Abandoned While Pregnant, Claimed by the Alpha novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

To her, we were nothing more than colleagues. That realization stung.

Frustrated, I yanked at the last two buttons on my shirt collar, tearing them open, and stormed out of the manor. The cold night wind hit my face, sharp and biting, but it did nothing to calm the storm brewing in my chest.

Half an hour later, I was sitting in a dimly lit bar within Bloodmoon territory. The air reeked of alcohol, cigars, and a jumble of mingling scents. I’d claimed the most secluded booth in the corner, and three empty bourbon glasses were already sitting on the table in front of me. The amber liquid burned its way down my throat, leaving a fiery traït behind.

“Seriously? You dragged me out here in the middle of the night just to watch you drink yourself stupid?”

A voice laced with a hint of teasing came from across the table as Marcus pulled out a chair and sat down. Marcus, my most trusted Beta and longtime friend, waved to the bartender, ordering a fresh bottle of whiskey. His eyes, sharp and curious, locked

onto me.

“What’s going on, Alpha? You look worse than a demon dragged out of hell.” Marcus poured himself a drink, his tone filled with playful sarcasm.

I shot him a cold glare, grabbed my glass, and downed its contents in one go. The alcohol burned its way through my veins like fire. I slammed the glass down onto the wooden table with a dull thud.

“She… said we’re just work partners.” My voice came out hoarse, even surprising myself with how raw it sounded.

Marcus raised an eyebrow, a sly grin tugging at his lips. Leaning back in his chair, he swirled his drink lazily.

“If Ashley’s making you this miserable, why not just move on to another she-wolf?” Marcus chuckled, his tone light in a way that grated on my nerves. “Plenty of pretty ones in Bloodmoon Pack are lining up for you. Seriously, why waste energy on someone who keeps shutting you out?”

In that instant, a surge of Alpha dominance burst out of me, crashing against the room like a tidal wave. The sheer weight of my authority filled the air, the force pressing down on him from across the table. My eyes took on a dangerous green glow under the dim lighting, a low, warning growl rumbling from deep in my throat.

“Shut up, Marcus.” I spat the words through gritted teeth.

Marcus immediately raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender.

“Alright, alright, I take it back!” He let out an awkward laugh. “Just messing with you, man. No need to give me that death stare.

I took a deep breath, forcing the restless wolf inside me to calm down, reigning in the overwhelming dorhinance of my scent. Frustration gnawed at me, and I rubbed my temples, feeling exhaustion creeping in like a tidal wave.

Marcus dropped his jokey demeanor, leaning forward as a more serious expression settled on his tace.

“Hebert, listen.” His voice was quiet but earnest, carrying the weight only a friend could offer. “It you really care about her, then love her the right way. You’ve got to understand Ashley’s not some sheltered girl who grew up in a bubble. She’s been through hell, and that bastard Brian left her with scars that run deep. A woman who’s been hurt like that… she’s not going to just jump into something new without fear.

“She needs time, Hebert. She needs to feel safe.”

I said nothing, letting his words settle in the silence between us. He was right I’d been too impatient, ignoring the fear and walls she carried inside her.

Marcus

gave my shoulder a light pat, his way of offering comfort. Then, his expression turned serious.

“There’s something I need to report to you,” Marcus said, lowering his voice and leaning in slightly. “The matter you asked ine to investigate-it’s finally yielding results.”

+15 Bonus

My eyes flew upen, and my whole body tensed up. The Alpha instincts in me kicked in immediately. “Spill it.”

“It’s about Ashley’s father’s death,” Marcus continued, his tone grim. “We’ve found evidence. It wasn’t an accident. His death was a premeditated murder”

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