บททั้งหมดของ Claimed By The Biker Alpha: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

Jolie POVThe Council chamber was carved from living stone, walls smooth and ancient. Torches burned in iron brackets, casting dancing shadows across faces I didn't recognize. Powerful alphas from every major pack in the region, all here to watch me.To judge me.My boots echoed on the stone floor as I walked to the center. Ryder was behind me, his presence a solid wall at my back. The whole Iron Fangs pack had come, flanking us like an honor guard.Or a funeral procession.The Council sat on a raised platform, seven alphas arranged in a semicircle. I recognized Alpha Dominic from the Steelheart Pack in the center. My father's old friend. The one who'd looked the other way when Nightshade Pack turned me into their punching bag."Jolie Rys." His voice boomed through the chamber. "You stand accused of harboring unregistered abilities. Of refusing Council summons. Of bonding with a rogue pack without Council approval.""I'm not accused of anything," I said. My voice came out steadier tha

Jolie POVThe training room reeked of sweat. Knox had set up mats in the center, punching bags along the walls. Weapons hung on racks—knives, staff, even a few silver chains.I stared at them. My reflection stared back from the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes. Hair pulled into a messy braid. Sports bra and leggings Doc said would let me move freely.I looked like I'd already lost."First lesson." Knox's voice made me jump. "Stop thinking you're going to fail. It shows in your stance."I turned. He was in workout gear too, scars visible on his arms. "I'm not""You are." He walked over. "You're already defeated up here." He tapped my forehead. "So your body follows. We fix that first.""How?""By beating it out of you." He grinned. "On the mat. Now."I stepped onto the mat. Knox circled me like a predator. "Show me your fighting stance."I lifted my hands. I tried to remember the basic self-defense I was taught before my fight with Mara. Knox made a disgusted sound. "Drop your hand

Jolie POVThe neutral grounds weren't neutral at all.Wolves lined every inch of the ancient stone circle. I saw them watching as we rode in. Hundreds of them, maybe thousands. All here to watch me die. "Stay close." Ryder's voice came through our new bond.I nodded because I couldn’t speak. My throat was too tight as my heart hammered against my ribs.The combat circle sat in the center of a clearing, surrounded by pine trees so old they'd probably seen the first wolves walk the earth. The stones were carved with runes that glowed faintly in the morning light, pulsing with power. Council members sat on a raised platform. Five of them, all ancient alphas who'd probably forgotten what it felt like to be scared. Councilor Ironwood was in the center, his hair bright against his dark robes. Their facial expressions were unreadable."Here we go." Ryder cut his engine, the rumble dying to silence.I did the same. My hands shook as I pulled off my helmet, the cool morning air hitting my f

Jolie POVI woke up in our bed. Ryder's arms around me, Doc sitting in the chair by the window. Afternoon light streamed through the glass, warm on my face. "Welcome back." Doc smiled, setting down his book. "You've been out for six hours."Six hours? I tried to sit up, but my body protested. Everything hurt. My muscles felt like stretched rubber bands, tight and trembling. Even my bones ached."Easy." Ryder's voice rumbled against my back, his chest solid and warm. "You used up everything fighting Thorne. Your body needs time to recover."The fight. It came back in flashes—silver fire burning through my veins, black fur and snapping teeth, the crowd's shocked silence. I'd won. Actually won. My hands still tingled."Is he dead?" I asked, my throat dry and rough."No." Doc stood and came to check my pulse, his fingers gentle on my wrist. "Severely injured and humiliated, but alive. His pack took him back to their territory."Good. I didn't want to be a killer. Just wanted to be free.

Jolie POVThe ride back from the Council chamber should have felt like victory. We'd won—I was officially recognized as Luna of the Iron Fangs, with no more challenges to my status and no more threats from Nightshade or the Council hanging over our heads. So why did I feel like I was about to shatter into a thousand irreparable pieces?"You okay back there?" Ryder's voice cut through the wind and engine noise, carrying concern I could feel echoing through our bond."Fine." I pressed my cheek against his leather jacket, the familiar scent of him mixing with oil and road dust. The vibration from his bike traveled through my whole body, making everything ache worse than it had when we'd first left the Council chamber.He didn't believe me—I felt his doubt seeping through our bond but mercifully, he didn't push. The compound came into view as we rounded the last curve, the familiar buildings and territory markers appearing through the trees. Home. The word still felt strange in my mind, l