Claimed by the Alpha

Chapter 4

I woke up to loud knocking on my door. Groggy and disoriented, I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to look somewhat presentable before opening it. Standing there was Jace, wide awake and grinning like he'd just won the lottery. His eyes roved over me slowly, and his grin turned into something more intense.

I glanced down, realizing I was still wearing the short shorts and singlet I'd slept in. Heat rushed to my cheeks. Without another word, I tried to slip past him into the restroom to change. Jace's gaze lingered on me, just like it had yesterday when we were at the lake.

I came back out, now dressed in clean jeans but keeping the singlet on. Jace had made himself comfortable, sprawled out on my bed with his hands clasped behind his head.

"How are you doing?" he asked, his voice casual but his eyes full of something deeper.

"I need to buy some clothes," I said, rummaging through my backpack for my toiletries.

"I'll take you to the mall today," he offered. "The closest one is about half an hour away, so we should leave soon."

I shot him a strange look but nodded. It felt odd, accepting so much from someone I hadn’t known long.

---

The mall was bustling, with people streaming in and out. It was overwhelming, but not surprising. It was the mall, after all.

I wandered through several stores, trying to be sensible. I picked out five pairs of jeans and eight blouses, along with two new pairs of sandals. I even bought a suitcase, something sturdy to carry everything when I had to move again. It was a relief, not feeling the constant need to run.

Jace insisted on paying for everything, despite my protests. Embarrassment twisted in my gut, but he wouldn’t hear of me spending my own money.

When we finally left the last store, it was nearly two in the afternoon. We'd been shopping for hours.

"Where to now?" Jace asked, arms laden with bags and the suitcase.

"I'm done," I said, shrugging. "We can leave."

"How about some food?" he suggested, nodding toward the food court. I agreed, and we made our way to an empty table.

"I'll drop these off in the car first," Jace said, gesturing at the bags. "Then we can order."

"Sure," I replied, sinking into the chair. I watched him walk away, his hopeful words echoing in my mind.

"I hope that you buying more clothes means you might stay in town longer," he had said.

I wasn’t sure. But one thing was certain: I was relieved Jace had turned out to be a good guy.

---

Jace was gone for only a moment before he returned, placing a quick kiss on my lips. It was soft and sweet, lacking the intensity I’d once known. Alpha Nicolas had always kissed me like he wanted to consume me, but Jace's kiss spoke of stability and warmth.

My heart and mind were conflicted, and my wolf was unusually restless, her energy chaotic. It felt wrong, yet something about it lingered, nagging at me. Before I could dwell on it, I stood abruptly, the overwhelming feelings making me antsy. I left the food court, walking quickly, and not paying attention to where I was going.

Then I collided with something—or someone—hard. I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance, but strong hands steadied me by the waist, pulling me upright. A wave of electricity coursed through me, leaving my body tingling. My wolf was roaring to be let free, and I felt that inexplicable, magnetic pull.

I looked up, locking eyes with the most breathtaking man I'd ever seen. His blue eyes, flecked with green, seemed to pierce straight through me. His black hair fell in stylish disarray, and his lightly tanned skin hinted at an active, outdoor life. His muscular frame pressed against mine sent shivers down my spine.

My wolf's voice echoed in my mind, unignorable. *Mate.*

It couldn't be. Yet, I felt the truth in every fiber of my being.

"Mine," the stranger said, his voice deep and husky. It sent another thrill through me, though I fought to keep my composure.

I panicked, my rational side desperate to run, while my wolf wanted to submit. Her desire was wild and uncontainable, but I forced myself to pull away. He frowned, his hands lingering at my waist before I brushed them away.

"I need to go," I murmured, half to myself, trying to escape. But he grasped my hand, his touch like a brand on my skin.

"You're mine. My mate," he declared, his tone authoritative.

My wolf howled in elation, but I only frowned. Who did this stranger think he was?

"Right," I said, drawing out the word sarcastically. His jaw tightened, his blue eyes narrowing.

"Do not speak to me like that," he snapped, his voice heavy with command. In that moment, a horrifying realization dawned. My wolf was reveling in his power, soaking in the Alpha energy radiating from him.

Jace appeared then, his smile fading when he noticed the scene. His expression turned serious, his jaw clenching as he stepped up beside me. Tension coiled in the air, drawing the eyes of passersby, but no one intervened.

Jace's presence was grounding, yet I knew the storm had only just begun.