Bound to the Alpha by Eva black

As an abandoned orphan, I've known nothing about my past or identity. No family, No money, all I have to my name is a black belt in martial arts.

"Come on, Don't make me do this" Moriah hand shakes around the hilt of knife filled with blood.

Do it.

Silhouetted by the rising sun, the man standing before me is bound at my foot like a sacrifice, but still beautiful.

I step closer to the altar, the train of my wedding dress dragging like a weight behind me.

"I can't do this."

"You have to. Do it, Moriah." The man standing in the shadows ordered.

Slowly I move forward, meeting his golden eyes which glow and pulse with power.I press the blade to his throat...

"I'm sorry_"

I gasp. "I am so sorry".

"Don't apologize birthday girl, that was a damn good hit" Sarah said with a chuckle.

My friend and partner works her jaw where my fist connected harder than intended.

"No I shouldn't have gone all out. We were just loosening up after class." I said brushing a stray curl from my cheek and offering Sarah a hand.

My body might not look intimidating in leggings and a hoodie, but years of martial arts packed strength into every inch of my 5'6 frame.

"Girl it's alright. Where did you get that strength from anyway, were your parents vikings or something?" Sarah said jokingly.

Oh come on, Vikings? Really?. Well that's not what I was told. They were in a cult remember? A bad enough one that I got taken away and put in foster care.

"I'm just saying, vikings parents would've made more sense than the cult thing." Sarah said, slinging her bag over her shoulder.She frowns "I'm sorry for bringing them up on your birthday, I'm an idiot."

Although her words sting a little bit I force a smile

"Oh, no it's okay. I never knew them anyways.

Now I am out of the system, allowed to drink...being an adult rocks."

"I'll catch you later, have a good night." I say with a smile.

Sarah waves goodbye, and I finish locking up. I move to grab my coat but a massive bang halts me in my tracks. The front door flies off it's hinges.

Against the haze of the rain stands the chiseled outline of a man.

"Finally I found you." said the stranger in the shadows.

Like an animal appearing out of the darkness, he slowly, deliberately, moves into the light. His golden eyes gleaming beneath soaked lashes. Muscles taut under his soaked black tee, he looked like someone sculpted from danger and secrets.

"I should have known I'll find you in a place like this" the stranger laughs softly and touches a punching bag.

I stiffen, a bit of fright crept in me, who is this guy? Why is he here?

"I'm sorry, sir, but the dojo's closed"

"Oh, I'm not here for a lesson" he said with a smirk

Lightning strikes, Illuminating his lean muscles and sharp, feral eyes. Eyes trained on you.

Calm down Moriah, you know what to do in situations like this. I straighten to my full height as I stare the man down.

"Maybe you didn't hear me. The dojo is closed. Please leave.

He smirks haughtily ,his dark smile both stunning and aggravating. "Or what?" he said still smiling

"Or I'll make you." I said with confidence in my voice.

His smile widens. "I'd really like to see you try."

My mind made up, I lunge for him.

His eyes widen a fraction ,but he dodges my attack with fluid ease, as if he's dancing with me.

He laughs.

"Damn, you've got spunk, I'll give you that, Moriah"

What? how does he know my name? "Who the hell are you? And how do you know who I am?" I asked with a hint of curiosity in my voice.

"The name's Caden and I'd know you anywhere. You're my mate after all."

His strange words hit me harder than the lighting cracking overhead.

"Your....mate? What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're mine." he said rather coolly.

Okay this guy's crazy.

"Uh..does that line ever work for you?"

He lets out a bark of laughter, maintaining his cocky composure

"You'd be surprised how many women would love to be called my mate. But that honour lies solely with you Moriah." his smile fades.

"You're my mate and you are coming with me. Right now." He said facing towards the exit. "Happy birthday by the way."

Okay forget what I said about handling this at first. I bolt for the exit but before I can reach it, two hulky men stand in my way.

Lightning strikes overhead.

"So this is her?" A tall bulky-looking guy said.

"This bitch doesn't look like much, does she beau?" the other one, less tall and less bulky said.

