The Mad Alpha's Chapter 99: Meant for the Alpha

Chapter 99: ant for the Alpha

(MAYA)

Morning finds

warm and surprisingly well-rested. For a mont, I can’t place where I am, the bed is too soft, the room too large. Then I feel the weight of an arm around my waist and the heat of a body against my back, and the mories of last night co rushing back.

Griffin.

Oh god, what have I done?

I try to slip out of bed without waking him, but his arm tightens around .

"Running away?" His voice is rough with sleep, his breath warm against my neck.

"I should get back before my mother worries," I say, not turning to face him. I can feel the flush creeping up my cheeks.

What happened to my self-control? My independence?

He props himself up on one elbow, gently turning

to face him. "Maya, look at ."

Reluctantly, I et his gaze. There’s no regret there, no awkwardness, just warmth and sothing deeper that I’m afraid to na.

"I don’t regret last night," he says firmly. "Not for a second. Do you?"

The question hangs between us. Do I regret it? The sex was incredible, easily the best I’ve ever had. But it’s more than that. Sothing changed between us, sothing I’m not sure I’m ready to face.

"I don’t know," I answer honestly. "This is..plicated." His expression softens. "It doesn’t have to be."

"Doesn’t it?" I sit up, clutching the sheet to my chest. "You’re about to beco king. I’m a human scientist. And what about Aria? Aren’t noble families supposed to form alliances through marriage?"

A flash of irritation crosses his face at the ntion of Aria. "I told you before: I’m not interested in Aria or anyone else. Only you."

The intensity in his voice makes my heart skip a beat. "Griffin—"

"Co to the ceremony," he says suddenly. "When I reclaim the throne. Be there with ." I stare at him. "You want

at the ceremony? Why?"

He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Because having you there would make it bearable."

The raw honesty in his voice catches

off guard. I’ve spent my life being needed by others, my mother, my patients, my colleagues. But this feels different. Griffin doesn’t need

because he’s weak or incapable. He wants

there because my presence makes him stronger.

"Okay," I find myself saying. "I’ll be there."

His smile is like the sunrise, slow and warm and full of promise. He leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "Now I really should go," I say when we pull apart. " I need to shower and change before I head into the lab. I’m working

on recreating the formulas the Silver Ring is using so that I can co up with a cure." He nods, releasing

reluctantly. "I’ll see you tonight?"

It’s a question, not an assumption. Despite the intimacy we’ve shared, he’s still giving

space to choose. "We’ll see," I say, but the smile I give him softens the words.

I dress quickly, grateful he doesn’t watch

fumble with my clothes. Once I’m decent, I turn back to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling on his pants.

"I’ll walk you out," he offers, but I shake my head.

"I know the way," I assure him. "You have duties to attend to, Your Majesty." He rolls his eyes at the title but doesn’t argue. "Until tonight, then."

I slip out of his chambers, feeling oddly light despite the complexity of the situation. The palace is beginning to wake, staff moving quietly through the corridors. I keep my head down, hoping to avoid notice as I make my way toward the exit.

I’ve almost reached the main doors when a voice stops

cold.

"Well, well. The human scientist sneaking out of the palace at dawn. How...predictable."

I turn to find Aria watching , her expression cold and calculating. She is immaculately dressed despite the early hour, not a hair out of place. I’m acutely aware of my rumpled clothes and ssy hair.

"I’m not sneaking," I say, lifting my chin. "I work here, rember?"

She steps closer, nostrils flaring slightly. Then her eyes widen, disgust twisting her features. "You sll like him," she hisses. "He’s all over you."

I take an involuntary step back. "I don’t know what you’re—"

"Don’t insult my intelligence," she snaps. "You’ve been with Griffin. In his bed." Heat floods my face, but I refuse to be shad.

"That’s none of your business."

Her laugh is cold and brittle. "Oh, sweetheart. Everything about Griffin is my business. Our families have been entwined for generations. We’ve been ant for each other since we were children."

"That’s not what he says," I reply, hating the defensive note in my voice.

