Claimed by the Alpha I Hate – Episode 71
That night, Daisy returned to the moonlit courtyard where Nolan first helped her control her power. No guards or council members waited there.
Nolan joined her carrying neither crown nor weapon. After everything they survived, he approached her simply as her mate.
“The partial mark protected us,” he said. “Completing it would make the bond permanent.”
Daisy knew what he did not say. A permanent bond demanded trust no prophecy could provide.
“Do you want it because the Moon Goddess chose me?” she asked.
“I want it because you challenge me, infuriate me, and make me better than the Alpha I was.”
Nolan added that refusal would change nothing about her title, home, or protection. The choice carried no punishment.
Daisy thought of Scott demanding acceptance so his rejection pain would end. Nolan offered acceptance without using pain to secure it.
“I spent my life waiting to be chosen,” she said. “I didn’t understand that I was allowed to choose too.”
She placed his hand over Vera’s pendant. Wolf and vampire power stirred together beneath it.
“I choose you, Nolan Fenrir.”
He asked once more whether she was certain. Daisy answered by kissing him.
Their power rose around the courtyard, silver light threaded with red. It did not consume either nature.
Nolan marked her gently, stopping the instant pain entered the bond. Daisy accepted and returned the mark in her own way, sealing him with balanced power.
The shared forest opened around them. This time no mist, castle, or hidden voice waited between the trees.
A white wolf emerged beside Daisy’s red shadow. Both bowed to her before becoming one presence.
Nolan’s wolf joined them beneath the moon. The bond settled, permanent but never a cage.
When Daisy opened her eyes, she remained in Nolan’s arms. The mark at her shoulder glowed briefly and faded.
“Still hate me?” he asked.
“Frequently,” Daisy said, smiling against his mouth. Love had not erased their fire; it had given them a reason to keep choosing through it.