Rejected by Her Mate Claimed by Four Alphas novel Chapter 49

CHAPTER 46-1

Darius‘ POV

Clara’s breath was warm against my ear, her naked body inches from mine.

25 Momts

My wolf howled within me, demanding I claim her right there by the stream. Every muscle in my body tensed with the effort of restraining myself.

“I always know where to find you,” I managed to say, keeping my voice steady despite the fire racing through my veins.

Her lips curved into a smile that promised sin. “Do you now?”

She moved closer, water droplets sliding down her skin in paths I ached to trace with my tongue. I

reached for her, my hands finding her waist, wet and smooth beneath my fingers.

For a moment, she leaned into my touch, her eyes darkening with desire that matched my own.

Then, just as I was about to pull her against me, she slipped out of my grasp with the grace of a

nymph.

“Too slow, Alpha,” she teased, backing away. “You’ll have to be quicker than that.”

Before I could react, she darted around me, swift as a shadow, and snatched up her clothes from the rock where she’d left them. I turned to find her pulling her shirt over her head, those long legs

disappearing beneath loose pants.

“Clara,” I growled, the sound rumbling from deep in my chest.

She laughed, the sound light and carefree, so different from her usual guarded demeanor. “Consider it motivation for the fights tomorrow,” she called over her shoulder as she started back

toward the pack house.

I stood there, frustrated and amused in equal measure, watching her disappear into the trees. Her laughter echoed back to me, a sound that both irritated and enchanted me.

My wolf was restless, displeased at being denied. “She plays with fire,” he snarled.

“She is fire,” I replied, unable to suppress my own grudging admiration. Few would dare to tease an Alpha this way. Fewer still would manage to leave me standing alone and wanting more.

With a resigned sigh, I turned back to the stream. A cold plunge might be exactly what I need right

now.

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HAPTER 6-

5 Ports

The day of the challenge arrived with the first golden rays of dawn streaming through my window. I rose early, tension coiled in my muscles like a spring. Today wasn’t just about Clara proving herself -it was about cementing my pack’s position within our alliance.

I chose my clothes carefully: black jeans, a dark gray shirt that fit close to my frame, and a black leather jacket that emphasized the breadth of my shoulders. Not formal, not casual. A deliberate statement of confidence. This wasn’t a formal Alpha meeting requiring traditional attire; this was a display of power on my terms.

I had just finished lacing my boots when Xander’s voice slipped into my mind through our pack

bond.

“Alpha, there’s news. Alpha Lucien won’t be joining us today.”

I stilled. “Explain.”

“His beta just arrived. Says there’s trouble in their territory that requires his immediate attention. He

sends his regrets.”

This was unexpected. I strode to the door, pulled it open, and found Xander already waiting in the

hallway.

“Do we know what kind of trouble?” I asked aloud.

Xander shook his head. “His beta was vague. Something about leadership challenges within the

pack. He wouldn’t elaborate.”

I frowned. Lucien’s absence significantly changed the dynamics of today’s event. If Clara only faced one Alpha instead of two, the stakes would need to be reconsidered.

“Where’s Ronan?”

“Arrived an hour ago. He’s in the guest quarters, preparing!

I nodded. “And Clara?”

“Still in her room. Vex is with her.”

Good. Vex was the only female in my elite force and the one most likely to keep Clara focused before the fight. “Have food prepared for everyone. I need to make a call.”

I pulled my phone from the desk drawer in my office and dialed Lucien, adding Ronan to the call. Ronan answered first, his deep voice resonant.

“Calling to surrender already, Darius? Wise choice.”

I ignored the jab. “Lucien, are you there?”

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CHAPTER 46

There was a pause, then Lucien’s voice joined the call. “I’m here. And before you ask, yes, it’s true. I cannot join today’s festivities.”

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CHARTER

CHAPTER 46-2

“What’s happened?” I kept my tone neutral, despite my irritation…

Lucien sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. “Challenges to my leadership. Three of my senior

warriors have formed an alliance against me, claiming I’ve grown soft, that I’m not focused on the pack’s interests.”

