All Chapters of Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Seraphine stood half-hidden behind a stone pillar on the upper terrace, the cool night breeze brushing against her skin. From her point of view, she had a perfect, unobstructed view of the garden below. Kaelan had Celeste pressed against the wall. The kiss was raw, hungry, and unmistakably passionate. His large hand gripped her hip, pulling her flush against him while his mouth devoured hers. Celeste’s soft moan carried faintly on the wind as she arched into him, fingers clutching his tunic like she was drowning and he was air. Seraphine’s chest tightened with a strange, unfamiliar pang. Not jealousy. She had never wanted Kaelan romantically. Their betrothal had always been a political tool, nothing more

The garden was quieter than usual that night. Celeste walked the moonlit path with her shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, the cool air doing little to calm the heat still simmering under her skin.  Her lips tingling, body aching, the bond humming warmly in her chest like a flame she couldn’t extinguish. She shouldn’t want him. She shouldn’t still feel the ghost of his mouth on hers, the way his large hand had gripped her hip, the low growl in his throat. But she did. Exhaustion finally pulled her back to her mother’s room. Maera was already asleep, breathing steady and deep. Celeste slipped under the blankets beside her

The library smelled of aged leather, dust, and faint traces of cedar. Celeste sat at the long oak table, an old book and script opened in front of her thats She had not been reading for the past hour. Her fingers traced idle patterns on the yellowed page, but her mind was elsewhere, caught in the garden, pressed against the cool stone wall with Kaelan’s body heat surrounding her, and his mouth claiming hers with a hunger that had left her trembling and aching for hours afterward. She hadn’t slept properly since that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt his hands on her hips, heard the low growl in his throat when she had whispered don’t hold back. The bond in her chest still bloomed warmly whenever she thought of him, a golden light that refused to dim no matter how hard she tried to push it away.

The hall was still in silence awaiting Kaelan's answer. Leira was still offering a polite smile. She was beautiful, strong, clearly trained in leadership and combat. Under different circumstances, Kaelan might have considered the political advantage. But there was only one woman who occupied his thoughts now. He rose slowly, bowing his head with genuine respect. “Luna Elara, your daughter Liera is a lovely woman. Strong, poised, and clearly worthy of any alliance. I am honored by the offer. However, I already have a mate. The Moon Goddess has bound me to Celeste Ashveil. I cannot, and will not, take another.” A ripple of surprise moved through the gathered Asheville nobles. Liera’s expression remained composed, though a flicker of disappointment crossed her

The training grounds of Asheville were quiet under the moonlight, a vast open space ringed by wooden posts and practice dummies. Ryke moved through the forms with precision, his sword cutting clean arcs through the cool night air. Sweat glistened on his bare chest. He had stripped down to loose training pants hours ago, preferring the freedom of movement over the weight of his usual armor. The journey to Asheville had been successful, but Ryke’s mind was restless. Kaelan had secured the alliance, yet the Alpha’s thoughts remained fixed on Ravencrest. On her. Celeste. The bond between them had grown stronger with every passing day, and Ryke could see the conflict in his leader’s eyes. Duty and desire. The old ways versus whatever new path the Moon Goddess seemed to be carving. Ryke swung the blade in a wide overhead