Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 182

CHAPTER 166

Clara’s POV

“The adults thought it was cute at first,” Ronan continued, his voice distant with memory. “A sixteen–year–old playing with a little girl. They were all watching, smiling, thinking it would be harmless

fun.”

“But Jaden didn’t hold back,” I said, feeling sick at the thought.

“He broke her neck,” Ronan said simply. “Claimed afterward that she slipped, that it was an accident. Said

he barely touched her and she just fell wrong.”

I felt bile rise in my throat. The casual cruelty of it, the way Jaden had murdered a child for a moment of embarrassment, made my stomach turn.

“I’m sorry,” I said, and I meant it. “She was just a baby. She didn’t understand what she was saying.”

“Jaden claimed it was an accident,” Ronan said, his voice hardening. “Said his strength got away from him, that he didn’t realize how fragile she was. The other Alphas believed him because they wanted to. Easier than dealing with the truth.”

“But you knew better,” I said.

“I saw his face,” Ronan said simply. “Right before he grabbed her. It wasn’t an accident. It was calculated. Cold. He wanted to hurt her for making him look weak in front of everyone.”

“He murdered a child because his ego couldn’t handle being laughed at,” I said, my voice filled with disgust. “I knew Jaden was cruel, manipulative, power–hungry. But to kill an eight–year–old girl…”

“That’s when I knew what kind of monster he really was,” Ronan said. “And I’ve been planning his death

ever since.”

The silence stretched for so long I thought he might have hung up. When he finally spoke, his voice was raw with old grief and fresh fury.

“How?” he asked simply. “How the hell do you know all that?”

C

“Because I needed to understand who my allies really are,” I said. “And what motivates them.”

“Those records were supposed to be destroyed,” he said, and I could hear the pain underneath his anger.

“My father made sure…”

“Your father tried,” I agreed. “But medical records from the healer who examined Elena’s body stayed in the archives. Witness statements from pack members who were at the Gathering. Alliance correspondence mentioning the ‘tragic accident.”

Ronan was quiet, processing what I’d told him.

“I’m sorry about Elena,” I said, meaning it. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her. No child does.”

< CHAPTERJA

“No.” he said quietly. “She didn’t.”

–“But her death wasn’t an accident,” I continued. “It was Jaden’s cruelty, his inability to handle being

challenged by someone he saw as beneath him. Even if that someone was just a little girl.”

+25 Points

“I should have protected her, Ronan said, and I could hear the guilt he’d been carrying for years. “Should

have been watching her more closely.”

“You were fourteen yourself,” I said gently. “How could you have known he’d kill a child over a moment of

embarrassment?”

“I should have killed him then,” Ronan said, his voice hardening again. “Should have challenged him the moment it happened. But the other Alphas, they all believed his story about it being an accident.”

I felt sick thinking about it. Jaden had murdered an eight–year–old girl because she’d called him weak, then convinced everyone it was just a tragic accident. The level of calculated evil it took to do something like

that, especially to a child…

“He’s a monster,” I said quietly. “I knew he was cruel, manipulative, power–hungry. But to kill a child over his

wounded pride…”

“Maybe,” I agreed. “But you’re going to get your chance now.”

The silence on his end was different now. Focused. Deadly.

“You really did your homework,” he said finally.

“I told you,” I said. “I needed to know who I was working with.”

“And what’s your assessment?” he asked. “Am I worthy of your trust?”

I considered the question seriously. “You’ve spent ten years planning your revenge against the man who murdered your sister. You’ve built your pack into a force that rivals Jaden’s. You’ve waited for the right moment instead of rushing in blind. Yes, I think you’re worthy,”

asn’t.

“Good,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. It wasn’t a pleasant smile. “Because I’ve been waiting a long time for this opportunity.”

“Now we can talk business,” I said.

“What do you need?” he asked, all traces of playfulness gone.

(*

“A coalition,” I said. “Multiple packs working together to take down Shadowcrest. Jaden won’t go down easy, and he’ll try to get his own allies.”

“Consider it done,” Ronan said immediately. “My pack is at your disposal”

“I need more than just your pack,” I continued. “I need you to use your connections, call in favors, convince other Alphas to join us.”

“That’s doable,” he said. “There are plenty of Alphas who have no love for Jaden. And once they know what

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he did to Elena…”

+25 Points

“No,” I said firmly. “Elena’s story stays private unless you decide to share it yourself. We’re not using your

sister’s death as propaganda.”

Ronan was quiet for a moment. “Thank you,” he said simply.

“But you can use your other connections,” I continued. “The Alphas who’ve had territory disputes with

Jaden, who’ve been insulted or undermined by him. There are plenty of them.”

“Excellent,” I said. “But I want to be clear about something before we move forward.”

“What’s that?”

“This is a partnership,” I said firmly. “Not a rescue mission. I’m not some damsel in distress waiting for big strong Alphas to save me. I’m a Luna planning a war, and if you want my loyalty in taking down Jaden, you

need to prove you’re worthy of it.”

Ronan was quiet for a moment. “And how exactly do I prove myself worthy?”

“By treating me as an equal,” I said. “By respecting my strategic input. By remembering that I escaped from

Jaden’s captivity on my own and burned half his territory down in the process.”

“You burned down his territory?” Ronan asked, and I could hear the admiration in his voice.

“Food supplies, crops, vehicles, and his packhouse,” I confirmed. “So don’t make the mistake of thinking I

need you to fight my battles for me. I can handle myself”

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