Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 32

CHAPTER 29-1

Clara’s POV

They rushed me all at once. I dodged Reid’s grab, ducked under Dominic’s outstretched arm, but Kai was there waiting. His fingers brushed my jacket, almost catching hold. I twisted away from him, only to find Luka blocking my path.

There was only one direction left. I feinted right, then pivoted sharply and ran straight for the narrowest gap between them. Luka reacted quickly, diving for my legs. I leaped at the last second, but felt his fingers snag my ankle. I crashed to the ground, pain shooting through my shoulder as I hit.

“Got her!” Luka called triumphantly.

I kicked out blindly, feeling my foot connect with something solid. Luka cursed loudly, his grip loosening. I scrambled forward on hands and knees, then launched myself upright again.

The men shouted behind me, their voices overlapping in frustration and determination. Their footsteps

thundered against the forest floor, gaining on me. Branches whipped across my face as I ran, leaving stinging welts on my skin. My lungs burned, desperate for air, but I couldn’t slow down.

There was only one escape route left.

I ran straight for the river.

Without hesitation, I launched myself into the freezing water. The shock of cold hit me again, but this time I was ready for it. I dove deep, using the current to pull me downstream faster.

The water roared in my ears, frigid and powerful. I felt the current catch me, dragging me away from my pursuers. Each stroke was a battle against the cold that threatened to seize my muscles. But fear and determination kept me moving, pushing through the pain.

When I surfaced for air, I heard the splashes behind me. The men had followed without hesitation. They were just as determined as I was to win.

The only difference?

I was trying to make sure they never found out what Alpha Darius actually hid.

“Don’t let her get away!” Reid’s voice echoed over the rushing water.

I glanced back to see all four of them swimming with powerful strokes, quickly closing the gap between us. They moved through the water swiftly, their bodies cutting through the current with far less effort than

mine.

I swam harder, desperation lending me speed. My lungs burned and my muscles screamed in protest, but the thought of them catching me–of them discovering what I’d found–kept me going. My hand stayed clamped around the fabric in my pocket, refusing to let go even as the water tried to tear it away.

CHAPTER 29-1-

Clare

Kai was the closest behind me, his face masked with determination as he got closer to me inch by inch. I kicked out harder, using every ounce of strength I had left.

The riverbank curved ahead, and as I rounded it, I saw a familiar figure standing at the water’s edge. Alpha Darius. Of course he’d be waiting at the finish line, watching his little game play out.

With my last reserves of strength, I pushed toward the shore. My feet touched the bottom, and I waded through the water toward him, stumbling with exhaustion. Behind me, I could hear the men still swimming, their frustrated curses mingling with the sound of splashing water.

I dragged myself onto the bank, gasping for breath, my entire body trembling from cold and exertion. I’d won by seconds, not minutes. Beta Xander stood just behind Darius, watching me with surprise and… was that respect?

The men reached the shore moments after me, pulling themselves from the water with grunts of effort. They stood dripping and panting, staring at me with a mixture of frustration and grudging respect.

Darius looked down at me, a broad smirk playing on his lips and a knowing look in his eyes. Those amber eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as if I’d performed exactly as he’d expected.

“How does it feel to win?” he asked, his voice carrying that same arrogant tone I was coming to both hate

and crave.

I wanted to tell him exactly how it felt. I wanted to scream in his face about the sick little game he was playing, about the inappropriate, invasive, completely unacceptable trick he’d pulled. I wanted to demand to know how the hell he’d gotten my underwear and what kind of deranged Alpha thought that was an appropriate training exercise.

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CHAPTER 20-3

CHAPTER 29-2

The worst part was, he looked like he was enjoying my discomfort. His eyes glinted with amusement, his mouth curved in that irritating half–smile that made me want to slap him. Or bite him. Or both.

But not here. Not in front of his men. Not when I was soaking wet, shivering, and holding a pair of crotchless panties in my pocket.

So I swallowed my anger and straightened my spine, meeting his gaze directly.

“Like I expected,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral despite the rage and confusion churning inside me. “Though I have to question the nature of the prize.”

Something dangerous flickered in his eyes–a warning, maybe, or a challenge. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

“Show us what you found,” Reid demanded from behind me, his voice tight with frustration. “Prove you actually completed the task.”

Before I could respond, Darius raised his hand, silencing Reid instantly.

“That won’t be necessary,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “I know exactly what she found.”

Heat rushed to my face, but I kept my expression carefully blank. Of course he knew. The bastard had put

it there.

“But-” Luka started to protest.

“The exercise is complete,” Darius cut in, his tone making it clear he would tolerate no argument. “Clara was first to retrieve the item and return to the starting point. She wins.”

Beta Xander stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over all of us. “Form up,” he ordered.

The men immediately fell into line, their postures straightening despite their exhaustion. I took a place at the end, trying to mirror their stance.

“Today’s training demonstrated several things,” Darius addressed the group, pacing slowly in front of us. “Speed. Endurance. Adaptability. And most importantly, strategic thinking.”

He stopped in front of me, his eyes boring into mine. “Some of you relied on brute strength and numbers. Others took a more… intuitive approach.”

I held his gaze, refusing to look away first. The wet fabric in my pocket felt like it was burning against my skin, a constant reminder of the game he was playing.

“Clara outperformed all of you today,” he continued, turning back to address the men. “Not because she’s faster or stronger, but because she thought differently. She looked where you didn’t think to look. She anticipated what I would do, rather than following the obvious path.”

I could feel the men’s sideways glances at me, reassessing. They might not know what I’d found, but they

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