Betrayed and Claimed by the Lycan King Chapter 169

ORION'S POV

My mate!?

I felt almost terrified as butterflies erupted in my stomach. I couldn't believe what Talon was telling me. After all these years of waiting, could it really be happening?

*Stop asking questions and get out of the car,* Talon urged. *You need to find her!*

I hesitated, my hand frozen on the door handle. The brunette with chestnut curls had suddenly stopped walking, looking around as though sensing something. My heart hammered against my ribs.

"She's beautiful," I whispered, watching her profile in the soft glow of the street lights.

*She's our mate,* Talon insisted, pacing restlessly in my mind. *I can feel it. Her scent is calling to us.*

I finally stepped out of the SUV, my eyes locked on the chestnut-haired girl. Her wolf must have told her I was nearby. The blonde friend was looking at her with concern, but I could only focus on the brunette's delicate profile as she scanned her surroundings, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"What's wrong? You look so confused. Is everything okay?" I heard the blonde ask as I approached, my footsteps nearly silent on the pavement.

The brunette—my potential mate—seemed to be fighting an internal battle. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear nervously, her fingers lingering on the small silver moon earring that caught the light.

"My wolf... she's... she's just..." she hesitated, shaking her head slightly. "It's nothing. Probably nothing. Let's go."

Her dismissal sent a sharp pang through my chest. Why didn't she care? My wolf growled in frustration, urging me forward.

*I won't let her walk away like I did with Isolde,* I thought firmly, quickening my pace.

"If your wolf is signaling you, you shouldn't ignore it," I called out, my voice carrying through the night air, stopping the two women in their tracks.

The brunette spun around to face me, and when her eyes landed on mine, all color drained from her face. She stood frozen, her lips slightly parted in shock, her eyes widening in recognition.

I approached her calmly, deliberately, stopping just inches away. The blonde friend bowed slightly in greeting, her eyes darting between us with sudden understanding.

"Excuse us," I said to the blonde without taking my eyes off the brunette. My tone was polite but left no room for argument.

The friend nodded quickly. "Of course, Mr. Hawthorne," she murmured before retreating, hurrying into the building with one last curious glance over her shoulder.

Returning my gaze to the pale-faced woman before me, I felt something primal and possessive surge through me. Her scent was intoxicating—like wildflowers after rain with hints of vanilla and something uniquely her. It wrapped around me, pulling me closer as if by an invisible thread.

"Mine," I growled low in my throat, the word escaping before I could stop it. "My mate. Mine."

The feeling was overwhelming—a fierce possessiveness unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I wanted to kill any man who dared to touch her or even look at her. The mate bond was real, undeniable, and powerful. This woman standing before me, with her beautiful face and shocked expression, was my soulmate.

*She's not a Lycan. She's a werewolf. Even better!* I thought. A regular werewolf would understand the value of the bond, appreciate it in ways a Lycan might take for granted.

I stepped closer, reaching out to gently stroke her neck, my fingers barely grazing her soft skin. The sweet smell of her pheromones hit my senses, and I was lost in the sensation.

"The sweet smell of your pheromones is driving my senses wild," I admitted, my voice husky with emotion. "I love it."

She remained silent for what felt like an eternity, her eyes wide and fixed on mine, her pulse visible at her throat, racing beneath my fingertips. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't believe it," she breathed, a slight tremor in her words. "How is this possible? How can I be the mate of a Gamma werewolf from Silver Moon Group?"

I smiled warmly at her question, feeling my tension ease at the sound of her voice. "Does it matter?" I asked gently.

She blinked, considering my question. "No, but... this... this is unbelievable," she stammered, still looking stunned.

"It's possible," I reassured her, feeling more certain with each passing second. "It's the Moon Goddess's will. You are mine. I am yours. That's what matters most."

A smile slowly spread across her face, transforming her expression from shock to wonder. Her eyes sparkled with joy, the light in them making my heart skip a beat.

"Are you happy?" I asked, needing to hear her confirmation, to know that she felt the same pull that was threatening to consume me.

"Of course I'm happy!" she exclaimed, her voice stronger now. "If you listen carefully, you'll hear how hard my heart is beating right now." She placed a hand over her chest, a small laugh escaping her. "I... I... I just can't believe it."

I wanted to kiss her right then. To claim those soft lips and show her exactly how much this moment meant to me. But I held back, not wanting to frighten her with the intensity of my feelings. This was only the beginning—we had time.

"What's your name?" I asked, realizing I didn't even know what to call my mate, this woman who would now be the center of my world.

"Thalia," she answered softly, her voice like music. "Thalia Ravenwood."

*Thalia Ravenwood. The most beautiful name I've ever heard.* I repeated it silently, committing every syllable to memory.

"Thalia," I said aloud, savoring the way it felt on my tongue. My hand moved from her neck to gently cup her cheek. "Thank you for coming into my life."

I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, breathing in her scent, feeling complete for the first time in my existence. Talon howled with joy inside me, a perfect reflection of the emotion swelling in my chest.

I was finally a whole man.