Fell for the Alpha-less Queen

A Place Beside Hernoveldrama

"Ysabel really is talented. I really liked that song too," Cameron said sincerely.

He'd always thought she was just a kid dreaming out loud about being a singer- he never expected she'd actually stand in the spotlight one day.

"I loved it too!" Nathaniel added quickly, his eyes shining as he stared at her figure on stage.

“Come on, Nathaniel," Hudson teased, "is there anything about Ysabel you don't like? Bet even if she took up trash collecting, you'd be head over heels."

"Well, I do like everything about her." Nathaniel answered earnestly, but his fingers curled slightly at his side

Because deep down, he couldn't help but wonder: would this affection of his end up being a burden to her?

"Nathaniel, it's time you made a move," Hudson said, turning serious. "There's too much temptation in the industry. If you're serious, stop waiting around."

"You've got to trust Ysabel," Tessa cut in. "She knows what she wants. She won't just go with the flow."

"Yeah," Landon agreed. "Even though she hasn't awakened her wolf traits, she's still part of the Nightshade Pack-she's a Thorne. And Thornes always know where they stand."

After the launch, the album signing event kicked off.

Thanks to a full live broadcast, many who'd heard the lead single rushed over in person. Ysabel was on her feet for over three hours before she finally got a break.

And Nathaniel?

He stood at the backstage entrance the entire time, not moving an inch.

The moment Ysabel walked back in and saw him, a sense of calm settled over her. She walked straight to him. "Nathaniel, thank you... for staying by my side all this time."

It was the first time she'd ever said that to him with genuine calm.

Nathaniel opened his arms, his throat too full for words-he just wanted to hold her.

Ysabel didn't hesitate. She stepped right into his embrace. "Really.. thank you." Nathaniel pulled her in tightly, resting his chin lightly atop her head, voice soft as moonlight. "I'll always be with you. So... promise me you'll always leave a place for me beside you. Okay?"

Ysabel froze.

She'd never seen Nathaniel like this before-so gentle, so vulnerable.

But when she thought about it, he had always been there. No matter what mess she got herself into, he was always the first to stand up for her.

"Nathaniel... do you like me?"

The question slipped out before she could stop it. As soon as the words left her mouth, she denched her

fists, heart racing.

Nathaniel hadn't expected her to be so direct. He'd been in love with her for years, but now that it was finally out in the open, his heart pounded like the rhythm of a werewolf war drum.

Looking down at the girl in his arms, his eyes brimmed with a tenderness that couldn't be contained.

"Yeah. I like you. So, what about you? Do you like me?"

"What the hell, Nathaniel!" Ysabel jerked her head up, eyes wide. "I always thought of you as an older brother, and you're out here trying to hit on me?" Her words were sharp, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

"Who wants to be your older brother?" Nathaniel sighed, half-laughing, gently pinching her cheek. "I want to be your boyfriend. Your future mate. Isn't that better?"

“Hmm....... I'll think about it." Ysabel turned her face away, ears burning red.

Truthfully, she'd sensed his feelings for a while now-but she'd never let herself think too deeply about it. Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, pushing, "What does 'hmm' mean? Not even a little bit of a crush on me?" He'd waited for years. But now that he'd finally confessed, he couldn't hold back anymore-he wanted to claim her, right here and now, mark her as his.

"I... I don't know," Ysabel muttered, avoiding his gaze. "Don't push me, okay?"

Nathaniel exhaled softly and pulled her close again, voice firm and full of conviction. "Ysabel, remember this-no matter what you want to do in life, I'll support you. But there's one thing I won't give up. I will have a place by your side. Always."

This wasn't just a crush-it was a bond. Even if she hadn't awakened her wolf, both Nathaniel and his wolf had already chosen her.

When a werewolf chooses a mate, it's for life.

And in his world, her place had already been marked-forever.