Claimed by the Alpha

Fool.

Hello Readers! So I was reading over my last few chapters, and I just wanted to apologize for the lack of spice. I know my writing has been a little off. To be honest, I've been fighting my own personal battle with depression in my life, and I'll tell you something that I haven't really told anyone. (Because I feel very close to you cooky, wattpad people.) I didn't write much in the fall because I was in the hospital. Depression is not just mental, but it can make you very sick. For me, it affected my heart greatly, and I was hospitalized twice. 

Anyways, I've been thinking over and over that this is what has been affecting my writing, but now I'm starting to think that it can help. 

Thea as a character was created in resemblance of yours truly. Her "tortured soul" and brooding personality are a reflection of myself. 

So please, cut me some slack. I'm emotionally connected to this story for many reasons, the main reason being Thea. 

I think that my personal experiences and what I'm going through at the moment will greatly improve my writing, so don't give up on this book! 

Also, never feel like you are alone. No man is an Island. To all of my readers, if you ever need someone to talk to, about anything, feel free to come to me. I promise not to judge. We have all been in dark places before, and seen parts of ourselves that we may not love as much as the others, but every part of yourself is worth loving, because it is unique to you. You can't have the rainbow without the rain. 

I love all of you, so never feel afraid to reach out if you need something.

Muah! xoxo - Miri 

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The castle gates stood tall and foreboding, the sleek iron and gray stone showing strength and the ware and tear of time. Thick, rope like vines clung to the walls, their beauty accented by the vibrant roses that sat open, their petals absorbing the sun's rays. Pink, red, yellow, peach, white. So many beautiful roses. And the smell! It was intoxicating. 

I hesitantly reached out towards a particularly beautiful red rose, but a large warm hand wrapped around my wrist just in time.

"Don't." He said, rather harshly if I might add. "They're poisonous. The roses inside the castle are to be adored, but these are to keep unwanted intruders out." Sinn cupped my hand in his, and his voice softened at the hurt expression in my eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be harsh. I just don't want you offing yourself before I've seen you in all of your glory." Cue assface Sinn. He smirked when I pulled my hand away, crossing my arms over my chest and raising my chin to glare at him.

"In your dreams, wolfboy. Now show me to my castle." I plastered on my own haughty smirk and turned towards the gates. 

"It's my castle, actually." He bit off. Boys and their egos. 

He signaled with his hand, and the iron gates opened inwards, exposing a long, winding pebbled path and an even more impressive lot of flowers. A garden. I took a few hesitant steps forward before I felt his hand gently pushing on the small of my back, guiding me forward.

"After you, princess." I growled, but secretly felt warmth at his words. I liked the nicknames, and that bothered me more than anything. 

We're only here because we have nowhere else to go, I told my wolf, who was not happy about my resistance to our mate. And because he'll catch us if we run. 

We won't run, she shot back. Plus, look at him you idiot. You scored a greek god, and now you want to run off into the woods like a scared little bitch?

I did look at Sinn, and my breath stopped. He is a greek god. 

Told you. 

Shut up.

His full lips were turned up at the corners as he watched me admire him. Jesus, get a grip Thea. I waited for him to call me out, to taunt me or say something in his normal, assface way. But instead, he smiled. A full, megawatt smile that had my knees weak. I looked away quickly, before he could see the flush in my cheeks or hear my heart beating like a drum. 

"So," I said, my voice coming out in a small squeak, " Do you have anything to eat around here?" 

Sinn laughed, his head rolling back while he smiled at me. He probably thinks I'm a fatass who only cares about food. Then a thought hit me. I am. Oh well sister, better to own it. And now that I thought about it, I could feel the distinct rumble in my abdomen. Sinn must have heard it too, because his hand was suddenly around my wrist, leading me further into the castle grounds and through a few intimidating steel doors. 

He was silent as we walked through the castle halls, his eyes dark and brooding. Every now and then he would look at me, with what I assumed to be worry in his eyes. Why would he be worried?  Unless all he wanted was for me to approve of my new home.

"It's beautiful, Sinn." I said softly. I was right. He took a deep breath and seemed more sure of himself than he had before. 

The castle really was beautiful. Long, Persian carpets covered the aged, dark wood floors. Paintings and tapestries hung on the walls, along with beautifully crafted sconces. I stopped at one painting in particular, of a handsome blonde boy in his early teens, standing next to an equally beautiful replica with raven hair and green eyes. While the blonde boy smiled openly, a mischievous glint in his cerulean eyes, the dark haired boy held a more guarded expression, with wary eyes and a tight, solemn smile. 

"My brother, Mathias." I jumped when Sinn's voice had echoed through the large hall. I had been so transfixed with the painting that I had forgotten all about him. "He wasn't the most cheerful person, actually quite a bore. And an ass." Sinn spoke with fondness, and it was easy to tell that he cared deeply for his brother. I smiled at the thought.

"Will I get to meet him?" I said hopefully, smiling gently at Sinn. Suddenly his warm expression went cold, his tenders eyes becoming black ice. His voice was steely, giving me goosebumps when he spoke.

"No, you will not," he said curtly, leaving me standing, frozen in place as he strode swiftly down the hall without me. Ouch. Well excuse me for thinking that I was worthy of meeting the family. Even my wolf felt the sting of his words, a low whimper resonating in my head. 

"Why?" I challenged, ignoring my gut feeling to keep my mouth shut. "Am I just property to you? Do you really not care?" 

Sinn stared at me for a silent moment, before sneering in my direction. "Of course you are, and you're a fool to think any different. I paid for you, and that makes you mine, but you are just that, my property. Now come." He stormed off, not waiting for me to catch up, merely expecting me to follow his every command. A lump formed in my throat, but I refused to feel any hurt at his words. He meant nothing to us anyways.  

We're just property to him, I reminded her solemnly. We were fools to think differently. 

My wolf didn't seem as opposed to leaving his ass in the dust anymore, and a plan began to form in my thick skull. I was a fool to think that I could have his affections, that I could call this place my home and finally... maybe... have a family. We would leave tonight, into the dark of the forest. Joseph's words felt like a conviction for me now, something to hold onto when I felt like crumbling.

Run, into the dark. Run...

Reminding myself to save my affections for someone that cared, I followed my mate deeper into the castle, my heart set on freedom, and the feeling of the cold forest floor under my paws.