The Pull He Can’t Deny

Kael’s POV It hit me again. Stronger this time. I stopped mid-step, my body going rigid as a sharp pull tightened in my chest—sudden, unexpected… impossible to ignore. My breath slowed. My wolf surged forward instantly. Her. My eyes darkened. So I wasn’t imagining it. She was alive. And not just alive— Close. Closer than before. I turned slowly toward the edge of the territory, my gaze locking onto the distant forest beyond our borders. “She’s out there,” I muttered. The feeling was faint… unstable… like something was interfering. Blocking it. Hiding her. My jaw clenched. Another Alpha. The realization settled heavily. Someone had found her. Taken her in. Protected her. A low growl rumbled in my chest at the thought. “Alpha?” Darius’ voice pulled me back. I didn’t look at him. “Prepare a scouting unit,” I said, my tone calm—but cold enough to freeze the air. He hesitated. “Outside our borders?” “Yes.” A pause. “That territory belongs to—” “I know exactly who it belongs to,” I cut in. And that made it worse. Because there weren’t many Alphas powerful enough to block a bond’s trace like this. Only one came to mind. And if I was right— This wasn’t just a search anymore. It was a problem. “She’s under his protection,” Darius said carefully. The words snapped something inside me. Protection. From what? From me? My expression hardened. “She doesn’t belong there.” The statement came out sharper than I intended. Possessive. Unyielding. Darius didn’t respond. Smart. Because even I knew— I gave up that right. I rejected her. I broke the bond. So why did it feel like she was still mine? A flicker of memory crossed my mind— Her voice. Soft. Hurt. “I didn’t choose this…” My chest tightened. I pushed it down immediately. Irrelevant. Weakness. This had nothing to do with emotions. This was— Control. Territory. Order. “She’s a risk,” I said coldly. “If another Alpha is involved, we need to know why.” Darius nodded. “Understood.” He turned to leave— “Darius.” He stopped. “If he’s touched her…” I began, my voice dropping dangerously low. I didn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t need to. The threat was clear. The room fell silent. Heavy. Tense. “Yes, Alpha,” Darius said quietly before leaving. The door closed. And once again— I was alone. But not really. Because the feeling remained. That pull. That connection that refused to die. I exhaled slowly, staring into nothing. “She should have stayed,” I muttered. Things would have been easier. Simpler. Controlled. Instead— She left. And now… Someone else had her. My hands clenched into fists. A dangerous calm settled over me. This wasn’t over. Not even close. Because whether I rejected her or not— Whether she wanted it or not— There was one truth I couldn’t ignore anymore. She was mine first. And I wasn’t the kind of man who let go of what belonged to him.