Chapter Twelve: The Urge To Claim Her

Alpha Red's POV

I sat in my office, my eyes fixed on Gaius as I asked him the question that had been weighing on my mind. “Is there something I can use to suppress my Lycan wolf?” I asked, my voice low and dangerous.

Gaius's eyes widened in shock, and he took a step back, clearly taken aback by my request. “Alpha Red, it's been years since you've asked for medical aid to tame your wolf,” he said, his voice laced with surprise. “You've always been able to control it on your own.”

I remembered the first time I had asked for help, when I was younger and still learning to navigate the beast within me. But over the years, I had grown more confident, more independent. I had learned to control my wolf, to keep it at bay.

But now, with Avery's presence stirring up emotions I thought I had long buried, I felt like I was losing my grip. The wolf was growing restless, urging me to claim her, to mark her as mine. And I knew I couldn't let that happen.

Gaius's eyes narrowed, his expression thoughtful. “I can try to create a serum to help you suppress the wolf,” he said, “but I have to warn you, Alpha Red, it's not without risks.”

I nodded, my jaw clenched in determination. I would do whatever it took to keep Avery safe, to keep myself from losing control. “Do it,” I growled.

Gaius's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing. “Why the sudden interest in suppressing your wolf, Alpha Red?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. “Is it because of Avery?”

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But I knew I couldn't tell him the truth — that Avery was my mate, and that my desire to claim her was growing stronger by the day. I couldn't risk it getting out, not even to Gaius. He was trustworthy, but I couldn't take the chance.

“The full moon is coming,” I said instead, my voice neutral. “I want to be in full control.”

Gaius nodded, his expression understanding. “Of course, Alpha Red.”

My mind wandered back to my interaction with Avery in my office. I couldn't shake the memory of her taste, sweet and intoxicating, from my lips. I had always felt a strong pull towards her, but after discovering yesterday that she was my mate, I was at a loss. I didn't know what to do.

The thought of making her my Luna, of claiming her as mine in front of the entire pack, made my blood run cold. I wasn't ready for that, wasn't ready to acknowledge my feelings to anyone, not even myself.

But I knew I couldn't deny it forever. The full moon was coming, and with it, my wolf's desire to claim Avery would only grow stronger. I was running out of time, and I knew it.

“Get to work on the serum, Gaius,” I instructed my voice firm.

Gaius nodded, but his expression was cautious. “Alpha Red, I must warn you, the serum won't guarantee 99% effectiveness. There's still a risk—”

“I understand,” I cut him off, my jaw clenched. “Just do it.”

After Gaius left, I stood alone in my chambers, my mind consumed by thoughts of Avery. The darkness outside seemed to seep into my soul, stirring the wolf within me. I usually lost my cool at night, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt or scare Avery again.

She had told me she feared me, and those words had unsettled me. I didn't want to be the one she feared. I couldn't reassure her that I wouldn't hurt her, but maybe I could make her fear me less.

I paced back and forth, trying to shake off the urge to go to her room. But my feet seemed to have a mind of their own, and before I knew it, I was walking towards her room instead of mine. The moon was rising, and my wolf was stirring, but I couldn't resist the pull of her presence.

I stopped outside her door, my hand hesitating over the handle. What was I doing? I shouldn't be here. But my desire to see her, to be near her, was overwhelming. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I entered Avery's room, I was immediately greeted by the sweet scent of her presence. My eyes scanned the space, searching for her, until I heard the bathroom door creak open. She stepped out, a towel wrapped around her chest, her skin glistening with droplets of water.

All my resolve to avoid her flew out the window. My eyes devoured her, drinking in the sight of her vulnerable beauty. Avery walked to the dresser, oblivious to my presence, and I followed her, my feet moving silently across the floor.

I stood behind her, my body inches from hers, and inhaled deeply, letting her sweet scent wash over me. I was dangerously addicted to it, and I knew it. But I couldn't help myself.

Avery's eyes met mine in the mirror, and she jolted back with a gasp. But I was ready for her. I placed my hand on her hip, holding her in place, as I leaned down to inhale her scent again. My lips brushed against her ear, and I felt her shiver beneath my touch.

“Don't move,” I whispered, my voice low and husky. “Just stand still for a moment.”

Avery gasped again, her voice trembling as she asked, “What are you doing? Why are you in my room?”

I didn't answer. Instead, I kissed her neck, my lips tracing a path along her skin. I sucked gently, leaving a mark on her flesh. My other hand roamed over her body, pulling her close to me. She shuddered in my arms, her body responding to my touch.

I slipped my hand under her towel, my fingers caressing her thigh. Her skin was soft and warm, and I felt a surge of desire at the touch. Avery's eyes met mine in the mirror, and I saw a flash of fear mixed with something else — something that looked like desire.

I leaned in closer, my breath whispering against her ear. “You're so beautiful, Avery,” I whispered. “So fragile and strong at the same time.”

My hand slid higher, my fingers tracing the curve of her hip. Avery's eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned back against me, her body surrendering to my touch. I felt a growl rising in my throat, my wolf stirring with excitement. I was losing control, but I couldn't stop myself. I needed to touch her, to taste her, to claim her.

My hand moved between her legs, and I touched her, feeling her warmth and softness. But Avery quickly struggled against me, trying to break free. I caged her with my body, pinning her against the dresser, my arms trapping her in place.

“Stop,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desire.

But I didn't listen. I held her firm, my fingers stroking her, feeling her tense beneath my touch. I watched her reaction in the mirror, seeing her bite her lip to stop herself from making a sound. It only made me more desperate to change that, to make her surrender to me.

I leaned in closer, my breath whispering against her ear. “Let go, Avery,” I whispered. “Just feel.”

But she was too stubborn, too proud. She refused to give in, even as her body betrayed her, trembling with need. I could smell her arousal, feel her pulse racing beneath my fingers. I stroked her again, my touch gentle but insistent, trying to break down her defenses.

Avery's eyes flashed open, meeting mine in the mirror. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us crackling like electricity. Then, she looked away, her jaw clenched in determination. But I saw the flicker of desire in her eyes, and I knew I had her right where I wanted her.

I wrapped my hand around Avery's throat, pulling her head against me as I continued to stroke her between her legs. She was wet, so wet, and I could feel her trembling beneath my touch.

“Stop,” she whispered again, her voice strained.

But I didn't listen. I pushed my finger inside her, feeling her flinch and trying to break free. She struggled against me, but I tightened my grip around her throat, holding her in place.

My teeth sank into her neck, a gentle bite, but enough to make her gasp. I felt her shudder, her body responding to my touch despite her protests.

“Alpha Red, please,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I lifted my head, my eyes meeting hers in the mirror. Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushed with arousal. She was torn, caught between fear and desire.

I leaned in closer, my breath whispering against her ear. “You're mine, Avery,” I whispered. “And I'll take what's mine.”

My finger slid deeper, and Avery's eyes fluttered closed, her body surrendering to my touch.