The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

As Ariel stood in the makeshift raised platform that had been constructed in the balcony, staring into the eyes of her mate, she could see nothing but love.

All of the moments that brought them here had been a conscious effort on their part, and going for therapy had been a major factor.

The first few weeks had been awkward as neither of them was ready to pour out their hearts open, and they had been going around in circles, but they finally broke when the therapist had asked Kane a question.

“Is there anything you would like to say to Ariel but you are afraid it will hurt her?”

Kane had hesitated at first, his eyes darting to his mate, and he shook his head for a No, there was something about the way Ariel was looking at him, and he didn’t know when he began to talk.

“You always act before you think. Most times, you do things that put yourself at risk, not considering people around you, and when it starts getting back, you pull away, leaving us to clean up the mess.”

“It is a lie.” Ariel’s eyes widened as she heard what he had just said.

“You never give me the benefit of the doubt or give this bond a fighting chance, at the slightest inconvenience, you back out.”

“Liar!” Ariel cried out, surprised he still managed to remain cool whilst lying about her.

“I have always forgiven you, Kane, even when you hurt me. I had let it all go because I love you; you can’t sit there and say I always run.” The tears she had tried so hard to hold were already steaming down her face, but she made no effort to clean them.

It was taken everything in her not to run out of the suffocating room, but then she would prove him right, so she forced herself to sit through the torture.

At the end of the session, they had driven home in utter silence until Kane couldn’t take it anymore and he had stopped his car in the middle of nowhere, and he opened the car, helping her out.

“Ariel, I…” He couldn’t put out another word before the floodgates opened again and Ariel broke into tears.

It took several intense minutes for Kane to calm Ariel down, holding her close as she sobbed out her emotions. But as they hugged, something shifted between them.

They had pulled back, their eyes still locked on each other, and they had apologized for their past hurts and misunderstandings.

The couple continued to attend the therapy session, and with each passing day, their bond only strengthened, and their love continued flourishing, and finally they were here.

“Are you nervous?” Kane’s voice distracted her from going down memory lane, and Ariel shook her head for a negative response.

With Kane, she knew she was sure of the decision and there was nothing to be nervous about.

“Mmm mmm.” Denise cleared her throat, and the couple looked at her, red staining their cheeks.

They had decided that Denise was worthy enough to join them, seeing she had always been with them and she had never been too pleased.

“We have all gathered here to witness a great union between Kane and Ariel, the leaders of the rogue pack.” Denise began, her voice ringing out loud and clear throughout the clearing.

Ariel raised her head up to look at all that had gathered to celebrate them, and tears filled her eyes-the list had been exhausted. Everyone that had contributed to their success story in one way or another was there.

Claudia had flung from Australia down to the pack, and Ariel had screamed her head off as she saw her. She had earlier planned for her to come, but something urgent came up, and Claudia had been unable to travel.

But Kane always had a way of making things work in his favor. He had reached out to her and was able to smooth out whatever delay Claudia was experiencing, and he had flown her to the states.

Ariel couldn’t control her screams when she saw her longtime friend, and she ran to her, jumping on her body. For the rest of the day, they had done nothing but catch up, trying to make up for the lost times.

And now Claudia was smiling proudly at her, standing in the front row along with the rest of her friends. Toby and his mate, of course, Liza and her mate, the whole pack, some people from The Den, even the men that had taken care of her when she was in Blue Ridge.

Everyone was present to grace the occasion, and that was how she wanted it.

“These ones have stood the test of time, and they have proved that they will stay with each other no matter what happens. And by the power vested on me, I crowned you Alpha Kane and Luna Ariel of the Rogue Pack.”

The audience erupted into cheers, their deafening screams reverberating throughout the garden. The air was electric with excitement as everyone was clapping and shouting, and Ariel’s face radiated pure happiness.

Amidst the noise, one voice pierced through-a loud, proud “Go girl!”-no doubt Claudia’s and Ariel’s grin only widened.

It took some minutes before Denise could rein in the excitement of the crowd, and she faced the couple.

“You may now claim each other under the watchful eyes of our goddess, sealing your union forever.”

This was the moment they had been waiting for, and Kane took a step closer to Ariel, and he held her hands, squeezing them gently.

“Are you ready?” He asked in a voice that spoke of nothing but tenderness, and Ariel nodded, too choked up in emotions to reply.

Kane’s hands went up, and he moved her hair to the side, revealing her neck, where she was going to wear his mark.

Permanently this time.

He let his fingers graze the skin there, loving the way she shivered against him. She looked so beautiful under the moonlight, and he couldn’t wait to have her under him, now as properly mated wolves.

“Are you alright?” Kane asked his mate, and Ariel nodded her head, her eyes shining with eagerness. “Let’s do this.” Kane whispered, and that was the only prompt he had to give.

The couple leaned into each other, their mouths on their necks and their canines making an appearance.

And slowly they sank their teeth into each other’s skin, pressing down until the saliva mixed with the blood. Time stood still as they continued clamping down their skin, and they savored the moment, lost in the raw connection that coursed through their veins like liquid fire.

Ariel could feel the bond between them getting even impossibly tighter and stronger. She found herself immersed in his thoughts, emotions, and memories while he simultaneously inhabited hers, and all of their secrets lay plain for each other to see.

There was nothing to hide anymore.

Ariel could feel him in every part of her, and so could he, and even their wolves had risen to join in the sacred union.

With much restraint, they had parted from each other, and Kane surveyed the new wound, a proud glint in his eyes. His tongue darted out, licking the skin, watching as the skin closed up even as Ariel shivered against him, and he smiled, loving her reaction.

He was going to have fun with this new sensitivity, but he didn’t have long to explore his thoughts when a wet tongue lapped on his new mark, and he lowered his gaze to see his mate, a teasing smile on her lips.

“Are you sure you can finish what you have started?” Kane said in their newly formed mindlink, and the slight widening of her eyes was the only indication that she had heard it.

“Of course I can.” But Kane didn’t let her finish her words before his lips gently brush against her in a soft, tender kiss, but the fierce possessiveness in his touch was hard to miss.

The contrast between the softness of his lips and the intensity of his passion was intoxicating, leaving her breathless and wanting more.

Slowly their lips left each other, but their eyes remained locked on each other, glowing with an intense golden light, and Ariel knew in that moment, their fate was sealed forever.

The End

Thank you so much to each and every one of you who has followed this journey with me to this point. Your comments, votes, and reviews have meant the world to me.

If you have completed the book, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a review and rating; it would truly make my day.

The sequel of this book is already in progress, and it will be about Maddie, so stay tuned for more updates.

Thank you again for your support, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter of this journey with you.