Remember our orders Erik, you can't hurt her." Beau said

"Me? hurt her? come on man,if anything we should be afraid of her." Erik said with a slight hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"She's no threat to you, just hurry up and take her." Caden said, looking serious.

A chorus of haunting howls drift in through the smashed entryway. Caden's eyes darken. "We don't have much time."

Oh my God, this is insane, they're actually trying to kidnap me. I take a step back as they surround me, my hands curls into fists. I should do something, stat.

"Wait, please, I didn't do anything." I said with a tremble in my voice as I shook pretentiously.

"You're a coward aren't you, little girl?" Erik said with a smirk.

Erik gives me a kick and I stumble forward, putting myself closer to the doorway.

"Makes sense. Cowardice is in your blood."

What does he mean by in my blood? I just need to get closer to the door and get the hell outta here.

I try to crawl away but Erik kicks me in the stomach hard, I wheeze, pain surged through me, the wind knocked out of me.

"What did I tell you about hurting her?" Caden said in an angry tone.

Caden shoves Erik back with a vicious glare. Erik bows his head begrudgingly.

"I'm sorry, Moriah. Not everyone appreciates that fire you have." Caden holds out his hand to me, his once-sharp eyes tinged with concern. "Here, let me help you."

I stare at Caden's open palm, steady and radiating a strange warmth, even in the cold. But I see an opportunity too. An opportunity in how open and relaxed he is, an opportunity to trick him and escape.

But I have second thoughts, I still don't trust this man.

With a snarl I lob a wad of spit onto Caden's open palm.

"I'm not falling for your 'generosity'"I said, helping myself get up.

Before he could move, I turned and bolted out of the building and into the pouring rain.

I start moving forward but the sound of pounding footsteps hot on my tail makes my heart skip a beat.

"You can't run from us kid." I heard a voice that sounded like Beau's own.

How are they so close? I glance around as I frantically strategize, I have to get away.

I barrel into several trash cans, shoving them behind me as the guys chasing after me stumble on them and fall over each other while I make a break for it turning into a side alley with my back.

"Easy."

I skid to a halt and turn around and find Caden already blocking my path.

"How did you_" I said with shock

"Look I'm not trying to hurt you." His eyes almost glow in the darkness as he moves closer. My body reacts to his proximity as if lit by a match.

"Moriah."

"Stop saying my name like you know me."

"I know more than you think."

"Mhmm, like what? I question him.

"Like who your parents are." He said with a blank expression.

I freeze at his words, staring at him with bewilderment in the pouring rain. Lightning strikes overhead.

I glare at him, still in shock.

"You must be mistaken." I said, not wanting to believe.

"There's no mistaking you Moriah, or where you came from."

I open my mouth to demand answers but a sharp blow from behind steals my words, and all I could see was darkness.

In the black haze, A dream surfaces.The same dream I've had ever since I was younger.The smell of smoke and blood, the crackle of someone screams my name.

"Moriah?"

I open my eyes, wincing as light hits me. I'm lying on a comfortable bed I don't recognize.

"Good you're awake."

"Where I'm I?" I ask Caden, who was hiding in the shadows.

I groan upright but the movement made me feel dizzy.

"Do yourself a favour and stop moving." Caden comes into focus just as he sinks down on the bed beside me. He reaches for me.

"Don't touch me."

He stops himself. "It's okay, you're safe."

"Says the guy that kidnapped me."

"Believe it or not, I'm trying to help you. You were in trouble out there."

Trouble?

"What was so dangerous about my normal life? The occasional zit? taxes?"

"You don't have a normal life." Caden voice lowers an octave and he leans over the mattress, reaching for me again. I pull back.

"Would you hold still?" He lifts his hand.

It's only then that I see the bag of ice he's holding.

"That asshole Erik kicked you hard in the ribs. You're bruised pretty badly." Caden said with a look of concern.

What? I bring my hand to my torso where Erik kicked me. Sure enough, it stings.

Alarmed, I move to get up again but Caden stops me.

"Woah, easy there. Let me take a look."

"I don't need your help." I said, pushing his hands away.

