All Chapters of Reborn As Alpha Hated Mate: Chapter 21 - Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty The hidden chamber had offered only a brief sanctuary. I had dared to believe I was unseen, untouchable for a few heartbeats—but I had been foolish.A sharp click echoed behind me, small but precise. My stomach sank. Before I could react, a shadow swept over me, and the air seemed to tighten.“Ah, there you are,” Serena’s voice slithered like ice over my skin. Her silver gown gleamed under the faint torchlight, and her eyes were sharp, predatory, filled with that same cruel triumph she always carried.I froze.“Step away,” I warned, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart.She laughed, low and venomous. “Step away? You hide in shadows and call that safety? You’re lucky you even breathe right now, Lyra.”Before I could flinch, her hand shot out, connecting with the side of my face. The slap was sharp, violent—a sting that seared across my cheek and echoed in the walls. My head snapped to the side, pain blooming in a hot, angry flare. My fingers flew to my skin,

Chapter Twenty-Two – Blood Debt and ShadowsThe chamber was quiet, almost peaceful, until a soft knock echoed against the door.“Ma’am… something’s happening outside,” whispered the trusted maid, her voice trembling as she stepped in. Her eyes were wide, filled with worry. “A commotion… the Alpha… he’s about to execute someone.”My chest tightened instantly, a sharp stab of fear and instinct. “Who?” I demanded, rising so quickly that my stomach churned with unease and the growing life inside me pressed insistently against my spine.“Ronan… the rogue leader,” she whispered, lowering her voice, eyes darting nervously toward the corridor. “They dragged him into the courtyard… the pack is watching… it doesn’t look good.”My heart lurched. Ronan. That name carried danger, but something else—a strange pull, unexplainable and immediate. I swallowed hard, pressing a trembling hand against my chest. A sudden warmth surged from my core as an unfamiliar sensation gripped me.Wolf… instinct, stro

Chapter Twenty-Four The hallway was silent as I made my way toward Karen’s chambers. Every step felt heavier than the last, every shadow a reminder of the danger that clung to this place. My stomach twisted in anxiety, my hand brushing unconsciously over the small swell that betrayed the life inside me.I had been summoned. Karen had demanded to see me. And I knew, deep in my bones, that whatever awaited me would not be pleasant.I paused outside the heavy wooden doors, straightening my shoulders. “Steady,” I whispered to myself. “You can do this.”The doors opened before I could knock. Karen sat behind her ornate desk, expression unreadable. Across from her, standing with that infuriatingly smug look, was Serena.“Lyra,” Karen said smoothly, voice calm but with an edge. “Come in. Sit.”I stepped inside cautiously, trying to mask the tension that churned inside me. Serena’s eyes locked onto mine, sharp, predatory. She smiled—a thin, cruel line that made my blood boil.“Hello, darling

Chapter Twenty-SixThe chamber I had claimed as my secret training ground was cold, damp, and abandoned—perfect. No one came here anymore. The air smelled faintly of earth and old stone, mixed with the lingering scent of burned torches. It was secluded enough that I could practice without fear of prying eyes… or unwanted interruptions.I stripped my hands bare, rolling my shoulders, feeling the tight muscles of my arms stretch. The memory of Lyra’s body—the strength it carried, the agility, the raw wolf instincts—lingered beneath my skin. Even though I couldn’t shift fully yet, even though my wolf remained partially dormant, I could feel it, like an ember refusing to die.“Focus,” I whispered to myself, voice low and steady. “Feel it… let it guide you.”I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath, letting my senses extend beyond the walls. The faintest flicker of moonlight through the cracks above brushed against my face. And then it happened—the first spark.A faint glow rose from my