Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 250

CHAPTER 229

Clara’s POV

I didn’t sleep. Honestly, I couldn’t sleep.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mira’s face, heard Gregory’s mocking laughter, and even felt Thomas’s words cutting through me like knives.

When dawn finally broke through my window, I was already awake. Staring at the ceiling. My body ached from lying in the same position for hours, too exhausted to move but too anxious to rest.

Today. Darius was coming home today.

The thought sent a fresh wave of nausea through me. I barely made it to the bathroom in time, my stomach rejecting the nothing I’d eaten. When the retching finally stopped, I slumped against the cool tile floor.

I forced myself to stand, to wash my face, to look at myself in the mirror. The woman staring back looked like a stranger. Hollow eyes, pale skin, hair a tangled mess.

I changed into clean clothes, braided my hair with shaking fingers. The simple acts felt surreal. Like I was pretending to be someone who had her life together when everything was falling apart.

The pack house was unusually quiet when I stepped into the hallway. Too quiet. People were avoiding me. I could hear movement in other rooms, hushed conversations that stopped when I walked past.

The dining hall was half full when I entered. Conversations died instantly. Pack members looked up, then quickly away. Some got up and left, their plates still full. Others stayed but kept their eyes down.

Margaret was there. She saw me and made a show of gathering her children, herding them toward the exit.

I sat at the head table alone. Bethany appeared moments later with a plate of toast and tea. She set it down without a word, but her hand squeezed my shoulder briefly before she left.

The toast tasted like ash. I forced down a few bites anyway.

“Luna.”

I looked up to see Derek standing nearby. He looked uncomfortable, shifting his weight.

CHAPTER 229

“The border patrol sent word,” he said quietly. “Alpha Darius will arrive by midday.”

Midday. A few hours. That was all the time I had left.

“Thank you,” I managed.

Derek hesitated. “For what it’s worth, not all of us have turned against you.”

“But some of you have,” I said.

He didn’t deny it. Just nodded once and left.

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I abandoned the toast and made my way to my office. The desk was covered in paperwork that had piled up. Trade agreements, patrol schedules, supply inventories.

I tried to focus. Made it through half a document before the words started swimming. My head pounded. My stomach churned.

A commotion outside my window made me look up. Pack members were gathering, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

Was Darius here already?

I stood too quickly. The room tilted. I grabbed the desk, waiting for the dizziness to pass.

When I finally made it to the window, I saw it was just a messenger.

Not Darius. Not yet.

I forced myself downstairs. The messenger was waiting in the main hall. He bowed when he

saw me.

“Luna Clara, I bring word from Alpha Darius.”

My mouth went dry. “Go on.”

“He’s been delayed. An issue arose in Shadowfang that required his immediate attention. He sends his apologies and asks for your patience.”

Delayed.

Relief and disappointment crashed through me. More time. But also more time to suffer.

“How long?” I asked.

“He hopes to arrive by tomorrow evening at the latest.”

Tomorrow. Another full day.

KCHAPTER 229

“Thank you. You may go.”

The messenger had barely left when Lucien burst through the doors. His expression was urgent.

“Border patrol just reported unusual activity near the eastern boundary,” he said without preamble. “A large group gathering in the forest.”

My exhaustion vanished, replaced by sharp focus. “How many?”

“At least thirty. Maybe more.”

“Mira,” I said.

“Most likely.”

“Have they crossed into our territory?”

“Not yet. Just watching from the tree line.”

I was already moving toward the door. “Get Derek and assemble a patrol unit. I’m going to see this for myself.”

“Clara, wait-” Lucien started.

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“I’m not waiting.” I didn’t stop walking. “This is my territory. My pack. If someone’s gathering an army at my border, I’m going to see it with my own eyes.”

“At least let me come with you.”

“Fine. But we leave now.”

Ten minutes later, I had shifted into my wolf and was heading toward the eastern boundary with Lucien, Derek, and a unit of six warriors. The morning air was cold against my face, helping to clear some of the fog from my mind.

My body protested every movement. The nausea was still there, rolling through me in waves. But I pushed it down. Ignored it. I was Alpha. I didn’t get the luxury of being weak.

The run to the eastern boundary took a while. As we approached, I could see our patrol units positioned along the tree line, watching something in the forest beyond.

I quickly went aside, behind a tree, and the others followed suit. I shifted, then put on my dress to cover myself immediately.

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