Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 271

Clara’s POV

“Defense is different from offense,” Councilor Vera said. “If one pack faces attack, the others can defend.

But coordinated military action against another pack requires approval. That’s non–negotiable.”

We exchanged looks. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t impossible either.

“Fine,” I said. “We agree. No offensive military action without approval.”

“Fourth condition,” Elder Matthias said. “This arrangement is unique to you. You must make a public

declaration stating that these bonds are specific to your situation and cannot be used as precedent. We will not have every wolf claiming multiple mates and citing your case.”

“That’s fair,” Lucien said. “We never claimed this should be normal. It’s rare for a reason.”

“Good,” Councilor Iris said. She seemed pleased we were agreeing. “And the final condition. Any children

born from these bonds must have clear succession lines established immediately. We will not have four

packs thrown into chaos over disputed heirs.”

That made my stomach twist. Children. I hadn’t even thought that far ahead. But she was right. With four

potential fathers, it could get complicated.

“We’ll establish clear succession,” I said. “Whatever’s needed to prevent disputes.”

Elder Matthias stood. “Then we have terms. You accept all five conditions in exchange for the Council

recognizing your bonds as legitimate under pack law.”

I looked at my four Alphas. Darius nodded. Killian shrugged, accepting it. Lucien looked satisfied. Ronan

just waited for my decision.

“We accept,” I said.

“However,” Elder Matthias continued, his voice hardening, “there is one more matter to address before this

is concluded.”

My stomach dropped. What now?

୮

“Three days ago, Luna Clara and her Alphas were attacked by rogues on their way home from the

challenge grounds. These rogues, when interrogated, confessed to being hired by a Council member.”

The hall erupted. Gasps, shouts, accusations flying.

Elder Matthias raised his hand for silence. “We have investigated this claim. The evidence is clear.” He

turned his gaze to one of the Council members. “Councilor Marcus. You stand accused of hiring assassins

to murder a Luna and four Alphas. How do you answer?”

Councilor Marcus went pale. For a moment, I thought he’d deny it. But then his face twisted with anger.

“I did what was necessary,” he said, standing. “This arrangement threatens everything we’ve built. Four

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Alphas bound to one Luna? It’s a mockery of pack law. I tried to stop it before it became a problem we

couldn’t contain.”

“By murdering them?” Councilor Iris said, horrified.

Claim

“By protecting the Council’s authority,” Marcus shot back. “By doing what none of you had the spine to do.”

Elder Matthias’s voice went cold. “You violated the most sacred law we have. You attempted to murder

fellow wolves without trial, without cause, without authority. You are stripped of your position on this Council effective immediately. You will be escorted to holding and await trial for your crimes.”

Guards moved forward, grabbing Marcus by the arms. He struggled, shouting about protecting tradition,

about us being a threat. But they dragged him out anyway.

The hall fell silent after he was gone.

Elder Matthias turned back to us. “The Council apologizes for the actions of one corrupt member. This

does not reflect our values or our judgment.”

“Noted,” I said, though my hands were shaking.

“Then we are concluded,” Elder Matthias said. “Luna Clara, your bonds are recognized as legitimate under

the five conditions stated. You may return to your territories. This Council is adjourned.”

He struck a gavel against the table. The sound echoed through the hall.

We’d won.

We’d actually won.

The crowd started talking all at once, some congratulating us, others arguing about the decision. But I

barely heard them. The bonds hummed with relief so strong it nearly dropped me to my knees.

Darius’s hand found mine, steadying me. “We did it.”

“We did it,” I repeated, barely believing it.

We walked out of the Council chambers together, emerging into bright afternoon sunlight. Other Alphas

and representatives watched us pass. Some with respect, some with suspicion, but none of them could

do anything about it now.

The Council had spoken. The bonds were legitimate.

We made it to the tree line before anyone spoke again.

“That could have gone worse,” Killian said finally.

“Could have gone better too,” Ronan added. “Those conditions are going to be a pain.”

“But manageable,” Lucien said. “We keep our bonds. We keep our packs. Everything else we can work

around.”

“Twice yearly reports,” Darius muttered. “I’m not looking forward to that paperwork.”

< CHAPTER 245

Claim

Despite everything, I laughed. The tension broke and suddenly we were all laughing, the relief too strong to

contain

“We should head home,” said. “The pack will want to know what happened.”

We stripped and shifted, running back the way we’d come. This time the run felt different. Lighter. Free.

The bonds hummed contentedly as we ran, all five of us connected, all five of us accepted. Legal.

Legitimate. Ours.

We reached pack lands as the sun was setting. The pack had gathered at the entrance, waiting anxiously.

Derek pushed through the crowd. “Well?”

I shifted back and dressed quickly. “The Council accepted the bonds. We won.”

The pack erupted in cheers. People hugging, celebrating, the relief spreading through everyone. We’d been

holding our breath for days, and now we could finally exhale.

That night, we gathered in the war room one last time. Just the five of us and Derek.

“So what now?” Derek asked.

“Now we figure out how this actually works,” I said. “Four packs, five conditions, one very complicated

arrangement.”

“We’ll make it work,” Darius said. “We’ve come this far.”

“The twice yearly reports start in six months,” Lucien added. “We need to establish protocols. Make sure

we’re not giving the Council any reason to question the arrangement.”

“And the succession thing,” Killian said, grinning at me. “We should probably figure that out before it

becomes relevant.”

My face heated. “One crisis at a time.”

“Fair enough,” Ronan said.

We spent another hour discussing logistics. How we’d split time between territories. How we’d coordinate

decisions without violating the military alliance restriction. How we’d present a united front while keeping the packs separate.

It was complicated. It would probably stay complicated. But it was possible.

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