Rejected While Pregnant: Claimed by the Direwolf Alpha のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

[Araya's POV]Araya lies in the bed, staring at the wooden beams of the ceiling. Lyra's words echo in her mind."You're safe now. No one will hurt you here."Safe. The word feels foreign, like something from another life. Araya hasn't felt safe since the moment Jasper whispered those cruel words during their wedding vows.The door opens again, and both Lyra and Selvara return. They're carrying supplies, fresh bandages and herbs, a bowl of what smells like stew.Araya's chest tightens. She waits for the mockery to start. For them to laugh at her weakness. For them to tell her she's pathetic, just like Ronan did.That's what everyone does eventually."I know what you're thinking," Selvara says, setting down a bundle of firewood near the hearth. "You're waiting for us to turn on you. To tell you you're worthless."Araya's breath catches. "How did you know?""Because that's what the packs do," Selvara says. "They break you down, make you think you deserve the pain. Then when someone tries

[Araya's POV]Araya lies in the snow, her body trembling with exhaustion. Every muscle screams in protest. Her hands are bleeding from the axe work, her ribs ache from the failed hunting attempt, and her entire body feels like it's been torn apart and barely stitched back together.But she felt her wolf.For the first time in her entire life, she actually felt it.Footsteps crunch through the snow. Araya opens her eyes to see Lyra approaching, carrying a blanket."Come on," Lyra says gently. "Let's get you inside before you freeze to death."Lyra helps Araya to her feet, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. Araya leans heavily on Lyra as they make their way back to the cabin.Inside, the fire burns warm and bright. Selvara sits at the table, sharpening a knife. She looks up as they enter."She's still alive," Selvara observes. "I'm impressed. Most wolves don't survive their first day of Ronan's training.""Most wolves aren't as stubborn as this one," Lyra says, guiding Araya to t

[Araya's POV]The first week is hell.Ronan pushes Araya harder than anyone has ever pushed her before. Every day starts before dawn and doesn't end until long after dark. Every muscle in her body screams. Every joint aches. Every breath burns.But Araya refuses to quit.Day one, Ronan makes her run. Not a gentle jog, but a full sprint through the forest, over roots and rocks and fallen logs. Araya's legs give out after the first mile. She collapses in the snow, gasping for air.Ronan stands over her, his golden eyes cold. "Get up.""I can't," Araya pants."Then you'll freeze here," Ronan says. "Your choice."Araya pushes herself up and runs again. She makes it another half mile before collapsing a second time.Ronan doesn't help her. Doesn't offer encouragement. Just stands there, waiting.Araya gets up again. And again. And again.By the end of the day, she's run five miles. Her legs shake so badly she can barely walk back to the cabin.Day two, combat training begins.Ronan hands Ar

[Araya's POV]The heat between Araya and Ronan lingers long after he releases her wrist. Araya stands in the clearing, her heart racing, trying to understand what just happened.Ronan stares at her, his golden eyes burning with an intensity that makes Araya's breath catch. His chest heaves, his jaw tight."Training is done for today," Ronan says, his voice rough. "Go inside."He turns and walks away, disappearing into the forest without another word.Araya stands alone in the clearing, her wrist still tingling where Ronan touched her. The sensation was nothing like the bond with Jasper. That bond felt forced, cold, like something imposed on her against her will.This felt different. Darker. Wilder. Like something primal waking up inside her.Araya shakes her head and walks back to the cabin. Her body aches from the sparring session, bruises blooming across her arms and ribs. But the pain feels distant, overshadowed by the strange heat still coursing through her veins.Inside, Lyra and

[Araya's POV]Three days pass after the awakening.Araya's eyes continue to glow, the silver-blue light fading only slightly during sleep. Her body feels different, stronger, like every cell has been remade. She can hear sounds she never noticed before. Smell scents on the wind from miles away. Feel the pulse of life in the forest around her.Her wolf is awake. But it hasn't fully emerged yet.Ronan pushes her harder than ever. Longer runs. Heavier weights. More brutal sparring sessions. He's relentless, testing the limits of her new strength.And Araya meets every challenge.On the morning of the fourth day, Ronan finds Araya in the clearing before dawn."Today, you shift," Ronan says. Not a question. A command.Araya's stomach tightens. "I've been trying. It's not happening.""Because you're still afraid," Ronan says. "You felt your wolf during the awakening. You know it's there. But you're holding back.""I'm not," Araya protests.Ronan's golden eyes narrow. "You are. You're afraid