“And have you?” Ronan asked bluntly.

“I’ve been… preoccupied,” Lucien admitted. “There’s been unrest since I rejected another offer of a

chosen mate. The elders believe I need to stabilize the bloodline, secure my position through a

traditional mating. I disagree.”

I understood immediately. Like many Alphas, Lucien was holding out for his true mate, the one chosen by the goddess herself. But for some odd reason, his family believed their males were always mated to a girl from the red moon bloodline.

“The timing is unfortunate,” I said, controlling my frustration.

“Indeed.” Lucien’s voice sharpened. “But let me be clear. This doesn’t nullify our agreement. If your fighter defeats Ronan, my pack will honor the terms.”

Ronan scoffed. “You’re awfully confident in a fight you won’t witness.”

“I’m confident in Darius’s judgment,” Lucien replied smoothly. “He doesn’t stake valuable territory

on uncertainty.”

I smiled grimly. Lucien knew me well.

“The terms stand,” I confirmed. “One Alpha or two, if Clara wins, both your packs acknowledge mine as first among equals.‘

Ronan laughed. “And when she loses to me, the western ridge becomes Shadowmoon territory. I’m getting the better deal here, brother.”

“Trust me, Ronan,” I said, my voice cold with confidence, “You can’t beat her unless I let you, and I will. So we’ll change the game this time.” I paused, letting my words sink in. “See you soon.”

I disconnected the call without letting him comment, as I was already plotting my next move. With only Ronan to face, Clara’s chances were even better. But… considering the situation right now, I

couldn’t let her win..

Although I had staked the western ridge, the most contested territory for generations, rich with game and strategic value, losing it would weaken my pack considerably. But now, my brothers

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needed me. Their reputation needed to be intact until they shook off all the pests around them.

I had no plans of giving up the ridge, but Clara definitely couldn’t win, and I sure as hell couldn’t ask her to fake a fight.

Closing my eyes, I made a decision that deep down in my gut, I felt I’d regret.

When it was breakfast time, I made my way to the dining hall, my decision already made. I

intercepted an omega carrying a tray of tea and pastries.

“Jenna,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Which cup is for Clara?”

The young omega blinked in surprise. “The blue one, Alpha. At the head table’s right side.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled a small white tablet out. With quick movements, I crushed it

between my fingers and let the powder fall into the steaming cup, stirring it with a small spoon.

“You will serve this to Clara,” I told Jenna, meeting her eyes with an intensity that made her shrink

back slightly. “And you will say nothing of this to anyone. Understood?”

She nodded, face pale. “Yes, Alpha.”

As Jenna carried the tray to the dining hall, I followed at a distance, finding my usual seat at the head table. Clara arrived moments later, dressed in fitted black training clothes emphasizing her lean strength. She sat beside me, acknowledging me with a nod and nothing more–no hint of the woman who had teased me so mercilessly by the stream.

Jenna approached, setting down cups of steaming tea. When she placed the blue cup in front of Clara, her hands trembled slightly, but Clara didn’t seem to notice.

I watched Clara lift the cup to her lips, gulping down the spiked tea. She emptied the cup before setting it down.

Guilt flooded through me. Clara trusted me enough to fight for me, to put her body on the line for my pack’s gain. And here I was, betraying that trust, ensuring she wouldn’t perform at her full capacity against Ronan.

But I pushed the feeling aside. This wasn’t personal. This was strategy. A true Alpha calculated every risk and controlled every variable. Had Ronan been in my position, he’d have done the same. I wasn’t a simp nor a softy. But I valued loyalty, and my brothers in arms have always been loyal to

1. me.

Clara would lose to Ronan, and I’d make sure of it. The drug would give me a plausible explanation

when she fell.

As I watched her sit there, unaware of my betrayal, I continuously told myself it was necessary–for

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CHAPTER 46

the pack, for our alliance, for the game I was playing.

For the first time, why did victory already taste like ashes in my mouth?

C Cynthia Robert

Hi! Cynthia here. Just a quick check in to ask how you’re enjoying the book so far.

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