"Of course it isn’t. He’s been affected by his captivity. Confused." She steps closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "But he’ll co to his senses soon enough. The elders won’t allow him to waste himself on a human. Know your place, Dr. Sorin. You’re a montary distraction, nothing more."

"That’s enough, Aria."

We both turn to see Erik striding toward us, his expression thunderous. Aria takes a step back, composing her features into a mask of innocence.

"Erik! I was just—"

"I heard exactly what you were ’just’ doing," he cuts her off, his voice cold. "And I suggest you stop. Now."

She glances between us, lips pressed into a thin line. Then, with a stiff nod, she turns and walks away, her back ramrod straight.

Erik watches her go before turning to . "Are you alright?"

I nod, though my hands are trembling slightly. "Fine. Just...surprised."

His expression softens. "Don’t let her get to you. The noble families are very traditional. They don’t like change." "And I’m definitely a change," I mutter.

"A good one," Erik says firmly. "I haven’t seen my brother this alive in...well, ever, actually." He smiles at . "I’m glad he finally told you the truth."

I frown. "The truth about what?"

Erik’s smile falters. "About...you know. The bond."

"What bond?"

His eyes widen fractionally, and I see the mont he realizes his mistake. "Oh. I thought—After last night—he didn’t tell you?"

"Tell

what, Erik?" I demand, a knot forming in my stomach.

He runs a hand through his hair, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable. "It’s not really my place to—"

"Tell ," I insist, stepping closer. "Whatever it is, I deserve to know."

He sighs heavily. "You’re right. You do deserve to know." He glances around, then gestures to a small alcove nearby. "Co on. This isn’t a conversation for the middle of a corridor."

I follow him, dread building with each step. Once we have relative privacy, he turns to , his expression serious. "Maya, you and Griffin... you’re fated mates."

I stare at him. "We’re what?"

"Fated mates," he repeats. "The Goddess marks two souls as perfectly matched. The bond is profound. Unbreakable." The alcove seems to tilt slightly.

"And Griffin knows this? He’s known all along?"

Erik hesitates, then nods. "He’s known since you were in that cell together. He recognized it the mont he was able to think clearly again."

A cold weight settles in my chest. "All this ti...he never said anything."

"He was trying to protect you," Erik says quickly. "You were already dealing with so much trauma, and the implications of being a wolf king’s fated mate...It’s a lot to put on soone."

"That wasn’t his decision to make," I say, voice tight with hurt. "He should have told . I had a right to know."

"You’re right," Erik agrees, sighing. "And I think he knows that, too. But Griffin has spent his life protecting others. It’s instinct for him. " He puts a gentle hand on my shoulder. "My brother cares for you, Maya. More than I’ve ever seen him care for anyone. You’re the first good thing to happen to him in a decade."

The sincerity in his voice makes my anger falter, but the hurt remains. "I need to think. I need so space."

Erik nods, dropping his hand. "Of course. But Maya? Don’t push him away for too long. The full moon is coming, and for fated pairs..." He hesitates.

"What?" I prompt him.

"It intensifies everything. The pull between you two will be stronger than ever." His expression turns grave. "And if you reject the bond, it will hurt him. Deeply."

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the warmth inside the palace. "I need ti."

"I understand," Erik says. "Just...think about what I said."

As I walk away, my mind races with questions, with hurt, with confusion. Fated mates. A bond I never asked for and never knew existed. A choice made for

by forces I don’t understand.

No wonder I’ve felt so drawn to him. No wonder my body hums with awareness whenever he’s near. It’s not just attraction; it’s magic. Destiny.

I’ve never believed in destiny. I believe in choice, in forging your own path.

But as I step outside into the bright morning light, the mory of Griffin’s lips on mine, of his body moving with mine, sends a shiver of longing through

so intense that it takes my breath away.

Fated mates.

But I’m a human! There will be complications and—

A thought strikes . The night we just spent in the sa bed together, did he manipulate

using the bond, or was I so easily convinced because of the bond?

A strange tension forms within, an anger that has no outlet. I don’t like being controlled, bond or no bond.