Bound by the Mark

"Where's my mate?" a rough voice echoed from downstairs, disturbing the silence of the Alpha's palace. The words were laced with a confidence that seemed almost reckless, challenging the authority of anyone who dared deny him.

Alpha Keiran narrowed his eyes, irritation simmering just beneath the surface as he turned to Ariana, who looked just as bewildered as he felt. "Who are you?" Keiran demanded, his tone low, edged with a dangerous growl as he addressed the man intruding on their space.

Ariana could feel her pulse quicken in response to the stranger's presence. Her instincts screamed at her that this man was a threat, though she couldn't understand why. There was a strange energy around him, something dark, unsettling. She felt it coil in her stomach, a knot of fear she couldn't shake.

The intruder's expression shifted to one of amusement as he met Keiran's gaze without an ounce of fear. "You don't scare me, Alpha," he sneered, leaning casually against the doorway. "I'm Luca. And I've come to take what's rightfully mine—my mate."

A flicker of shock passed over Ariana's face, her eyes darting between the unknown man and King Keiran. Confusion churned in her mind, her pulse racing as she clutched her hand to her chest. She had never seen this man before but why was he calling her his mate?

Keiran's gaze darkened, his body stiffening as he moved to stand in front of Ariana. His expression was fierce, protective, and something about the way he positioned himself between her and Luca sent a surge of warmth through Ariana's chest. She didn't know why, but it felt like he was shielding her, as if he saw her as something precious,bsomething worth defending.

"Who is your mate?" Keiran asked, his voice sharp, his patience waning by the second.

Luca's smile widened as his eyes drifted toward Ariana. "I think her name is… Ariana," he drawled, taking a step closer. "Her scent drives me crazy."

A fierce growl erupted from Keiran's chest, his possessive gaze hardening as he placed himself even more protectively between Luca and Ariana. "Be careful, Luca," he warned, his tone as cold as steel, "or you might lose your head."

Ariana's heart pounded in her chest, and her mind raced with confusion. Mate? The word echoed in her head like a foreign language. It didn't make sense. She didn't know Luca, didn't recognize him, yet the way he spoke about her, like they shared a past stirred something deep inside her. But it didn't feel right. She couldn't place why, but the feeling in her gut told her he wasn't being truthful.

Unbeknownst to them, Elara watched from the shadows, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. She had promised Luca the chance to claim Ariana if he could provoke the king to the point of rejecting her, securing Ariana's downfall. The thought of seeing Ariana suffer, watching her be torn apart by this strange man's words, thrilled her. It was all part of her plan. If Ariana's future with the Alpha King was destroyed now, then perhaps there was a chance for Elara to finally claim what was hers.

Luca's demeanor shifted as he feigned a look of nostalgia, his voice dripping with false sentiment. "You know, Alpha," he began, his tone overly casual, "Ariana and I go way back." He cast her a longing look that made Ariana's skin crawl. "She was my… girlfriend," he said with a sly grin. "And I… enjoyed her. A lot."

Ariana gasped, her face flushing with shock and anger. Her hands trembled at her sides, and she struggled to keep her composure. Every word he spoke felt like poison, seeping into her mind and leaving her dizzy with disgust. The idea that she had once been involved with him, that she could ever have been his… it made her feel sick. But she doesn't know him. She didn't remember any of this. Her mind was blank when it came to this man.

Keiran's fury was barely contained, his body rigid as he glared at Luca with lethal intent. His arm wrapped protectively around Ariana's waist, drawing her closer. "Do not dare utter another word," he hissed, his voice barely more than a growl. His grip on her tightened, and she could feel the muscles in his arm tense. It was as though he was ready to strike at any moment.

But Luca wasn't deterred. Ignoring the Alpha's threat, he raised his voice, his tone mocking as he called out, "Ariana, my love!"

The words stung, sharper than a thousand needles. Ariana's heart clenched in pain, her mind reeling. She wanted to deny it, to shout that this man was lying, but a part of her still couldn't make sense of why he was doing this. Could she have once known him? She had no answers, only a deep, gnawing emptiness.

Keiran's grip on Ariana tightened further, and his eyes glowed with a fierce possessiveness that sent a surge of heat through her body. The possessive fire in him was undeniable. He wasn't going to let Luca take her, no matter the cost. Keiran's gaze held steady on Luca, warning him once again, but there was a softness in his eyes as they turned to Ariana.

Ariana, still in a daze, found herself moving a step forward, her body betraying her. She wanted to confront Luca, to demand answers, but as her foot shifted, Keiran's arm tightened around her, pulling her back. His grip was firm, protective, and he was suddenly much closer, his chest nearly touching her back as he held her to him.

"Ariana," he whispered, his voice hushed but insistent. "Stay with me." The command wasn't harsh, but the undercurrent of warning in it was clear. It was as though he was asking her to trust him, to trust in the bond they were starting to form.

She nodded instinctively, her heart pounding in her chest, but part of her still felt a flicker of uncertainty. She couldn't understand it. She didn't know Luca, yet everything about him felt wrong. The sense of unease didn't fade. If anything, it only intensified. But Keiran was here. Keiran was real. And he was standing in front of her, ready to defend her, no matter what.

Seeing her inching forward, Keiran's resolve snapped. His eyes burned with a fire she'd never seen before, and without warning, he tilted her head gently to the side, his gaze softening as it settled on her neck.

"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly, her voice barely a whisper as she met his gaze.

Keiran's eyes softened momentarily before his face hardened with purpose. "Claiming what's mine," he murmured, his voice a low growl that resonated through her. And before she could process his words, he lowered his mouth to the delicate curve of her neck.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she felt the press of his teeth against her skin. A mixture of fear and anticipation raced through her, her heart pounding as he marked her. Pain blended with an unexpected wave of pleasure, sparking through her veins like wildfire. It was overwhelming, unlike anything she'd ever felt.

Ariana's body tensed, but it wasn't just from the pain. The sensation of Keiran's teeth on her skin, his mark sinking into her, was... intimate. It was binding. She felt his presence surge through her, a bond being formed, one she could never have predicted. She didn't know what it meant, but there was something irrevocable about it, something deeper than the physical connection. It was as though, in that moment, they were no longer two separate beings but one.

Her world blurred, and her mind swirled with a confusing mix of emotions—shock, relief, desire, and something deeper, more profound. The feeling of his mark rooted within her, forging a bond that connected them in a way she couldn't fully comprehend. A flood of sensations surged through her, making her feel vulnerable yet somehow… whole.

As the mark settled, a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her, and her knees buckled. The world around her spun, and she struggled to stay conscious, but the intensity of the moment was too much for her overwhelmed senses. The last thing she heard was Keiran's voice, full of concern, calling her name, his hands catching her before she could collapse.

"Ariana!" His voice was distant, muffled, as if coming from another realm. She wanted to respond, to tell him she was okay, but her strength was slipping away. The world darkened around her, and she let herself sink into the comforting void, Keiran's protective embrace the last memory imprinted on her mind.

Ariana lost consciousness, leaving both Keiran and Luca watching helplessly, each with their own motives.

Keiran was by her side, his face pale with concern, as he held her close, determined to protect her from whatever was to come. Luca stood across the room, his expression hard to read, but the glint of fear in his eyes, for how far he had provoked the Alpha King.