Claimed by My Bully Alpha (by Anna Kendra) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

My fingers curl into fists at my sides. My entire life, I’ve been intimidated by Caleb–his presence, his sharp tongue, the way he always seems to be in control of everything. But today, something in me snaps. Today, I refuse to shrink under his scrutiny.

I turn to face him, lifting my chin, meeting his state with one of my own. “And why are you standing here questioning me?” My voice doesn’t shake the way I expect it to. “Why aren’t you questioning your friend, the one who thought throwing money at me like I was some whore was acceptable?”

Caleb’s jaw tightens. A muscle ticks in his cheek.

I take a step closer, unwilling to let this go. “Or is this your way of defending him? Of trying to put me down so he doesn’t have to face the consequences of his actions?”

His nostrils flare, and I can see the war waging inside him. He doesn’t like being called out—especially not by me. But I’m done playing the part of the silent one, the girl who just takes whatever humiliation is thrown her way.

“I’ll deal with him later,” Caleb says, his voice low, firm. “Right now, I’m here. And I want an answer.”

There’s something about the way he says it, something possessive, almost demanding. And for the first time, I wonder if this is really about the money–or if it’s about something else entirely.

I looked straight at Caleb, my hands clenched at my sides, my body trembling–not with fear, but with the sheer weight of everything I wanted to say. He stood there, watching me with that same unreadable expression, as if he was waiting for me to crumble, waiting for me to explain myself, to apologize, to justify my existence in their world. But I wasn’t going to. I didn’t owe him that. I didn’t owe him anything.

“You think I owe you an explanation?” I let out a short, bitter laugh. “I don’t. I don’t owe you, or him, or anyone else a damn thing. You humiliated me today. In front of everyone. You and your friend–your wonderful, charming friend–made sure that I would remember exactly where I stand in your world. And you know what? I do. I know exactly where I stand.” I took a step closer, just enough so that he could see the fire in my eyes.

“I’m nothing, right? I’m dirt poor, and you two come from families that practically own this town. Which means I won’t be able to do a damn thing about it, isn’t that right?”

He didn’t answer, and I didn’t expect him to. The balance of power had been decided long before I ever stepped into their path.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll back down,” I said, my voice firm, steady. “You think money makes you untouchable? Maybe it does. Maybe I won’t be able to do anything to you or your friend. Maybe you’ll both walk away from this without a second thought. But that slap? I tilted my head slightly, letting the moment stretch between us.

“Tell him to remember it. Tell him that the way he treats women says more about him than it ever will about me. It’s a reflection of his nature, Caleb. A reflection of the kind of men you both are–and the kind of place you were raised in. And no amount of money will ever change that.”

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