Claimed By The Rival Alpha

Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Selena

I struggled against Alpha Kael’s resistance with a determination that surprised even me.

My fingers refused to leave the fabric of his chausses. Every instinct inside me urged me to keep going, to ignore every warning we had ever given each other. The consequences were there, lurking in the back of my mind, but at that moment they seemed so distant compared to the overwhelming pull of the mate bond.

I wanted him. Not because he was an Alpha. Not because he had saved me countless times but because every part of me recognized him as mine.

I don’t care if after tasting him I’d be coming back for more of him.

He caught my wrists before I could tug again. "Selena..."His voice was rough, strained.

"I am not letting you win this," I whispered stubbornly.

His jaw flexed. "You have no idea what you’re doing."

"I know exactly what I’m doing."

"No! You definitely don’t." He snapped but I still didn’t care.

"I do know what I’m doing." I said and pulled again then the already torn fabric gave another inch.

His breathing deepened. The next thing I knew, he had caught me around the waist and pushed me backwards.

I landed on the mattress with a startled gasp and the bed dipped beneath my weight as I stared up at him.

For one hopeful heartbeat... I thought he had finally surrendered.

That he was done resisting us. That everything we had fought against for weeks was finally about to crumble and he was finally ready to mate me.

Instead, a sharp knock echoed through the chamber as both of us froze.

Alpha Kael shut his eyes. "...Alpha?" Beta Bastia’s voice was heard from outside the door.

I immediately grabbed the nearest bedsheet and wrapped it around myself while Alpha Kael stepped away from the bed.

His breathing was still uneven. "So help me..." he muttered under his breath before answering loudly, "What is it?"

"Alpha, The patrol squad is assembled," Beta Bastian called through the door. "They’re waiting for your instructions before departure."

"I’ll be there shortly."

"Yes, Alpha." He said and footsteps retreating was heard.

Silence filled the chamber again as Alpha Kael rubbed a hand over his face.

Then he looked at me. "You need to leave."

I blinked before asking. "What? Why should I leave?"

"As you can see, I have work to do."

I frowned. "I can help you with it."

"You can’t because I don’t need your help." He said it without hesitation.

"Why don’t you need my help?" I asked with a frown.

He walked toward the wardrobe, refusing to meet my eyes. "Because you aren’t coming."

"But I’m really good with paperwork. I can organize reports, I can read maps."

"That is seriously your problem, Selena. I still do not need your help."

"Then what’s the problem?"

"You are my problem!" He snapped.

I folded my arms. "I fail to see how that’s a problem. How can I be your problem?"

He gave a short feigned and awkward laugh. "Exactly."

I watched him disappear behind a folding screen to change his ruined clothing.

The silence felt strangely awkward after everything that had nearly happened.

I sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the sheet around myself. "I wasn’t joking."

His voice drifted from behind the screen. "Neither was I."

"I really can help. I learned administration from my father."

His movements paused briefly. "I believe you."

"So let me help. We are definitely going to make a good team."

"No." He said and I sighed dramatically.

"You are impossible." I said with a roll of my eyes as I began wearing my tunic.

A moment later Alpha Kael emerged wearing a fresh pair of dark chausses, every trace of disorder gone except the faint redness still lingering around his neck.

He looked composed again. Far too composed.

Meanwhile, I still felt as though my heart had forgotten how to beat normally.

He studied me for a moment before saying, "There’s something else."

I tilted my head. "What?"

"I’ve arranged private combat training for you with a formidable warrior."

I stared at him in shock, "...You what?"

"You’ll begin soon." He added like it’s nothing.

My mouth opened then closed. Then it opened again. "You arranged my schedule without asking me?"

"Yes, I did."

"You didn’t even think to consult me?" I stood as I asked. "Kael!"

He remained perfectly calm as I continued ranting. "I don’t remember agreeing to this."

"You don’t need to agree to it."

"I absolutely do! I have other work to do."

"You’ll still work." He said it as though it is that simple.

"I already barely have enough hours in the day."

"You’ll manage." He said and I glared at him.

