Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 188

CHAPTER 172

Clara’s POV

Dr. Hayes chuckled softly at the worried expressions surrounding him. “It’s just a little food poisoning, Alpha. Nothing serious. She’ll be perfectly fine with some rest.”

The tension in Darius’s shoulders immediately melted away. “Food poisoning? That’s all?”

“That’s all,” the doctor confirmed, packing his instruments back into his bag. “Probably something she ate

that didn’t agree with her. It happens to the best of us.”

Relief flooded through me, though I had to hide it. The doctor’s simple explanation had saved me from any

more uncomfortable questions about my kidnapping.

“She just needs rest and fluids,” Dr. Hayes continued. “Keep her comfortable, and she’ll be back to normal

by tomorrow.”

Darius nodded, his protective instincts clearly in full gear. “Thank you, Doctor.”

After Dr. Hayes left, Darius turned to the other three Alphas who were still hovering around the bed.

“She needs to rest,” he said firmly. “I think it’s time you all gave her some space.”

Ronan was the first to move toward the door. “Of course. Clara, feel better.”

Lucien followed, but not before giving me a long, thoughtful look. “Take care of yourself.”

Killian lingered the longest, his green eyes studying my face like he was trying to read something there. But eventually, he too headed for the door.

“We’ll continue our discussion tomorrow,” he said, and I couldn’t tell if he was talking about the war plans

or his earlier suspicions about my kidnapping.

Once they were gone, Darius came to sit on the edge of the bed beside me. His large hands were gentle as he pulled me into his arms, one hand stroking my hair while the other rubbed soothing circles on my

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back.

“Just rest,” he murmured against my temple. “Sleep. I’ll be right here.”

The moment his skin touched mine, electricity shot through my entire being. Not the uncomfortable kind

that came with fear or anxiety, but the good kind that made every nerve ending sing with pleasure.

This was the mate bond. Real, powerful, undeniable.

As I lay there in his arms, pieces of a puzzle I hadn’t even realized I was solving began clicking into place. Darius had known. From the very beginning, he’d known I was his mate. Yet he’d said nothing about it directly. Instead, he’d focused on making me feel safe, making me want to stay, making me choose him.

And I had chosen him. Completely.

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Leouldn’t help but wrap my arms around him, putting myself closer to his warmth and strength.

““What’s wrong?” he asked softly, probably feeling my sudden movement.

Claire

I shook my head against his chest, not trusting my voice. How could explain that nothing was wrong? That for the first time in months, everything felt exactly right?

I was enjoying this bliss of being with my true mate. The feeling of belonging somewhere, of being exactly where I was supposed to be.

We stayed like that until sleep finally claimed me, safe and warm in the arms of the man who’d become

my anchor in the storm.

The next morning, I woke feeling completely normal. The nausea was gone, my energy was back, and I

was ready to face whatever the day would bring.

I just hoped no one would bring up yesterday’s interrogation. But I knew these Alphas weren’t stupid. If

they didn’t ask their questions now, they’d ask them later.

I made my way down to breakfast, trying to act like everything was perfectly normal. The dining hall was already buzzing with activity, warriors from different packs mingling and discussing plans.

Darius was at our usual table, reading through some reports while drinking his coffee. When he saw me,

his face lit up with relief.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, immediately standing to pull out my chair.

“Much better,” I said, settling beside him. “Dr. Hayes was right. Just needed some rest.”

“Good,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to my temple. “I was worried about you.”

The casual affection, the way he touched me like it was the most natural thing in the world, sent warmth

spreading through my chest. This was what being mated felt like. This sense of completeness, of being

exactly where you belonged.

I was halfway through my breakfast when I noticed movement at the edge of my vision. Lucien had entered the dining hall, and his eyes immediately found me across the room.

ľ

He didn’t approach right away. Instead, he got his own breakfast and sat with some of his warriors, but I could feel his attention on me like a physical weight.

“He’s been doing that since yesterday,” Darius said quietly, following my gaze.

“Doing what?”

“Watching you. Being more obvious about it than he probably realizes.”

I looked back at Lucien, who was now engaged in conversation with his men but still stealing glances in my direction.

“Maybe he’s just being protective,” I said. “We are allies now.”

A

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Darius’s laugh was dry. “That’s not protection. Clara. That’s interest.”

Before I could respond, Killian appeared at our table.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked, but he was already pulling out a chair before either of us could answer.

“Morning, Killian,” I said politely.

Claim

“Clara. Darius.” He nodded to both of us, then focused entirely on me. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.

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