All Chapters of Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha Prince: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

But Darren, pale and shaken, staggers upright, his gaze darting between Selene and me.“I–I didn’t know,” he stammers, panic etched across his face. “I didn’t know she was—”He cuts himself off and bolts into the darkness, branches snapping under his boots as he flees.“Darren!” Selene calls after him, voice breaking with frustration.She takes a step as if to chase after him, but he’s already gone. Her shoulders stiffen, her hands curling into fists as she turns back to me, quivering with rage.“You had no right,” she spits at me bitterly. “No right at all.”I take a step toward her, fury still burning through me.“No right?” My voice is low, sharp enough to cut. “You drag a man you barely know into the woods, half drunk, and you think I won’t notice?”She stiffens, eyes flashing.“Why do you care?”I move closer, forcing her backward until her shoulders brush the rough bark of the oak. My shadow falls over her, my wolf still snarling beneath my skin.“If you’re going to throw yourse

In a family of strong healers, being ordinary is an insult. A disappointment. I’m the one who couldn’t live up to expectations. The oldest daughter and yet so mediocre. My parents have never said so, but I can see it in their eyes, the letdown that I am. My siblings love me, but I have never been able to stand on par with them.It hurts more than I can put into words.So, when our alpha hauled my friend and me to this palace as scapegoats, I begged my parents not to try to defend me, knowing they would pay the price. At least my life would be worth something if I could save theirs. I remember my mother weeping as Daciana and I were dragged toward the portal.I haven’t seen them since. Astra offered to invite them to the capital, but all I’ve done is send letters in which I keep reassuring them how happy and settled I am here. I have not gone to visit them because I know they will see the misery that is etched deep within me and realize something is wrong.They think I’m living an amaz

Even though he’s covered in blood and dirt, there’s something about this man that steals my breath. Dark hair falls across his forehead, and I can make out strong features beneath the blood and grime.My wolf is going wild inside my mind, pressing against my consciousness with a strange excitement that I don’t understand.The injured stranger makes a soft sound. His eyes flutter but don’t quite open, his breathing ragged and weak now. He is barely conscious, his body trembling from the pain and blood loss.“You’re going to be okay,” I tell him, though I’m not sure he can even hear me. “I won’t let you die.”My hands glow with healing light as I channel my magic into him. The power flows unsteadily, flickering as I struggle to maintain control. The wounds begin to close gradually under my touch, the bleeding slowing, but it’s harder for me than it should be. My magic vacillates, requiring constant effort to keep it steady.The man’s breaths remain shallow, his eyes still closed, comple

“ANYTHING?” I ask the soldier hurrying toward me as I stride through the infirmary wing.Roy shakes his head.“Nothing. We’ve had two of our witches go over the area. There’s no trace of magic, but there’s no scent, either, not even the healer’s. Lord Zane’s blood is there, but there’s no scent. We used human testing to check the blood. It’s his.”My jaw tightens.“Has Lord Zane woken up?”“Yes,” Roy says. “He’s waiting for you to come see him.”I start walking toward the part of the infirmary that is reserved for those of royal blood or nobility. Zane Radrick falls into both categories. He’s the nephew of the late queen’s cousin and from the prominent Radrick family. He is also part of the Umbra Council, which could mean he’s dangerous. He has never really revealed which faction of the Council he sides with, and that makes him a wild card.When Selene emerged from the forest like something from a nightmare—her dress torn and bloodied, her small frame barely supporting Zane’s unconsci

First, the timing. Zane claims he left the celebration around midnight, but Selene didn’t emerge from the forest until nearly three in the morning. What was he doing out here for three hours?Second, the result. Why did his attackers leave him alive? If they were trying to send a message, it really isn’t clear what that message might be.Third, the lack of evidence. If three shifters attack a man, there should be tracks, scents, signs of a struggle. Instead, we have nothing but Zane’s blood and some mysterious, red powder.I walk the perimeter again, looking for anything my team might have missed. The ground here is soft enough to show tracks, but there are none. Not even Selene’s footprints, which should be here if she really found him like she claims.“Commander?” One of my soldiers approaches. “We’ve covered every inch of the area. Other than the powder you found, there’s nothing.”“What about the guest list from last night? Everyone accounted for?”“Yes, sir. We’ve verified the wh