Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

“We’re here.”

His voice was low, completely unreadable.

The moment his words fell, I eased myself out of his arms. The solid ground of the estate beneath my feet finally steadied the dizziness I’d been battling.

“Thanks for taking me to see the sunrise.” I tossed the words over my shoulder without looking back, my tone brisk, almost rushed. I couldn’t bear to face the expression he might be wearing. Tugging the collar of my coat tighter, I sped through the neatly trimmed yard and bolted through the heavy oak doors like I was escaping something.

No footsteps followed.

It wasn’t until I’d made it to the second floor, closed my bedroom door, and locked it that I finally let myself slide down onto the carpet, leaning against the door. My heart was hammering in my chest, though I couldn’t tell if it was from the sprint or from what almost happened on that mountaintop–Hebert’s almost–kiss.

Every time I shut my eyes, the image of Hebert in the soft morning light took over my mind. His almost–bare torso, the way the sunlight picked out the curve of every muscle, and those dark, unreadable eyes–like they could strip away every layer I had and see right through me.

That look… it was far too dangerous.

I reached under my pillow and pulled out my phone, trying to distract myself. The screen’s brightness stung my eyes in the dimly lit room. I opened the photo gallery.

The latest photo sat there quietly.

It was taken by Hebert using my phone.

In the picture, a woman sat sideways on a large rock, her hair tangled by the wind. Her chin was slightly lifted, gazing at the distant sea of clouds. The soft morning light gave her pale profile a golden glow, almost like something divine.

I froze.

Was that really me?

The three years I spent with Brian had taught me to lower my head, hide all my sharp edges, and act as the quiet, compliant Luna. But the woman in this photo looked different–fragile, yes–but there was a calm determination in her gaze I hadn’t seen in myself for so long.

The composition was flawless. The lighting, the angle, even the soft blur of the background—it all perfectly emphasized the subject.

My finger hovered over the screen for a while before I opened Vicki’s chat. Of all the chaos and secrets surrounding me, she was the only person I could think of who might understand.

I selected that photo, along with a few shots of the cloud–filled horizon, and hit send.

“Sunrise from this morning.”

I didn’t mention Hebert, or the nerve wracking descent from the mountain, or that almost kiss.

Vicki replied almost instantly, her message popping up within seconds.”

+15 Bonus

Oh my gosh, Ashley! Where is this? It’s stunning!”

And then another message popped up.

“Wait, this portrait… Who took this for you? The lighting is incredible!”

I bit my lip, my fingers hesitating briefly before typing.

“Just… a friend.”

“A friend?” Vicki sent back a knowing emoji. “What kind of friend‘ can make you look like a goddess who just descended to earth? I mean seriously, this skill rivals those top fashion magazine photographers. Look at how the backlighting is handled, and the perfect use of the golden ratio in the composition… Ashley, don’t tell me you hired a professional photographer just to keep you company on a run?

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