THE REJECTED LUNA’S SECOND CHANCE WITH THE BIKER ALPHA のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 121 - チャプター 130

Draven’s POV“You buried an empty story,” Jennifer said, “and let the rest of us bury the real one alone.”I didn’t have an answer for that. Not one that wouldn’t sound like an excuse the second it left my mouth.“I loved her,” I said instead. “That’s not a story. That’s the only true thing I have left from those years.”“Loving her wasn’t the part I came here to argue about.”Jennifer’s voice stayed level, controlled in a way that told me she’d rehearsed this confrontation more times than I wanted to think about. “The part I came here to argue about is that you knew what she was carrying, and you let her stay in danger anyway, because pulling her out would have meant admitting to the council that you’d broken the one rule keeping you alive.”“That’s not what happened.”“Then tell me what did.” She stepped closer, something raw and furious in her eyes that hadn’t been there the last time I’d seen her. “Because for four years the only story I had was secondhand. Rumors. A grave I wasn’t

Bella’s POV“You’re supposed to be resting.”Thor didn’t even turn around when he said it, which told me he’d heard me coming from three rooms away and hadn’t bothered pretending otherwise.“I got tired of staring at the ceiling.” I stepped into the garage anyway, ignoring the way my side pulled with every breath. “Figured I’d be more useful down here.”“Draven told me to keep you inside.”"Draven is not here." I said that and then I was quiet for a moment. ". I am not asking you for permission Thor. I am telling you where I will be."He looked at me for a long time. It seemed like he was thinking about whether or not it was worth arguing with me. Then he just went back to what he was doing at the workbench. He was taking out every tool that had been used in the garage in the last month one tool at a time. He was being very careful and serious about it. I know that look. It is the way people focus on something when the real problem's just too big to deal with. I did the thing after th

Bella’s POV“A name,” Draven said. “Now.”The intruder’s chest was heaving, fear and exhaustion tangled together into something that looked close to breaking. I’d seen that particular expression before, on Clara, in the dirt, right before she said too much and paid for it.I didn’t like how familiar it felt. Some part of me wanted to tell Draven to stop pushing, to let the poor terrified stranger breathe for one second before demanding more, but the colder, more practical part of me understood we might not have the luxury of patience tonight. Whoever had sent them had already proven, twice now, that they wouldn’t hesitate to close a mouth the moment it started saying too much.“Ronan’s father.” The words came out fast, like they’d been sitting loaded the whole time, the same way Clara’s had.“He’s the one who paid for tonight. The plant, the frame job, all of it. He wants Gordon discredited before the tournament gets announced. Wants your own people doubting you before you ever step on

Bella’s POV“That’s not council wax.”Draven’s voice had gone somewhere flat and careful, the kind of calm that only shows up right before something breaks.“Then whose is it,” I asked, already crossing the yard to see for myself.He turned the letter so I could look at it without taking it from his hands. It was like he still wanted to hold onto it in case it was news. The second seal was pressed into the paper below the councils seal. It was smaller and older. I didn't recognize it. It wasn't a wolf. It wasn't a crest. It looked like a knot. Three lines twisted together."I've seen that mark before " Thor said, walking over to us. Gordon was behind him. "Once. On the rope they used to tie Claras wrists."The air got colder.. Maybe it was just me."That was the rope from the night Dravens sister died " I said. Draven knew which sister I meant."The same " Draven said quietly.Gordon studied the seal like it was a machine. "Council wax breaks clean. This ones different. Older. Not mad

Bella’s POV“Say that again.”Thor didn’t repeat himself right away, which told me he understood exactly how badly I needed a second to catch up before he made me hear it twice.“Ronan turned himself in at the council chamber,” he said finally. “Mid-audience. Told them his father isn’t the real threat. Told them you’re the target, not just Draven.”My legs found the porch railing before I’d consciously decided I needed something to hold onto.“He said that to the council. Out loud. In front of everyone.”“According to the runner who brought word back, yes.”Thor’s face had gone carefully neutral, the particular blankness he wore when he was trying not to let me see how worried he actually was. “Draven’s still in there. The presiding elder ordered the chamber cleared of everyone but council and immediate parties. I don’t have anything past that.”I stared out at the yard, at the same spot where Gordon had been carrying equipment back into the garage that morning like ordinary work could