Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 216

CHAPTER 201-2

She threw herself into my arms, and I caught her automatically, spinning her around the way I always did when I came home from long trips.

“I missed you so much,” she said against my neck. “When we got word about the battle, I was so worried.”

I set her down and looked at her face. She was genuinely happy to see me, genuinely relieved that I was safe. This was my mate, the woman I’d chosen to share my life with. The woman who loved me and had been waiting for me to come home.

So why did looking at her feel like trying to remember a song used to know?

“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “The battle went well. Justice was finally served.”

She cupped my face in her hands, studying my expression. “You look different.”

“Different how?”

“I don’t know. Lighter, maybe? Like you’re finally at peace.” Her smile widened. “It’s because you got your revenge, isn’t it? Because the man who killed Elena is finally dead.”

She was right, of course. I had gotten my revenge. Jaden was dead by my own hands, just like I’d dreamed of for ten years. Elena’s killer had paid for what he’d done.

But when I tried to feel that satisfaction, all I could think about was Clara. The way she’d looked at me

after I’d finished with Jaden. The way she’d understood what that moment meant to me without needing

any explanation.

“Yes,” I said. “It’s over.”

Mira kissed me then, soft and sweet and familiar. I kissed her back, trying to lose myself in the comfort of

1. This was home. This was where I belonged.

But even as her mouth moved against mine, even as I held her close, I found myself thinking of someone else. Brown hair instead of red. Brown eyes instead of green. A different scent, a different touch, a

different everything.

When we broke apart, Mira was smiling. “Come on. Let’s get you fed and cleaned up. You can tell me everything that happened.”

We walked back toward our shared quarters, her hand in mine. She chattered about pack business I’d missed, about the harvest preparations, about her sister’s upcoming mating ceremony. Normal, everyday things that should have grounded me.

Instead, they felt like chains.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said as we reached our door.

“What’s that?”

< CHAPTER 201.

+25 Points

Hooked down at her trusting face and felt like the worst kind of bastard. “Darius has asked for my help with some ongoing issues. I’ll need to travel back to his territory in a few days.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. Darius might need help with the Shadowcrest situation. And if he didn’t, I’d make myself useful anyway.

“Oh.” Mira’s face fell slightly. “How long will you be gone?”

“I’m not sure. Could be a week, could be longer.”

“But you just got back.”

The disappointment in her voice made guilt twist in my stomach. “I know. But this is important. It’s about ensuring the peace we fought for.”

She nodded, trying to hide her unhappiness. “Of course. I understand.”

But I could see she didn’t really understand. How could she? I barely understood it myself.

That night, as I lay in bed beside her, listening to her peaceful breathing, I stared at the ceiling and tried to make sense of what was happening to me. I had everything I’d thought I wanted. A strong pack, a beautiful mate, the revenge I’d spent a decade pursuing.

So why did it all feel empty?

The answer came to me in the darkness, unwelcome but undeniable.

Clara.

Everything had changed the moment I’d met her. The moment I’d looked into her eyes and felt something click into place that I’d never felt before, not even with Mira.

I was mated to Mira. I’d chosen her, claimed her, built a life with her. But she wasn’t my true mate. I’d

known that when I’d made the choice, had told myself it didn’t matter. Chosen mates could be just as

strong as fated ones.

But now I knew what I’d been missing.

The thought of spending the rest of my life pretending to be satisfied with what I had, pretending not to think about Clara every waking moment, felt impossible.

The next day, I was packed and ready to leave again.

“Be safe,” Mira said, kissing me goodbye at the gate. “Come home soon.”

“I will,” I promised, hating myself for the lie.

The truth was, I didn’t know if I’d ever really be able to come home again. Not when my heart was

somewhere else entirely.

The ride to Shadowcrest territory felt like the longest journey of my life. Every mile brought me closer to Clara, but also closer to a conversation that could destroy everything.

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