Chapter 12

The Alpha's Claim

Selene barely had time to catch her breath before Lucian lunged forward.

His fingers curled around her wrist with unrelenting force, his silver eyes ablaze with fury. The air between them crackled with raw energy, a storm on the verge of breaking.

"I let you go," he growled, his voice dangerously low, "but don't mistake that for weakness."

Selene jerked her arm free, her own rage rising to meet his. "And you don't get to control me, Lucian."

Behind them, Kade chuckled. "She's got fire, doesn't she?" His smirk was lazy, but his eyes—cold, calculating—told a different story. "No wonder you're obsessed with her."

Lucian's fists clenched. "Shut your damn mouth."

Kade didn't move, but his presence was as lethal as ever. "I think you're afraid, Lucian." He stepped closer, slow and deliberate. "Afraid that no matter how much you sink your claws into her, she'll never truly be yours."

Selene swallowed hard, her pulse hammering against her ribs. She knew what Kade was doing—pushing Lucian to the brink, baiting him into a fight. And it was working.

Lucian was breathing hard, his body rigid with barely contained violence.

"Stop this," she snapped. "Both of you."

Neither of them looked at her.

Kade's smirk widened. "What's the matter, Lucian? Afraid of losing control?"

Lucian moved so fast that even Selene barely saw it coming. One second, he was standing beside her. The next, he had Kade by the throat, slamming him against a tree with enough force to shake the branches above them.

The air grew thick with tension.

Kade barely reacted, his smirk never faltering even as Lucian's grip tightened. "Hit a nerve, did I?"

Selene's stomach twisted. This wasn't just about her anymore. This was an alpha battle—a fight for dominance, for control. And if she didn't stop it now, blood would spill.

She stepped between them, placing a hand on Lucian's arm. His muscles were coiled like steel cables, his rage barely contained.

"Lucian," she murmured, trying to steady her voice. "Let him go."

His gaze flickered to her, his wolf just beneath the surface. "He thinks he can take you from me."

"No one can take me," she said, meeting his stare. "Because I don't belong to anyone."

Lucian's grip loosened just slightly.

Kade used the moment to his advantage, shoving Lucian back. They stared at each other, two forces on the edge of destruction.

Then, finally, Kade exhaled a laugh. "You're lucky she's here." He adjusted his collar, then looked at Selene. "And you, little wolf, are playing a dangerous game."

Selene straightened her spine. "I never asked to be in this game."

Kade grinned. "No. But you're in it, whether you like it or not."

Lucian's jaw ticked. "Get out of my sight, Kade."

Kade didn't argue. He shot Selene one last lingering glance before melting into the shadows.

Silence settled between her and Lucian, heavy and charged.

Selene turned to face him. "This has to stop."

Lucian shook his head, his eyes burning into hers. "You still don't understand, do you?" He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "This isn't something I can stop, Selene. I don't know how."

Her heart stuttered. "You have to try."

His fingers brushed over her jaw, the gentleness at odds with the storm in his eyes. "I can't," he murmured. "Because the moment I do… I'll lose you."

Selene swallowed, torn between the intensity of his touch and the fear curling in her stomach.

Lucian wasn't just obsessed with her.

He was willing to destroy anyone who tried to take her away.

And she wasn't sure if she should run from him—or fall deeper into the madness.