Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 74

Ashley’s POV

“No.”

I repeated, stepping back to widen the gap between us. The loose gravel beneath my feet made a faint crunch that pierced through the silence of the mountaintop.

Hebert’s hand froze midair. He didn’t look upset, just tilted his head slightly, his deep eyes fixed on me.

“Give me a reason,” he said, his voice low and steady.

“I’m scared.”

I admitted it. There was no point acting tough standing at the edge of this cliff.

“You’re too fast. When we came up here, it felt like my insides were being left behind. And now…” My hand instinctively rested on my flat stomach, that lingering nausea still clawing at my throat. “I can’t handle that.”

“I can slow down,” he shot back instantly, his tone firm.

“I don’t believe you.”

I lifted my head and locked eyes with him.

“I told you to slow down a bunch of times on the way up. You didn’t listen.”

Without waiting for his response, I turned toward the winding path down the mountain.

I’m going to walk down myself. Even without an Alpha’s protection, even without a wolf’s strength, I can control my own path.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward.

The reality was way harsher than I had imagined.

When he carried me up earlier, I hadn’t noticed how treacherous this path was. But now, standing at the edge, I could see it clearly–this was basically a trail carved straight out of a cliff.

Slippery moss covered the rocks, and loose dirt seemed ready to crumble at any second.

I glanced down for a moment, and the sheer drop of hundreds of meters made my scalp tighten instantly.

My legs began to tremble uncontrollably. It wasn’t cowardice; it was just a natural reaction to the threat of death looming this close.

To make things worse, my body was fighting back. The hormonal changes from pregnancy had totally thrown off my balance, and every step I took felt shaky, like the ground beneath me was swaying.

If I slipped…

If I fell…

That terrifying thought appeared and just stuck, refusing to go away. I froze right there, unable to move forward or step back

Behind me, there was a soft sigh

Then, warmth. A steady presence moved closer, and that strong hand gripped my arm again not forceful this

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time, just firm and reassuring.

“I’m sorry, Ashley,” Hebert said regretfully.”

It’s my fault.” He stepped in front of me, blocking the dizzying view of the cliff. “I forgot… you need more care now. I thought your scream earlier was just from excitement.”

He looked straight at me, his expression unusually serious,

“I promise. This time, I’ll match your pace. You can stop me anytime.”

“Alright,” I mumbled, my voice barely louder than the wind.

The next second, I felt the ground vanish beneath me.

He picked me up again.

His arms held me securely, every step he took was steady and firm, not the slightest jolt.

He was really walking this time.

The scenery around me no longer blurred past. I could make out the wildflowers by the roadside, the rough patterns on tree trunks.

“If you feel uncomfortable or need anything, just let me know,” Hebert said, his eyes focused ahead, jaw tight, as if concentrating on every single movement to ensure he didn’t hurt me. “Ashley, with me, most things are open for discussion.”

It was such a simple statement, yet it made my nose sting with an unexplainable ache.

For three years, the word “discussion” had been completely absent from my world.

Brian, the alpha of the Blackwood Pack, ruled my life with an iron grip. Even in the most intimate moments, it always had to be on his terms.

I thought about all those countless banquets. As Luna, I had to wear ill–fitting high heels and accompany him to those endless social events. Brian always walked ahead, striding briskly, busy exchanging pleasantries with Alphas from all over.

He never looked back.

I had to grit my teeth, enduring the sharp pain in my ankles and practically jog to keep up with him. Falling behind wasn’t an option. Losing composure wasn’t allowed. I couldn’t embarrass him.

Once, the pain became unbearable, and I asked him to slow down.

Brian just shot me a cold glance. “Luna represents the pack’s image. Stop acting like some weak cripple, and keep up.”

Back then, I thought that was just how partners were supposed to be–strong leads, weak follows.

But Hebert told me that things could be negotiated.

I didn’t realize how much time had passed as we moved through a dense coniferous forest.

Morning sunlight filtered through the trees, creating visible beams that lit up the air like strings of gold Dust specs danced within them, and dew on the grass shimmere like tiny diamonds.

It was like something out of a fairytale.

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“Wait,” I instinctively tightened my grip on his shirt.

Hebert stopped immediately. There wasn’t even the slightest wobble in his stance.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?” he asked, looking down at me, his voice full of concern.

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