"Maybe you don't. But this is my fault."

I can hear the frustration in his voice. Frustration with himself for causing me pain." I need to make sure you're okay. Please."

After a long moment, I nod. Caden eases me back unto the bed and sits next to me.

Why can I feel heat radiate off of him whenever he's close?

He raises my shirt up just enough to expose my bruised ribs. Then, he brings the ice close.

"Stay still."

My breath catches at the frigid contact, but Caden holds the ice steady. Slowly, the pain begins to ease.

"Can I keep going?" he whispers, low and serious, his eyes meeting mine beneath dark lashes.

"umm, I think you should stop." I nervously take the ice pack out of his hand.

I press the ice to my ribs, watching Caden's reflection in a nearby window, his eyes not leaving me.

"So, uh, where am I exactly?" I say peering at his reflection.

"At my estate in the mountains, far from town. Far from danger. It's called Willow's peak."

"That's funny." I said, turning to look at him. "The most dangerous thing I've come across is sitting right here." He grins

"That wasn't a compliment."

"I know. And I know tonight was a... surprise. But if I hadn't taken you, he would have."

"Who?"

"Your father."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I shift uneasily on the mattress.

"That can't be right. I've never known my father. He wouldn't just randomly turn up now."

Caden rises off the bed. For the first time, I get a sense of how tall he is. "Tell me, what do you know about your family?"

"My parents were... members of a cult. I landed in foster care because of it."

I wince at the memories- being passed from home to home, abused, constantly afraid and lonely. "My father never wanted me."

"Oh, your father wanted you, still does. But not for some cult sacrifice. The whole cult thing was bullshit. Your father is a shifter, Morgan. And not just any shifter- he's the Alpha of my rival pack.

The word 'shifter' rattles strangely in the back of my mind, both foreign and familiar.

"He's what?"

"A shifter. A person born with a wolf inside of them. A person who can transform. A person just like you."

I can't believe what Caden is telling me. I get up off the bed and back towards the door, shaking my head.

"I don't understand."

"Try, I know deep down you remember who you are. What you are." Caden takes a step towards me, his gaze razor-sharp. "You're a shifter. On your 21st birthday, your powers awaken. You can be claimed as an Alpha's mate."

Claimed as a mate? None of this is making sense.

Caden steps closer, his presence bearing down on me like an anchor. I glance at the door.

"Claimed mates make their Alphas strong. And the last thing your father wants is for me to get stronger."

I shake my head, judging how many steps it would take for me to escape.

"No. I won't be 'claimed' by anyone." Shoving past Caden, I make a break for the door, but he catches my wrist.

Suddenly, a coursing shock rockets from Caden's touch. Everything fades away except from him.

He feels it too, gasping for breath as his fingers close over my wrist.

"What is this?"

"You...and I..."

Time stands still as we stare at each other, our bodies pulsing as though we share a single heartbeat.

Releasing my wrist, Caden flexes his fingers and looks at me with genuine shock.

"It's rare. So rare I thought it was a myth,but...

We must be true mates, Moriah."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not just a mate I've claimed for myself. You're bonded to my soul. Born to be mine, above anyone else."

"We're soulmates?. That doesn't mean I'm going to stay here."

"Yes it does. Once you understand what it means."

Suddenly, Caden grasp my hips my back against the wall. The heat of his body, of his touch, is like gravity against mine: impossible to deny, pulling me closer.

"Don't tell me you don't feel this. The tether between us."

"Caden..."

His words, his hands on me, all melt like honey beneath my skin. I can barely stand it.

"What is this? What's happening?"

"We're one. We're soulmates. And together our power could be limitless. Can't you feel it?"

Caden takes my hand and moves it beneath his shirt. The smooth movement of his touch turns electric, and I feel my skin hum with charged power. Then I see it again. The glow in his eyes, unnaturally bright.

"Feel me, Moriah."

Caden guides my hand up underneath his shirt, my fingers brushing against hard ridges of muscle.

My eyes drift down to his broad chest.

"I– I can't."

With a jolt, I pull away from him, my body still hot from his touch.

