THE CHAINS OF THE ALPHAEN

VIOLET SWAN.

꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎

Every day, I wonder why life has to be so unfair to me. Is it a sin to be different? Is it my fault I am the way I am? These are the questions I ask myself daily because, to some, my dream is complete nonsense—but to me, it’s the most important thing, even if it’s unthinkable. I feel the tears slide down my cheeks, one after another.

After feeling like I was soaring to the heavens, touching the stars with my own hands, I was quickly yanked down into hell in one swift pull. I kicked the sheets off me and bolted toward the bathroom.

“Why?!” I question, my lips trembling as I step into the shower.

*Stop crying already, Violet. He doesn’t deserve one more tear.*

I repeat it to myself over and over, desperately trying to convince myself.

My back slides down the door until my butt hits the cold marble floor. I flinch, immediately jumping up and almost leaping to my feet, then turn on the bathwater. I need to wash his every last trace from my body. I knew none of this would work—but even knowing that, I thought it might at least make me feel better.

Once the tub is full, I sink into the water, hoping to camouflage my tears among the ripples.

“Violet!” My eyes snap open and my heart pounds as I hear the authoritative tone of his voice.

I don’t answer. I stay completely silent because I don’t want to look at him. But he doesn’t respect my personal space. He steps into the bathroom and approaches the tub.

“What are you doing here?” I ask without looking at his face.

“Did you not hear me talking to you?” He sits on the edge of the tub and looks at me with arrogance.

“Get out.” Despite wanting to sound firm, my voice is barely a whisper—but I’m certain he heard me perfectly.

“Why did you leave the bed?” he inquires with a strange gentleness. “I expected you to be next to me when I woke up.”

“Why don’t you just leave and get away from me?” I glare at him, my whole body shaking. “You have what you wanted so badly, Aarón. Now just leave me alone.” I drag out the words.

I feel so much rage, sadness, and fear in equal measure that I tightly hug my legs—a futile attempt to keep myself safe.

“Are you scared, pup?” he asks mockingly. He forcibly grips my chin, making me look him directly in the eyes. “The worst is already over, cupcake,” he murmurs without letting go.

“Don’t you dare call me that again!” I slap his hand away from my face.

I watch his expression twist. He grabs my hair with such hostility, yanking me out of the tub—soaking wet and naked.

“What stupid notion is this, that I can’t touch you?” Aarón growls, without a hint of tact. “I’ll call you whatever the hell I want, Violet, because from now on, you are my little cupcake.” He roughly lets go of me, strips off his clothes, and steps into the large tub beside me.

His eyes burn into me—desire and fury tangled together. He pulls me close, gripping my waist possessively. A violent shiver races through my body. I’m scared. Nervous. I have no idea what he plans to do with me. And no matter how hard I fight, it’s hopeless—especially when I feel his breath on my neck, raising goosebumps with every touch.

“Listen to me very carefully, Violet,” he whispers near my ear, weakening my legs and my sanity. “Listen up—because I’m only saying this one goddamn time, cupcake.”

*I hate that he calls me that.*

*Though I admit—he’s an attractive wolf. Pale skin. Hair black as a moonless night.*

“I don’t want to see you with any other wolf. Much less a human.” His voice drops to a threat. “You are only mine. Only mine, you stupid little girl.”

I feel his words tear me apart inside.

“It’s not fair!” I sob, struggling to break free.

“You’re right, cupcake.” He strokes my wet hair. “It’s not fair to you. I know that perfectly well.” He mocks me. “And the truth is—I don’t care how you feel. To your misfortune, you turned out to be my mate.”

My pulse spikes as he clenches his teeth—like the words taste like ash.

“Then let me go…”

“Don’t dream it. Don’t even think I’ll let any asshole touch what’s mine. Even if I don’t love you—you belong to me.”

“I-I don’t understand,” I stutter, looking him in the eyes. “Why do you have to be like this with me, Aarón?” My eyes squeeze shut. I’m trying to stop the tears. “You’ve been clear—you don’t want me. And we’re only bound by this damned link you hate so much.”

“It’s your punishment for being a stupid brat!” he yells in my face. I just want him to leave me alone. I can’t bear the cruelty of his words.

“Then why are you punishing me like this?!” I challenge, trying to match his tone—but my voice cracks.

“You have no idea how much I hate you, Violet.” His hand squeez my wrist, hurting me. “I should have just let you drown in that damned river.”

