Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 20

CHAPTER 19-1

Clara’s POV

I shook my head, trying to clear the memory of his touch, his taste, his growled promises. This was ridiculous. I needed to get my shit together.

My legs still felt wobbly as I made my way back to my room. A hot shower would help- would wash away his scent from my skin and hopefully clear my head. I stripped and stepped under the steaming water, but even as I scrubbed every inch of my body, I couldn’t erase the phantom sensation of his hands.

Once dressed in fresh clothes, I tried to focus on practical matters. Breakfast first, then maybe I could convince someone to let me explore the pack grounds. I was tired of being cooped up, treated like a suspicious outsider. I needed air. Space. Something to distract me from thoughts of amber eyes and hungry kisses.

Damn it, I didn’t even have money of my own. When I’d fled from Jaden, I hadn’t exactly had time to clean out my bank account. Now I was completely dependent on Alpha Darius’s hospitality–something that felt particularly uncomfortable after what had just happened between us.

I pushed that thought away as I entered the dining hall. Spotting Nora and the others at their usual table, I made my way over, grateful for their familiar faces.

“You look… different,” Kira said, studying me as I sat down. “Training with the Alpha must be working.”

I nearly choked on the water I’d just sipped. “What do you mean?”

“You’re walking taller,” she said with a shrug. “More confident.”

If only she knew.

“So,” I said, quickly changing the subject as I reached for the food. “Is there any chance I could get permission to leave the house today? See the pack grounds, maybe check out any shops you have?”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Tired of us already?”

“No, I just “I sighed, poking at my eggs. “I’d like to see more than just the inside of this house and the training grounds.”

“We can ask the Alpha,” Nora offered. “Though I’m not sure if he’d approve it, given you’re still technically a guest under supervision.”

1/3

< CHAPTER 19-1

“Guest under supervision,” I repeated flatly. “You mean prisoner.”

“Not a prisoner,” Eli corrected, passing me the basket of bread. “Prisoners don’t get pancakes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fair point.”

+25 Points

“Tell you what,” Nora said, leaning forward. “Let us show you around the pack house today. There’s plenty you haven’t seen yet. If that goes well, we can talk to Beta Xander about a supervised trip to the village tomorrow.”

“The library is pretty impressive,” Eli added. “And there’s an indoor garden that’s worth checking out.”

“Do I have much choice?” I asked, but without any real bitterness.

Marcus grinned. “None whatsoever.”

I nodded, grateful for even that small freedom. “Then lead the way.”

As we ate, they kept the conversation light, teasing each other and occasionally including me in their inside jokes. It felt almost normal, like I belonged, even if just for a moment. I found myself laughing more than I had in months.

“So how’s training going with the Alpha?” Eli asked, swiping the last piece of bacon from Marcus’s plate.

“It’s… intense,” I said carefully. “Different than I expected.”

“Different how?” Kira pressed.

“Yesterday was combat training. Today was archery.” I kept my tone casual, as if my heart wasn’t racing at just the memory.

“Archery?” Marcus looked surprised. “He doesn’t usually teach that to newcomers.”

“Why not?”

“It’s…” He exchanged glances with the others. “It’s something he considers special. The human weapons are his expertise, what earned him the warlord title. He doesn’t share those skills with just anyone.”

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