she couldn't look away.

"You can sleep in the east wing," Kael said coldly. "Your scent won't bother the others there."

"I didn't ask to be brought here," she replied, voice trembling but firm.

He turned slowly, eyes glowing faintly golden in the dim light. "You're not here because I wanted your gratitude. You're here because you belong to me now."

The words crashed into her like waves on jagged rock.

"I'm not a thing to be owned."

Kael stepped closer, the distance between them evaporating in an instant. He leaned in, his voice low, dangerous. "You're not just a thing. You're mine in more ways than you know. Your father knew that when he crossed me."

She blinked. "My father?"

Kael's expression tightened. "Your pack has made enemies. I'm offering protection. That's more than you deserve."

Selene felt the blood drain from her face. "You think keeping me prisoner is protection?"

"I think giving you a bed instead of a cell is generous."

She wanted to scream. Cry. Fight. But more than anything, she wanted to understand why. Why her? Why now?

"I'm not a weapon in some vendetta," she said, lifting her chin.

"No," he murmured, eyes darkening, "you're something far more dangerous. You make me forget I'm a monster."

The silence that followed crackled with tension. The air between them thickened until it was hard to breathe.

Kael turned abruptly. "You'll dine with me tonight. Be ready at seven. Don't test me, Selene."

And just like that, he disappeared into the shadows of the hall, leaving her with only questions and the pounding of her own heart.

---

East Wing - Guest Quarters

Selene paced the length of the opulent bedroom. Everything about this place was wrong. It smelled of leather and pine, power and blood. Even the silence had a weight to it, like the house held its breath in fear of its master.

She had no phone. No contact with the outside world. The maids - silent girls with bowed heads - had given her fresh clothes, a soft robe, even lavender oil for the bath. But none had met her eyes.

It felt like a gilded cage.

But she wouldn't be a canary.

She needed a plan.

---

7:00 PM - The Alpha's Table

Kael sat at the head of the long table, a goblet of dark red wine in his hand. The dining hall was medieval - all candlelight, stone archways, and brooding portraits of Alphas past.

Selene entered in a black velvet dress one of the maids had laid out for her. It clung to her body in ways that made her feel exposed, vulnerable, yet powerful. The fabric whispered with each step she took.

Kael's gaze burned into her, unblinking.

"You clean up well," he said simply.

She sat, refusing to thank him.

The first few minutes passed in silence - clinking silverware, the occasional flicker of candlelight. Selene's nerves were frayed.

"Why did you say I belonged to you?" she finally asked.

Kael didn't look up. "Because the Moon chose you for me."

Her pulse skipped. "You think I'm your mate?"

He looked at her now. Really looked. "I know you are."

She stood so quickly her chair scraped against the floor. "No. I didn't feel anything. I'm not yours."

Kael stood too - slow, deliberate, predator-like. "Then explain this."

He reached out, placing his palm over her heart. The moment their skin met, a fire surged through her veins - heat, light, and something ancient. Her breath caught. She felt it - the pull.

He leaned in, breath brushing her ear. "I've been suppressing the bond. You're not ready. But don't mistake my restraint for indifference."

She stumbled back, heart racing.

"You... you did that on purpose?"

"Yes," he said, voice hard. "You were in danger. You still are. But I'll protect what's mine. Even if you hate me for it."

Tears welled in her eyes, unbidden. "This isn't protection. It's control."

He didn't blink. "They're the same in my world."

---

Later that Night

Selene sat by the window, staring at the moon, mind reeling. She didn't know what scared her more - that Kael believed she was his mate... or that part of her wanted it to be true.

Somewhere in the dark woods beyond the mansion, a wolf howled.

And deep inside her, something stirred in answer.