All Chapters of Claimed By The Big Bad Alpha : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

The morning light streamed gently through the high arched windows, casting golden slants across the bed. I stirred, the softness of the sheets barely registering beneath the warmth surrounding me. It took a second to remember where I was—and whose arms were holding me so closely.A chest rise and fall steadily behind me, an arm wrapped securely around my waist, and a faint whisper of breath tickling my neck.Tristan. For a moment, it didn’t feel real. I thought I might still be in that half-lucid space between dream and consciousness—until I turned, slowly, and opened my eyes.He was already watching me.His face hovered just inches above mine, messy dark hair falling over his brow, and his mouth curved into the softest, goofiest smile I’d ever seen on him. His soft eyes crinkled at the corners, light dancing in their depths.I blinked, dazed. “Were you… watching me sleep?”Tristan grinned wider. “Obviously.”My brows rose. “Seriously?” Now talk about someone being utterly shameless.

After breakfast, I spent the rest of the morning with Tristan. He didn’t say much, but he never left my side. We walked through the palace in silence, his fingers brushing the small of my back every now and then, like he needed to reassure himself that I was still here.And maybe I needed the touch too.Lucille hadn’t spoken a single word after erupting the breakfast atmosphere, she went back to pretending like we didn't exist.So when a servant approached me with a message from Lucille, inviting me to brunch alone, Tristan’s reaction was immediate and sharp.“No.”I turned to him, trying to gauge whether he was serious or just overprotective.“It’s just tea,” I said lightly, even though we both knew better.“It’s Lucille,” he growled. “She won't invite you unless she has an ulterior motive. She always have an ulterior motive.”“I’m not stupid, Tristan. I know she has an agenda.”“Then you shouldn’t go.”I stepped closer, laying a hand on his chest. His heart was beating fast.“I can

The room was quiet, thick with warmth and the smell of sex and sweat. Tristan’s arm was draped over my waist, his fingers lazily tracing circles against my side. I could feel the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my palm, calm now… steady, like mine was learning to be.Neither of us said a word. We didn’t need to.We were tangled together in that rare kind of silence that only comes after something real—when the world outside doesn’t quite exist yet.I shifted slightly, pressing my lips to his shoulder. He hummed low in his throat and tightened his arm around me."I could stay like this forever," I murmured."We could," he said, voice husky against my ear. “Just say the word.”I smiled into his chest.Minutes passed. Maybe more. My limbs were pleasantly sore, my heart blissfully quiet. I was half-asleep, just barely holding on to wakefulness, when it happened.Knock.One single, muffled rap on the door.I blinked.Tristan stilled.Another knock came, a little more insistent.I let

I didn’t smile back.“You may be the last Slythe, but that doesn't place you above scrutiny,” another councilman said, his voice smooth and biting. “We’re here to determine what danger you pose to our world. Your powers… they’re already inspiring fear.”Tristan growled low beside me, the sound animalistic, deep from his chest. “She’s not a danger. She's the prophecy fulfilled.”“And sometimes,” murmured the one with the cane, his pale eyes unreadable, “prophecies bring ruin. Unless, of course, their power is bound to someone already loyal to our kingdom.”The implication hit like ice water. My shoulders went stiff.“What are you suggesting?” Tristan snapped, his tone deadly.The man in the middle shrugged. “The girl should be mated to the current king, King Rhovan. That is the only way we can ensure her loyalty. The bond you share with her is… volatile.”Heat pulsed from Tristan in violent waves. His breathing was harsh, and I could hear the grinding of his teeth. “Breaking a bond is

I didn’t know when I yanked the door open—only that the moment it slammed behind me, the sound jolted down my spine. I kept walking. Fast. Each step felt like I was dragging the weight of everything I couldn’t say back there. My fists were balled tight, nails biting into my palms, but I didn’t stop.If I did, I’d scream.I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to leave that room. I don't like the thought of being itemized, it suffocates me. And Tristan—God, Tristan. I shouldn't have....I knew he was being reasonable but I just can't...not now I took a turn. Then another. The palace was too big, all tall halls and endless corners, lined with polished glass and things that probably cost more than my entire life. Not like I care anyway, I wasn’t even paying attention. I just kept walking like if I went fast enough, I’d leave all of it behind.Somewhere along the line, the anger started to fade. Not because I stopped being mad. But because the other thing caught up. That hollow, g