Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 253

CHAPTER 231

CHAPTER 231

Clara’s POV

I woke to pain.

My entire body felt like it had been beaten with rocks. Every muscle ached and every joint protested when I tried to move. The nausea hit me before I even opened my eyes, sending me stumbling to the bathroom again.

Nothing came up this time. My stomach was empty, had been empty for days. Just dry heaving that left me gasping and shaking on the cold tile floor.

Today was the day. Mira and I would face each other at sunset. One of us wouldn’t walk away.

I forced myself to stand, to look in the mirror. The woman staring back looked like death. Skin pale as paper, dark circles so deep they looked like bruises, lips cracked and dry. My hands trembled as I gripped the sink.

How was I supposed to fight like this?

I splashed water on my face, trying to shock some life back into my body. It didn’t help. Nothing

helped anymore.

The sun was already up, streaming through my window. I’d slept later than I intended. Maybe eight or ten hours until sunset. Not enough time to rest and definitely not enough time to prepare.

I changed into training clothes, my fingers fumbling with the laces. Even the simple act of getting dressed left me breathless and dizzy.

The hallway was empty when I stepped out. Most of the pack was probably avoiding me, staying clear of the Luna who’d accepted a death match she couldn’t possibly win.

I made my way to the training grounds behind the pack house. If I was going to die today, I’d at least try to prepare. Try to remember my training, my instincts, and everything Darius had taught me about combat.

Darius. He’d arrive tonight, probably right around the time I was fighting. Would he even care if I died? Or would he just see it as fate solving his problem, removing the mate who couldn’t make a

choice?

The training grounds were empty except for a few early morning warriors running drills. They saw me and stopped, watching as I approached the practice area.

I picked up a training staff, testing its weight. It felt heavier than it should. Everything felt heavier.

CHAPTER 231

I moved through basic forms, trying to loosen my muscles, trying to find the warrior I used to be.

But my body wouldn’t cooperate. Each movement was slow and clumsy. My balance was off, my reflexes dulled.

“Your stance is wrong.”

I turned to see Ronan standing at the edge of the training ground. He looked concerned, his hazel eyes taking in my every movement.

“I know,” I said, adjusting my feet.

“You’re favoring your left side.”

“I’m aware.”

He moved closer, circling me like he was assessing an opponent. “You can’t fight like this. You’ll be dead in the first five minutes.”

“Then I guess I’ll have to figure it out in less than five minutes.” I swung the staff, but the movement was weak and uncoordinated. It slipped from my grip and clattered to the ground.

Ronan picked it up. “Let me fight her instead.”

“No.”

“Clara, be reasonable. You’re in no condition to do this.”

“I said no.” I took the staff back from him. “This is my fight. My responsibility. I’m not hiding behind

anyone else.”

P

“It’s not hiding. It’s being smart. Mira challenged you specifically, but pack law allows for a

champion to fight in your place.”

“I know the law.” I attempted another form, but my legs gave out halfway through. I caught myself before I fell completely, but barely.

Ronan reached out to steady me, but I pulled away. “Don’t.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“Maybe that’s what needs to happen.” The words came out before I could stop them. “Maybe that would solve everything. No more impossible choices. No more people getting hurt because of me. No more being torn apart by bonds I never asked for.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true.” I dropped the staff. “Mira’s right. I destroyed her life. I’ve destroyed everything I touch. My sister, Jaden, you and your mate, my pack, even Darius. Everyone suffers because of

CHAPTER 231

me.”

“That’s not true.”

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“Isn’t it?” I looked at him. “Name one person whose life got better because I’m in it. Just one.”

Ronan opened his mouth, then closed it. He couldn’t. Because I was right.

“Exactly.” I turned away from him. “So maybe dying today is exactly what I deserve.”

“I won’t let you go into that fight believing that.”

“You don’t have a choice. Neither do I.”

I started walking back toward the pack house. I made it three steps before the dizziness hit hard The world tilted, my vision going dark at the edges. I felt myself falling but couldn’t stop it.

Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground. Ronan’s face swam into view above me, his expression tight with worry.

“That’s it,” he said. “You’re going to see Dr. Mitchell. Now.”

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