Claimed by My Bestie's Alpha Daddy novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

She snorted lightly, clearly unconvinced. “You’ve been here since sunrise and haven’t stopped once. You’re

either very dedicated or running from something.”

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Emma was sharp, and hiding things from her felt almost pointless. “Maybe both,” I admitted quietly.

She squeezed my shoulder gently, understanding without needing further explanation. We finished our work quietly, the gentle rustling of paper filling the spaces left by unsaid words. When we finally wrapped up for the night, exhaustion weighed heavily on me, mingling uncomfortably with the loneliness that had settled in my chest. As we prepared for the summit’s opening the next day, I felt capable-strong even-but more isolated

than ever.

Richard

I paced the length of my study, each step echoing harshly against the polished floors. My skin felt unbearably tight, my wolf snarling and restless beneath the surface. Every breath I took was a reminder of Amelia-the

scent of her still lingering stubbornly, wrapped around me like a vice.

She’d kissed me back. Every bit of doubt I’d carried had burned away the second her fingers fisted in my shirt.

Her mouth had been eager, soft, and alive under mine. And for one dizzying moment, I let myself believe it

could happen—really happen.

But then instinct slammed into me, hard and cold. The memory of my failures. Of what this could cost her. What

it could cost me.

“She’s ours,” Storm growled, the voice thick with frustration and accusation. “You had no right to push her

away.”

I pressed a hand to my chest, the ache there sharp and unrelenting. “We talked about this,” I muttered,

frustration coloring my words. “You know we can’t. Not now. Not ever.”

Storm surged forward within me, a deep, guttural snarl echoed in my chest. “You disgust me,” he hissed, voice

laced with venom. “You’d rather bury us in fear than claim what’s ours. She’s our mate, and you’re too weak to

take her.”

“I’m choosing to protect her,” I snapped, voice low and edged with anger. “She deserves more than being

dragged into this mess. If anyone found out-”

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“If anyone found out, you’d finally be honest with yourself,” Storm snarled, his voice like a blade dragged across stone. “But you won’t, will you? You’ll keep hiding, keep pretending you’re in control. Coward. You’re not protecting her-you’re damning her. And us.”

I slammed my fist against the desk, pain radiating sharply through my knuckles. The physical sting did nothing to dull the ache inside my chest. “Enough,” I growled aloud, but Storm’s voice echoed relentlessly in my mind, refusing to quiet.

I closed my eyes, leaning heavily against the desk. Instantly, Amelia’s face rose in my memory, her eyes wide and vulnerable, her lips parted in confusion and hurt. It haunted me-the pain I’d caused, the way I’d pushed

her away when every instinct had screamed at me to hold her tighter.

The night wore on slowly, each minute feeling longer than the last as I fought desperately to regain control.

Sleep eventually found me, but it was restless and thin, riddled with dreams of Amelia-visions of what could

have been, tainted by the harsh reality of what was.

When dawn finally crept through the windows, I rose, exhaustion settling deep into my bones. I showered

quickly, trying to scrub away the memories of her skin against mine, but it was pointless. I got dressed and walked toward the meeting room, bracing myself for the day ahead.

In the crowded conference hall, my eyes immediately found her. Amelia sat among the rest of the team, her posture rigid but determined, eyes fixed resolutely on the papers before her.

She looked exhausted, shadows smudged beneath her eyes from lack of sleep, but she still radiated a quiet

strength that tugged painfully at my heart.

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