I shake my head. I get lost in his dark gaze. He leans in angrily, kissing my neck—making me shiver.

I hate feeling this. But the sensation in my chest is one of deep sinking. His words are poison—daggers fired point-blank, sinking slow and painful into my skin.

“Then you should have just let me die right there!” I scream, my throat burning.

I can’t stand his humiliation anymore. If I’d known saving my life would cost me this much, I would’ve preferred to die in that fall. Right now, death sounds more peaceful.

But he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t answer.

He simply leaves—abandoning me with my soul shattered, emotionally stripped bare.

I watch the water slide down the back of that sinister wolf—his black hair leaving wet trails in his wake.

I submerge myself completely, scrubbing—trying to erase every trace of his scent, his touch. But no matter how hard I rub, I only hurt my skin—leaving it raw, red, bruised by my own desperation.

Meanwhile, Aarón remains untouched.

-꘎♡━━♡꘎

#AARÓN CONNOR.

꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎

I’m so furious I can’t help but punch the mattress, memories of that moment flashing through my mind. I can’t believe how much my life has changed since I decided to save that little girl from drowning—from that sickeningly sweet scent. The Council would impose everything on me—what I should do, who I should marry. But my plans never included Violet being a half-breed.

That taints the Connor lineage.

——🩶——

I was walking peacefully when a child’s scream caught my attention. I ran toward the sound. In that moment, I saw a small body being dragged by the river’s current. Without thinking, I plunged in to rescue them.

“Hold on! I’ll get you out!”

All I heard were sobs. They were terrified.

I fought the current, reached them, and slowly pulled them to the surface. I dragged them onto the bank—unconscious. I tried to wake them. Nothing. So I leaned down and gave mouth-to-mouth.

They gasped awake. Amber eyes—bright, wide, filled with tears—stared up at me.

They looked at me like they couldn’t believe they were still alive.

And I couldn’t deny it: seeing those eyes sent an electric current through me. My wolf roared inside—ecstatic, wild—at the sweet fragrance rising from their small, fragile body beneath mine.

“Th-thank you for saving me…” they whispered, voice trembling. Then they threw their arms around me. “I was so scared! I thought I was going to die!”

I hugged back without thinking. My brow furrowed in confusion.

“Hey, kid—what’s your name?” I asked, gently pulling back to look at them.

“I’m not a kid,” they said between hiccups, cheeks flushing. Our eyes stayed locked. I felt stupid. Confused.

“My name is Violet. I’m a girl.”

“Violet.” I tasted the name. “So you’re a girl. A very foolish one. Did you know that?”

“I know, it’s just—”

“What made you jump into that river with a current that strong?” I demanded. “Something could’ve happened to you. If I hadn’t been there…”

I stopped mid-sentence as she clung to me again—arms tight, trembling. I knew she was terrified. But for some reason, I hated hearing her cry. And that sweet scent… it made me feel something I’d never felt before.

Without thinking, I held her. Didn’t let go.

It was like I needed her in my arms—to protect her. Forever.

In that moment, I remembered Grandma Genna’s words:

*“When all your senses reach their limit… when your heart pounds out of your chest at the scent of one soul… that’s when you’ll know you’ve found your she-wolf, Aarón.”*

Now I understood.

I wasn’t a boy anymore. And she—this small, trembling girl—was my she-wolf. No doubt.

She looked up at me, eyes wide. I froze. Didn’t know how to move—afraid to scare her.

“I forbid you from ever doing something that foolish again, Violet,” I said firmly. “From now on, I’ll be the one who takes care of you.”

“You’ll take care of me?” she asked, confused.

I nodded, standing and offering my hand.

“Yes. From now on, I’ll protect you from everyone. And when I become Alpha… you’ll be my she-wolf.”

Her eyes shone—not just with tears, but with something deeper I couldn’t name.

“So don’t you ever look at another boy. Only me.”

She fell silent, seeing the seriousness in my words.

——🩶——

“I know I’m a son of a bitch for torturing you,” I growl to my reflection. “I know you deserve to be happy. But the thought of someone else touching you? It drives me insane, Violet. I’d kill them all.” I run a hand through my hair. “I don’t care how much you hate me. No one looks at you. No one touches you. You’re mine. Completely mine, Violet Swan. You have been since the moment I pulled you from that river. And whether you like it or not—you’ll never change that, cupcake.”

I stare at myself in the mirror.

I feel like a bastard. But this is the price. I didn’t write the rules. This is just how it is.

And her destiny… is to be by my side.