All Chapters of THE WOLF WITHIN:CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

INGRID"What the hell was that, Kira?" I mutter, limping across the room, my fingers trembling at my sides."He was just standing there, watching me while I was naked."Kira chuckles like it’s funny, but it’s not."I feel so violated," I add, my skin crawling at the thought of his eyes on me.I rush back to the window and peek through the sheer curtain expecting to still find him there, and he is, except he is kissing Victoria.My stomach twists as I watch him lead her inside the house, his hands firm on her waist, his lips moving against hers like he wasn’t just—“The fuck? I gasp, yanking the curtain shut completely.I shake my head in disbelief, my jaw tightening, and I feel sick.I drag myself back to bed and slip under the covers, pulling them up to my chin as I close my eyes.I don’t want to think about this. About him.*****************************A loud bang on my door startles me awake, and I blink rapidly, trying to clear the fog of sleep from my mind.I groan, dragging myse

INGRIDAfter spending the entire day in the compound making sure everyone, especially the kids, were well settled, I was exhausted.All I wanted was to collapse into my bed and rest my eyes, but the children wouldn’t let me.They followed me everywhere, asking endless questions about where I had learned to fight and who had taught me.Of course, I couldn’t tell them exactly where I’d learned.Luckily, their mothers eventually called them back as the sun began to set, finally releasing me from their shackles.With a deep sigh, I use my walking stick to drag myself toward the house, my body aching with every step.Just as I am about to reach the main door, I stumble into the posse again, and this time they look pissed."You know, you will never fit in no matter what you do," Victoria sneers, her arms crossed over her chest.I scan her from her perfect blonde hair to her polished boots before limping past her without saying a word."I’m talking to you, Ingrid!" she calls after me, her voi

INGRIDTHUD! I bang the door shut behind me, my breath coming fast, my hands shaking.The air in my room feels heavy, like it’s pressing down on my chest, making it impossible to think straight.With a frustrated sigh, I reach up and untie my hair, letting the strands fall around my face. My fingers thread through it as I try to calm my racing heart, but it’s useless. The memory of what just happened refuses to leave me.“What was that?” I mutter to myself, pacing across the room, my bare feet making soft sounds against the wooden floor.I squeeze my eyes shut, but it only makes the memory stronger. The way our chests collided at one point, his breath against my skin when he whispered in my ear, and the warmth I felt on my skin whenever he touched me. I groan and kick my bed in frustration, which is a big mistake.“Fuck!” I gasp, stumbling as pain shoots up my leg. A tear spills down my cheek, caused by this stupid, self-inflicted injury.I sink to the floor, clutch my foot, and blow

INGRID.A week has passed, and people are still talking about my cake.I didn’t expect it to be such a big deal, but now, every time I pass through the compound, someone stops me to ask when I’ll be baking again.It’s almost comical how something so small can bring people so much joy.But to be honest, I don’t mind because it made me feel normal again. Like I still have a piece of my old life left. So, I decided I’ll be baking for them whenever I get the chance.As for Lucian, he hasn’t been around the past week.I overheard Ezra telling some pack members that he was away, handling “personal business,” but I knew that was a lie.I noticed Victoria was gone, too, and it didn’t take a genius to put two and two together to figure out they were together.At first, it bothered me, and I hated that it did.I thought something shifted between us that day on the field and back at that kitchen, but clearly, I was the only one who felt something.Now, I am seated on a bench, watching Ezra play w

INGRID.The only reason I was there, taking care of Aiden, was purely out of guilt. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.I had avoided the infirmary for days, especially after hearing him whisper that he was sorry.That single word had sent my mind into a spiral, making me question everything.Why was he sorry? Had he told Silas where I was? Had he given up my location, which meant that at any moment, Silas could come for me, and worse, for the pack?The possibilities made my stomach turn. Hence, I kept my distance, and watched from afar, hoping someone else would step in and take care of him.But no one did. Not even Audrey. She must have hated him after he dumped her.So, I stepped up, because no matter what Aiden had done, one thing was undeniable, if it weren’t for him, I would still be out there, alone.A lone wolf, still wandering, and struggling to survive.He had given me a home, a pack and a chance to be something more.So when Ezra and Lucian walked into the infirmary