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CHAPTER 071

Author: Kat.E
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-22 22:07:01
INGRID

I stay hidden in the abandoned house for the rest of the day, thanks to the supplies I had packed before we left the compound. It isn’t much, but it’s enough to keep me going.

The hours crawl by, the silence stretching thick and tense. I pace, sit, then pace again my thoughts circling endlessly, as I try to figure out where Lucian might have been taken.

They left no clues, or scent trails hence I have nothing to work with.

I think of all the places they could have taken him over and over again and frustratingly, my instincts keep bringing me back to one place. My bakery.

When I think why? It’s close to this abandoned house and it’s also the last place anyone would think to look.

“Ingrid, I think you should’ve gone back with them,” Kira’s voice echoes softly in my head, her tone tight with concern. “This is too dangerous. Remember what happened the last time you went back to that bakery?”

I finish the last bite of tuna, swallowing hard. “Yeah… I remember. Logan found me and almos
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  • THE WOLF WITHIN:CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA   CHAPTER 079

    INGRIDI see movement from where Lucian lies, and instinctively, I lean forward in my chair, my body tense, hoping he’s finally awake.I watch as his eyes flutter open, and relief floods through me like a crashing wave. I jolt from my seat and rush to his bedside, my heart pounding in my chest."How are you feeling? Have you healed?" I ask quickly, stretching out my hand toward his shoulder, desperate to check for myself.He shits, gritting his teeth slightly as he forces himself to sit up."Yes. I’ve healed." He mumbles.I give him a faint smile and nod, swallowing the lump of exhaustion caught in my throat."Good. That's good. You've been out for almost two days," I mutter, my voice coming out hoarse from lack of sleep.Lucian arches his brow, clearly surprised. "You haven’t slept the whole time?" he asks, concern laced in his voice.I sigh heavily, rubbing my tired eyes with my palm. "Someone had to keep watch... just in case," I respond casually, even though my body screams with f

  • THE WOLF WITHIN:CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA   CHAPTER 078

    INGRID."We're here," I pant, my voice barely above a whisper as I come to a halt in front of the old abandoned cabin.The place looks even more broken than I remembered—boards hanging loose, windows cracked, the front porch sagging like it might collapse under our weight."How do you know this place?" Lucian asks, his eyes scanning the woods, then flicking warily back to the cabin.I hesitate before answering, the old hurt rising like smoke in my chest."It's where I stayed when you chased me out of your territory," I blurt, my throat tightening.The words hang in the air for a moment, causing a little bit of tension.Lucian looks away in pretense, and changes the subject quickly."Are you sure it’s safe?" he asks, his hand pressing against his stomach almost instinctively."Yes," I respond quickly. "I'm sure, they probably think we’ve already left Shadow Ridge by now."I climb the creaking steps onto the porch and peek inside through a broken window. "It’s clear!" I call back. "No o

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