"You should always consult me before making any decision about my life." I uttered.

He stepped closer until the difference in our heights forced me to look up. "You seem to forget your position here."

I narrowed my eyes as I asked, "My position?"

"You’re a maid in my pack." His voice was calm. "I don’t owe you an explanation for every decision I make."

The words irritated me far more than they should have. For a moment I wanted to argue simply because he sounded so unbearably confident.

But... When my anger settled, reason quietly slipped in. Training wasn’t actually a bad thing.

If vampires invaded... If my father found me... If another assassin appeared... I couldn’t keep relying on Alpha Kael to save me. I also need the training for my revolution against the vampires.

I hated admitting it but he was right. Still, I wasn’t going to back down easily. "I reserve the right to complain."

He almost smiled. "I expected nothing less."

I crossed my arms before asking."So... Who’s training me? Hope it isn’t that ugly guards captain?"

He answered immediately. "No. It’s the scout."

I frowned. "The one you sent into Nightbane territory?"

"Yes."

"The one who nearly died?" I asked with a creased brow.

"He already recovered." Alpha Kael said while throwing me a tired look.

"Huh." I thought for a second. "What about the spy?"

His expression became thoughtful as I added. "The one who stole my father’s cloak." frёeωebɳovel.com

He nodded. "I’ve been thinking about him."

"So have I."

"He would definitely report to my father knowing I’m here."

"I don’t think he does."

I asked with surprise, my face. "Why do you say so?"

"I don’t believe the spy worked for Alpha William."

I frowned. "That makes no sense because he knew who I was and he only took just my father’s cloak."

"Yes."

"So why wouldn’t he work for my father?"

Alpha Kael leaned against the table. "Because if Alpha William knew with certainty that you were here..."

His eyes settled on mine. "...he would already be at my borders waging war."

Silence settled between us as I slowly replayed everything.

"...Unless," I murmured, "he’s waiting."

Alpha Kael looked intently at me. "Waiting For what?"

"He is definitely waiting for the vampires. If they invade first...He won’t have to do the dirty work himself."

Neither of us looked convinced because there were too many assumptions and also fewer answers.

Alpha Kael rubbed his temple tiredly. "I hate guessing."

"So do I." I added and for a long moment neither of us spoke.

He looked exhausted. The burden of leading an entire pack rested on his shoulders every waking hour.

Without thinking, I almost stepped behind him to wrap my arms around his waist. To simply let him know he wasn’t carrying everything alone.

But before I could... He turned to face me. "Our conversation is over."

I stopped awkwardly. "Oh."

"The scout will find you regarding your training schedule."

I nodded slowly without saying a word but seeing he was done with the conversation, I walked towards him before I could lose my courage.

Then I rose onto my toes and kissed his cheek softly and Briefly.

His eyes widened ever so slightly. He didn’t move away and he didn’t stop me.

When I stepped back, warmth spread across my own face. "Thank you," I whispered.

He simply watched me. I reached the doorway again before another thought struck me. "Oh."

He sighed lightly. "What now?"

"It’s about the headmaid."

"What about her?" He asked, staring weirdly at me.

"The punishment she gave everyone because of our gathering. Would you..." I hesitated. "...lift it?"

He grunted thoughtfully."I’ll handle it."

Relief flooded through me. "Really?"

"Yes." He said and my smile came so naturally that I couldn’t stop it.

"So..." I asked carefully, "Does that mean I can continue my revolution?"

His eyes narrowed. "I’ll allow it."

My heart skipped as he continued. "...As long as none of you decide to start a hostile rebellion against the vampires yourselves."

I quickly straightened my face. "We wouldn’t dream of that."

He gave me a look that suggested he didn’t entirely believe me while I offered him my sweetest smile anyway.

Then I slipped out of his chamber before he could change his mind.

As I descended the castle stairs, reality finally caught up with me.

My days had just become impossibly full. I still had my duties as a maid. I still had an entire revolution depending on me as the leader.

And now... I somehow had to fit private combat training into everything else.