Marco’s mate

Marco's pov

For centuries, I have ruled. Alone.My kingdom is vast, hidden deep within the mountains where no human dares to tread. A land of darkness, untouched by time, where only the strongest survive. My pack is powerful, filled with warriors who have found their mates, their pets those submissive souls who live to serve, to please.All except me.

The Moon Goddess has denied me the one thing that should be mine. My mate. My pet. My obedience.for two centuries, i Marco Draven, Lycan King of the Northern Territories, had ruled with unmatched strength,I have conquered, fought, and bathed in the blood of my enemies, but my chambers remain cold, my bed empty. No soft body to warm my nights, no trembling form to kneel before me, whispering my name with devotion.

I was made to rule. To dominate. Yet, I have no one to claim.My pack whispers behind my back. They wonder if the Goddess has cursed me. If a king as ruthless as I is even worthy of a mate. I let them talk, let them question. Fear keeps them loyal.

But beneath my control, my discipline, my cold, calculated rule. the beast inside me rages.I have waited too long.

I lay still, my golden eyes open, staring at the high, vaulted ceiling above me. Outside, the wind howled through the towering peaks of my kingdom, a sound i had known for two centuries. The scent of pine, the weight of my rule, the presence of my warriors it was familiar. Comforting and yet, today, I must leave it.

I hate the human world.

It is weak, fragile, a place of filth and noise. It reeks of iron and gasoline, of creatures who know nothing of real power. If I had my way, I would never step foot in their world again.

But duty calls.

Alpha Kieran has requested a meeting. A formal discussion of alliances, borders, the balance of power. I care little for politics, but I will not ignore a threat to my kingdom. And so, I go.

With a sharp exhale, I push the heavy furs from my body and rise. My muscles ache to shift, to run, but today is not a day for freedom. Today, I wear the armor of a king.

A knock at my chamber door.

"My King, it is time."

Darius, my Beta, always precise, always waiting. I do not answer. I do not need to. He knows I will come.

I dress in dark leathers, fastening the heavy belt at my waist. The weight of my dagger is familiar against my hip, though I doubt I will need it today. No one would dare challenge me.

And if they did?

I would welcome it.

The Stench of the Human World

The second I step out of the car, my lip curls in disgust.

Ravenhold. A city of steel and concrete, filled with weak creatures who have no idea that predators walk among them.

I move through the streets, my warriors behind me, silent as shadows. Humans step aside without realizing why, their instincts screaming at them to run. They do not know what I am, but their blood does.

We are nearing the meeting place when it happens.

A scent.

It cuts through the filth, through the gasoline and sweat. It is soft, warm, pure. Like wildflowers after the rain. Like something I have never known, yet have always longed for.

I stop walking.

My wolf lunges inside me, snarling, demanding. Mine.

Darius steps closer. "My King?"

I don't answer. I can't.

Because I am already moving.

I follow the scent through the winding streets, my heartbeat steady, yet my veins burn with something foreign. I do not know what I am searching for only that I will find it.

Then I see her.

A woman.

Her eyes a deep, stormy blue, like the sky before thunder strikes. They are striking, sharp, and filled with something unreadable, something that draws me in despite myself. They remind me of the restless ocean, dark and untamed, hiding depths she doesn't yet realize I see.

Her hair is long, thick, and impossibly soft-looking, falling in waves the color of dark chestnut. It moves as she does, catching the dim light, shifting between shades of deep brown and hints of warm gold. A few loose strands escape, framing her delicate face.

I want to touch it. To fist it in my hands. To tilt her head back and make those stormy blue eyes meet mine.

She doesn't know it yet, but she is mine.

She is small, delicate compared to me, wearing a simple apron, her hands stained with ink and flour. She wipes down a table, focused, unaware that her world is about to change.Unaware that she belongs to me.

My mate.For two centuries, I have waited. For two centuries, I have ruled alone.And now, the Moon Goddess has finally given me what is mine.She does not know it yet.I take a step forward, my entire body drawn to her like a force I cannot fight. My wolf is restless, snarling inside me, urging me to claim what is mine. To take her.

But before I can move another inch, a strong hand grips my arm.

Darius.

"My King," he says lowly, his tone firm but respectful. "Not here. Not now."

My head snaps toward him, a growl rumbling in my chest. I don't like being stopped. Especially not when my mate is standing right there."People will see," he continues, his eyes flicking toward the humans around us. "We do not draw attention."

I clench my jaw. He is right, but it doesn't matter. Nothing matters except her.

I force myself to take a slow breath, my hands curling into fists at my sides. Every instinct in me demands that I go to her, that I make her look at me, that I see the recognition in her eyes.

But she is human.

She does not feel the bond the way I do. She does not know what she is to me.

Not yet.

I take a step back, my muscles tight with restraint. Patience.

For now, I will watch. I will learn everything about her. And when the time is right...

She will know she belongs to me.

I force myself to step back, my wolf raging inside me, demanding I go to her. Claim her. But I cannot not yet.

Clenching my jaw, I turn to Darius, my most trusted warrior, the only one I would entrust with something this important.p

"Watch her," I command, my voice low, edged with barely contained restraint. "Do not let her out of your sight."

Darius gives a sharp nod, his expression unreadable, but I know he understands. He knows what she is to me.

I take one last look at her,at those blue eyes, that long chestnut hair,before turning away. My hands clench at my sides as I force myself to leave.

The meeting awaits.

But my thoughts are no longer on politics or alliances.

They are on her.

As soon as the meeting ends, I waste no time.

The discussion of alliances, borders, and power plays meant nothing to me not when my mate was out there, unprotected, unaware of the danger that surrounded her. Unaware that she belongs to me.I step out of the estate, my warriors falling in line behind me, but my focus is singular. Her.

Darius is already waiting, his expression unreadable. But I see the answer in his eyes before he speaks. She is still there. Still working, still living her simple human life, oblivious to the storm that is about to descend upon her.I exhale slowly, barely restraining the urge to go to her now.

I cannot stay here. I cannot leave her here.

My kingdom is on the brink of war. Enemies lurk in the shadows, waiting for a moment of weakness. And my mate? She is the greatest weakness I have ever had.If they find out about her, she will be a target.

No.

I will not risk her.

I turn to Darius, my decision made. "We take her. Tonight."

He doesn't question me. He simply nods.

Because we both know she belongs with me. Whether she understands it or not.

Darius crosses his arms, his sharp eyes watching me carefully. Her name is Matilda,"She stays alone," he says. "No family. No one to notice when she disappears."That makes things easier. No ties mean no one will come looking for her. No one to take her from me."Good," I murmur, my decision solidifying. "Then we move tonight."

Darius gives a slow nod, then hesitates before adding, "She will be scared, my King."

Of course, she will. A human, taken by a predator. A fragile creature thrown into a world of beasts.

But she will have me.

I smirk slightly, my wolf satisfied. "She will have me," I repeat, voice firm. "And soon, she will understand. She will have more than just a king she will have a mate, a protector,other pet and the pack"

I turn away, my mind already calculating every step. By sunrise, she will be where she belongs.

By my side.