Then, his body stiffens. His eye suddenly widen, glowing brighter, turning a brilliant shade of molten gold.

"What?" He staggers, his body tensing and curling in on itself. His skin ripples like boiling water, darkening and shifting as he begins to grow in size.

"What the–?"

"Arrrrggghh" he doubles over as his clothes rip. In place of his handsome face is a long snout and razor-sharp teeth.

Finally, where Caden once stood, a powerful black wolf now towers over me.

His onyx fur ripples in the moonlight like liquid night. His eye glint a bright gold, just as fierce as when he was human.

Oh my God. It's true. He's really a...

The wolf is still, unmoving, and I'm not sure if I should go close or stay away.

My eyes never leaving the enormous wolf, I move until there's enough space between us

"Caden?"

Another ripple, another breath, and Caden, fully human, takes the wolf's place, naked and bracing himself on all fours.

His eyes are wide, his breathing laboured as he stares at me in what can only be shock.

"That's never... I've never transformed against my will before. What did you do to me?

"What did I do? You just–"

Suddenly I hear the same chorus of eerie, distant howls from the window.

"What was that?"

Swearing under his breath, Caden struggles to his feet, displaying all of himself.

"Raphael."

Someone bangs on the door. Caden quickly throws on some spare jeans and unlocks the door.

"Caden what the hell was that? Did you and her just..." it was Beau, he sounded a bit surprised.

"Yeah. we bonded. And he must have felt it. Warn the others."

The man gives a short nod and leaves

"What's going on?"

"Your father. He isn't just any shifter, Moriah.

Caden walks to the window, his knuckles white.

"Raphael is the most dangerous, powerful Alpha anyone has ever seen. He lives to torture and kill. And now his daughter is the true mate of his sworn enemy. His rival Alpha. Me."

"What does that mean?"

His turns back to me, eyes burning and icy all at once.

"It means he's coming to kill you."

'Your father is my sworn enemy. He's coming to kill you.'

Those words keep echoing in my head over and over again. I stare at Caden in shock, my heart pounding. My ears start to ring and I shake.

"This...is crazy. This isn't real."

"Moriah..."

I round on Caden, the ring in my ears almost deafening.

"No. you're telling me that my father is alive and he wants to kill me. But you're the one who abducted me, claimed me as your 'mate' and shifted into a fucking wolf."

I take a step towards him, pointing at his bare chest.

"How could I ever trust what you say, Caden?"

That's when I notice the scars. Huge slash marks across Caden's chest, as though monstrous claws have ripped him open.

Scowling, Caden shoves my finger away from his damaged flesh.

"This isn't a game, Moriah. What I'm telling you is real. You need to take me seriously."

I scoff. "I think that's easier said than done."

"You need more proof? Fine."

Caden pushes me against him as he guides me in front of a mirror.

"What are you..."

"If I were untrustworthy, would I show you your own power?"

His hand comes to rest lightly over my throat and collarbone. His eyes flash gold.

"Would I help you unlock it?"

"Wait –"

He tips my chin up, so my nose is flush against the throbbing pulse of his neck.

"Breathe in."

Unable to get loose, I inhale Caden's heady scent.

Pine... smoke... and something new– a hot, intoxicating musk fills me.

My vision blurs and a tingling shiver courses through my veins. For a fraction of a second, I hear myself growl.

"Good. Now, look at yourself. Look at what you are."

Finally, I meet my reflection in the mirror. What I see in my own eyes shocks me.

As though a chill of night air runs up my neck and behind my eyes, I feel a mysterious breeze.

Suddenly, my eyes glow a brilliant shade of violet. My breath catches.

"Oh my God, that's me?" I said in astonishment.

"Yeah. That's you. The real you."

Then, as quickly as it began, the colour in my eyes flickers and melts away. Caden's brow furrow in surprise.

"What? You should have shifted into a wolf. My scent should have triggered it."

He takes my face in his palms and searches my eyes.

"That's strange. The colour is completely gone."

He takes a short breath, his expression grim. His grip on me loosens as he steps away.

"You're an omega."

"What's an omega?"

"A shifter born without powers."

