Claimed by the Alpha I Hate – Episode 05
In the restricted wing, Nolan closed the final file and handed it to Elias. The records proved that Eastwind’s leadership had concealed communications no responsible pack could ignore. Combined with the disorder they had witnessed throughout the celebration, the evidence gave Blackwood grounds to intervene.
“This entire pack is in chaos,” Nolan said. Leadership celebrated while its members abused one another openly, and security around dangerous information was almost nonexistent. Whatever Eastwind had been discussing with vampires, its Alpha had failed to protect the territory from the consequences.
Elias tucked the records beneath his coat. “We have enough proof to invade now. Come on, let’s go.” Remaining after the ascension increased the chance of discovery, and their purpose had been fulfilled. Nolan followed him toward the exit until a familiar voice drifted from the passage ahead.
“Birthday girl, we’re not done playing with you yet.” Mila’s friends had found Daisy again. Still disheveled from the earlier humiliation, she backed away from them with her arms wrapped around herself. Her face carried a deeper devastation now, one Nolan could not attribute to a childish prank.
“Please, help me,” Daisy said when she saw the two strangers. The plea was quiet, almost unwilling, as if experience had taught her not to expect anyone to answer. Nolan stopped immediately.
Elias recognized her as the woman who had fled through the corridor. “Is that the same girl?” he asked. Nolan did not reply. His attention had fixed on Daisy with the same inexplicable pull he had felt earlier, only stronger now that he could see her clearly.
“Go ahead,” Nolan told Elias. “I’ll catch up.” Elias gave the bullies a doubtful glance but obeyed, carrying the proof away from the celebration. Nolan moved between Daisy and the approaching women without needing to announce his intention.
One of them immediately changed tactics. “Oh, hey, handsome. I haven’t seen you around the pack.” She tried a flirtatious smile. “Are you okay?” Nolan ignored her and looked back at Daisy.
Mila’s friend laughed. “Little Daisy Red Riding Hood found herself a big bad wolf to hide behind.” When Nolan’s expression remained hard, she lifted her hands. “Relax, dude. It was just a joke.”
“I don’t see anybody laughing.” His voice was controlled, but the authority beneath it silenced the corridor. Nolan asked Daisy whether they had hurt her. For a moment she seemed too ashamed to answer.
“They pushed me into a room,” Daisy finally said, “and they took pictures of me.” She did not mention Scott or the rejection, but grief clung to every word. Nolan felt anger rise with a force that exceeded what the situation should have provoked.
He faced the women. “Leave her alone, or you’ll both be leaving this party in tears, too.” His warning was not loud. It did not need to be. The predatory stillness in him made the threat unmistakable.
“This is pack business, outsider,” one of them protested, attempting to recover her confidence. “Who do you think you are?” They had no idea they were challenging the Alpha of Blackwood, and Nolan saw no reason to enlighten them.
“Lay a finger on her again, and you’ll find out exactly who the hell I am.” He took one measured step forward. “Believe me, you’ll both regret it.” The women retreated, muttering excuses before hurrying back toward the crowded hall.
Nolan turned to Daisy, lowering the edge in his voice. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” she said before he could speak, as though their cruelty had somehow embarrassed him. Then she asked the question the others had not: “Who are you?”
Before he could answer, noise erupted from the celebration. Daisy glanced toward it, panic crossing her face, and fled down a side passage. Nolan followed several steps later, but the corridor branched and she had already vanished into the crowd.
He stood still, listening for her footsteps. Instead, he heard her voice as distinctly as if she were beside him—a desperate thought filled with pain, though her lips were nowhere in sight. No ordinary stranger should have been able to reach his mind.
Nolan stared into the empty passage, every instinct newly alert. The pull, the anger he had felt on her behalf, and the impossible echo of her voice aligned into one dangerous possibility. “Is she… my mate?” he whispered, while somewhere beyond the walls Daisy left Eastwind behind.