Claimed by My Bully Alpha Chapter 435

Aurora’s P.O.V

“I don’t believe you!” Maggie’s voice cracked as her eyes widened, her hands trembling at her sides.

“You’re lying. Ashton told me, he promised me…he said he was alive, that he was living his best life.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that tore out of me, sharp and bitter. “Maggie, do you even hear yourself? A person who has mastered the art of lies and deception for centuries can twist your mind as easily as he twists everyone else’s. Don’t you see? He’s playing you.”

“No!” she snapped, shaking her head so violently her hair fell in front of her face. “He wouldn’t lie to me. Not to me. He cares…”

“He doesn’t care,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. “He only cares about power. You’re just another pawn he’s moving across the board, same as the rest of us.”

“You don’t understand,” Maggie whispered, her voice breaking now. “He told me I was special. That I was different.”

“Special?” I almost scoffed, but my chest ached at the look in her eyes. “He told me that once too, Maggie. And Avery. And Violet. Where are they now, huh? Why is he willing to sacrifice Avery if she’s his sister too? Why did he never care what happened to Violet after we lost her?” I snapped. “He tells everyone they’re the one who matters. That’s how he keeps you close enough to blindfold you.”

“No,” she said again, but softer this time, like she was trying to convince herself.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ashton lowering Avery onto the altar, laying her right beside Riley. His voice rose, a chant spilling from his lips like poison while the wraiths began to hover closer, their shadows bending the air around them.

“Maggie,” I hissed, snapping my gaze back to her. “Look at what he’s doing. Right there, in front of your eyes! Do you really think someone who cares about his sisters will let those wraiths possess an innocent child? If he doesn’t care about a five year old, do you really think he has enough humanity to care about any of us?”

Her lips parted, her chest heaving like she couldn’t catch her breath. “He said it was the only way.”

“The only way for him,” I shot back. “Not for you. Not for us. For him.”

Maggie’s eyes darted between me and Ashton, confusion tearing her apart. “But… he wouldn’t…hurt them...”

“He would,” I said firmly, stepping closer, lowering my voice until it was just for her. “And he already has. Maggie, wake up before it’s too late.”

Behind us, Ashton’s chant grew louder, the wraiths hissing as they closed in. I knew I was running out of time.

I looked at Maggie, watching the doubt flicker in her eyes. “Do you really believe Ashton will spare Jade too?” I asked, my voice steady but sharp. “Because his body is almost worn out, Maggie. He’s in danger of losing his wolf completely if he’s possessed one more time.”

Her head snapped toward me, eyes narrowing. “That’s impossible,” she shot back. “If it were that serious, Ashton would’ve told me. He wouldn’t keep something like that from me.”

“Wouldn’t he?” I pressed, leaning forward. “You think Ashton tells you everything? He hides what doesn’t serve him, and Jade… he’s nothing but a vessel to Ashton now.”

Maggie’s lips trembled, but she shook her head stubbornly. “No. You’re lying. Jade is strong, he can handle this. Ashton said he could.”

Before I could reply, Alice appeared at my side, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “Maggie, I’ve seen wraith possession before. I know where this ends. If you’ve ever cared about Jade, even a little, you’ll let us through so we can stop this before it’s too late.”

Maggie’s eyes darted between us, her chest rising and falling faster. “You don’t understand. Ashton has a plan. He always does. He…he wouldn’t risk Jade like that.”

“That’s the thing,” Alice said sharply. “It’s not about Jade anymore. It’s about Ashton. And you know it.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Maggie, look at me. Do you really want to watch Jade burn out? Do you want to see his wolf die right in front of you while Ashton pretends it’s all under control?”

Her lips parted, but no words came. She turned her face away, as if the truth was too heavy to look at. “I… I don’t know what to believe.”

“Believe what you see,” Alice said firmly. “Look at Jade. Look at what’s happening to him. You already know the answer, you’re just afraid to admit it.”

Maggie’s hands clenched into fists. “If you’re wrong, if this is some trick…”

“Then blame me,” I said quickly. ‘Hate me, fight me later, I don’t care. But right now, we need to stop Ashton. That’s the only way Jade survives this. It’s the only way we all survive.”

The silence that followed was unbearable, broken only by Maggie’s ragged breathing as her doubts twisted into something she could no longer hide.

Maggie’s eyes flicked over her shoulder at Jade, and I could see it, the moment she decided. She stepped aside, and my chest clenched.

The second the shield dropped, I stepped over and rushed towards the altar.

“No!” I shouted, already running forward, my legs burning with urgency. Ashton’s hand was raised, his voice steady, and Riley’s body arched against the altar, a scream tearing out of him. My stomach turned as I saw it, one of the wraiths slipping inside him, his veins darkening under his skin.

“Ashton, stop!” I cried, my throat raw. “Please…don’t do this!”

“It’s too late, Aurora.” Ashton snapped, stopping mid-chant, but the wraith that was trying to enter Riley’s body didn’t stop.

Ashton raised his other hand, forcing more power into the ritual, and Riley screamed again, the sound cutting right through me. I pushed forward, my fists clenched.

Maggie flinched where she stood, her lips pressed tight. “Aurora… it’s already started…” she murmured, but I cut her off.

“I’m right here, look at me! Whatever you want, whatever you’re trying to finish, I can take it. Just let him go!” I snapped, the words tumbling out before my brain could register them. “Take me instead! Do it to me, not him!”

For a heartbeat, the air hung heavy with my words, the ritual still thrumming under Ashton’s control, Riley still writhing, Maggie still silent, and me standing there, every nerve in my body daring Ashton to make his choice.