Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Ashley’s POV

After I was discharged, I opened the package Leo handed me.

That’s when I found out-the attack wasn’t random. It was Silvia. She’d figured out I was pregnant and wanted to take my child away, to make Brian completely give up on me. I just couldn’t understand how someone could be so cruel. I mean, as a woman, shouldn’t she know how much a mother loves her pup? She knew it would destroy me, and she still went through with it.

I forced myself to stop shaking and focused all my attention on the upcoming art exhibition. I wasn’t going to tell Brian that Silvia was behind it. He would always fall for her tears anyway.

They were fated mates; that bond makes people irrational. Will I ever meet my fated mate?

I touched the mark on my neck, and suddenly, Hebert’s whiskey-colored eyes flashed through my mind. No, he couldn’t possibly be my second chance mate.

For the next week, my world narrowed down to white walls and splashes of intense color from the art around me. The wounds on my body healed at an almost unbelievable speed, thanks to the precious ointments Hebert had sent over. But the heart Brian had torn apart with his own hands-that would take something much stronger to mend. I threw myself completely into preparing for the upcoming art exhibition. It wasn’t just a show; it was my declaration, the battlefield for “Rebecca,” and Ashley’s rebirth.

On the day of the exhibition, Vicki burst into my apartment just as I had finished dressing. The moment she saw me, her usual “Are you ready?” got stuck in her throat, and she froze, like someone pressed pause

on her.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at the woman reflected back at me-both a stranger and someone I knew well. She wasn’t the Luna Brian favored, the woman who wore soft pastel suits and always carried a gentle smile. No, she was fire itself.

The silk red dress I wore clung to me like molten lava, every curve outlined. The neckline was daringly low, exposing the scar on my chest that had only just healed. The thigh-high slit moved with even the slightest shift of my body, teasing a glimpse of my legs. My long hair was styled in wild waves, and my lips, painted a bold crimson, curved into a look of defiance. “Oh my god…” Vicki finally found her voice, circling around me with wide eyes that practically sparkled with awe and excitement. “Ashley, you look like some sultry sorceress heading to your ex-husband’s funeral! I’m obsessed with this look! You’re absolutely gonna own the night!”

That’s right-tonight, I’m my own queen.

The gallery shimmered under the brilliance of crystal chandeliers.

“Everything’s ready, Rebecca,” Leo, my assistant, hurried over, his face lit up with excitement as he reported, “The major media outlets are all here, and the art critics are raving about the pieces on display”

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I gave a small nod, taking the champagne he handed me before letting my gaze sweep across the room. That’s when I spotted a familiar figure. Her tailored black suit screamed efficiency, and her impeccably styled silver-gray hair spoke of control. Even surrounded by a group of Alphas, her Beta presence couldn’t

be missed.

Winona. The most reliable Beta of Silvermoon Pack, back when my father was still alive.

My heart clenched. She saw me too-and for a moment, surprise flickered in her eyes before giving way to unmistakable delight. She wove through the crowd, striding directly toward me.

“Princess,” she greeted me with a slight bow, an old gesture from our homeland that felt foreign now,” You’ve grown even more beautiful than before.”

“Winona,” I gave her a smile, faintly tinged with bitterness. “I’m no princess anymore. Not for a long time.”

“No, you always will be,” Winona said, her gaze unwavering and firm as stone. “Your father was the greatest Alpha we’ve ever known, and everyone in the pack still misses him like crazy.” She let out a weary sigh, her voice heavy with exhaustion and disappointment. “Ever since your uncle took over the pack, everything’s gone downhill. He’s a hypocritical, useless idiot who wastes his time starting pointless wars and doesn’t care about whether we live or die. Silvermoon Pack… it’s drowning in a major financial crisis now.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help feeling a sharp pang in my chest. Silvermoon Pack was still my home, the place my parents had sacrificed everything to protect. But my uncle-when he found out my father had passed-he simply offered me some polite advice: leave, go somewhere else to heal. He thought my staying would only make things worse, more painful.

I knew the truth though. He was afraid I’d become a threat to his claim over the Alpha position. Technically, wolves had no rule saying a female couldn’t inherit the title. But back then, I was too fragile. My father was gone, and my mother had moved to another pack. She clung to me at first, but she was too broken herself, too devastated to face me.

I don’t even know where she’s gone. And right now, I don’t have the strength to challenge my uncle.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry to hear that, Winona. But… I can’t do anything at the moment. I’ve got my own problems to deal with.”

“Your own problems?”

1 took a deep breath, meeting her concerned gaze. “Yes. Brian and I are getting a divorce.”

Winona’s eyes widened instantly, her shocked expression quickly shifting to one of “I knew it” understanding. “I’m sorry to hear that, Your Highness. But… I guess congratulations are in order. The Alpha of Blackwood Pack was never worthy of you.”

Before I could even respond, a noticeable commotion erupted near the entrance of the gallery. The crowd parted like waves, forming a clear path. In that moment, my blood turned cold.

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