THE CLAIMING (The Chosen Series #1)

THE MEETING

The door is slightly ajar, giving me a glimpse into the room filled with men. My eyes scan the space, landing on Patrick sitting behind a massive desk. To his right stands Sean, Shay's father and Patrick's younger brother. He's a bit lighter in hair color but shares the same chiseled features as Shay. On Patrick's left is Caitlín's husband, taller and broader than the rest, with dark, nearly black hair and a perpetual sneer that matches his wife's demeanor.

To the left wall, Seamus is standing with another man—a younger, more hostile version of Roisin's father. Finally, my gaze rests on Liam, seated in front of the desk. He gestures for me to take the chair beside him. As I settle into the soft leather, Siobhan closes the door behind us and takes a seat across the room.

Patrick's focus shifts directly to me. "Ava, you know why you're here. It's time we talk about Griffin."

"He's gone too far. I say we put the feral mutt down," the dark-haired man sneers, his nose wrinkling in disgust. The instant dislike I feel toward him flares up.

"Oscar, what we do next is Ava's decision. I'd appreciate it if you kept your opinions to yourself," Patrick growls, his deep, commanding voice making me sit up straighter, trying not to draw any attention.

"He's become too dangerous, Da," Liam chimes in, and I flinch. "Not that I agree with your Beta, but he's already attacked several of our men, and he won't stop until we give him what he wants..." Liam doesn't need to spell it out for everyone to know he means me.

"It's only going to get worse if we don't—"

"Enough, Liam!" Patrick slams his large hands on the wooden desk, causing the whole table to vibrate with his strength. "I've said it before—what we do is up to Ava; she's his mate," he finishes, directing his words toward his son, who grimaces at the word "mate."

"Ava," Patrick says, his voice softening, his Irish brogue thickening as he looks at me with gentler eyes. "I know you've been through a lot, learning not only about your heritage but also about the agreement I made with Griffin years ago. For that, I'm sorry." His eyes convey sincerity. "But my concern has always been, and will always be, what's best for the pack. Right now, our most pressing issue is that you are newly mated to a man who has lost control over his wolf. That same wolf is now demanding we return you before he wages war against us."

My face crumples. Patrick has made it clear that his priority will always be the pack. What if we can't stop Griffin? My heart races. Even after learning about his past, I...

"Ava," Siobhan interjects, sensing my distress, her voice gentle but firm, "we are NOT going to force you. Tonight is about finding a way to keep you and the clan safe."

But isn't Griffin part of the clan? I glance around, noting the mix of concern, anger, and fear on the men's faces. My mouth goes dry as I swallow hard. "What are the options then?" I ask, turning back to Patrick, who remains expressionless, his hands clasped on the desk. Liam shifts his chair closer, his leg brushing against mine, his warmth and scent unsettling me. Not my mate. What's happening?

I pull away, and a flicker of disappointment crosses Liam's face, quickly replaced by a neutral expression. Ignoring my withdrawal, he places a firm hand on my knee. "Ava, love, do you truly want to break the bond?"

I don't know. Biting my lip and digging my nails into my palm, I lower my head instead of voicing my uncertainty. Liam gives a resigned smile before looking at his father. "Continue," Patrick gestures.

"If you're unsure and need time, we'll need your help," Liam continues, his dark eyes locked on mine, his fingers gently caressing my knee.

"What do you need me to do?" I ask, my throat suddenly dry. I don't know what I want, but I know I need to act.