The Alpha's Last Choice のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Clara's POV I take three books from Kael's study when I leave. He doesn't stop me. Just watches with those sad silver eyes as I walk out with my stolen knowledge.Back in my room, I spread the books across the bed. One is about wolf bonds. Another talks about ancient curses. The third is older than the others, its pages yellow and brittle like they might crumble if I'm not careful."The Arden Prophecy: A Complete History."I open it slowly, and a piece of paper falls out. It's Kael's handwriting. I recognize it from the journals in his study.My hands shake as I pick it up and read."The prophecy states: A human woman will come who can heal the cursed Alpha. Her touch will close his wounds and strengthen his power. But the healing comes at a cost. For every life she gives, she loses part of her own. The bond will consume her slowly, burning through her human life force until nothing remains."I read it again. Then again. The words don't change.For every life she gives, she loses par

Clara's POV "Keep your guard up. A Bloodfang won't wait for you to be ready."I raise my arms higher, trying to copy the stance that Mira showed me five minutes ago. My muscles already ache, and we've barely started.Mira circles me like a predator studying prey. She's one of Kael's warriors, lean, strong, with dark hair pulled back in a tight braid. When Kael asked her to train me, she looked at me like he'd asked her to teach a rabbit how to hunt."Hit me," she commands."What?""You heard me. Throw a punch."I swing awkwardly, and she dodges easily. Too easily. Like I'm moving through water while she's made of air."Again."Another swing. Another miss."You're telegraphing your moves," she says, not unkindly. "Your whole body announces what you're about to do before you do it. In a real fight, you'd be dead already."The words sting, but she's right. I'm terrible at this."Why are you doing this?" I ask, lowering my arms. "You don't want me here. None of you do."Mira stops circli

Clara's POV I find the passage by accident.After training with Mira, I'm exploring the mansion's lower levels, trying to find the library Damon mentioned. The hallways down here are narrower, older. Stone instead of fancy wood and wallpaper.I'm running my hand along the wall when I feel it, a draft of cold air coming from somewhere it shouldn't.I press against the stone, and a section of wall clicks. It swings inward silently, revealing darkness beyond.A secret passage.One side of me says to close it and walk away. But curiosity wins. I turn on my phone's flashlight and step inside.The passage is narrow, barely wide enough for one person. Rough stone walls press close on both sides. The air smells damp and old, like no one's been here in years.I follow it down. The path slopes gently, twisting and turning until I lose all sense of direction. My phone says I've been walking for ten minutes when I see light ahead.The passage opens into a small cave. Natural rock surrounds me, a

Clara's POV "Get out!"The roar comes from Kael's study, followed by the crash of something heavy hitting the wall. I pause outside the door, my hand raised to knock.Another crash. Glass shattering. Then a sound that might be a bookshelf falling over.I open the door without knocking.The study looks like a war zone. Books scattered across the floor. His desk overturned. One of the expensive leather chairs has been thrown through the window, and cold air pours into the room.Kael stands in the middle of the destruction, chest heaving. Blood drips from his knuckles where he punched the stone wall. His silver eyes are wild, more wolf than man."I said get out," he growls without looking at me."No."He spins toward me, and for a second I think he might actually throw me out. But then something in his expression breaks, and I see the man beneath the rage."I can't find them," he says, his voice rough. "We've questioned everyone. Checked backgrounds. Monitored communications. Whoever th

Clara's POV "We move her tomorrow night. The safe house in Colorado is ready."I freeze outside Kael's study. That's Damon's voice, and he's talking about me."The Bloodfangs won't expect it," Kael responds. "By the time they realize she's gone, she'll be three states away with round-the-clock protection."My stomach drops. He's planning to send me away."And when she wakes up to find herself in Colorado?" Damon asks. "She'll be furious.""She'll be alive. That's all that matters."I push the door open without knocking. Both men turn to look at me, guilt written across their faces."Colorado?" I keep my voice steady despite the anger building in my chest. "You're shipping me off like cargo?""Clara…" Kael starts."How long have you been planning this?" I step into the room, closing the door behind me. "Days? Weeks?""Since Viktor's interrogation," Damon admits, earning a sharp look from Kael. "The traitor is still out there. Marcus knows too much. Keeping you here is…""My choice," I