Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE WOLF WITHIN:CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Kira was right. The pain wasn’t as bad as the first time. If I do this a couple more times, it will get easier.I watch as she runs through the trees, jumping over fallen logs and crossing rivers like it’s nothing. She’s free and happy.I get now why she wanted this run so badly.But unlike Kira, my mind is stuck on the attack. No matter how much I want Lucian to suffer, there are kids there. Innocent lives that don’t deserve to be slaughtered by my deranged father.I have to warn them."Kira, we need to change back," I whisper in her head. "I’ve decided to warn Lucian and the rest of the pack!""Ugh, okay. Give me a few more minutes. Let me enjoy this run before Lucian kills us the second he sees you.""Kira, now! There’s no time!" I snap.She sighs dramatically but obeys, turning back towards our cabin."Buzzkill," she sneers, as I shift back, landing hard on my knees.I catch my breath and shake off the lingering pain. "Come on, girl, we’ll have more runs in the future. For now, we

"Kira, we have to get out of town," I mutter, rushing inside the cabin.I find my duffle bag exactly where I left it, and I yank it open, my fingers shaking as I sift through its contents."Everything is still here," I breathe out in relief.Kira sighs in my head, her voice edged with urgency."Good. That’s enough to get us started, Ingrid. But we don’t have much time. They’ll be here any second now. We have to leave."I don’t waste another second.I swing the bag onto my back and bolt out of the cabin, taking the hidden paths Kira and I discovered during our explorations.The woods provide some cover until the moment I step onto the main road.I see the outline of the Shadow Ridge sign looming ahead, and I keep going.A bigger town is just a few miles from Shadow Ridge—Oakridge. It’s the perfect place to disappear. No one will find me there—not Lucian, his pack, or my father.I walk through the darkness. My cap pulled low over my face. Headlights suddenly pierce the night behind me.

We walk for about an hour, weaving through dense trees and narrow paths until we finally come across what must be the pack's territory.Aiden moves with ease, leading me through the thick forest until we reach a towering metal gate surrounded by lush, vibrant roses."We’re here," he announces, pushing the gate open.I take a deep breath, steadying myself before stepping through. The air is different here—calm, yet charged with something unspoken.The compound is massive. There are three large houses scattered around, but my eyes are instantly drawn to the mansion in the center. Its architecture is sleek and modern, with towering glass windows that allow me to see straight inside. The place is buzzing with life.Aiden leads me to the grand entrance of the mansion and opens the enormous door. The moment I step inside, my stomach drops.The place is packed. Men, women, children—all gathered around a long dining table, chatting and eating. The moment one of them spots me, they whisper to

After answering all of Ezra’s questions, he looks at me too intently, his piercing gaze practically reading into my soul. I can tell he doesn’t believe a word I just said."Anything else you would like to tell me, Ingrid?" he asks, tilting his head slightly.I take a deep breath, debating whether to tell him the truth. But just as I’m about to speak, he interrupts."You remind me of someone I used to know a long time ago," he mutters, his tone shifting to something darker, more serious.I squint my eyes, uncertain how to respond."I have one of those faces, I guess," I mutter, forcing casualness into my voice.Ezra shakes his head, clearly unconvinced. His sharp eyes never leave mine as he takes slow steps toward me. My heart begins pounding erratically, not sure what he’s about to do next.Then, without warning, he shifts his stance. "We all have responsibilities here. You should join the others in the library—help them clean the place up," he says before walking past me and heading

"Why is it taking so long, Ingrid?" Kira huffs impatiently.I shake my head, tapping my foot against the wooden floor. "I don’t know Kira. It’s been hours now…" I respond, my stomach twisting into knots."How long does it take to prepare for a ceremony? It didn’t sound like a big deal when Ezra mentioned it," I continue, trying to steady my breathing.Kira sighs, her excitement barely contained. "I'm nervous and excited, Ingrid. We’re finally going to find out the truth about us. If he is our father, everything changes."I jolt up abruptly and begin pacing the room, my mind racing."Could this be why Silas tried to kill me when I asked him about the wolf gene?" I ask, my voice quieter than I intended.A silence stretches between us until Kira murmurs, "Mmmh," and a shiver runs down my spine.A knock on the door startles me out of my thoughts."Finally," I mutter, rushing to open it.I find Sarah standing outside, holding what looks like a folded robe. Her expression is unreadable as s