บททั้งหมดของ The Alpha’s claimed mate : บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Days blurred together, the steady hum of pack life offering little distraction from the ache I tried to ignore. Kael had been absent since that day at the lake, I heard from the ladies in the kitchen that, there have been another attack on the village. Kael went away, buried in patrol duties and strategy meetings. The rogue attacks had since the night of the attack, and the pack has on edge, every shadow in the forest treated as a potential threat. I told myself I didn’t care that I hadn’t seen him. In fact, I convinced myself it was a relief to have some space. But the silence where his presence used to be was deafening. Maya had tried to coax me into normalcy—dragging me to meals, pestering me with gossip—but my mind felt distant, like I was walking through a haze. It wasn’t until she burst into my room one morning, looking far too excited for the early hour, that something shifted. “You’re coming with me today,” she announced, tossing a bundle of clothes onto my bed. I blinked

The days passed with a strange rhythm, each one marked by training sessions, strategy meetings, and whispers of escalating rogue attacks. I kept myself busy, avoiding Kael’s absence as best I could. His duties had consumed him, and despite my earlier resolve not to let his silence bother me, I found myself glancing toward the door every now and then, hoping to see his figure step inside. Instead, it was Sophia who always seemed to be there. Her air of authority and unshakable confidence was almost suffocating. She didn’t need to bark orders like Kael or charm others like Dominique. Alice simply existed in a way that demanded respect—and, more often than not, irritation. The tension between us had been simmering ever since the attack, but it boiled over one afternoon while I was helping Dominique organize the equipment in the training hall. "Careful with that," Sophia said, her voice cutting through the air like a blade as I reached for a stack of newly forged daggers. She stood i

Astrid," she said, her voice clipped. "The Alpha has summoned you." Ezra tensed, his posture shifting into something more protective as he glanced at me. "Why?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion. Sophia arched a brow, her lips curling into a disdainful smile. "That’s not your concern, rogue. The Alpha doesn’t answer to you." Ezra took a step forward, his shoulders squared. "She’s not going anywhere unless you tell us what this is about." Sophia’s expression hardened, and the air seemed to hum with restrained energy. "Careful, Ezra," she said, her voice a warning. "You might’ve earned some leniency, but don’t think for a second you’re untouchable." "Enough," I said quickly, stepping between them. The last thing I needed was for the tension in the room to erupt into something physical. "I’ll go. Just... don’t make this worse." Ezra shot me a look, his jaw tight, but he stepped back. "Fine. But if anything happens to her—" "Save your threats," Sophia interrupted coldly. "The

Kael's scoff echoed in the air, sharp and biting. He crossed his arms, his broad frame radiating tension. "Friendship seems to be a dangerous thing for you, little mouse. Tell me, does this *friend* know more about your loyalty than I do?" Ezra growled low, his jaw clenching. "Don’t twist her words to fit your narrative, Kael. Unlike you, I don’t demand loyalty through fear or force." Kael's gaze snapped to Ezra, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Careful, Ezra. You’ve already overstayed your welcome. Don’t push your luck further." "Or what?" Ezra challenged, taking a step closer. "You’ll exile me? Kill me? Like you’ve done to so many others who dared to defy you?" The tension crackled like a storm about to break, and I felt myself caught in the middle, powerless to stop it. "Enough!" I shouted, stepping between them. My voice sounded smaller than I wanted, but it was enough to make both men pause. Kael's gaze softened ever so slightly as he looked down at me. "Astrid—" "No

Kael’s gaze locked onto mine, his intense, molten eyes searching for something unspoken. His presence felt overwhelming, like a storm pressing down on me. I could barely breathe under the weight of his attention, and yet, I didn’t want him to look away. “Little mouse,” he murmured, his voice a dark caress. He took a slow step closer, his hand brushing against my cheek, his thumb gently tracing the curve of my jaw. “Do you even understand what you mean to me? What you do to me, whenever you are close?” I shook my head, unable to find my voice. The space between us felt too charged, too intimate. Every nerve in my body was on edge as his warmth seeped into me. “You’re mine,” he said, the words a soft growl. “And I need you to understand what that means.” Kael’s fingers slid down to my chin, tilting my face up to his. His touch was both commanding and careful, as if he feared I might break under his hands. My heart raced, every beat echoing in my ears. “Kael…” I whispered, my v