THE ALPHA'S FORBIDDEN FLAME.

TALIA'S POV

I had always loved the forest at night,the way the leaves danced in the breeze, the way the air smelled of earth and rain. Tonight, I was here to collect herbs for my potions. This was my life, and I found great joy doing it. My satchel was heavy with bottles and parchment, my hands stained with soil. The forest was peaceful... until I saw him.

At first, I thought he was just a man asleep against a tree, maybe resting. But who would be resting in the forest at this ungodly hour?

Then I noticed the blood. Fresh, dark, glistening across his shoulder and arm. My stomach clenched. I couldn't just leave him.

Fuck, I should have turned back. I should have just ignored him and gone home, but something in me couldn't resist seeing him so helpless.

I stepped closer, cautiously, whispering, "Hello... Are you... are you hurt badly?"

He lifted his head, and my breath caught. Tall, broad, with dark hair falling into stormy eyes, he radiated power even in pain. His gaze fell on me, sharp and commanding.

"Go," he said, voice low, almost a growl. "Get the hell out of here. Now."

I hesitated. "I... I can help you."

He shook his head. "No. It's not safe. You shouldn't be here. Leave me the fuck alone. Get the hell out of here, now."

Damn my stubbornness and my need to control everything.

But I couldn't leave him. I couldn't just leave a wounded man to bleed alone. I knelt beside him, brushing my hands over his torn clothing, inspecting the gash. As I worked, I whispered soothing words, trying to ignore the tension that coiled in the air around us.

Then came the sound of growls. Low, menacing, circling us in the shadows. My blood ran cold.

"Wh... what the hell? What's that?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He didn't reply immediately. "Stay behind me. And whatever happens... just shut the fuck up. Do not say anything," he muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Before I could protest, he sprang forward like a predator, moving with impossible speed and strength. Two more shapes emerged from the darkness. I watched, frozen, as he fought them, his movements precise, brutal, lethal. One fell with a final, wet growl. The others vanished into the forest, leaving only the scent of blood and fear behind.

I stumbled back, heart hammering, voice shaking. "Who... who are you?What was that"?.

He was covered in more blood than before, but somehow I wasn't afraid of him.

"Come, lay down. Let me take a look at the wound, and you can tell me what's going on," I said, trying to sound helpful and not freak out.

He looked at me as if I'd gone mad. His voice cut harshly through the night air.

"Lady, are you serious right now? Do you realize the amount of trouble you're in?"

"The... the fuck is wrong with you?!" he continued. "You should have left when I told you to. How the hell do you want me taking care of you and myself at the same time?"

"Hey, wait a minute! What do you mean, 'take care of you'?" I asked, confusion and adrenaline mixing in my veins.

He turned to me, his chest heaving, his dark eyes fixed on mine. "This," he said, voice sharp and dangerous, "is why you should have left me the hell alone."

He paused, and the weight of his words pressed down on me. "Those... those people who came after me," he continued, "they will stop at nothing to erase my memory from this earth. And since you witnessed what happened tonight, they've sensed your blood. They'll come for you to cover their tracks."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came. My hands were trembling, and my mind raced. Danger had suddenly become more than a vague idea. It was real. And I was caught in it.

He studied me for a long moment, the tension between us thick enough to taste. Then, almost reluctantly, he said, "Come. I'll take you somewhere safe."

"Somewhere safe..." My heart skipped a beat. My mind raced. Safe? In a forest filled with strange creatures, evil, and danger? Could anyone truly be safe here?

I took a hesitant step backward. "Okay," I whispered. "I'm not going anywhere, and especially not with you. I can protect myself."

"If you could protect yourself, you wouldn't be here having this conversation with me right now," he said sneeringly.

"Now, let's move, lady. I haven't got all the time for your whining."

He gestured sharply for me to follow, and I obeyed without thinking. Every instinct in me screamed caution, but my curiosity, my stubbornness, and something unnameable drew me closer to him.

As we moved through the underbrush, I couldn't help noticing how the moonlight caught the edges of his hair, the strong lines of his jaw, and the tension in his body. Even wounded, he radiated control, danger, and something else, something that made my chest tighten and my thoughts scatter.

"You need to understand," he said quietly, without looking at me. "You're not safe out here. Not anymore. And nowhere in this forest will be safe until you're away from the scent they've picked up."

I swallowed hard, trying to focus. "Then... tell me who you are and what those things are? And why can't I just go back to my home?"

He finally glanced at me, and his eyes were sharp, calculating, and entirely unreadable. "Because if I leave you out here... you'll die. And I can't allow that."

I blinked. "You... you're serious?"

"I've never been more serious in my life," he said, voice low and unwavering. "So stay close. And don't say a word unless I tell you to."

I nodded, my mouth dry, my heart pounding in my chest. My hands were shaking-not just from the adrenaline, but from the strange, magnetic pull that I couldn't ignore.

