Chapter 25 Chapter 25

Chapter 25 Chapter 25
Ashley
“I told you I want to go far away from here,” I said, my voice rising with frustration. “Why would you give me something that will make my libido high? That makes no sense.”
The old woman didn’t look bothered at all. She remained calm, almost too calm. “Because I am doing what is best for you and your baby,” she replied.
Her words only made me angrier. “You don’t know me,” I snapped, standing up so quickly that the chair shifted behind me. “You have no right to decide what’s best for me!”
She slowly stood up too, facing me without fear. “The deed has already been done,” she said. “You are going to need to stay close to the father of that child. He is the only one who can satisfy the hunger that has been awakened in you.”
My heart pounded hard in my chest as her words sank in. “There is nothing you can do about it now,” she added calmly. “What is done is done.”
I stared at her, anger boiling inside me. For a moment, I felt like storming to her shelf and throwing every single bottle to the ground. I wanted to destroy something just to release the frustration building inside me.
But instead, I clenched my jaw, grabbed my bag tightly, and turned away.
Without saying another word, I rushed out of the cabin.
The cool air outside hit my face, but it did nothing to calm me. I walked fast, almost running, trying to put as much distance as I could between myself and that woman.
I heard her footsteps behind me. “You will thank me for this one day,” she called out.
I didn’t stop. “There’s no way I’m thanking you for this,” I muttered under my breath, my anger still burning strong.
At that moment, a heavy realization settled in my chest. There was no way I could leave the pack now. She had tied everything back to to the king. “Go to hell!” I shouted without turning back.
I kept walking until I got to the spot where Paul had left me but the moment I arrived, I froze. He wasn’t there, the bike was gone too.
My heart skipped a beat. I looked around quickly, my eyes scanning the area. “Paul?” I called out, hoping he was somewhere nearby.
No response.
I walked a little further, checking behind trees and along the path, but there was no sign of him. “He wouldn’t just leave me here…” I whispered to myself, but doubt was already creeping in.
The silence around me felt heavier now. A wave of fear slowly crept into my chest as I remembered the long road we had taken to get here. It had taken us almost an hour on the bike.
And now I was alone. I turned slowly, looking down the narrow path that led back. It stretched far into the distance, surrounded by thick trees on both sides.
My throat went dry. How was I supposed to get back? I didn’t have a phone. I couldn’t call anyone for help. And even if I could, I didn’t have anyone’s number.
I tightened my grip on my bag, my breathing becoming uneven. I had barely taken a few steps back toward the path when I heard the sound of engines in the distance.
Two cars were driving straight in my direction. I quickly moved to the side of the road, my heart still unsettled from everything that had just happened. Maybe they were heading to the witch’s cabin. If they were going my way, I could ask for help. At least I wouldn’t have to walk all the way back alone.
As the cars got closer, I raised my head, trying to see who was inside. The first car slowed down then stopped right in front of me.
My breath caught, the door opened, and Beta Abel stepped out. Several other men followed immediately.
I froze. What were they doing here?
“Arrest the traitor,” Abel ordered sharply, pointing straight at me.
For a second, I didn’t move, I even turned slightly, looking behind me to see if there was someone else he could possibly be talking about.
There was no one. “Me?” I asked, stepping back slowly. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Abel walked toward me with slow, heavy steps, his eyes cold and unforgiving. “Are you sure?” he asked.
Before I could say anything else, the men were already on me. They grabbed my arms roughly, their grip tight and painful, and lifted me off the ground like I weighed nothing.
“Wait!” I struggled, panic rising in my chest. “I didn’t do anything wrong! I only came here to see the old witch!”
No one listened, they carried me straight to the car and shoved me inside without care. The door slammed shut, trapping me between them as the car sped off.
The ride back felt suffocating, my mind raced with questions I couldn’t answer.
Traitor? What had I done?
As soon as we arrived at the pack, they dragged me out again, not giving me a second to steady myself. My feet barely kept up as they pulled me along, straight toward the king’s office.
The door was pushed open, and I was shoved inside, I lost my balance and fell hard to the floor.
“You do not have to handle her roughly,” the king’s voice echoed through the room.
I quickly pushed myself up, my whole body trembling. I didn’t dare look up immediately, but I could feel his presence strong and overwhelming.
“Traitors should be treated worse,” Abel replied sharply. “I am only being lenient because of her pregnancy.”
His words made my chest tighten even more. What was his problem with me? Why did he hate me this much? I swallowed hard, trying to gather what little courage I had left.
“I… I don’t know what I did,” I said, my voice shaking despite my effort to sound calm. “I don’t know what I’m being accused of.”
“See why I hate you so much?” Abel snapped immediately. “Even after being caught, you still act innocent like you are the victim here.”
His tone was harsh, filled with anger that I didn’t understand. I clenched my hands at my sides, my heart pounding wildly.
“Abel,” the king growled, his voice deep and dangerous. “Watch it. You are doing too much.”
The room fell silent instantly. Abel lowered his head slightly in submission, stepping back, but I could still feel the anger radiating from him.
Then the king’s attention shifted to me. His gaze was heavy… disappointed, yet filled with controlled rage.
“You,” he said slowly. “After everything I have done for you… instead of killing you, I allowed you into my pack. You eat my food, you enjoy the privileges of a pack member and this is how you repay me?”
I shook my head quickly, my heart racing. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, my voice unsteady. “I only went to see the witch to seek answers.”
Abel let out a sharp scoff from where he stood. The king suddenly slammed his hand hard against the desk, making me flinch.
“That is exactly your crime!” he shouted. “Seeing a witch within my kingdom is an act of treason!”
My eyes widened in shock. Treason?
My mind went blank. Ethonian never told me. Not once did she mention that visiting a witch was forbidden, let alone punishable by death.
“I… I didn’t know,” I said quickly, panic creeping into my voice. “I had no idea there was such a rule.”
The king leaned back slightly, his expression cold. “The crime you committed is punishable by death,” he said. “Do you understand that?”
I shook my head slowly, fear gripping every part of me. “Who took you to the witch?” he asked, his voice calmer now—but somehow even more dangerous.
My heart skipped, there was no way I was going to mention Ethonian. I was the one who insisted. I dragged her into this. I couldn’t let her and Paul suffer for my mistake.
“Gossips,” I said quickly. “I overheard people talking in the palace so I went there on my own.”
The king exchanged a glance with Abel. Something about that look made my stomach twist.
“You are a fool,” the king said flatly. “If you tell me the truth, I will let this go and assume you acted out of ignorance.”
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. “But if you lie you die.”
My throat went dry, I blinked rapidly, forcing myself to stay calm.
I couldn’t betray them. “I am not lying,” I said, even though my voice trembled. “I heard it through palace gossip.”
For a moment, the room was completely silent. Then the king turned to Abel. “Bring them in.”
A slow smirk appeared on his face as he looked back at me. “You have chosen death.”
My heart dropped, the door opened. Abel walked in and behind him was Ethonian and Paul.
My eyes widened in horror as I stared at them.