The Alpha's mate

A Bloody Declaration

Matthew's POV

The days after my heated encounter with Raphael were a blur of emotion and turmoil. I could still feel his lips on mine, the intensity of his touch seared into my memory. But more than that, I couldn’t shake the weight of his words, 'You’re mine, and no one will take you from me.'

It was as if his declaration had sent ripples through the pack. Everywhere I went, eyes followed me—some with curiosity, others with judgment. Raphael’s presence was impossible to ignore. He was always close by, watching me, guarding me like a predator staking its claim. Despite his possessiveness, I hadn’t spoken about what had happened in the woods. It was as if he was giving me time, but the bond between us throbbed like a live wire, demanding to be acknowledged.

That night, the tension reached its peak.

I were sitting in my room, staring out the window at the moonlit forest. The cool breeze carried the faint scent of peppermint, and I knew he was near. My heart raced as I tried to calm myself. Raphael was overwhelming, consuming, and I weren’t sure if I were ready for what being with him truly meant.

A knock at the door startled me. It was my best friend, Alice, her platinum blonde hairs tied back in a loose braid. The faint glow of her witch’s aura shimmered around her, a constant reminder of her strength and royal lineage.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “Let me guess—Raphael?”

I sighed, closing the window and leaning against the frame. “It’s… complicated.”

Alice raised an eyebrow, her sharp jewel blue eyes piercing. “Complicated is an understatement. He’s your mate. That’s not exactly something you can ignore.”

“I’m not ignoring it,” I said defensively. “I just—he’s intense. And then there’s his ex…”

Alice’s face darkened. “That power-hungry slut? She’s trouble. I can feel it. Raphael better have put an end to that.”

Before I could respond, a commotion erupted outside. Shouts echoed through the air, followed by the sound of growls and snarls. Me and Alice exchanged a worried look before rushing downstairs, where several pack members were already gathered at the door.

“What’s going on?” I demanded, pushing through the crowd.

One of the warriors turned to you, his face pale. “There’s… a body. Near the border.”

A chill ran down my spine as I followed the group to the edge of the forest. The scent of blood hit you first, sharp and metallic, and my stomach churned. When I reached the scene, I froze.

There, sprawled across the ground, was the body of Raphael’s ex. Her neck was twisted at an unnatural angle, her eyes wide with terror. But what truly caught my attention was the message scrawled in blood across the bark of a nearby tree:

"No one touches what is mine."

My breath caught, and my heart thundered in my chest. The message was clear, and it left no room for doubt—this was Raphael’s doing.

Alice( Veronica)grabbed my arm, her face pale but her voice steady. “This… this is his way of protecting you. He’s making a statement.”

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the bloody words. The possessiveness in them mirrored the intensity I’d seen in Raphael’s eyes. It was terrifying, but deep down, a part of I felt a strange sense of security. He would do anything to protect me—even if it meant leaving a bloody trail behind.

The rest of the night passed in a haze. The pack cleaned up the scene, but the tension lingered. When I returned to my room, I found Raphael waiting for me, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a dangerous light.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, my voice shaking slightly.

Raphael straightened, stepping toward me. “Yes, I did.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge of finality to it. “She was a threat to you. To us. I won’t allow anyone to come between us.”

“Raphael—”

“I love you,” he interrupted, his gaze locking onto mine. “I don’t care if it’s too soon for you to hear it. It’s the truth. You’re mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine. The bond between us pulsed, stronger than ever, and despite the fear lingering in my chest, I couldn’t deny the truth. I felt the same.

But before I could respond, another howl echoed in the distance. It was a challenge—a warning from the rogue pack that had been circling the borders. The rogue alpha, the one who had been obsessed with me for years, was making his move.

Raphael’s expression darkened, his protective instincts kicking in. “Stay here,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll handle this.”

But I knew better. This fight was as much mine as it was his, and I weren’t about to stand by while my pack was threatened. The night was far from over, and the storm brewing on the horizon was about to break.