The forest stretched around us, dark and alive. Every shadow seemed to move, every rustle of leaves hinted at unseen danger. And yet, with him leading the way, I felt... a flicker of safety, strange as it was.

For the first time in my life, I realized that helping someone wasn't just about healing their wounds. Sometimes, it was about stepping into the unknown, and facing dangers that could change everything.

And somehow, in that moment, I knew this night would change me forever.

TALIA'S POV

I followed him through the forest, every step a struggle. My muscles ached from exhaustion, my legs trembling under the strain, and every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves made my heart leap into my throat. Crickets chirped incessantly, blending with the distant calls of nocturnal creatures, making the night feel alive and watchful.

I kept my satchel close, my fingers brushing over the bottles inside, as if their contents could somehow protect me.

I tried to calm myself. "Um... this place that we're headed to... how safe is it, huh? On a scale of one to ten?" I asked, my voice barely rising above the whispers of the forest.

He grunted. That was all.

I swallowed hard, my stomach tightening. "Does it have... some human connection? Will I be able to reach out to my people from there?"

Still no answer.

"You know," I muttered, frustration bubbling up, "if I hadn't heard you talk back there, I'd swear you were dumb... because you're not even social at all."

No response.

I tried to force a smile, or at least a distraction for myself. "You know what? I'm just gonna keep talking till you say something, anything."

I rambled on, describing the forest, the way the leaves shimmered in the moonlight, the life of the village I had left behind, and the herbs I usually gathered for my potions.

My voice broke occasionally, strained and tense, but it was better than the deafening silence.

I didn't notice that he had stopped walking until I collided with him.

"What the fuck? I told you to keep your mouth shut, didn't I?" His voice was sharp, commanding, and dangerous. "We have a long way to go, and you better reserve your strength for the journey."

I stumbled back, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I... I'm sorry," I mumbled, trying to regain my balance.

He didn't reply, simply gesturing sharply for me to continue walking beside him. My legs screamed in protest, fatigue pressing down like a heavy weight. Every step felt laborious, as though I were dragging my own body through quicksand.

"Here, let me help you," he said, calm but firm.

Before I could respond, he lifted me with effortless strength and flung me over his shoulders.

I was surprised that he noticed that I was tire

My stomach fluttered in shock, and I pressed my face into the crook of his neck. Fuck... he smelled good. Musky and warm, with an undercurrent of something utterly intoxicating. Even covered in blood, the scent of him was overwhelming, a mix of danger and... seduction.

I clutched his shoulders, my mind swimming. Every movement he made was precise, deliberate, and somehow graceful.

Even in darkness, I could see the sharp angles of his jaw, the tension in his arms, the steady rhythm of his steps. My pulse quickened, not entirely from fear.

The forest around us blurred. Shadows danced in the moonlight, and the distant calls of animals filled the silence. Yet carried on his shoulders, I felt a flicker of safety, as if his strength could shield me from the unknown lurking in the trees.

Despite the fear, exhaustion began to claim me. My eyelids drooped, and the ache in my muscles softened under the constant motion.

I realized I could do nothing but let him carry me. I surrendered to the rhythm of his steps, the scent of him, and to a very deep sleep.

******

I opened my eyes to the comfort of a very soft bed and a room that screamed modern.

For a moment, confusion overtook me.

Where was I? Wasn't I just walking through the forest, following a total stranger?

And now... I was here, lying on sheets that smelled faintly of lavender and cleanliness, in a place far from my home.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, careful not to make too much noise, and moved toward the window.

Outside, I saw him standing by a fountain, his whole form reflecting off the water. His wounds were already bandaged, and he looked... better. Healthier. Almost human again. My pulse quickened at the sight of him-strong, imposing, yet undeniably attractive.

I approached the door, intending to leave, only to find it locked.

What the fuck? Who gave him permission to lock the door? Who the hell did he think he was?

Panic surged, and I began banging on the door, calling for someone-anyone-to let me out.

"Hello? Anybody? Please! Somebody open this door!".

My heart raced. This didn't feel like protection anymore; it felt like captivity.

And yet, even as I pounded on the door and shouted, there was a strange pull in my chest, a lingering awareness of him standing just outside the window. His presence was intimidating, dominant, yet... undeniably magnetic.

I sank onto the bed, leaning back against the soft pillows, frustration and fear warring inside me. My mind replayed every moment from the forest-the growls, the struggle, the fight, how he tore that thing to shreds, how he transformed into something I had never seen before, and the way he carried me effortlessly.

He wasn't an ordinary human being, and panic began to well up inside me.

I began banging on the door with ferocity. I wasn't going to die like this. I didn't even know who he was.

Just then, the door opened, and a small woman entered, smiling.

"Hello, my dear. I can see you're awake."

"Now, we're going to give you a bath and dress you properly. Ramon has ordered you to come down for breakfast with him."

