Claimed By The Rival Alpha

Selena

"I just need a few minutes."

The guard didn’t even blink. "I’m sorry, but my orders are clear."

I let out a frustrated sigh and glanced toward the closed chamber door behind him. "Please... My friend is in there."

"I know."

"Then you know why I need to see her."

He shifted uncomfortably but remained standing squarely in front of the entrance. "No one is allowed inside and those are Alpha Kael’s orders."

"I understand and I won’t be long."

He shook his head again. "I cannot allow it."

I rubbed my temples, trying to keep my patience. Ever since the meeting with Councilman Cedric had ended, my thoughts had been consumed by Isadora.

I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. She had been dragged here against her will because of me.

Even if Alpha Kael had ordered that she be protected, I couldn’t rest until I saw her with my own eyes.

"I promise I’ll leave as soon as I’ve spoken to her."

The guard looked genuinely apologetic. "Selena..."

I looked him straight in the eyes. "If someone you cared about was frightened and alone, would you leave them without even checking on them?"

His expression softened. "I wouldn’t."

"Then please." He hesitated only for a moment.

Then he straightened again. "I’m sorry. My orders remain the same."

I stared at the chamber door. There had to be another way. Then I remembered the small cloth purse tucked beneath my apron.

My wages. I’d only received them yesterday. It wasn’t much but it was enough to get me through another week.

I slowly untied the purse and emptied the few silver coins into my palm.

The guard immediately frowned. "Stop this Selena... That lady in there is from the Nightbane pack and she’s the Beta’s daughter!"

"I know but it means nothing! I’m not asking you to break your duty...I’m asking you to give me five minutes."

I extended my hand toward him. "This is everything I have." I gently closed his fingers around the coins.

"Please...you’ll still be standing outside, you’ll still be guarding her but I simply need to see my friend."

For several long moments, he looked as though he were fighting with himself.

Finally... He sighed. "Five minutes."

Relief flooded through me. "Thank you."

"But if anyone comes..."

"I’ll leave immediately." I cut him off before he could complete his sentences.

He stepped aside and I wasted no time opening the door.

The chamber was quiet. Sunlight spilled across the polished floor through the large windows.

Near one of them stood Isadora. She was staring outside so intently that she didn’t hear me enter.

For a second, my heart broke as she looked so small and so lonely.

"So..." I smiled softly. "...you’ve decided to ignore me now?"

She spun around and the moment she saw me, surprise flashed across her face. "Selena?"

I lifted the covered flask I had been carrying. "I brought you food."

A tiny smile appeared before disappearing almost immediately. "You cooked?"

"I did... I managed to make something."

I placed the flask on the nearby table as she walked closer but didn’t touch the flask.

Instead, she looked exhausted as her eyes were swollen as though she’d cried herself to sleep.

I gently reached for her hands. "Are you good?"

"I’m alright."

"No." I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her. "You aren’t."

She hesitated before slowly returning the embrace while her body trembled.

"What happened?"

She shook her head against my shoulder. "I’m just..." She swallowed. "...still trying to understand that I’m inside an enemy pack."

I pulled back enough to look at her. "No one here will hurt you."

"I know but it’s difficult not to think about it." She looked around the chamber. "Everything feels unfamiliar and I barely slept because I kept wondering if someone would burst through that door."

I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "They won’t."

She gave me a weak smile then something crossed her mind. "How are you doing this?"

"What do you mean?"

"How are you staying here?" She looked genuinely confused. "You’ve been here for months and you even seem comfortable."

She lowered her voice before asking. "Were you forced?"

The question caught me off guard. "No."

"Then why stay here?"

I hesitated, carefully choosing my words. "I chose to."

"You... chose to remain in Blackbourne?"

"Yes."

"But..." She frowned. "They’re our enemies."

I smiled sadly. "They haven’t treated me like one." She remained silent as I added "Everyone here has been..."

I searched for the right word. "...kind."

She blinked as she asked, "Even Alpha Kael?"

Especially him but I couldn’t say that.

"He has treated me fairly." I forced a small smile. "And..." I laughed quietly. "They still don’t know who I really am."

Her eyes widened slightly. "You hid your identity?"

I nodded. "It was the safest choice."

She slowly sat on the edge of the bed.

After several moments of silence, she spoke again. "Things became difficult after my father was killed by the monsters."

I looked at her as she continued.

"My mother tried to stay strong." Her fingers twisted together. "But people changed. They respected my Father but when he died..."

She looked toward the floor. "...they stopped respecting us."

My chest tightened.

"My mother pretends she’s alright but I know she isn’t so I keep thinking about her."

