Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 186

CHAPTER 170

Clara’s POV

I turned toward the voice that had interrupted our conversation, already recognizing the arrogant tone

before I saw the face.

Lucien stood in the doorway, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. Behind him, Killian stepped into view, both of them wearing expressions that suggested they’d been listening for a while.

“Lucien,” Darius said, his voice carefully controlled. “Killian. I wasn’t expecting you both so soon.”

“We wanted to join the fun,” Killian said smoothly, his gaze sweeping over the room before settling on me.

“Hope you don’t mind the interruption.”

Lucien’s smile was all teeth. “Besides, I couldn’t resist the chance to see the righteous Ronan asking for

favors. It’s such a rare sight.”

Ronan’s jaw tightened, but he kept his voice level. “Some things are worth asking for.”

As both men stepped further into the office, I watched their casual confidence falter. They both stopped

mid–step, their nostrils flaring slightly as they caught my scent.

Their eyes immediately went to my neck.

I fought the urge to touch the mark Darius had left there/ knowing it was probably visible despite my

attempt to cover.it with my collar.

“Well,” Lucien said, his voice dropping to something/darker. “That’s… interesting.”

Killian’s eyes narrowed as he studied the bite mark. “Congratulations, I suppose. Though I have to say, Darius, your timing is impeccable as always.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Being the center of attention like this, having them all stare at the evidence of what Darius and I had done, made me want to disappear into the floor.

“Can we please focus on business?” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

(

But instead of backing off, both men moved closer. Lucien took the chair to my left while Killian settled into the one on my right. Suddenly I was surrounded by four powerful Alphas, their presence filling the room with an intensity that made the air feel thick.

My wolf stirred restlessly in my mind, pacing back and forth like she was agitated about something. I tried to reach out to her, to ask what was wrong, but she just kept pacing without answering.

The proximity of all four men was overwhelming. Each of them carried their own distinct scent, and together it created a mix that made my head spin. Pine and smoke from Darius, something wild and dangerous from Ronan, leather and steel from Killian, and dark spices from Lucien

I forced myself to focus on the conversation at hand. Whatever was making my wolf restless could wait

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“Ronan,” I said, turning back to him. “You were saying you wanted something in return for your help.”

Ronan leaned forward, his expression serious. “I know you want the pleasure of killing Jaden yourself, Clara. And I understand why. But I’m asking you to let rne be the one to do it.”

The request surprised me. I’d assumed he’d want territory, or political favors, or some kind of alliance

agreement.

“Elena was my sister,” he continued, his voice tight with old pain. “Jaden murdered her when she was eight years old. I’ve been planning his death for ten years. I’m willing to give you everything I have, every resource at my disposal, if you’ll let me be the one to end him.”

I understood his need for revenge, probably better than anyone else in this room. The desire to personally destroy the person who’d hurt you was something I knew intimately.

But before I could answer, Darius spoke up.

“What about the rest of you?” he asked, looking at Killian and Lucien. “Do you have conditions for your help

as well?”

That’s when it happened.

My wolf suddenly went completely still in my mind, then jerked like she’d been hit by lightning.

“MATES.”

The word exploded in my head so loudly I almost flinched.

I froze mid–breath, my mouth half–open to respond to Ronan’s request.

“MATES,” my wolf repeated, more insistent this time.

My eyes darted between the four men sitting around me. Darius, who I already knew was my mate. Ronan, whose scent had always seemed familiar during our phone calls. Killian, whose presence made my skin feel electric. Lucien, whose dark eyes seemed to see straight through me.

Their scents hit me all at once, not as individual smells but as something that called to the deepest part

r of me. Something that made my wolf pace and whirie and demand attention.

Four mates. I had four fucking mates.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I’d suspected something was different about my interactions with these men, but I’d convinced myself it was just physical attraction. A way to console myself into not thinking I was some kind of whore who couldn’t control herself around powerful Alphas

But this was real. The mate bond, the thing most wolves only experienced once in their lifetime, had

somehow connected me to four different men.

My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air. The urge to run, to get away from this overwhelming situation, was so strong I had to grip the arms of my chair to keep myself in place

CHAPTER 170

+25 Points

Helosed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the panic that was rising in my throat. This wasn’t the time or place for a breakdown. We had a war to plan, alliances to build, strategies to discuss.

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