BETRAYED BY MY MATE CLAIMED BY HIS STEPBROTHER のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

NATALIA DE LUCA…….For a moment, I thought I misheard him.The café hummed around us, cups clinking, voices rising and falling but all I heard was his voice, low and steady, dropping a bomb between us.“Marry me.”My fingers froze around my coffee cup. My heart gave a sharp, traitorous lurch in my chest. I hadn’t expected him to move this fast. Teasing him at the banquet, staging a “chance” encounter outside the boutique, orchestrating today’s little blind date, all of it was meant to plant seeds, to stir curiosity, to make him chase.But Knox Davenport didn’t chase like other men. He devoured.I stared at him, letting the silence stretch, watching the way he leaned forward, eyes locked on me like he’d already made up his mind. That intensity in his eyes, it was dangerous. Addictive.I forced a laugh, soft and disbelieving. “You can’t be serious.”He didn’t blink. “Do I look like I’m joking?”God, the way he said it, like he could tear the world apart just to hand me the pieces. For

NATALIA DE LUCA…..The first thing I felt was pain. Excruciating pain in my back. My lashes fluttered open, and for a moment I didn’t recognize the walls in front of me, white, smooth, unfamiliar. Not home. Not prison.Where am I?My heart stuttered, panic clawing its way into my chest. I was lying on my back. I sat up with a jerk, breath catching in my throat, eyes darting across the room. Clean walls, expensive furnishings, an armchair tucked neatly by the window. Everything spoke of wealth, of order, yet nothing I had ever seen before.Where am I?I clutched the blanket tighter around me, every muscle wound tight as a bowstring. My ears strained at the faintest sound. Then…The door clicked open.My head snapped toward it, every nerve braced for the worst.And then he walked in.Knox Davenport.He carried a glass jug of water in his hand, casual as if he owned not just this house but the air itself. His dark hair was damp, his shirt sleeves rolled up, and when his eyes landed on me

ARIELLA…..For the first time since I came to the Green Jade Pack, I had allowed myself a little indulgence. A dress, nothing warlike, nothing sharp-edged, just silk and shimmer for my birthday banquet next weekend. A birthday I had actually decided to celebrate, not hide from. I remember smiling as I folded the bag on my lap, thinking of Zach’s expression when he saw me in it.That smile died the moment our car lurched and coughed to a dead stop.We were near the border. Too near. I was coming back from the city after buying a dress for myself. The road stretched into shadows where trees bent inward like watching soldiers, and the silence was wrong. My skin prickled.The driver, a man Zach had assigned, or so I thought cursed under his breath, then turned to me with a stiff expression. “Stay inside, Luna. I’ll check.”Something in his tone set my nerves on edge, but I nodded and stayed seated, fingers tight on the dress bag as if it could anchor me. I watched him step out, lift the h

ARIELLA DAVENPORT…..“You haven't told anyone at home about the attack, did you?” I asked Ryder who was still sulking in a corner because I chose Zach over him.“No, I still haven't told them about it yet. But now I think I should tell them to know how wrong was your father's decision when he chose Zach as your partner. I don't blame you. But I do blame your father.” I chuckled at his words."Thanks bro. I don't want to worry them.” Ryder glared at me."You will regret your decision in the future. Mark my words. You still have a chance. Come with me. I'm sure, whoever set that trap for you, will again attack you. I'm telling you for your own good. Don't be stupid and come with me. I'm not taking you away forever, you can come back once he catches the real culprit.” He tried to convince me."I can't leave my husband behind in danger, Ryder. They targeted me because I'm the only weakness of Zach Winchester. They know they can't kill him easily because of his powerful wolf. But they can

NATALIA DE LUCA…..I sat down at the table, though my appetite had all but vanished. My eyes kept straying toward the corner where Knox and Damon stood, their heads bowed close, their postures rigid. Damon’s jaw was clenched tight, his hands moving in sharp gestures, while Knox remained steady, unmoved, as if bracing against a storm.The sister slid into the seat opposite me, crossing her legs gracefully, though the tension in her eyes gave her away.“You know,” she said lightly, though there was an edge to every syllable, “Knox never brings women here. This place is… special. For him, for us. It’s strange seeing someone new at his side.”Her words were meant to sting, but I only smiled faintly, refusing to give her satisfaction. “Then I suppose today must be special for both of us.”Her painted lips curved, but her eyes betrayed her, flashing with irritation. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. “You mustn’t get too comfortable. Knox… he’s not the type to keep anyone around for