Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 418

Aurora’s P.O.V

I glanced at Alice, and she glanced right back at me. Neither of us spoke, but that silent exchange said everything, we were both shaken, both processing what just happened. But one thing was painfully clear…the reason Ashton had used the sleeping spell on Maggie wasn’t to calm her…it was to silence her from saying anything more.

Ashton’s arms tightened around Maggie, holding her like she was something fragile and breakable.

“I’ll put her to bed so she can rest,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “I’m sorry for the trouble she caused.”

He didn’t wait for a response; he just turned and walked off, Maggie’s head resting limply against his shoulder. I watched them disappear down the hallway, my chest tightening.

The moment they were out of sight, Caleb’s voice cut through the silence. “What the hell is going on?” His eyes darted between me and Alice, but then they landed on me with an intensity that made me take a step back.

“And why didn’t you tell me you were going out this late at night?” His tone wasn’t just angry—it was worried, sharp with frustration. “You guys were supposed to follow Ashton’s trail tomorrow! Then what changed?”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Caleb, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry.” I took a small step toward him, but his expression didn’t soften. “This… this was the only way. We had to go tonight, we had to follow them to find out where they actually disappeared to.”

“The only way?” His jaw tightened. “Do you even realize—” He stopped himself, exhaling hard, forcing himself to breathe. He ran both hands over his face, dragging them down slowly as if willing himself not to explode.

“Fine. Okay. I’m calm. I’m calm.” He looked at Alice now, his voice dropping into something quieter but still tense. “What happened with Jade? Because I know for a fact that none of our men found him unconscious!”

Alice’s eyes widened slightly, and for a moment she didn’t answer. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve, and she looked like she was weighing every possible way she could say this without making it worse.

“I… we were coming back from the beach,” she started slowly, “and Jade attacked us.”

Caleb’s head snapped toward me, even though he was still addressing Alice. “Attacked you?”

“Yes,” Alice said quickly, her voice wavering. “He looked like he was guarding Ashton and Maggie’s whereabouts and found us trailing. I—” she swallowed hard, glancing at me for a split second before continuing, “I used a sleeping spell on him to stop him. But when we checked…” She hesitated, her eyes dropping to the floor. “We found out he’s been possessed by the wraiths too.”

Caleb’s brows drew together. “Possessed?”

“Yes,” Alice said, her voice small. “The marks on his skin… they’re from his possessions. The wraiths have been getting to him for a while now. We just didn’t see it until tonight.”

Caleb stared at her like he was trying to decide if this was some sick joke. Then he turned back to me, his eyes searching mine. “You were in danger…from Jade. And you didn’t think to tell me any of this sooner?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

I could see it all over Caleb’s face, the way his jaw kept tightening and his hands wouldn’t stay still, like he was trying to ground himself but failing miserably. I didn’t even have to ask to know who he was thinking about. Still, I moved closer, lowering my voice so it was just between us.

“You’re scared for him, aren’t you?”

Caleb glanced at me for a split second before looking away again, his shoulders tense. “He’s my best friend, Aurora… we’ve been through everything together since we were kids. I don’t even recognize him anymore. That’s not Jade, not really.”

I swallowed, my own chest tightening. “But he’ll be alright… right?” I asked, looking over at Alice because I needed her to say yes, needed someone to promise it.

Alice hesitated, and that alone made my stomach sink. “He’ll heal eventually,” she said slowly, like she was measuring every word, “but if the wraith keeps using him like this, there’s a risk. A big one. If it drains him too far, he’ll lose his wolf entirely. And if that happens… Jade won’t be able to transform again.”

Caleb’s head snapped toward her, eyes wide. “You’re saying—”

“I’m saying,” Alice cut in gently, “that we still have a window. If we can take down Lucas and Harmona before it gets to that point, we might be able to save his wolf. But it has to be soon.”

Caleb raked a hand through his hair, muttering something under his breath that I didn’t catch. My heart was pounding, but I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out the syringe I’d been keeping hidden. The blood inside shimmered faintly in the low light.

“I managed to get Avery’s blood,” I told Alice, handing it over carefully. “But… Ashton might already be onto us.”

Alice’s eyes widened as she took it from me, cradling it like it was glass. “Aurora… Do you have any idea what you’ve just given us?”

“Yeah,” I said, watching her closely. “A fighting chance.”

Caleb looked between the two of us, still tense, but for the first time since I’d walked in, there was a flicker of hope in his eyes.

“Then let’s not waste it.”

Caleb narrowed his eyes at me, leaning forward like he was trying to read the answer on my face before I even said it.

“Aurora, how do you even know Ashton might be onto us?” he asked, voice low but sharp. “Did he see you tailing him tonight? Because if he did, then we’ve got a bigger problem than you’re letting on.”

Before I could open my mouth, Alice cut in with a shake of her head. “It’s not because of that,” she said firmly. “But Ashton might suspect something either way. The full moon is almost here, and that’s when we’ll be performing the ritual. He’s not stupid, Caleb—he knows that if we’re going to make a move, it’s going to be soon. Our time’s running out.”

I turned toward her, eyebrows lifting. “Wait—Alice, did you just notice how Maggie charged at Ashton earlier? She didn’t even hesitate, just went straight for him and yelled that it was his fault.”

Alice’s lips curled slightly, almost like she was trying to hide a smirk. “Yeah, I saw it. And honestly, it’s a good thing. The fact that they’re divided means they’re weaker. We can use that to our advantage. A divided front means Ashton’s powers won’t be at full strength. He’ll have to waste energy holding his own people together while we work against him.”

Caleb still didn’t look convinced. “That’s assuming they stay divided. Maggie could just as easily go running back to him tomorrow.”

“Or,” Alice countered, “she could make things worse for him without us lifting a finger. Either way, we don’t lose. The more cracks in his walls, the easier it’ll be for us to tear the whole thing down.”

I looked at Alice, my voice low but firm. “Alice, even Avery told me that both she and Maggie are terrified of Ashton. We can’t let this go on any longer. We need to put an end to it before this gets completely out of hand.”

Alice’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she just stared at me. Then she looked at the vial in her hands.

“You’re right,” she said quietly. “The full moon is in two days. That means we don’t just have to finish the sword, Aurora—we have to find out exactly where Ashton and Maggie are planning to hold that ritual.”

Caleb, who had been pacing by the wall, suddenly turned. “Is Jade really alright? I mean… is he hurt right now?”

Alice looked over at him, her tone softening. “He’s alright, Caleb. He’s just unconscious. I’ve already got him on saline and health supplements. He just needs rest.”

Caleb let out a slow breath, his shoulders dropping just a little. “Okay… okay,” he murmured, though I could see the worry still etched on his face.

I stepped closer to him. “Caleb… maybe you should take the rest of the night off,” I suggested gently. “Come on—take me to my room?”

His eyes flicked to mine, and after a second, he nodded. “Yeah… alright.”