Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 253

Jade’s P.O.V

Dinner with the gang had been nice—good food, easy conversations, laughter echoing through the cafeteria. But as I stepped into the cool night air, taking in a deep breath, something gnawed at me. A weight that hadn't been there before. I tilted my head up, staring at the stars scattered across the sky, trying to shake off the unease curling in my gut.

I had always been the steady one, the voice of reason when things got heated. Even my parents and Alpha Camden would often praise me for my calm nature, calling it a strength, something that would serve me well when I officially took my place as Beta. But tonight? Tonight, I wasn’t calm. There was something bitter in my chest, something I wasn’t used to feeling. 

Jealousy. 

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I made my way toward my home. I wasn’t the jealous type—never had been. I had always believed that if something or someone was meant to be mine, then fate would see it through. No need for unnecessary emotions, no need for irrational thoughts. But that belief felt flimsy now, cracking under the weight of what I had seen tonight. 

"You good, Jade?" 

I snapped out of my thoughts as one of the pack warriors, Mason, stepped out of the woods behind me, stretching his arms above his head. His sharp eyes flickered over me, his usual grin faltering slightly as he picked up on my tension. 

"Yeah," I said, but even I could hear the lie in my voice. Mason raised a brow, unconvinced, but thankfully, he didn’t push. 

"Alright, man. See you at training tomorrow," he said, clapping my shoulder before heading off. 

I nodded absentmindedly, but my mind was still stuck in a loop, replaying everything that had happened tonight. Caleb and Aurora were a lovely couple now, and unlike before, they hardly made a show to hide their affection anymore, which was understandable since Aurora had been though a lot and Caleb wanted to make sure she was taken care of.

And then there was Damien and Caroline, who had been all lovey-dovey and all over each other.

At that moment, as I watched my best friends find comfort and joy in the arms of their mates, I realized something—I had never truly understood what it felt like to want something so badly that the thought of losing it made my blood boil. Until now.

I take slow, measured steps toward the gazebo by the lotus pond, my usual place of solace when my mind refuses to quiet down. The night air is crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming lotus flowers, yet it does nothing to soothe the storm raging inside me. Caleb found his mate first, then Caroline. Now another one of our packmates has met their mate from a neighboring pack. It feels like everyone is finding their missing half while I am left waiting, hoping, wondering. When will it be my turn? When will the bond snap into place for me? 

A soft sigh escapes me as I near the pond, my eyes seeking the moon’s reflection on the water’s surface. It has always been a source of comfort, something steady, unwavering, even when everything else feels uncertain. But tonight, something is different. There is a figure standing by the pond, their silhouette outlined against the silver glow of the moon. The scent that reaches me is unfamiliar, tinged with something foreign, something that doesn’t belong to this pack. My muscles tense instantly. 

“Who’s there?” My voice is sharp, laced with authority, a demand rather than a question. 

The figure stiffens at the sound of my voice but does not turn around immediately. Instead, they remain still for a heartbeat too long, as if debating whether to answer me at all. That alone puts me on edge. Whoever they are, they don’t belong here, and the fact that they haven’t announced themselves is enough to put me in a defensive stance. 

Finally, the person turns. A girl. She steps into the moonlight, her features now visible. There’s something striking about her, something arresting. Her eyes meet mine, and for a second, the world feels like it stills. My breath catches, but I quickly shake it off, unwilling to acknowledge the strange pull in my chest. 

“I could ask you the same thing,” she replies, her tone calm but not unkind. There’s a confidence in her posture, a lack of fear that surprises me. 

I narrow my eyes. “This is my pack’s land. I don’t need to explain why I’m here. You, on the other hand, do.” 

Her lips quirk up slightly, almost amused. “I didn’t realize I was trespassing. I was just… drawn here.” Her gaze flickers to the pond, to the way the moon’s reflection ripples across the water.

“It’s peaceful.” 

Something about the way she says it makes my irritation falter. There is no deception in her voice, no malice. But still, I can’t afford to be careless. “That doesn’t answer my question. Who are you? Show yourself," I demanded, my gaze locked on the shadows. The air was thick with something unspoken, an edge of unease curling in my gut.