What If Luca Claimed Rian?
I'm not supposed to have powers. I'm human. Powerless.
But when the black wolf saves me from rogues, something in me awakens.
Magic. Ancient. Powerful.
And it recognizes him. Mate.
Before I can think, before I can stop myself, silver light wraps around the wolf.
A claiming. I'm claiming him.
The wolf shifts—a massive Alpha, muscular and gorgeous and furious.
"What did you do?!" he roars.
"I—I don't know. I didn't mean to—" But the bond is already forming. Mine.
"You can't claim an Alpha! Especially without permission!" He's panicking, feeling the bond snap into place.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know I could—"
"Well you did. And now we're bonded. Permanently." He glares at me. "What's your name, human?"
"Luca. Luca Carter."
"Rian Blackwood. Alpha of the Northern Pack. And apparently, your unwilling mate." His jaw clenches. "This is a disaster."
Three Months Later - Rian's POV
I'm living with a human who accidentally claimed me.
It's humiliating. I'm an Alpha. I should be the one in control.
But the bond is strong. Demands proximity. And Luca's magic makes him powerful—potentially more powerful than me.
"I really am sorry," he says for the hundredth time. "If I could undo it—"
"You can't. Bond's permanent." I sigh. "We're stuck together."
"Stuck," he repeats, hurt flashing across his face.
Guilt stabs me. "I didn't mean—"
"No, you're right. I forced this. Just like—" He stops. "Just like what you would've done if positions were reversed."
That hits hard. Because he's right. I was planning to claim him anyway, after watching him for weeks.
"I would've," I admit. "Probably forcefully. At least your claiming was accidental."
"Does that make it better?"
"No. But it makes you less of a monster than I would've been."
Six Months Later
We're...friends? Maybe more?
The bond has softened us both. Made us partners by necessity.
"Thank you," I tell him after he saves me from an ambush with his magic.
"Partners protect each other." He smiles. "Even accidental partners."
"About that—" I take his hand. "Maybe it's not so accidental anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I choose you. Bond aside, magic aside. I choose this. Choose us."
His eyes widen. "Really?"
"Really." I pull him close. "You accidentally claimed me. I'm choosing to stay claimed."
His kiss is tentative. Sweet. Perfect.
"I choose you too," he whispers. "On purpose this time."
Five Years Later
"Again, Papa!" Kai demands.
Luca—my mate, my love, my accidental claiming that became everything—laughs. "One more time."
He demonstrates magic while Kai watches in awe.
"We did good," I tell him later.
"We did perfect." He kisses me. "Even with the backwards start."
"Especially because of it. You forced me to see past tradition. Past Alpha pride. To real love."
"Best accident ever."
"Agreed."