Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 199

CHAPTER 187

Darius’s POV

The formal introduction sent a clear message. She wasn’t just some woman I was protecting. She was mine, officially and completely.

Kane nodded respectfully. “Luna Clara. We were initially disappointed we were late. But we heard reports of the battle on our way here. Impressive work.”

“It was a team effort,” Clara replied diplomatically. “But thank you.”

Smart woman. She wasn’t going to take all the credit, but she wasn’t diminishing her role either.

“We’ll help with whatever you need,” Marcus said. “Our healers are at your disposal.

Clara looked around the courtyard, taking stock of the situation with the calculating mind that had helped her survive everything thrown at her.

“We need to get the wounded moved to better facilities,” she said. “And we need to figure out what to do with the wounded Shadowcrest fighters during their recovery.”

“The wounded enemies will remain in the medical wing under guard until they’re cleared for release,” Clara

explained to the visiting healers who had stepped forward. “They’ll receive the same medical care as our

own people, but their movements will be restricted for security reasons.”

For the next several hours, we worked to organize the aftermath. The visiting packs‘ healers joined ours in treating the wounded. Warriors from all four packs worked together to clear the battlefield and secure the

area.

I watched Clara coordinate it all with quiet efficiency. She moved between groups, checking on progress, making decisions, and solving problems as they arose. She was acting like the Luna she’d become, and everyone was responding to her naturally.

But I could see the exhaustion building. The way her shoulders held just a little more tension, the slight hesitation she had before she spoke, and the way she touched her temple when she thought no one was

looking.

She’d been through hell today. Not just the physical battle, but the emotional weight of everything. Facing Jaden and seeing Liana’s body and taking responsibility for the wounded from both sides.

By the time the sun was setting, most of the immediate crises had been handled. The wounded were stable and being cared for. The dead had been prepared for proper burial. The visiting packs had been

shown to the guest quarters.

“I think that’s enough for today,” I said, approaching Clara as she finished talking to one of the doctors. She looked up at me, and I could see the weariness in her eyes. “There’s still so much to do.”

There’s always more to do,” I said, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “But you’ve done enough for today. The rest can wait until tomorrow.”

She looked around the courtyard one more time, checking that everything was under control. It was the kind of thoroughness that made her a good leader, but also the kind that would burn her out if she wasn’t careful.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s get you cleaned up and rested.”

She nodded, finally allowing herself to accept that the day was over. We walked back toward the main building together, and I could feel some of the tension leaving her body as we moved away from the chaos.

The hallways were quieter now. Most people were either helping with the cleanup or had gone to rest themselves. Our footsteps echoed softly on the stone floors.

“It’s strange,” Clara said as we walked.

“What is?”

“This morning I woke up in your bed, and now I’m responsible for two packs worth of people.” She shook

her head slightly. “I’m not sure I know how to be what they need me to be.”

I stopped walking and turned to face her. “You already are what they need you to be. You proved that

today.”

“Did I?” She looked uncertain. “I just did what felt right in the moment.”

“That’s exactly what leadership is,” I said. “Making the right choice when there’s no time to think about it.”

We reached our room, and Clara pushed open the door with a small sigh. I followed her inside, closing the door behind us and giving us privacy for the first time since the battle ended.

Clara walked to the bed and sat down heavily, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. She stared at the

floor, lost in her own thoughts.

could see the weight of everything pressing down on her. The responsibility, the decisions she’d had to make, the lives that were now in her hands.

She needed rest. But first, she needed to let go of the day.

I moved behind her quietly, slipping my arms around her waist. She tensed for a moment, then relaxed as

she recognized my scent.

“You’re thinking too hard,” I said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

“There’s a lot to think about,” she replied, but she leaned back against me.

“Not tonight,” I said. “Tonight, you rest. Tomorrow, we figure out the rest.”

She was quiet for a moment, and I could feel some of the tension leaving her body as she let herself

accept my support.

“You should wash up,” I said gently. “It’ll help you feel better.”

She looked down at herself, taking in the blood stains and dirt that covered her clothes. “I probably do need a bath.”

“Come on,” I said, helping her to her feet. “Let me take care of you.”

I led her to the bathroom and started running water in the large tub. She stood there watching me, seeming almost surprised that someone was taking care of her instead of the other way around.

“You don’t have to-” she started.

“I want to,” I interrupted. “Let me do this for you.”

The water was warm when I tested it, and I added some of the soaking salts that would help with any muscle soreness from the fighting.

Clara started to undress, her movements slow and tired. When she struggled with the laces on her top, I moved to help her.

My fingers brushed against her skin as I worked the knots loose, and I could feel her responding to my

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify