Chapter 2

Samantha felt a wave of anger and betrayal wash over her. How could he do this to her without her consent?

"You cursed me?" she spat, her voice rising with each word. "You turned me into this without my permission?"

Alexander shrugged, his expression indifferent. 

"I needed to ensure your loyalty to me," he said, his voice firm. "You are destined to be my queen, Samantha. 

You should embrace your new form and come with me to the pack."

Samantha felt a surge of defiance rise within her. She refused to be controlled by anyone, not even the Lycan King.

"I will never be your queen," she said, her voice shaking with rage. "You have no right to do this to me."

"Listen to me, Samantha," Alexander growled, his voice low and commanding. 

"You will do as I say, without question or hesitation. You are mine, and I will not tolerate any disobedience."

The lycan king towered over Samantha, his eyes glowing with an intensity that made her heart race. 

She knew better than to challenge him, but her pride wouldn't let her cower in submission either.

Lucas stepped forward, determined to protect Samantha, his eyes locked onto Alexander's. 

"You can't just take her without her consent," he said firmly. "I won't let you."

Alexander laughed, a low menacing sound. "I don't need anyone's permission to claim what is mine," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Lucas didn't back down. "Who are you?" he demanded. Alexander turned to face him, his eyes flashing with power. 

"I am Alexander, the Lycan King," he said. "And you are?"

"I'm Lucas," he said, his tone challenging.

Samantha watched nervously as the two men faced off, unsure of what was going to happen next. 

She knew that Lucas had a reputable history with his pack and that he might not be willing to respect Alexander as a leader.

But to her surprise, Lucas stepped back, his expression that of admiration. "I've heard of you," he said.

"You're the one who defeated the rogue pack last year."

Alexander nodded, his expression unreadable. "That's correct," he said. "And now, I'm here to claim my queen."

Lucas glared at Alexander, his muscles tensed and ready for a fight. "I won't stand by and let you take her against her wish," he growled.

Alexander chuckled darkly, his eyes flashing with anger. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, pup," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. 

"I am the king of the Lycans, and I will have no problem tearing you and your little pack apart if you continue to defy me."

Lucas bristled at the insult, his fists clenching at his sides. "We're not afraid of you, Alexander," he spat. "We'll defend our own."

Samantha's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the two men face off. 

She knew that a confrontation would only end in bloodshed, and she had no desire to see anyone hurt. 

But she also couldn't just let Alexander take her without a fight. She had to think of a way to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand.

"Wait," she said, holding up a hand to stop either of them from advancing, they already had their claws and teeth bared as ready to fight for dominance.

"I have a proposal."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "Go on," he said.

Samantha took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. 

"I suggest a challenge," she said, her voice steady. "A test of strength and skill. Whoever wins gets to claim me as their mate."

Lucas and Alexander both looked at her in surprise. 

A challenge was a traditional way of settling disputes between lycans, but it was rarely used in matters of the heart.

Still, it seemed like a fair way to resolve the situation.

"Fine," Alexander said, his expression hardening. "I accept your challenge."

Lucas nodded in agreement, a determined look in his eyes. Samantha watched as the two lycans squared off, their bodies tense and ready for action. 

But just as they were about to launch themselves at each other, Samantha intervened once more.

"Wait!" she cried out. "There's one more condition to this challenge."

Both Lucas and Alexander turned to look at her, their expressions questioning.

"The challenge will take place in three parts," she continued. 

"A test of strength, a test of speed, and a test of wits. Whoever wins two out of three will be declared the winner."

Lucas and Alexander exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement, then both Lucas and Alexander turned to face her, their chests heaving with exertion. 

They stared at her in silence for a long moment, as if waiting for her to interrupt them again.

Finally, Samantha stepped forward, her eyes locked onto Alexander's. "I choose neither of you," she said. 

"I will not be a prize to be won. I am my person, and I will not be bound by the desires of others."

Alexander snarled, his eyes flashing with anger. "You cannot refuse me," he spat. "I am the king."

Samantha stood her ground, her chin held high. "I can and I will," she said. "I choose to be free." 

But then, she suddenly softened, her eyes filling with a mixture of sadness and regret.

"Please, Alexander," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "You know I can't just leave my children behind. They need me."

The Lycan king hesitated for a moment, his expression softening slightly. He knew she was right. 

Her children needed her, and he couldn't force her to abandon them.

"Please, Alexander," she said again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Give me some time. 

Let me talk to my children, explain things to them, I need to make sure they're okay before I can go anywhere with you."

The Lycan king hesitated again, but then he nodded. "Fine," he said, his voice gruff. "But don't take too long. I'm not a patient man."

Finally, Alexander relaxed his stance, though his eyes flickered between Lucas and Samantha and then remained fixed on Lucas.

"You are lucky that she has intervened, pup," Alexander said, his voice low and dangerous. 

"Otherwise, I would have shown you the true meaning of power."

Lucas didn't flinch, holding Alexander's gaze steadily. "I'm not afraid of you," he said, his voice firm.

Alexander bared his teeth in a snarl, but then he turned and strode away, disappearing into the shadows. 

Lucas let out a deep breath, feeling the tension drain from his body.

Samantha turned to him, a look of admiration on her face. "You were brave," she said softly, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. 

Lucas's eyes flicked over to Samantha, and she could see the pain in them. 

She knew that he still loved her, but she didn't know if she could ever be with him again, especially now that she was a werewolf. 

But she was proud of herself, she had managed to diffuse the situation, at least for now. 

She knew she had bought herself some time, but she also knew that it wouldn't be long before the Lycan king came calling again. 

She would have to be prepared, both for her own sake and for the sake of her children.