Semua Bab THE WOLF WITHIN:CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA: Bab 131 - Bab 140

LUCIANThe moment my foot slipped from the cliff’s edge, time fractured into fragments—suspended between the snapping of branches, the rush of wind, and the sickening realization that there was no way of stopping what was coming.Tree limbs tore at my body as I went down, sharp, relentless claws of bark and splinters shredded through my flesh and fabric.Then, everything went still for a heartbeat before my back slammed against the earth with a deafening, brutal crack.Pain flared bright and immediate—and then, darkness followed.****************************************************************I woke up hours later, though it felt like I was out for centuries.At first, I couldn’t tell if I was dead or still falling. But then, the pain hit me. Not all at once, but in growing waves, like a tide rising to drown me.It started at the base of my spine and crawled up to every vertebrae, exploding across my ribs, my skull, my limbs.I couldn’t move my legs, hands, or even any of my fingers.

LUCIAN.The walk back to the territory is quiet. Peaceful, almost. The air is cool against my skin, and the scent of pine clings to every breath I take.I carry Emily in one arm, close to my chest, her tiny heartbeat a soft rhythm that grounds me.My other arm is wrapped gently around Ingrid, who stays tucked against my side like she’s afraid I’ll vanish if she lets go, and the same goes for me.Her warmth is real, and the weight of our daughter in my arms reminds me I’m alive. I couldn’t be more grateful.But as we move through the trees, something punches through my thoughts, and my heart stutters.“The antidote,” I breathe.Ingrid stops with me, lifting her head. “What?”“I left it. I found the herb for Ezra, but I didn’t grab it after I shifted. Everything happened so fast when I realized there was no truck.” I glance behind me, frustration building in my chest. “As soon as you two are safe, I’ll go get it.”Ingrid touches my chest gently and shakes her head. “You don’t have to. A

LUCIANThe murmurs of conversations buzz around me like distant echoes, the living room is filled with familiar faces.It feels surreal, watching everyone without raised weapons or snarling threats, and at this moment, peace feels foreign on my skin, almost suspicious.I glance toward Ezra, who’s leaning on the arm of a chair, pale and visibly weak, but upright.“Sit before you fall,” I bark, with a small grin, nodding toward the couch beside me.He exhales, chuckling as he lowers himself beside me. “Don’t jinx it.”I study him for a second, and I notice he still has that faint tremor in his hands, and his posture is tense like he’s bracing for something.“You’ve missed a lot, you know, ” I smirk, my tone low.Ezra leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “Catch me up. Last thing I remember is being stabbed and Aiden’s face above me… then nothing.”I nod slowly, drawing in a breath.“After chaos broke loose. We had to look for your cure, rogues stormed the compound, I almost died, and

LUCIANThe room is quiet as I lie in bed with Ingrid curled up against my side, our heartbeats finding the same rhythm.Her fingers trace lazy patterns across my chest, my hand mirroring the movement along her arm, slow, back and forth, memorizing her again.She exhales softly, her breath warming my skin, her head resting on my chest like it belongs there. And it does.I lean down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and she tilts her head up to look at me, a sleepy smile pulling at her lips.I smile back, my fingers lingering in her hair. “We should probably get out of bed,” I mutter. “They’re waiting for us downstairs.”She groans and lifts her leg, draping it over my thigh, adjusting herself closer, her skin soft against mine, the warmth of her body making it hard for me to move. “I don’t want to leave this room,” she sighs, her voice quiet but full of emotion. “I want us to stay here, just us… after everything, we deserve some rest, Lucian.”A soft laugh escapes me, and I nod, stroki

INGRIDThe laughter continues around the table for hours as stories echo like the wind after a storm.I catch Logan’s gaze from across the table as he rises and makes his way toward me.He leans in close, lowering his voice. “My hunters and I are ready to leave.”I nod, swallowing the knot that suddenly forms in my throat. “Okay… just a minute.”I turn to Lucian and tap his arm. He looks up, his eyes softening, and I nod toward Logan.Without needing me to explain further, he stands and wraps Logan into a strong brotherly embrace.“Thank you,” Lucian mutters under his breath. “For everything. And if you ever need anything… anything at all, you know where to find me.”Logan nods, pulling back with a smirk. “Same goes, Alpha. Take care of them.” His eyes land on me, then on Emily.Lucian nods as well and returns to his seat.I hand over Emily to him, who’s now blissfully asleep, her tiny breaths rising and falling, curled safely against his chest.I lead Logan outside, and as soon as we