Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 136

CHAPTER 120

Alpha Jaden’s POV

425 Points

I stood at the window of my office, staring out at the packhouse grounds without really seeing them. Three days had passed since Beta Ryan had returned from the Regional Alpha Council meeting, and I still couldn’t wrap my mind around what he’d told me.

Clara was alive.

Not just alive, but thriving. Standing beside one of the most powerful alphas in the region as his

acknowledged mate. Looking more beautiful, more confident, more dangerous than she’d ever been when she was with me.

The spy I’d sent months ago had been so certain. Had called me personally to report her death, describing in vivid detail how she’d died from brutal attacks while crossing pack borders. I’d mourned briefly, if I was being honest, before moving on with my life and focusing on Liana and our child.

Our dead child.

The thought sent a fresh wave of pain through my chest. While Clara had apparently been building a new life with Darius Kincaid, I’d been watching my own world crumble. First the baby, then Liana’s complete breakdown in the aftermath.

“Alpha?” Ryan’s voice came from behind me. “The council reports are ready for your review.”

I turned to look at my beta, noting the careful way he watched me. Ever since his return from the meeting, he’d been walking on eggshells around me. Smart man.

“Tell me again what you saw,” I said.

Ryan shifted uncomfortably. “Alpha, we’ve been over this multiple times.”

“Tell me again.”

He sighed and settled into the chair across from my desk. “Clara was there with Alpha Darius. They were seated at one of the front tables, and he introduced her as his mate to everyone who approached them.” “How did she look?”

“Healthy. Strong. She was wearing an expensive dress, had professional hair and makeup. She looked like she belonged in that room, like she was comfortable with the political atmosphere.”

That stung more than I wanted to admit. Clara had always been intelligent, but she’d never seemed particularly interested in pack politics when she was with me. She’d preferred training and border patrol to council meetings and diplomatic functions.

“And you’re certain it was her?”

“Positive. I got a clear look at her face when Darius paraded her around the room. It was definitely Clara

+25 Points

* CYMPTERIES

Ashburn.”

Paraded her around. Like she was some kind of trophy he was showing off.

“What about her interactions with the other alphas?”

Ryan hesitated. “That’s where it gets interesting. She seemed to know several of them already. Alpha Ronan and Alpha Killian both greeted her warmly, like they were old friends. And Alpha Lucien… he was watching her all evening. Very intently.”

Multiple alphas. All of them interested in the woman I’d cast aside.

“Any indication of how long she’s been with Darius?”

“Based on the way they interacted, I’d say several months at least. They looked like a couple deeply in love. The way he looked at her, the way she smiled at him… it was clear there was genuine affection between them.” Ryan paused. “Honestly, Alpha, it seemed like he might be her second chance mate. The bond between them appeared very strong.”

Second chance mate. The words hit me like a physical blow. Clara had found her second chance mate while I was stuck with the consequences of my poor choices.

“They were very comfortable with each other,” Ryan continued. “Moved together naturally, finished each other’s sentences during conversations. He was protective, yes, but she didn’t seem to mind it. If anything, she seemed to enjoy his attention.”

I closed my eyes and tried to process the information. Clara, the woman I’d rejected for being too strong–willed, too challenging, was now the desired mate of one of the most feared alphas in the region. The woman I’d tried to have killed was not only alive but had apparently caught the attention of multiple powerful men.

“There’s something else, Alpha,” Ryan said carefully.

“What?”

“The rumors. People were talking about her, about how she’d impressed several alphas with her fighting skills. There were stories about her taking down elite warriors, about sparring matches that nearly ended in victories against pack leaders.”

Fighting skills. Of course. Clara had always been a natural warrior, but I’d tried to suppress that side of her. Had wanted a Luna who was gentle, supportive, less threatening to my authority.

And now she was using those skills to impress other alphas. Skills I’d wasted.

“Leave me,” I said abruptly.

Ryan nodded and headed for the door, but paused at the threshold. “Alpha? What do you want me to tell the pack about this information?”

“Nothing. This stays between us for now.”

+25 Points

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify