Chapter 9: Unexpected Claim

                                    

                                          
As they moved into the house and into the meeting room, Sophia could feel Ethan's gaze on her. "Haku," Sophia said to her wolf. There was no answer. Strange, she thought. "Haku, are you there? Why are you not speaking to me?" she asked again and got nothing.
As they all entered the meeting room, Alpha Jake started to speak, and the meeting flowed smoothly, discussing trade and alliances. Sophia tried to focus, but the unease of Haku's silence gnawed at her.
As the meeting drew to a close, Alpha Jake turned to Alpha Ethan. "So we shall speak in a month to revisit the trade agreements."
Ethan looked at Sophia again and then he spoke. "Well, I am happy with this outcome. You have a well-established pack, Alpha Jake. I will see you in a month. But before I go, I will take my mate with me." He looked straight at Sophia.
Everyone in the room stared in shock. "No!" Sophia said, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "Is it true?"
Her father looked at her, his face pale. "No, I feel nothing. I can't even speak to Haku. She won't talk to me."
Jake turned to Ethan, his eyes blazing with fury. "You can't just come here and claim her. She doesn't feel the bond."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "I can and I will. The council will support my claim. The Moon Goddess has blessed our union."
Sophia's heart raced. She felt a mixture of fear and anger. She couldn't believe that Ethan was her mate. It felt like a cruel twist of fate.
Michael stepped forward, his voice shaking. "You are not taking my daughter anywhere. We will not allow it."
Ethan's warriors stepped closer, ready to intervene. "You can't stop me," Ethan said coldly. "She is my mate, and I will take her."
Sophia's rage boiled over. "I will not go with you, Ethan. You have no right over me."
Ethan smirked. "You will come with me, willingly or not."
Jake stepped between them, his voice a low growl. "You will not touch her. If you want to claim her, you'll have to go through me."
Ethan's eyes flickered with amusement. "Very well, Alpha Jake. Let's see if you can protect her."
The tension in the room was palpable. Everyone was ready for a fight. Sophia's parents moved closer to her, shielding her from Ethan's gaze.
Sophia felt a surge of power from within, and suddenly Haku's voice rang in her mind. "I am here, Sophia. We will fight this."
Sophia's eyes widened with determination. "We will not let him take us."
Ethan's eyes narrowed, sensing the change in Sophia's demeanor. "Interesting," he muttered. "You think you can resist me?"
Sophia stepped forward, her voice strong and unwavering. "I don't just think it. I know it. You have no power over me."
Ethan's smirk faltered, replaced by a scowl. "You will regret this."
Jake and Ethan stared each other down, the room crackling with tension. "This is your last chance to leave peacefully," Jake said, his voice cold and commanding.
Ethan's warriors tensed, ready to fight. But Ethan held up a hand, stopping them. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "But this isn't over."
He turned and stormed out of the room, his warriors following closely behind. The pack watched as he left, the tension slowly dissipating.
Sophia let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Jake turned to her, his expression softening. "Are you okay?"
Sophia nodded, her eyes still blazing with determination. "Yes. Thank you, Jake."
Michael stepped forward, placing a hand on Sophia's shoulder. "We'll get through this, together."
Sophia felt a surge of relief and gratitude. She knew that with her pack by her side, she could face anything.