What If Luca Was Already Mated?
I see him in the city. Beautiful. Perfect. Marked.
Mated. To someone else.
My wolf howls in denial. MATE. OURS.
But he's not. He's claimed. Bonded to another.
"Alpha?" Damon notices my distress. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Everything. "Let's go."
But I can't forget him.
Three Months Later
I hire investigators. Find out everything.
Luca Carter. Mated to Derek Sanders—a human who somehow claimed him with ancient magic.
Their bond is weaker than it should be. Forced. Unwilling.
Derek is abusive. Controlling. Cruel.
My wolf rages. OUR MATE. SUFFERING. MUST SAVE.
But he's claimed. I have no right.
Six Months Later - The Rescue
I find Luca bruised, broken, hiding in an alley.
"Help me," he begs. "Please."
I don't think. I grab him, take him to pack lands, hide him.
"He'll find me," Luca panics. "The bond—"
"I'll protect you." I hold him carefully. "I'm an Alpha. He's human. I can fight this."
"Why? You don't know me."
"I know enough. You're suffering. That's enough."
One Month Later - The Confrontation
Derek appears, demanding his mate back.
"He's staying," I say firmly.
"He's MINE. Bonded to me—"
"Through force. Abuse. I'm challenging your claim."
"You can't. He's marked—"
"Then I'll break the mark." I step forward. "Leave. Or I'll make you."
Derek sees my eyes—Alpha, dangerous, protective.
He runs.
"Is he really gone?" Luca asks, trembling.
"Really gone. You're safe now."
One Year Later - Breaking the Bond
"Are you sure?" I ask Luca.
We've grown close. Friends. Maybe more. But he's still bonded to Derek.
"I'm sure. I want that bond gone." He takes my hand. "Want to be free. To choose."
The witch performs the spell. Luca screams—the breaking is agony.
But when it's done, he gasps in relief.
"Free," he breathes. "I'm finally free."
"What now?" I ask carefully.
He looks at me—really looks at me. "Now I choose. Freely. Willingly."
"Choose what?"
"You." He steps closer. "If you'll have me. Broken, damaged, but free."
"You're not broken. You're healing." I cup his face. "And yes. I'll have you. I've wanted you since I first saw you."
"Even marked?"
"Even then. Always."
Our kiss is tentative. Gentle. Perfect.
Five Years Later
We're bonded now—properly, willingly. Two children. Happy life.
"Thank you," Luca says. "For saving me. For waiting. For loving me anyway."
"Thank you for choosing me. When you finally could."
"Always," he promises.
In this universe, Luca had to break free first.
But their love? Still inevitable.