Claimed by Fire

"Aaaagh!!!" Alessandro screamed as he rolled on the bed, his voice raw with pain. Both his hands were chained to the sides of the bed, holding him down like a prisoner in his own body.

The pain was unbearable. It wasn’t just physical—it was deep, gnawing, and constant, burning through his veins like liquid fire. It felt like something alive was crawling under his skin, tearing at his insides, trying to take control. His heart pounded in his chest like a drum of war, each beat sending a fresh wave of agony crashing through him.

His fingertips burned, his muscles clenched, and his gut twisted as if a blade was slowly turning inside him. Every breath came as a gasp. The beast within him was clawing to the surface, and Alessandro was losing control. He gritted his teeth, his body arching off the bed, sweat soaking through the sheets. His skin felt too tight, stretched over a storm of agony that never eased. The beast inside him thrashed against his will again, demanding control.

His fingers clenched, his jaw locked, and his entire being screamed for relief. But there was none.

His temples throbbed, the pain pounding like a war chant in his skull. His skin felt too tight, stretched over muscles pulled taut, every nerve ending flaring like sparks from a fire. He tried to move, but the chains held him fast. Still, he strained against them, sweat pouring down his face.

The pain wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. A deep, aching emptiness settled in his chest like a black hole. He felt like he was missing something. Or someone.

He could barely think through the waves of pain crashing over him, but then—suddenly—Marco’s face appeared in his mind. It made no sense. Why him? Why now?

"Get out of my head," Alessandro muttered through clenched teeth, his voice barely a whisper.

But the image wouldn’t leave. The image hit him like a slap. Marco’s face. Soft, clear, uninvited. He didn’t understand why. The pain wouldn't even let him question it—it just hurt more. He gritted his teeth, trying to push it away.

It wasn’t just pain anymore. It was hunger. Ache. Longing.

He roared again, voice raw and broken. “DAMN IT!”

His body trembled violently. His mind was slipping. He couldn’t think, couldn’t plan, couldn’t even fight back anymore. All he could do was feel. And what he felt was torture.

He screamed again. A sound not just from his mouth, but from the depth of his soul.

The pain kept coming. A tidal wave. Endless. Crushing. He was drowning in it.

And then, suddenly, it stopped.

His eyes shot open, sweat dripping down his temples. He yanked at the chains, his breath coming in short gasps. He roared again, his voice hoarse. He had never felt so helpless. His chest heaved, the fire inside finally beginning to fade. He clenched his fists. The chains rattled as he summoned every ounce of his strength—and SNAP! They broke loose.

He stumbled off the bed, weak but upright. The metal clinked behind him, still dragging from his wrists. His breath came in sharp, shallow gulps as he walked slowly toward the mirror.

Knock. Knock.

The door creaked open.

Luca stepped in quietly, as if he’d been expecting this. His eyes swept over Alessandro’s disheveled form, the sweat-slicked hair, the bruised wrists, the untamed energy in the air. Still, he didn’t flinch.

“Boss, are you okay? If you’re not... I can wait outside.”

Alessandro was silent for a moment, breathing hard. “It’s fine.”

He ripped the remaining chains from his wrists and let them fall to the ground.

“I have the reports from the seaport,” Luca said carefully, holding out a folder but keeping his distance. As a beta, he knew better than to get too close. Alessandro’s alpha energy was volatile right now, almost poisonous.

Alessandro took the folder and flipped it open without a word. His eyes moved across the pages, but it was clear he wasn’t really reading. After a few seconds, he tossed it onto the table.

“You may go,” he said as he pulled on a kimono robe, the sash hanging loose around his waist.

“Yes, boss,” Luca replied, bowing slightly. He turned to leave but paused at the door.

“If I may ask...” Luca hesitated. “How long do you plan to keep this from your father?”

Alessandro’s jaw clenched. His eyes flicked up to meet Luca’s.

“Not a word to anyone. Not yet. We’re going to King’s Club tomorrow night.”

“The club?”

“I need a way to ease the pain.”

Luca bowed again. “As you wish, boss.” He slipped out quietly, closing the door behind him.

Alessandro walked slowly to the mirror on the far wall. He stared at himself, studying the dark circles under his eyes, the sheen of sweat on his skin, the wildness in his gaze.

His face looked harder than usual. His eyes darker. His mouth twisted in a scowl he couldn’t relax.

He looked like a man on the edge.

A man losing the battle.

A man who could no longer ignore the truth.

He didn't believe in the bond. But now it was killing him, and if he didn't act soon, it might kill his mate, whoever they were.