Claimed by the Alpha I Hate – Episode 14
Daisy woke with the memory of moonlight, a man’s hand against her cheek, and his mouth claiming hers in a kiss she had willingly returned. The sensations were vivid enough to heat her skin, yet the night had ended in a haze of instinct and unanswered questions. “Was that just a dream?” she murmured.
Then she saw the time. “Shit, I’m late.” She threw aside the blanket and scrambled into her training clothes. Whatever had happened with the stranger, Alpha Nolan’s summons still required her at the main gym at nine.
Daisy ran across the settlement, her thoughts as disordered as her hair. The bond had felt real. She could still recall the scent that drew her closer, but she did not know the man’s name or understand why he had disappeared before giving her the truth he promised.
The training session had already begun when she entered. Mila noticed first. “Uh-oh. Looks like Daisy Duke is late for training. The new Alpha is going to rip your head off for that, cupcake.” Laughter followed from the usual circle around her.
Daisy caught her breath and looked pointedly at Mila’s empty hands. “Me? You’re not even participating.” If Blackwood demanded the entire pack train, Mila seemed remarkably comfortable ignoring the requirement.
“That’s because I have special privileges as Eastwind Luna,” Mila replied. Scott’s absence had not weakened her devotion to the title. “And soon I’ll be Blackwood Luna as well.” The claim was so confident that Daisy almost admired its lack of reality.
Beta Elias called the room to order before Daisy could respond. “Everyone listen up. For the next phase of training, we’ll be sparring with weapons. Grab a staff and choose a partner.” The racks emptied as pack members paired off.
Daisy selected a staff and tested its balance. The familiar weight calmed her. She might lack a wolf, but six months at the cabin had taught her what her body could do without one.
Elias checked his list. “Daisy Storm, is it?” Before she could answer, Mila inserted herself into the exchange.
“You’d better let her sit this one out, Beta Elias. Poor thing doesn’t even have her wolf yet.” The concern in Mila’s voice was theatrical. She wanted the room reminded that Daisy remained different, regardless of how confidently she held the weapon.
“I can still spar,” Daisy said. “My grandfather was a former Beta. He trained me himself.” She refused to let months of work be dismissed because her strength took a different form.
Mila laughed. “Isn’t that cute? Her dusty old Pop-Pop taught her how to wave a stick around.” Several people smiled, but others watched Daisy’s stance with greater interest. It did not resemble the grip of a novice.
Elias regarded her for a moment. “That’s very nice, Ms. Storm, but you still don’t have a partner.” Around them, every trainee had already paired off. Some avoided Daisy from prejudice; others feared becoming involved in her conflict with Mila.
The isolation stung despite Daisy’s resolve. Once again, Eastwind had found a public way to tell her she did not belong. She tightened her grip on the staff and considered offering to train alone.
The gym doors opened. Conversation faltered as Nolan entered, having come to inspect the session. Daisy saw only the man from the moonlit path—the stranger who had called her mate and vanished without giving his name.
“Him,” she said at once, pointing the staff in his direction. Surprise moved across the room. Elias began a respectful greeting, but Daisy spoke over him. “I’ll spar with him.”
Nolan’s gaze settled on her, amusement briefly softening his expression. She was angry, late, and entirely unaware that she had just singled out Blackwood’s Alpha in front of his warriors. He made no move to correct her.
Daisy stepped onto the mat and waited, determined to obtain the answers he had denied her the night before. Behind her, whispers spread among the trainees. By choosing the nameless man as her opponent, she had unknowingly issued a challenge to the most powerful wolf in the territory.