Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 189

CHAPTER 173-1

Clara’s POV

In my heart? Sure as hell.

In my body? Definitely cause I was already thinking of a million ways I could jump him.

“Clara,” he muttered my name in a low tone snapping me out of rny day dream.

I did feel it. The adjustment he’d made did improve my balance and power distribution.

“That’s better,” I admitted.

“I thought you might appreciate it,” he said, stepping back but not moving away entirely. “There are other techniques I could show you. Red Moon fighting styles that might complement your natural abilities.”

Before I could respond, another voice cut through the air.

“Clara’s already got plenty of training to focus on.”

I turned to see Darius approaching, his expression carefully neutral but his posture radiating controlled

tension.

“Of course,” Lucien said, not looking the least bit apologetic. “I was just offering some friendly advice.”

“Very friendly,” Darius said dryly.

The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife, but neither man seemed inclined to back

down.

“I should get back to my training,” I said, trying to defuse the situation.

“Absolutely,” Darius said, moving to stand beside me. “I’ll spot you.”

Lucien smiled, but there was something sharp in his expression. “Enjoy your session. Clara, if you change your mind about those techniques, you know where to find me.”

T

He walked away with unhurried confidence, leaving me alone with Darius.

“He’s persistent,” Darius said, watching Lucien’s retreating form.

“He’s just being helpful,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely convinced myself.

“Clara,” Darius said, his voice gentle but serious. “You know that’s not just about helping with training, right?”

I did know. The way Lucien looked at me, the careful attention he paid to everything I said, the way his

scent seemed to call to something deep inside me. It was the same way Darius had looked at me in the beginning, when he was still trying to win me over.

“I can handle it,” I said.

CHAPTER 14

“I know you can.” Darius replied. “But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Clar

The possessiveness in his voice should have annoyed me. Instead, it sent a thrill through my system that I

tried to ignore.

The rest of the morning passed without incident, but I could feel eyes on me throughout my training session. Not just Lucien, but Killian too, who had found reasons to be near the practice area.

By lunchtime, I was starting to feel like a specimen under a microscope.

I was reviewing supply lists in the war room when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I called, expecting Darius or maybe Xander with updates.

Instead, Killian stepped inside, carrying a tray of food.

“I thought you might be hungry,” he said, setting the tray on the table beside me. “You missed lunch.”

I looked at the tray and realized I had lost track of time. The food looked delicious, and my stomach

chose that moment to rumble loudly.

“Thank you,” I said, genuinely grateful. “That was thoughtful.”

Killian closed the door behind him with a soft click. The sound made my wolf perk up, suddenly alert.

“I noticed you liked the roasted vegetables yesterday,” he said, settling into the chair beside me instead of

across from me. “I asked the kitchen to make them the way my pack does. Family recipe.”

The vegetables were perfectly seasoned, better than anything I’d tasted in weeks. The flavors were complex and rich, with spices I couldn’t identify.

“These are incredible,” I said, taking another bite.

“I’m glad you like them,” he said, looking pleased. “My grandmother developed that recipe. She always said

the secret was in the timing.”

“Your grandmother was a wise woman.”

“She was,” he agreed, his expression growing thoughtful. “She taught me a lot about patience, about waiting for the right moment to act.”

Something in his tone made me look up at him more carefully. He was watching me with an intensity that made my skin feel warm.

“Speaking of timing,” Killian said, his voice dropping to something softer, more intimate. “I couldn’t help but notice yesterday’s… episode.”

My fork paused halfway to my mouth. “What about it?”

“The sudden sickness. Very convenient timing.” His green eyes studied my face. “Though I have to say, for someone who might be carrying, you seem remarkably back to normal today.”

< CHAPTER1739

Clam

CHAPTER 173-2

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I’m not pregnant.”

“Good to know,” he said, leaning closer. “Because if you ever want to be, I’d be more than happy to help

with that.”

The boldness of his words hit me like a slap. Or maybe it was more like a caress, because my body definitely wasn’t reacting with offense.

“Killian,” I started, but he cut me off.

“Do you remember what I told you about patience, Clara?” His hand moved to rest on the table next to mine, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his skin. “About knowing when to wait and

when to act?”

My heart was racing now. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

“Doing what?” he asked innocently, though his eyes were anything but innocent. “I’m just having a

conversation with a beautiful woman over lunch.”

“This isn’t just conversation and you know it.”

He smiled, slow and dangerous. “You’re right. It’s foreplay.”

Before I could react to that, his hand moved to cup my face. His thumb traced my lower lip, and I felt my

breath catch.

“I know you think about it,” he whispered. “About what we could do together. What I could make you feel.”

My wolf was practically purring, pressing against my consciousness and urging me to lean into his touch.

But my rational mind was screaming warnings.

“Darius will know,” I said weakly.

“Will he?” Killian’s thurnb continued its torturous path along my lip. “The bond works both ways, Clara. If you can feel his emotions, he can feel yours. But right now, all you’re feeling is curiosity Desire. Nothing

wrong with that.”

He was right, and that terrified me. The pull I felt toward him was magnetic, undeniable.

“I can smell how much you want this,” he continued, his voice like velvet. “Your scent doesn’t lie.

Without warning, he stood and pulled me to my feet. My body moved before my mind could protest, and suddenly I was pressed against him, his hands on my waist.

“One kiss,” he said against my ear. “Just to see if the chemistry is as explosive as I think it is.”

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