A Broken Claim (Sebastian's Pov)

Sebastian sat in his study, the dim light from the fireplace casting long shadows along the wooden walls. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair, his golden eyes locked onto the flames as they flickered and danced. The scent of blood still lingered in the air, remnants of his earlier outburst after realizing Lily was gone.

Taken.

By Alex.

The very thought sent a violent snarl rippling through his chest, his claws itching to rip something—or someone—apart. He had underestimated the vampire’s desperation, his arrogance had blinded him to just how far Alex was willing to go. Lily had been within his grasp, ready to be bound to him for eternity, and now she was gone. Stolen from him like some prize to be won.

His Beta, Jonah, entered the room silently, his expression tight with unease. No one dared to speak unless spoken to when Sebastian was in this state. The tension in the air was thick enough to choke on.

"We’ve strengthened the borders," Jonah reported, his tone careful. "No one will breach our territory again."

Sebastian’s gaze snapped to him, his jaw tightening. "That should have been the case before."

Jonah bowed his head slightly in submission. "We didn’t expect—"

"That’s the problem," Sebastian cut him off sharply, standing in one fluid motion. "You didn’t expect. None of us did. And now she’s gone."

A muscle in Jonah’s jaw twitched, but he remained silent. Sebastian paced toward the window, his fingers flexing as he forced himself to think logically instead of acting on pure rage. The night was still, the wind carrying the scent of his pack through the dense trees surrounding their territory. His pack was watching him, waiting for his command, but none of them would dare question his next move. They knew better.

"She told him," Sebastian muttered darkly, more to himself than to Jonah.

Jonah hesitated. "Told him what?"

Sebastian’s hands clenched into fists, his sharp nails piercing his own palms. "That she is mine. That she belongs to me."

A beat of silence.

"Then why did she leave?" Jonah asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Sebastian’s eyes snapped to his Beta, a growl ripping from his throat. "Because he took her! She doesn’t understand the bond yet. She’s confused. Alex is filling her head with lies. But it doesn’t matter." His lips curled into a smirk, dark and knowing. "She will come back."

Jonah exhaled through his nose, clearly skeptical but wise enough not to argue. "We need a plan. Alex won’t keep her hidden forever. If she truly is your mate, Sebastian, then she will feel the pull."

Sebastian smirked. "She already does. She’s fighting it now, but it’s only a matter of time before she realizes she made a mistake."

Jonah hesitated before speaking again. "And if she doesn’t? If she chooses him?"

Sebastian turned slowly, his golden eyes burning with something dangerous. "Then I will remind her who she belongs to."

The words were final, a promise of war if necessary. Sebastian would not let her go. Not to Alex. Not to anyone.

The next evening, Sebastian stood at the edge of the forest, staring out toward the distant hills where Alex’s estate lay hidden. His wolves were scattered around him, waiting for his command, waiting for the storm that would inevitably come.

"We send a message," Sebastian said finally, his voice low, dangerous. "Something that will make them understand that this is far from over."

Jonah nodded and motioned to one of the wolves. A prisoner—a rogue who had attempted to cross their borders weeks ago—was dragged forward. He thrashed, his eyes wide with fear, but he knew there was no escape. Sebastian stepped closer, looming over the man, his smirk sharpening into something almost cruel.

"Deliver him," Sebastian ordered. "And make sure Alex understands that this is just the beginning."

The rogue screamed as Sebastian’s claws tore into his chest, carving deep wounds—markings of a message only Alex would understand. He tossed the broken man at his wolves, and they carried him away, disappearing into the darkness of the trees.

Sebastian turned his gaze back toward the horizon, a cruel satisfaction settling in his chest. Alex thought he had won. He thought taking Lily had changed the game.

He was wrong.

This was just the beginning.

Sebastian did not sleep that night. Instead, he remained at the top of the pack house, overlooking his land. He replayed the moment Lily had been taken, the fury bubbling in his chest like molten fire. She had fought him—he had seen it in her eyes. The defiance. The resistance. But he had also seen the conflict. The way she had hesitated. He had to believe that hesitation meant something.

By dawn, he had made up his mind.

"Prepare the trackers," he ordered Jonah . "I want eyes on Alex’s estate. I want to know everything—who comes, who goes, where their weaknesses lie."

Jonah nodded. "And if we find her?"

Sebastian’s smile was all sharp teeth and menace. "Then we bring her home."

The following days were spent in careful preparation. Every route was mapped, every escape plan considered. Sebastian knew Alex wouldn’t make the same mistake twice—he would have her guarded. But Sebastian was patient. He had waited for Lily once. He could wait again.

When the first report came in, Sebastian was already expecting it.

"She’s still with him," Jonah said, handing him a parchment with scribbled details. "She hasn’t tried to leave."

Sebastian barely glanced at it. "Because she’s waiting."

Jonah hesitated. "Or because she’s choosing him."

The paper in Sebastian’s hands crumpled beneath his grip. "No. She’s confused. He’s poisoned her mind against me. But it won’t last."

He looked out toward the horizon once more, where the sun was setting behind the hills that separated him from her.

And he swore, with every ounce of his being, that he would make her see the truth.

No matter what it took.