All Chapters of Once Ignored, Now Claimed: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Elara's POVBy the time I returned to Midnight Pack, the sun was already sinking low. Dusk swallowed the estate inch by inch as night settled in.I pushed the door open and realized it was completely unlocked.I headed straight for Adrian's room. Marielle leaned against the doorway and watched me approach. Her gaze was sharp and venomous. She spoke slowly."Elara, you're going to end up miserable."I ignored her entirely and walked past her into the room.I saw Adrian lying on the bed, his frame even thinner than the last time we'd argued. His face was pale and drained of any color.When he heard me, he opened his eyes. His voice was barely more than a breath."You win."I frowned. How could he have deteriorated this badly in just a few days?"What happened?" I asked.Marielle stepped out from behind me. "What do you think happened? It's because of you. You knew Adrian was still suffering from the wolfsbane, and you still abandoned him on the full moon. How could you be so c

Elara's POVI grabbed the nearest glass and splashed the wine onto Marielle's face.She shrieked, "Bitch! You're insane!"Adrian frowned and was about to say something, but I cut him off. I looked at Marielle and said, "If you don't want yourself or Adrian to die, you'd better leave. Now."Marielle sneered. "Guess who sent me here?"Just then, a werewolf shouted in our direction, "Hey, Adrian, can you get those two to stop it? No one here is interested in your love life."Adrian's body went rigid for a split second.The bursts of laughter erupted almost simultaneously.This wasn't Midnight Pack territory, and nearly everyone here was an Alpha. In his weakened state, Adrian couldn't take on a single one of them. He would probably struggle even against the werewolves at their sides.His jaw tightened, fangs flashing ever so slightly. Anger burned behind his eyes, but he was trapped by his own weakness.Before he could truly snap, another voice called out, "Come on, Adrian. We a

Elara's POVDraven's words had been nothing short of a death sentence for Adrian.I instinctively looked around, but every werewolf avoided my eyes. No one was willing to save him.Draven had already left, and one of his subordinates spoke up. "Border patrols will now be under our control."Everyone lowered their heads in silence. No one looked up or argued.Even long after the Forest Pack werewolves had departed, the Alphas still stood frozen in place. They exchanged glances, then quickly looked away.The only things left in the air were the metallic tang of blood and the sharp sting of wolfsbane, reminders of what had just happened.Every werewolf there understood the truth. Adrian's fate had been the Alpha King's warning.-It wasn't until evening that I finally dragged a terrified, barely walking Marielle back to Midnight Pack.The pack elders and Dorothy were holding an emergency pack meeting.I led Marielle into the room. No sooner had the door closed than a sharp, e

Draven's POVMy subordinates pushed open the door to the executive suite. On the sofa, a few Midnight Pack werewolves were huddled together. They practically jumped to their feet, movements hurried but respectful."Alpha King," someone said, lowering his head. Another dropped to one knee. The third didn't even dare meet my gaze."W-we are willing to offer half of Midnight's land if it means we can get Alpha Adrian back."I toyed with the folders in my hands and held back a laugh. The pages were full of the pack's richest forests and most abundant water sources, and they were willing to trade all this for a worthless Alpha."Midnight's territory is far superior to many packs. Thanks to your previous Alpha, you secured these lands. But clearly, his child is incapable of holding this responsibility," I said, setting the folders down.I looked each of them in the eye. "I won't let Adrian go. His abilities are insufficient to lead the Midnight Pack. His incompetence will cause you to

Elara's POVDraven's subordinates nodded toward him. "William."His gaze stayed fixed on me, making me extremely uneasy. I lowered my head and tried to avoid it, but he walked straight up to me.William wasn't as tall as Draven, but he had a strikingly similar face and the same familiar presence of danger.He sniffed the air as if catching something, then asked, "You're Draven's new girlfriend?""I'm not," I said immediately, the memory of being trapped and cornered by Circe and the others still fresh. "I'm just... a guest."My answer seemed to please him, and he laughed."Compared to Draven's usual women, you actually have some sense!"Suddenly, he leaned down close to me, his expression shifting sharply. "Smart little bitch... do you know who I am?"His presence was suffocating, and I tried to lean back. "Who?"He didn't answer, but his hand clamped firmly on my waist and held me in place."Let go!" I struggled, but it was useless.William watched my futile efforts and se