Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Hebert’s POV

The beeping sound of the disconnected call echoed softly in the quiet office. I set the phone down, my fingertips still carrying the cold, metallic sensation.

Ashley.

Her name turned over silently on my tongue, carrying a kind of reverence I had never felt for any other

she-wolf before. Almost sacred.

“We’re friends.”

Friends? A safe, non-threatening word. Something that let her lower her guard, something that allowed

her to take just the tiniest step toward me.

That was fine. Patience has never been an issue for me, especially not when it comes to the one I’ve set

my sights on.

My lips curled into the faintest trace of a smile. An art exhibit. Could I consider this a date? Technically, there would be a lot of other people there.

But honestly, as long as I got to see her, that was enough for me.

Brian. What an absolute idiot. He had the rarest, most flawless diamond in the world and threw her away for some cheap, glittering rock by the roadside. He couldn’t see Ashley’s worth, treating her like nothing more than a pretty, obedient Luna doll. His stupidity was mind-boggling.

But I couldn’t rush things. That fool had cut so deep into her heart, leaving scars that wouldn’t heal overnight. It wasn’t something I could fix with just one act of heroism. She needed time. Time to nurse

those wounds. Time to let go of every memory of that bastard still lingering in her mind.

I have plenty of patience and time to wait for her.

Just then, a knock came at the office door. It was Marcus, my Beta and one of my closest friends. He’s been by my side since the day I founded the pack.

There’s not much we don’t talk about.

He walked in, and the sharp, deadly aura on his face instantly swept away the small warmth Ashley had stirred in me.

“Alpha,” he said, his voice steady and firm. “Those three pests have been dealt with. And the message about the thug attacking Ashley has been delivered to her gallery, just as you directed.”

“Good.” I stood up, buttoning the jacket of my suit. “Ashley needs to understand the kind of person Brian really is.”

1/3

Chapter 26

+25 BONUS

Marcus didn’t leave.

“Is there something else?”

“Hebert.” He spoke my name, and the second he did, I knew what was coming. I couldn’t help but roll my

eyes.

“You know exactly what I’m going to say,” he said, cutting straight to it. “You’ve done all of this for Ashley. She’s signed the divorce papers already. You could just mark her now-wipe Brian’s mark away

and make her yours, once and for all.”

“Get out.” My voice was sharp with irritation. “I’ve already told you I’m doing this my way.”

Sure, I could, but Ashley isn’t just any she-wolf. I know how strong she is, and her father was a man I

admired deeply.

What she doesn’t know is that I’ve been looking into her father’s death this whole time. I’ve always thought there’s something off about it. But until I find the truth, I won’t say a word to Ashley.

“You’ve got a great thing going here-watching the woman you love cry over another guy while almost losing her kid in the process,” Marcus said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

I shot him an angry glare. “If you want to keep your head attached to your neck, you better get out of my

office now.”

“You wouldn’t do it, bro. You know you love me,” Marcus replied, raising his hands in mock surrender.” Look, I get it, I can’t force you to do anything. But the pack elders? They’re getting restless. They’re already lining up potential mates for you. They care about the inheritance, you know how big of a deal it

is.”

“Tell them I’ll have a godson soon,” I replied sharply. Marcus rolled his eyes but didn’t argue as he left. I knew well enough the elders wouldn’t back down on this whole mate issue.

And that’s the thing-it’s exhausting. Sure, Bloodmoon Pack is ranked number one, but the lack of a Luna

keeps us hanging in a precarious spot.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify