Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Ashley’s POV

Early in the morning, Vicki was already at my bedside, eagerly recounting the scandal Silvia caused at the alpha family dinner.

“You should’ve seen his face!” Vicki’s voice echoed through the room, laced with schadenfreude. “This

dinner wasn’t just for Blackwood Pack, you know. Alphas and their mates from all four major packs were

invited. And then, boom-mass food poisoning! I’m telling you, there’s no way Blackwood is getting rid of this stain any time soon. And Brian? That jerk totally deserved it!”

She waved her phone around excitedly, showing me the flood of headlines, every single one tearing the

event apart with the harshest words imaginable. My eyes drifted over the screen, but none of the words

truly registered.

Brian will forgive Silvia in the end anyway.

“What’s wrong, hon?” Vicki took my hand, her tone softening with concern. “You should be thrilled; that

jerk finally got what was coming to him!”

I shook my head. “This has nothing to do with me. I’ve already cut ties with all of them. Besides, Brian

isn’t going to let the pack blame Silvia for this.”

Right then, the sound of a steady, authoritative knock on the door interrupted us.

The door opened. A figure stepped in, silhouetted against the hallway light. She was dressed in a

perfectly tailored dark suit, her silver hair pulled back immaculately, and a sleek black cane in her hand. Despite the lines etched on her face by time, the sharpness and authority in her eyes were undeniable.

It was Brian’s grandmother, Amara Winter.

Without thinking, I tried to sit up in bed, but the movement tugged at my injury. A sharp burst of pain made me gasp.

“Lie down, dear.” Amara’s voice echoed, carrying a tone that left no room for argument, yet it held a rare hint of warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. She approached my bedside, her world-weary eyes studying my pale complexion with careful attention. “I heard about what happened to you. How are you feeling now?”

“I’m fine.” I forced myself to sound steady and calm. “Just a few minor injuries.”

“Good to hear.” She nodded, her gaze flicking to the untouched glass of water on the bedside table, a slight frown tugging at her lips. Then, without beating around the bush, she switched gears and got straight to the point. “The council elders are practically losing their minds. They believe the pack can’t function without you. Ashley, Silvia has already shown the pack how disastrous she can be.

“And Brian promised this wouldn’t be permanent. You’re still the Luna of this pack. I’ve seen how

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exceptional you are. You have everything it takes to lead. What’s happening between you two… it’s just a rough patch. Honestly, if you were pregnant, I truly believe it would solve everything.”

Her voice stayed gentle, carrying her typical grandmotherly tone, but the words froze me in place. My blood felt like ice running through my veins.

She wasn’t here to check on me, her ‘former granddaughter-in-law.’ She was here to remind me-remind

me what I owed the pack.

I accepted their care, and with it came the price. My freedom, my dignity-hell, even my own body.

My heart pounded hard in my chest. I couldn’t meet her eyes. I was terrified she’d see right through me, see the one thing I’d been desperately hiding.

If she knew I was carrying Brian’s child, she wouldn’t stop until she had me-and my baby-trapped in

Blackwood Pack forever.

I inhaled deeply and met her gaze without flinching. My voice was firm and clear: “Amara, Brian and I have divorced. Our agreement is still waiting for the council’s final stamp, but it’s done. I no longer have any obligation to give this pack an heir.”

Amara’s gaze suddenly turned sharp as a blade. “Ashley! You need to understand how much the pack has done for you! I believe you’re not someone who forgets gratitude.”

Seeing the change in my expression, Amara immediately softened her tone. “Child, I know you’ve been wronged. I also know that over the past three years, without you, the pack would have never stayed this stable. No one knows your contributions better than I do.”

Her words were like a gentle blade, piercing my long-numb heart and bringing a bittersweet warmth. It was the acknowledgment I’d craved for three years but never once heard from Brian. My vision blurred as tears threatened to fall.

But I wouldn’t let her pull my strings.

“Thank you, dear Amara,” I said, my voice trembling slightly with emotion. “But Alpha and Luna aren’t just leaders of a pack-they’re partners. And between Brian and me…. everything is utterly broken.*

Amara shot up from her seat, furious. “Ashley, your stubbornness will be your downfall. Let me make this clear-if you leave the Blackwood Pack, you’ll no longer be under its protection. You need to remember that.”

After Amara’s figure disappeared, my fingers instinctively rested on my stomach again. I could still feel

his heartbeat.

If it weren’t for Hebert this time…. the thought of what could’ve happened made me shudder And if I stayed with the Blackwood Pack any longer, would I just face more harm?

I picked up my phone and, with a blank expression, deleted the long, glaring list of missed calls from

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Brian. My finger slid down the contact list, coming to a halt at Hebert’s name.

I dialed the number.

It was picked up after just one ring. His deep, velvety voice came through the receiver: “Ashley? Are you

alright?”

“I’m fine, Hebert. Thank you.” My voice was a bit raspy. “I’m calling because I wanted to thank you

properly-”

“You know how I feel, I’ve told you before.” He paused, his voice softening. “Ashley, remember… no matter how wayward you choose to be, you’ll always have me.”

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