"Huh? Who the fuck was Ramon, and who the hell was ordering me around? Where the hell was that stranger who got me into this confusion?" These were the thoughts running through my mind.

My voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration as I spoke

"Excuse me, ma'am," I said.

"Oh... it's Ingrid." She replied to me kindly.

"Yes, Miss Ingrid. Where am I? And where is the man who brought me here?

"Tell him that I want to see him or else I'm going to bring down this building," I said, my eyes narrowing, irritated by the arrogance and ready for whatever comes next.

TALIA'S POV

I was still shaking when the door opened.

"Heard you were looking for me," a deep voice said calmly. "I heard your shouting."

He stepped inside like he owned the air, the room, the world itself. Tall. Composed. Unbothered. As if I hadn't been locked inside like a prisoner.

"Don't you understand the concept of silence?" he added coolly.

Oh, that did it.

Who the fuck did he think he was talking to?

Something inside me snapped.

I wasn't going to sit quietly and have a stranger tell me how to behave. I wasn't going to let some stranger drag me out of my life and treat me like a property.

I reached for the flower vase beside the bed and flung it at him with everything I had.

He dodged easily.

"Are you insane?" he snapped. "Will you come off it?"

I didn't answer.

I grabbed my shoe and hurled it at his head.

Why the hell was I missing?

Before I could grab the glass figurine next, he was suddenly in front of me-too fast, too close. His hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me mid‑motion.

"Will you stop this madness?" he growled, pulling me against him, his grip iron‑strong.

I struggled, panic and fury colliding in my chest. "What is going on?" I demanded.

"Why did you bring me here? Who are you? Who were those people last night? I saw you-" My voice cracked. "I saw you transform into something. What was that?"

My chest rose and fell rapidly. "I demand answers. Now."

He stared at me, his eyes dark and unreadable, his grip still firm around me.

"You demand answers?" he repeated quietly.

His gaze dropped to my lips. Then back to my eyes.

And suddenly, my thoughts scattered.

Before I could react-before I could even breathe-his mouth crashed onto mine.

It wasn't gentle. It wasn't slow. It was consuming.

My legs betrayed me instantly.

His lips moved against mine with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs. His tongue teased my lips open, demanding entry, and when I gasped, he took advantage, his tongue sliding against mine.

Fuck.

The kiss was overwhelming-heated, intense, I felt heat surge through me. My hands curled instinctively into his shirt, my body responding despite my mind screaming in protest. A soft sigh escaped me before I could stop it.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, he pulled away.

He was still holding me, his breath uneven, his eyes burning.

"You're not going anywhere anymore," he said slowly. "You're bound to me. Till eternity."

The words crashed into me like cold water.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

I snapped, shoving him away from me.

I wiped my mouth, my heart pounding wildly. "Who are you? And what are you talking about?"

I pointed at him. "I demand answers-and I want them now."

Something shifted in his expression.

His eyes darkened, something dangerous flickering beneath the surface.

"Watch your mouth," he warned. "No one-" his voice dropped into something lethal, "-and I repeat, no one controls or commands me."

I froze.

Not from fear alone-but from the sheer weight of his presence.

I felt like I was unraveling, like reality was tilting sideways.

Then his tone changed.

"Yesterday's events bound you to me," he said. "You are my Luna. And you cannot leave."

My breath hitched. This would have made for a good laugh if at all I wasn't tense.

"My... what?"

"Your Luna?" I echoed weakly. "What does that even mean?"

My mind raced. Was this some kind of royal title? A priestly position? Some twisted fantasy he'd created?

"I don't understand," I whispered. "Is this some kind of a sick joke?"

His gaze softened-just a fraction.

Then he spoke again.

"My name is Ramon Sincarra," he said. "I am a werewolf."

My heart stopped.

"The Alpha of the Sincarra Claw Pack." he said.

The room felt like it was spinning.

"And you," he continued, stepping closer, his voice lowering, "became my mate last night."

I staggered back until my legs hit the bed.

"No," I breathed. "No, that's not possible."

"As of yesterday," he finished calmly, "you are bound to me for life."

I shook my head, disbelief flooding my veins. "That's insane. Werewolves aren't real. This isn't real."

His eyes glowed a bright green in the dim light.

"You saw me transform," he said quietly. "i know you felt the pull. You touched my blood. You survived what no human should."

My throat tightened.

"You're alive because fate chose you," he said. "Because you're mine."

Tears burned my eyes-not from weakness, but from fear, shock, and the weight of something far bigger than me.

"I didn't choose this, I don't want this" I whispered.

He stepped closer. "Neither do I."

Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.

"What happens now?" I asked softly.

Ramon looked at me like the answer was inevitable.

"Now," he said, "you learn what it means to be the Alpha's mate."

My heart thundered in my chest.

And in that moment, I realized my life,my freedom, my future,had just been rewritten by an unknown force without my consent.