"What if she’s alone? What if she needs me?" Tears filled her eyes again. "I should go back."

Immediately, I shook my head. "No." She looked surprised. "You can’t."

"But my mother..."

"Listen to me." I knelt in front of her. "Do you know what happened during today’s meeting?"

She shook her head.

"Alpha William never once mentioned you." She stared at me. "Not even once."

"He fought to bring me back with him, he argued with Alpha Kael, He demanded justice but..." I swallowed. "He never even remembered that he brought you here."

Pain spread across her face. "You mean..."

"I mean he doesn’t care enough to notice. He doesn’t give a fuck about you." She lowered her eyes.

"If you truly want to help your mother..." I held both of her hands. "...then stay alive first."

She remained silent.

"You can’t protect anyone if you’re dead."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I know people." I continued softly. "I have ways of making sure your mother remains safe."

She looked up. "Even from here?"

"I’ll try my best. I promise..."

She nodded slowly. "I trust you."

But even as she spoke... She wasn’t looking at me. Her eyes kept drifting toward the window again and again.

I frowned. "Isadora." She was startled.

"What keeps drawing your attention outside?"

She looked strangely pale. "I..." She glanced toward the window once more then back at me as her expression suddenly changed.

It wasn’t fear. It was dreadful. A kind of dread I’d never seen before.

"Selena..." Her voice barely came out but Before she could continue, the chamber door swung open.

"Selena." The guard looked visibly nervous. "You must leave now."

I stood before asking. "What happened?"

"The Head Maid is coming." Behind him, I could already hear approaching footsteps as another familiar voice followed. Sera.

If they found me here after I’d bribed the guard, he would be punished.

"I’ll come back." I squeezed Isadora’s hand one last time. "Remember what I said."

She nodded as I slipped out of the chamber just as the Head Maid and Sera turned into the corridor.

Keeping my head lowered, I hurried in the opposite direction before either of them noticed me.

By the time I reached the servants’ staircase, my heart was still pounding.

Something wasn’t right but I couldn’t explain it. It wasn’t only Isadora’s fear... It was the way she’d kept staring outside.

The look she’d given me. Almost as though she’d wanted to warn me about something.

Lost in thought, I climbed toward my assigned work area.

As I stepped into the main corridor overlooking the grand hall, movement on the upper floor caught my attention.

I looked up and sighted Alpha Kael. Beside him walked Beta Bastian.

Neither of them were speaking while their expressions were grim and focused.

The same expressions they’d worn before the ball descended into chaos.

Whatever was happening... They knew. They disappeared around the corner before I could think further.

"Selena!" I turned to find Sally and Marqee hurrying toward me looking worried.

"What happened?" I asked.

Sally shook her head. "I don’t know, but something feels wrong."

Marqee nodded. "The market trip was cancelled."

I frowned. "What? Why?"

"All the maids assigned to today’s errand were told to stay inside the castle and there was an explanation."

Sally folded her arms. "That has never happened before." She lowered her voice. "I think something serious is happening."

"I feel it too." Marqee looked toward the windows. "Everyone’s acting strangely."

"The guards, the servants, and even the cooks. It’s like..." she struggled to find the words. "...they’re waiting for something."

A cold feeling settled inside me. Without thinking, my eyes drifted toward the eastern wing. The very corridor I’d just left.

I saw movement at first then I noticed someone was struggling.

I narrowed my eyes on seeing it’s the guard that was supposed to be protecting Isadora!

He was grappling with another figure near Isadora’s chamber.

Every instinct inside me screamed at once. Something was wrong so I didn’t wait.

"Selena!" Sally called after me but I was already running.

My feet pounded against the stone floor as I raced through the corridors while servants jumped aside.

A few shouted in confusion while I ignored them all.

As I reached the eastern wing, the chamber door suddenly burst open and Isadora stumbled out.

She was breathing so hard she could barely remain on her feet. The moment she saw me... She ran straight into my arms.

I caught her before she collapsed while she clung to me desperately.

"I’m sorry..." She sobbed. "I’m so... so sorry..."

I held her tightly. "For what?"

Her shoulders shook uncontrollably. "I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know."

My heart raced. "What are you talking about?"

Footsteps approached behind us as Sally and Marqee finally caught up.

Both stopped abruptly at the sight before them while Isadora slowly lifted her tear-stained face and looked directly at me.

Her voice trembled.

"Selena..." She swallowed hard. "I wasn’t the only surprise Alpha William brought to Blackbourne."

A chill ran through my entire body as her next words stole the breath from my lungs.

"The vampires are the main surprise."