Caden moves to the other side of the room, scooping up the pieces of his ripped clothing.

"I suppose true mates don't need to possess equal power. But I have to admit, I'm surprised."

"No powers? That's kind of disappointing. I was hoping for some badass transformation. But I guess now that I'm normal you can let me go!"

Caden shreds his clothes into further strips, walking over to me.

"The tether between us is ten times stronger than anything I could feel with a regular mate. I can't just let that go. And your father won't let it go either."

I feel a sharp tug. Shocked, I look down and find Caden binding my wrists.

"What are you doing?"

"Sorry, can't take any chances, escape artist."

In one swift motion, Caden ties the strip of cloth to the base of the bed.

"Hey. You have no right to keep me here."

"It's for your own good. You'll see that soon enough."

I try to fight but Caden is unfazed. He finishes the last knot and steps back.

"Get some rest Moriah, you're safe here. After all this place is bordered by high walls. And I have guards stationed at every entrance. No one's getting in or out."

With a final smile, Caden leaves the room and I hear a heavy lock slide into place.

"Uuughh" I groan in frustration.

I bring my bound wrists to my teeth and try to work the knot loose. But it's no use.

My whole life I thought I was less than nothing. Just a foster brat. But now I'm the mate to an alpha? My father is a murderer?

If all of these are actually true then I can't sit around and wait to be claimed. Or killed.

Just then, I hear a sharp lurch of metal behind me.

I spun around, the air vent swings open, and to my surprise, a young boy emerges, glancing around the room.

"Oh!" he gasps as his eyes land on me and begins to close the metal grate. As he does, a sharp nail falls loose, rolling on the floor.

That could help me cut these bindings! But it's too far away to reach.

"Hold it, kid. One more inch and I tell your parents you were playing around in the vents."

"Wait, please! They can't find out I was exploring or that I was in here. I'm breaking two whole rules." He said looking apologetic.

His wide, glassy eyes melt my heart.

"You won't get into trouble. Your secret's safe with me. What's your name?"

"I'm Koda. And you're Moriah. My dad said you're bad because your dad is bad." He said, inching away from me.

"I am much nicer than my dad" I said, surprised by the rumors.

"You are? Then why did Alpha Caden tie you up?"

"We're just playing a game. And I actually need that nail on the floor to win."

Koda spots the nail and picks it up

"Yeah. Can you give it to me?"

He skips over and dropped the nail in my outstretched hand.

"Thank you so much Koda."

Koda beams and inches even closer to me, whispering in my ear.

"You're welcome."

Then, the little boy scurries away, climbing down the vent. I slice myself free.

I get up and move to the window: A young man leans against the wall below, a playful smirk on his face as he scrolls his phone.

Then, I move to the vent Koda used: it leads out back where a young woman with a cool, tough demeanor stands guard.

Finally, I press my ear to the door: Sure enough, I hear Beau grumbling to himself on the other side.

"Wow, the place is really guarded." But no matter what, it looks like I'll have to deal with one these guys... but which one?

As quietly as I can, I open the grate and crawl through the vent. It's surprisingly easy enough to fit through.

Soon, I'm on the other side of the grounds, I dust my clothes off.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, Moriah. I'm Juno."

The young woman I saw before stares down at me, her toned arms crossed over her chest.

"I don't want to have to force you back inside. So just turn around and–"

Without offering an explanation, I turn on my heel and sprint into the surrounding woods.

"Hey!"

I hear Juno call behind me. I don't get far though.

Soon, the young woman burst through the trees ahead of me, inhumanly fast.

"What the–"

"Trust me. You're not even remotely the toughest woman in this equation." Juno said with a smirk.

"Now, that's no fun. Where's your competitive spirit?" Juno bends into an agile, defensive position. "For your own sake, don't try to run away again."

If I run, there's a very good chance she'll catch me. I'm pretty sure I can take her if it's just one-on-one.I stand erect and look at her but damn she looks strong. I risk it all and take my heels.

"Wrong choice."

Juno sprints after me but I'm already through the trees.

"Don't run away from me! Not after what your father did to my brother!"