Rejected and Pregnant I Fled The Pack (Evelyn and Damon) novel Chapter 258

Ethan pov

I woke before Nadia, the pale early morning light filtering softly through the curtains, and simply lay there for a while, watching her sleep.

Her face still carried evidence of yesterday's overwhelming breakdown—faint puffiness around her eyes, the delicate tracks where tears had dried against her skin sometime during the night. Even in sleep, something tense remained visible in the set of her jaw, as though her body couldn't fully release the accumulated stress even while her conscious mind rested.

Something in my chest twisted painfully at the sight, understanding exactly how much genuine pain she'd carried into sleep with her, how thoroughly yesterday's revelation had shattered whatever fragile sense of security she'd been carefully building throughout our developing relationship.

*She shouldn't have to carry this,* I thought, watching her breathe slowly, evenly, still deeply asleep. *None of this is genuinely her fault, yet she's the one suffering the consequences.*

My phone buzzed quietly against the nightstand, and I reached for it carefully, understanding I needed to actually check whatever message had arrived without disturbing her continued rest.

My father's name displayed on the screen, and I felt immediate, sharp dread building even before I actually opened the message, some instinct already warning me this wouldn't prove simple, routine communication.

*Ethan, we need to talk immediately. The families who've been threatening Nadia submitted a formal request to the council overnight. They're requesting official proceedings to determine appropriate "consequence" for her, citing Genevieve's documented crimes as justification.*

Cold fury crashed through me instantly, my hands gripping the phone hard enough that I heard the faint creak of strain against the casing.

*They're doing what,* I typed back, understanding my message carried barely restrained rage despite my attempt at coherent communication.

*Formal council petition,* my father confirmed. *Requesting Nadia be held accountable through official proceedings for damages caused by Genevieve's historical actions. They're framing it as legitimate restorative justice rather than simple, personal vendetta.*

I stared at the screen, genuine disbelief and mounting fury both building simultaneously as I processed the sheer, calculated audacity of what they were apparently attempting.

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