All Chapters of Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha Prince: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Astra’s POVI think it is, but as I walk beside Lucian—this dangerous, complicated man who saved my life and hunted for me and held me when I was fevered and broken—“peaceful” feels like settling for less. It feels like giving up something valuable that I can’t even name.“He says he loves me,” I add, my voice barely audible now. The declaration that should fill me with joy sounds flat and unconvincing instead.That’s when Lucian finally stops walking and looks at me.“Does he?” His voice is low, vibrating with what sounds like anger.I turn to face him and am startled by the fury blazing in his eyes. “Yes, he—”“And how exactly do you know he loves you?” Each word is sliced off, sharp as glass.My jaw drops at his tone. “Because he told me so.”“He told you so.” There’s disbelief in his voice, contempt even. “And that’s enough for you?”“What else would I need?” The question comes out defensive, sharper than I expected.“Actions,” he snaps, his temper finally breaking free. “Proof. S

Astra’s POVAs we resume walking, his whole posture is different. He’s walking more slowly now, his arm around my waist as he points out various shops and landmarks with growing excitement.“Here we are,” he says eventually, stopping in front of a small inn with faded paint and narrow windows. “It’s not the fanciest place in town, but it’s clean and safe. Perfect for you to rest while I make arrangements.”“Arrangements?” I look up at the modest building, confusion settling in my chest. “I thought—Aren’t we going to your home?”“Oh, Astra.” His smile is gentle and understanding. “I wish we could, but it wouldn’t be right. Small towns like this? People talk. I want to do this properly, treat you with the respect you deserve.” He cups my face tenderly. “Besides, my place is a mess right now. I’m fixing it up, making it perfect for when we’re married.”The explanation makes sense, but disappointment still settles heavily over me. After the long journey to get here, all I want is to curl

Astra’s POV“Ways around it?” I study his face, puzzled. “Andrew, it's a magical law. There’s no getting around it. When I chose to leave for a human life, that was one of the things I gave up.”“Right, right.” He nods quickly, but his eyes have a strange intensity to them. “But what if you did have children, and they inherited some of your abilities? Even if they were technically human?”“That’s not how it works.” I’m becoming more confused by the second. “Why are you asking about this again? You seemed to understand when I explained it before.”“I do understand,” he says, but his smile appears forced now. “I just want to make sure we’ve explored every possibility. Maybe talk to someone who might know more about these laws than we do.”A strange chill runs down my spine. “Andrew, the laws are absolute. There’s no negotiating with magical exile conditions. And even if there were, why would you want to? I thought you said you were fine with just the two of us.”“I am, I am.” But he’s n

Kael's POV“You’re so desperate to be wanted that you’ll settle for the first person who shows you basic kindness.”Why did I say that?The shock in Elara’s eyes, the devastation…In that moment, all the laughter and warmth in those pretty, green eyes vanished, like a flame going out. Instead, I was looking into a chasm carved from years of grief.Suddenly, the woman I had spent weeks with disappeared, replaced by a broken person who looked at me with tired acceptance. Like I was no different from her other abusers.I should have told her I didn’t mean it. I should have stopped her.But she walked away, and I could smell the salt of her tears on the wind. Three days I’ve been sitting on this goddamn hill, staring down at Turnville like some pathetic fool. The bag of coins Elara thrust at me burns in my pocket—seventeen silver pieces that somehow feel heavier than a king’s ransom.My wolf paces restlessly inside my mind, agitated and miserable. It’s been snarling at me for days, furious

Kael's POVBut it’s her eyes that destroy me. Those bright green eyes that once sparkled with life and hope are now glassy and unfocused, the light in them fading like dying embers. One eye is blackened and nearly swollen shut. She is staring at nothing, seeing nothing, and I can feel through our pulsing connection that she’s slipping away from me.In the corner, so still that it makes my chest tighten, lies Luna. Her small, black body is contorted in a horrible way, and I sense immediately that she’s barely clinging to life.Two large men stand over Elara. One holds shackles that gleam like silver in the lamplight. The other is wiping blood from his knuckles.Standing behind them is a man who can only be Andrew Crew. Next to him is another man, older, wearing expensive clothes and too many rings. He’s holding a fucking collar, ornate and golden, clearly meant for a neck.For her neck. For the neck of the woman who belongs to us.All the men freeze at the sight of me—a massive wolf st