Fated to my Saviour Alpha

The air was thick with the acrid smell of ash and the tang of blood, sharp enough to sting her nostrils. Sophie's mind reeled as she stared at Darius, his broad shoulders rising and falling with each labored breath. The faint glow in his eyes dimmed but didn't disappear entirely, leaving a lingering trace of something more than human.

Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her legs remained frozen in place. "What... what are you?" The words spilled from her lips, trembling and barely audible.

Darius wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, his gaze sharpening on her as if he could see straight through to her soul. "Not what you thought, clearly." His voice carried a weight that made her knees threaten to buckle again. "Come with me."

She hesitated, her heart hammering against her ribcage like a bird trapped in a cage. "Why should I?"

"Because the alternative isn't survival." He turned away from her, gesturing for her to follow, but his stride was purposeful, leaving no room for argument.

Sophie's fingers curled into fists. "I didn't ask to be dragged into this!" she shouted, the rawness in her voice surprising even herself.

Darius stopped mid-stride and turned back to face her, his expression unreadable. "No one asks. That doesn't change the fact that you're in it."

The shadows around them seemed to grow darker, more oppressive, as he led her toward the black SUV parked on the edge of the lot. The vehicle bore scars from the earlier chaos—dents, scratches, and something that looked like claw marks. Sophie's throat tightened at the sight.

"I'm not getting into that thing with you," she said, planting her feet firmly on the ground.

Darius sighed, running a hand through his hair, which was still damp with sweat. "You're running out of choices, Sophie." His tone was laced with frustration, but there was something else beneath it—a flicker of urgency.

She crossed her arms, feigning a confidence she didn't feel. "Then tell me why you care what happens to me."

He took a step closer, closing the distance between them. The faint glow in his eyes reignited, brighter this time, as he spoke. "Because if I don't, the next thing that comes for you won't leave anything behind to bury."

His words sent a chill racing down her spine, but her stubbornness refused to let her back down. "Then explain. What was that thing, and what does it want with me?"

Darius hesitated, his jaw tightening as if weighing how much he could tell her. Finally, he said, "That thing was a scout. A predator meant to sniff out vulnerabilities. You're marked, Sophie. They know who you are now."

"Marked?" Her voice cracked. "What does that even mean?"

"It means you're in the middle of a war you can't see," he replied, his voice low and steady. "And if we don't move, you're going to lose before you even understand the rules."

Despite her better judgment, Sophie let herself be guided toward the SUV. She climbed into the passenger seat, her fingers gripping the edge of the seat cushion as if holding on for dear life.

The drive was silent except for the low hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of static from the radio. The darkness outside the windows seemed to press in on them, making her feel trapped.

After what felt like hours, Darius pulled off the main road onto a winding dirt path that led to a secluded cabin hidden among the trees. He killed the engine and turned to face her, his expression grim.

"You wanted answers," he said, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "Here's the first one: I'm a werewolf."

Sophie's laugh was sharp and involuntary, a desperate sound torn from her throat. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" His gaze locked onto hers, unflinching.

The truth of his words hit her like a physical blow, leaving her breathless. Memories of the glowing eyes, the impossible strength, the feral way he moved—it all clicked into place with horrifying clarity.

"And you're saying that thing back there… it was here because of me?"

"Because of what's inside you," he corrected, leaning back against the driver's seat.

Her stomach churned. "What's inside me?"

Darius opened his mouth to answer, but a sound outside the cabin stopped him cold. A low growl echoed through the trees, sending a jolt of terror down Sophie's spine.

"They've found us," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Before she could process his words, the cabin windows shattered, and the night came alive with the sounds of snarls and snapping jaws.

Sophie's breaths came shallow and fast as the silence of the cabin pressed in on her. Darius sat across from her, his intense gaze never faltering. His words echoed in her mind—marked, war, werewolf. It was absurd, insane even, but the evidence was undeniable.

Her head swirled with possibilities. If he was telling the truth—and the creature they'd faced proved he likely was—then she was in over her head. But Sophie Williams wasn't one to surrender, not without a fight.

Her gaze flicked to Darius, tracing the sharp angles of his face, the taut lines of his jaw, and the way his hands rested on his knees, a deceptive calm masking the raw power she'd witnessed earlier. This man—this werewolf—had the answers she needed, but more than that, he had the strength she could use.

She couldn't let him control the narrative, not entirely. If he had power, she needed leverage. And if survival meant tipping the scales in her favor, she'd do whatever it took.

"Darius," she said softly, her voice low and just a touch unsteady, the perfect blend of vulnerability and intent.

He looked up, his sharp eyes scanning her face. "What is it?"

She shifted in her seat, leaning forward ever so slightly, allowing the soft lamplight to highlight the curve of her neck, the steady rise and fall of her breath. "You said you're protecting me. But what if I could make it worth your while?"

His brows drew together, suspicion flickering across his face. "What are you talking about?"

She let her lips curl into the faintest hint of a smile, her lashes lowering just enough to give her a coy, enigmatic air. "You've gone out of your way to keep me safe tonight. That kind of loyalty deserves… appreciation, don't you think?"

Darius's expression didn't soften, but she caught the briefest hesitation in his gaze, the barest flicker of uncertainty.

"I don't need appreciation," he said, his voice gruff.

"Everyone needs something," Sophie countered, her tone gentle but firm. "You're no different."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, she thought she'd overplayed her hand. But Darius simply exhaled and leaned back, his sharp gaze still locked on her.

"If you think you can play games with me, Sophie," he said, his tone laced with warning, "you'll regret it."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't let the unease show. Instead, she leaned closer, her smile deepening. "Maybe. Or maybe you'll find out I'm more than worth the trouble."

She saw his jaw tighten, the faint glow in his eyes returning, and for a moment, she felt like she was toeing the edge of a cliff. But she didn't back down. If she could plant just enough doubt, just enough intrigue, she'd gain the time and space she needed to figure out her next move.

Whatever this world was—his world—she wouldn't let it consume her without a fight.