Bound by the Alpha: Hybrid Villainess Obsession

Chapter 4: Taken by the Alpha

Draiken, feeling a pull he couldn't explain, summoned Beta Canaiez with an urgency that needed no delay. "Canaiez," Draiken's voice was a command wrapped in the cool night air, "prepare for a hunt."

Canaiez, ever loyal and never one to question his Alpha's motives, nodded, though questions started to build inside his head. Together, they ventured into the depths of the Deadly Forest, the shadows of the trees cloaking their passage. The night was silent, except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant howl of a lone wolf.

As they delved deeper, they were greeted with sightly carn*ge—death. The bodies of rogue wolves lay scattered; their demise was brutal and unmistakable. Canaiez, upon witnessing the scene, could not hold back his awe and horror. "Alpha," he whispered, his voice one of disbelief. "It looks as if a vampire wrought this havoc. Such precision, such... ferocity. No mercy!"

Draiken, however, remained silent, his gaze scanning the clearing with an intent that missed nothing. Canaiez's remark hung in the air, unanswered, as Draiken processed the scene before him. The Beta's forehead creased in concern at the lack of response from his Alpha, a rare occurrence that hinted at the discovery.

Canaiez watched Draiken closely, trying to gauge his thoughts. It was unlike Draiken to be so withdrawn, especially in the face of such a mystery. The Alpha's usual resolve appeared to wane, and in its place was a thoughtful silence that spoke volumes. Canaiez wondered if Draiken knew more than he was letting on.

Draiken's mind, however, was far from quiet. The howl he had heard, the undeniable pull it had exerted on his Alpha, now seemed to weave itself into the very fabric of the night. The carn*ge before him, while shocked, also held a piece of the puzzle he hadn't known he was seeking. A vampire is on the loose. That such a creature could be responsible for the scene before he added layers of complexity to his quest.

"Alpha, what are your orders?" Canaiez finally broke the silence in a prompting tone.

Draiken turned to him, his blue eyes reflecting the moonlight. "We continue," he stated. "This creature is connected to the howl and to the pull I felt. We need to find whoever that was."

As they moved forward, following the trail of destruction, the night seemed to close in around them. The forest, with its ancient trees, watched in silence as Draiken and Canaiez ventured deeper.

As Beta Canaiez meticulously inspected the fallen rogues, Alpha Draiken's attention was captivated elsewhere. His gaze had fallen upon an unconscious woman lying on the ground, a sight that rendered him momentarily breathless. She was barefoot, her dress torn in places, bearing the clear marks of a struggle with the wolves. Yet, despite the evidence of the conflict, there was an undeniable grace about her. Her pale skin shimmered in the moonlight, contrasting starkly against the dark fabric of her dress and the deep shadows of the forest. Her black hair spread around her like a dark river, flowing seamlessly.

Draiken found himself struck by the vulnerability and beauty before him; the sight of her igniting a protective instinct he hadn't known was so fierce within him. His heart, usually so guarded and reserved, seemed to beat louder, as if in recognition of the woman's significance to him.

"Alpha, it looks as if a vampire's wrath has descended upon these rogues." Canaiez's voice broke through the stillness, filled with awe and a hint of anger. Yet, Draiken barely heard him, his entire life being focused on the woman.

Canaiez followed Draiken's gaze and found himself momentarily taken aback by the sight of the woman. He waited for his Alpha to speak, to give some command or show some reaction beyond the intense, uncharacteristic silence.

Draiken kneeled beside her with deliberate movements. As he took in the details of her face, the scratches that marred her otherwise flawless skin, and the way she seemed so at peace despite the chaos that surrounded her, something within him shifted irrevocably. The connection he felt to this stranger was inexplicable yet undeniable.

"Prepare a secure and comfortable place for her," Draiken finally said, his voice low and imbued with concern and warmth. "She is coming with us."

Canaiez nodded in agreement, despite being surprised by the order. "As you wish, my Alpha," he responded, unable to mask his curiosity about the woman who had so thoroughly captured Draiken's attention.

As they prepared to transport her back to their estate, Draiken couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter was fated—a turning point in both their lives. His interest to protect her and discover the truths that lay hidden within her unconscious form only grew stronger as a result of the mystery surrounding her identity and how she ended up in the forest among dead rogues.

As Beta Canaiez reappeared, his eyes widened in recognition at the sight of the unconscious woman. With a mixture of astonishment and disbelief, he exclaimed, "The Villainess! The human daughter of the Frostborne—Aetheria Hiraeth Frostborne."

Draiken's eyes fell on Canaiez with an unreadable expression. He turned to face his Beta, the moonlight casting shadows over his features. "The villainess, you say? The human?" He paused, a hint of respect mingling with intrigue in his voice. "She did not disappoint me, Canaiez."

With a decisive motion, Draiken removed his cloak, draping it gently over Aetheria, covering her with care that belied his rugged exterior. Then he lifted her into his arms, her head resting against his chest as he carried her out of the forest.

Canaiez followed closely; he was baffled by questions about the Alpha's reaction and the implications of its actions. The woman known as the Villainess, the center of so much turmoil and speculation, was now under their roof, her fate intertwined with theirs.

Upon arriving at the De Laurentiis Estate, Draiken ordered the servants to prepare a room for Aetheria, emphasizing the utmost care and attention to her comfort. It was clear to all who observed him that this woman, this so-called villainess, had ignited the Alpha’s interest.

As Aetheria was settled into the soft, welcoming bed, Draiken stood by, watching over her with a protective gaze.

"The Villainess, you say?" Draiken mused quietly to himself, his gaze fixed on Aetheria's peaceful face. "We shall see about that." It was a whispered vow that he would dig deeper, figure out what Aetheria was all about, and keep her safe from those who wanted to hurt her.

Maids came into the room to get Aetheria ready for bed. Draiken turned his back and left with a smirk on his face. That expression did not go unnoticed by his Beta.

"Alpha, are you planning to keep that human with us?" The Beta asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Or are you just going to dispose of her like the others?"

"Canaiez, I haven't disposed of a human before in my life," the Alpha replied defensively.

"But shewolves, yes, Alpha." Canaiez retorted.

"She is no shewolf, Beta. Her scent is different." Draiken said.

"That's because she is a human." Canaiez took a glance at Draiken, whose face was now embedded with amusement.

"Who would have thought that my prey had come into my den without me doing the work?" The meaningful statement by Draiken made Canaiez fall into silence. "Watch her carefully, Canaiez." Draiken added.

"As you command, my Alpha."