Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 17

POV

With a loud “bang.” I pushed open the door to the hospital room.

Ashley was lying on the hospital bed. The face Lused to kiss goodnight every single evening was now as pale as crumpled peper She was dressed in an oversized hospital gown, widch made her look ever, more frail, almost fragile. Standing by her bedside was her friend, Vicki that so–called doctor–standing like a protective mara bear. She glared at me with eyes full of hostility, unspoken words practically written on her face.

An hour ago, my Beta had rushed in with an emergency report. A rogue wolf had trespassed info the Blackwood pack’s territory and attacked a she wolf. At first, I shrugged it off, just another nuisance to deal with as Alpha. Another problem to delegate.

But then the name “Ashley” slipped out of Kael’s mouth, and for a moment, the whole world froze.

“Brian, help me…”

Her voice, trembling with fear and tears, echoed in my head like a lightning strike.

A whirlwind of emotions hit me all at once.

She wasn’t lying. She wasn’t pretending. She had really been taken against her will.

My Luna… on my territory… surrounded by rogues and fighting for her life? My wolf growled in anger, its rage mirroring my

OWNL

I pulled my team together and set out to investigate immediately.

And now, looking at the shadow of Ashley before me, my wolf whined, restless and uneasy. He was scared for her. We still hadn’t broken the mate bond; the paperwork may have said otherwise, but the connection remained.

“You okay?” The question spilled out before I could stop myself, and the second I said it, I regretted it. Those words sounded weak, too soft–nothing like the commanding tone of an Alpha. It was almost as if I wasn’t mad anymore… but I still was.

No, I was still mad. Her selfishness and impulsiveness infuriated me. I’d given her the world, everything she could’ve wanted. If only she hadn’t been so childish about Silvia–if she’d just accepted things from the start–then maybe I wouldn’t have ignored her cries for help.

My tone dropped, cold and unyielding. “If you’d just been accepting of Silvia from the beginning, I wouldn’t have had any reason to ignore your calls for help.”

Ashley’s eyes flared with anger, and she stared at me, disbelieving. “So, what–you’re here to rub it in? To scold me for not being all happy and supportive when you brought your mistress into our home?”

For a fraction of a second, her expression twisted in pain–but I knew better. She wasn’t actually hurting. The doctors told me she was physically fine. No, this was just more of her pretending, her little theater act.

I sighed, tired of it all. “This is just protocol.” My face was a blank mask, my voice frigid. “As Alpha, I check on any pack member who’s been attacked. That’s all this is.”

Finally, Ashley looked me in the eye. Her gaze didn’t show fear, or sorrow, or even hatred–it was just empty, eerily quiet and

cold.

“Well,” she rasped, her voice hoarse but sharp, “at least now I know where I stand.” She lifted her chin, determination flashing briefly in her eyes. “Alpha Brian, you can go now. I’m fine.”

Alpha Brian. Not just “Brian,” not my name–just that title, heavy with distance and detachment.

The way she said it, as if I were a stranger, struck a nerve deep inside me. All I did was tell her the truth. These past three years had been normal–good, even. All I’d asked for was to honor Silvia’s request, and suddenly I was the villain? My suggestion gave

heran excuse to pull away, to play the victim, to act like she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.

+15 Bonus

rl

Why was she still like this? Why couldn’t she jus! grow up? It struck me then maybe I had spoiled her too much over these years. By caving in, by letting her sutk her way to lies goals, I’d given her the impression she could always have her way. Well, no

I grabbed her arm. “There you go again, Ashley acting like the victim!” My voice turned sharp, cutting through the air. “You’re not weak, you’re just selfish. You’ve been nothing but trouble, just like during our marriage!”

Pausing, I took a breath, gesturing wildly. “Why would you, as an Omega without a wolf spirit, wander alone near the pack’s borders? Have some sense, Ashley! You knew you had no way to defend yourself, but you still put yourself in danger. And now look—it’s a mess.”

I felt my temper flare again, and before I could stop, the words just came tumbling out. “Learn this now: if you keep pulling stunts like this, then whatever happens is on you. End of story.”

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