Rejected then Claimed by the Alpha King (Liam and Hope) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 7

Blair’s POV

The moment I opened my eyes, the sharp smell of disinfectant pierced my nose. The heart monitor above me beeped steadily: “Beep… Beep… Beep…”

It took me a few seconds to realize I was in a hospital. Every inch of my body hurt, but it felt like someone

had smashed my chest with a blunt weapon.

“You’re awake?” A nurse stepped in, her voice gentle. “Your injuries are serious-you’ve broken three ribs. You’ll need family to take care of you. Want to give them a call?”

She handed me a phone. My hand trembled as I took it.

The screen lit up-dozens of unread messages, all from Carrie.

[Christian peeled an apple for me-it’s so sweet.]

[Lysander bought me a new dress. He said red looks best on me.]

[Orion and Zayden stayed with me all day for checkups. They were so worried about me.]

[It’s been two days. One little “I’m dizzy” and they’re all running around me. No one asked where you went. A thief will always have to repay what she stole.]

[Blair, it’s pathetic-you don’t have a single person who truly loves you. If I were you, I’d be dead by now.]

I stared at the screen, my fingers curling tighter and tighter until my knuckles turned white.

“I don’t have family,” I whispered, handing the phone back to the nurse. “Just me.”

She opened her mouth, like she wanted to say something-but in the end, she just sighed and walked out

quietly.

Outside the window, sycamore leaves blanketed the ground. I stared at the IV drip-each drop falling like the

tears I’d shed over the years, each one a piece of love thrown away, forgotten.

Five days later, I checked out on my own.

As I opened the door to the pack house, a wave of laughter greeted me.

In the living room, Christian was slicing oranges for Carrie. The three brothers stood nearby, deep in some

lively conversation. The moment they heard the door, they all turned toward me-silence falling instantly.

“Where have you been?” Lysander frowned. “Why haven’t you been home?”

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I didn’t answer. Just walked past them and headed upstairs.

Behind me, I heard Zayden scoff. “She’s throwing another tantrum.”

I shut the bedroom door, slid down against it, and sank to the floor.

The pain in my ribs flared again-but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

A servant brought up dinner, but I didn’t touch a bite.

Later that night, my phone lit up again.

[You clingy little bitch. I’ll make sure they know exactly who matters more.]

Expressionless, I powered off my phone and shoved it into the drawer.

The next morning, my bedroom door was kicked open.

“Blair!” Christian stormed in, grabbed me, and dragged me out of bed, slamming me to the floor. “Where the

hell is Carrie?!”

Before I could react, Orion was in my face, yanking me up by the collar.

“She left a note,” he snarled. “If Blair doesn’t want me here, then I’ll leave.’ What did you say to her?! Did you

drive her away?!”

“I don’t know.” My voice was dry and cracked, barely audible.

“You’re still lying?!” Zayden roared, smashing his fist into my vanity. Glass shattered everywhere. “She’s terminally ill! If something happens to her, I swear. I’ll make you pay!”

“I’m not lying… I really don’t know anything.”

The air froze-for a second, no one moved.

Then Finn’s voice rang out from the hallway. “I found Carrie! She’s at the edge of the cliff!”

The brothers’ expressions darkened instantly.

Lysander lunged forward, wrapping his fingers around my throat. His grip was so tight I couldn’t breathe.

“When did you become so cruel? Carrie’s dying-she barely has any time left-and you still won’t let her be?!”

My head was forced back, mouth open as I gasped for air. Everything went dark around the edges-but I still laughed. Bitter and cold, a sound laced with mockery.

How ridiculous.

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First of all, who even knew if that “terminal illness” was real? Just in the past few days, they’d flown in

top-tier healers from around the world, tried every cutting-edge treatment and outrageously expensive

miracle drug.

If she were truly dying, she’d probably be cured by now.

No-this was just a convenient excuse. A neat little cover for why they’d forgiven her for running away before

the wedding.

I didn’t say any of that aloud. But my silence only pissed them off more.

“Get her in the car!” Christian barked. “I don’t care what it takes-she’s bringing Carrie back.”

They dragged me out like a criminal. No one gave me a chance to explain.

And just like that, the car sped off-straight toward the cliff.

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