Alpha Hunter - Chapter 82: Chapter 82

Ashlyn Knight:
I settled into the backseat of the car, unable to bring myself to sit next to Ian in the passenger seat. Still reeling from how he’d spoiled my big day, I hadn’t even managed to compose myself properly. I just sat there, like a statue, gazing out the window. Tears occasionally welled up, making me sniffle, but whenever my son glanced back to check on me, I forced a smile and wiped them away.
“I’m really angry with Uncle Sam. How could he hurt Mommy like that?” Turner exclaimed to Ian. I heard him, but I closed my eyes and leaned my head back.
“That’s why we’ve got to look after Mommy because she’s hurting right now,” I opened my eyes upon hearing Ian’s response. How dare he!
No! I refused to let him tarnish Sam’s reputation when he wasn’t to blame for this ruined day.
“Actually, Sam didn’t call off the wedding,” I spoke to my son, and he turned his head back. Ian adjusted the rearview mirror to look at me. I’m sure he thought I would throw him under the bus in front of his son.
But I wasn’t like him.
“We had to cancel because we both… had some issues,” it was tough to blame Sam, so I decided to retract my statement, “I canceled the wedding, and I hurt Samuel very… very much.”
My voice broke at the memory of the pain in Samuel’s eyes. I had shattered him entirely. He had been kicked out of his pack, and since then, he had worked tirelessly to build himself a name and earn respect.
The respect I had dragged through the mud today. I felt selfish for leaving and letting him deal with the mess I’d left behind.
“Hmm!” Ian scoffed in disbelief, almost as if he was stunned I was making myself look bad in front of my kid just so Turner wouldn’t think badly of Samuel.
“But why? You were so happy, and he loved you so much,” Turner questioned, and Ian shifted in his seat.
“Should we make a quick stop and grab some food?” he suggested, and Turner straightened his back and nodded.
“Sure,” he replied.
“I’m not in the mood to get out of this car,” I hissed at Ian, as he could see I was still wearing the gown, and I didn’t want to be spotted with him after everyone heard I was going to be Sam’s bride.
“No problem, we’ll go through the drive-through, order some food, and then head home to eat,” Ian said, leaving me wondering what was going on in his head. There was no way he had forgiven me for what had transpired between us in the past. He still believed I had cheated on him, so why the hell did he force me to marry him? Was it only so that our child could have both parents, or did he have ulterior motives? I guess I’ll have to wait until we’re home to find out more about his plans.
Ian did exactly what he told Turner. They picked up food, and now we were nearing the pack. My head was hurting, and now I was beginning to acknowledge that I would have to meet Maya too. Just the thought of facing her and the drama that would ensue after finding out about our marking made me sick to my stomach. I wanted rest, not any more arguments.
“So, we’re finally home,” Ian announced to me. We silently got out of the car and followed Ian, who stopped at the entrance just to pick up Turner.
I was feeling cold because I hadn’t grabbed a sweater or anything when leaving the hotel room, and the rest of my stuff was still locked back in my own home.
“Ian! Babe! Where were you? I heard–” as expected, Maya came rushing down the stairs but only stopped when she spotted me with Ian.
“I heard the wedding got canceled. But why is she here?” she asked in a much calmer tone, a tone that sounded like a creepy person acknowledging their target.
“Oh yeah, I brought her here,” Ian said, not really explaining anything.
“What happened?” Mrs. Walker walked out of the kitchen, and a smile covered her lips when she saw Turner.
“My grandson,” she picked him up, and he happily went to her.
I was now waiting for my trial. I knew I would face harsh glares and questions, but I wasn’t going to deal with any of it as it was Ian’s business now.
“Why is she here?” Maya yelled, and Mrs. Walker finally looked behind Ian to acknowledge me. She observed me from head to toe and then looked at her son.
“Is she okay?” Mrs. Walker questioned.
“She is now,” Ian said, straightening his back even more.
“Mommy canceled the wedding,” Turner spoke up, looking at me sulkily. Maya frowned before she shook her head as if she was failing to grasp something important.
“Why? And why is she here? She should go back to her home if she doesn’t get married,” Maya seemed to be trying to convince herself as she kept yelling.
“She’s where she should be,” Ian added, and after Mrs. Walker gave him a look to explain himself, he stepped back so that he could hold my hand.
I wanted to shrug myself free, but once again, it was all happening before Turner. If I had sacrificed so much for the sake of my son, I could definitely put on an act to ensure his mental peace remains intact.
“We have accepted and marked each other. Ashlyn is now my wife, bride, mate, and my child’s mother,” Ian declared, making Maya gasp while Mrs. Walker yelped. Even Turner stared at my face and then at his father in bewilderment. I couldn’t guess what my son was feeling and neither could I ask him at that moment because Maya stole the show with her loud yelp.
“What are you saying? It can’t be true. You cannot marry her,” Maya hissed, taking deep breaths like she was running up a hill. Ian seemed to be having too much fun watching her go through a mental breakdown.
“It is the truth. She is going to live here as the Luna Queen from now on,” Ian added, sending shivers up my spine.