CHAPTER 66: ASH’S RAGE

That night, Lucien and Ash left the hospital, leaving Martin under Naomi’s care. Martin was too rest overnight before being discharged the next day.

Lucien drove quietly through the dimly lit road, the hum of engine the only sound in the car. Ash sat beside him, staring blankly out of the window, lost in his own thoughts. Ever since he had come out of Dr. Eric’s office, he had barely spoken a word.

Lucien glanced at him, his tone soft but concerned. "Since you came back from that call, you’ve been quiet. Are you alright? You know you can tell me anything."

Ash’s voice was faint. "I’m okay."

But he wasn’t. Dr. Eric’s words kept echoing in his mind-pregnant. He still couldn’t believe it. Just hours ago, he had been teasing Naomi, saying such a thing could never happen to him. And now...it had.

How was he supposed to tell the world that he was carrying his brother’s child?

Then, as if remembering Martin’s decision to keep his own pregnancy, Ash turned slightly and asked, "What did you tell my friend...to make him change his mind?"

Lucien was quiet for a moment, his eyes steady on the road ahead. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm and measured.

"I didn’t convince him," he said. "I just told him that avoiding what’s already inside him won’t make it disappear. Sometimes facing the truth early makes it easier to live with."

Ash looked at him quietly, the words settling in his mind.

Later that night, back at home, the silence between them lingered. When it was time to sleep, Lucien excused himself, saying softly that he’d rest in the guest room.

Ash didn’t respond. He only watched him leave, a faint heaviness sinking in his chest. The door clicked shut, and the quiet room felt colder than usual.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to calm his thoughts. Dr. Eric’s words kept swirling through his mind, "In this early stage of your pregnancy, you’ll need a lot of your Alpha’s dominance to..."

A weak, humorless laugh escaped him. "Even so," he murmured to himself, "its owner already belongs to another Omega. It’s impossible."

His gaze drifted toward the empty side of the bed. And the one I marked as my mate...keeps pulling away from me.

By morning, Ash had barely slept. Faint shadows darkened the skin beneath his eyes, evidence of the long, sleepless night.

When Ash arrived at school, Naomi and Martin were already there, seated together and going through past exam papers.

When they noticed him walking in, both of them looked up, smiles brightening their faces.

Ash managed a small, tired smile. "It’s good to have you back," he said to Martin. "But you could’ve taken today off to rest.

Martin shook his head lightly, a gentle smile forming. "Last night’s rest was enough. I feel better now."

Ash nodded and took his seat. But as he settled down, Naomi’s gaze lingered on him.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Ash forced a faint smile and nodded. "Yeah...I’m fine."

Before Naomi could say more, a sudden burst of chatter rose from the far corner of the classroom. A group of omegas had gathered around one desk, their voices low but excited, their heads bent over something.

Ash’s brows knit together. The noise grated on his nerves. "What’s going on?" he said sharply.

The omegas froze at his tone. The tension in the room shifted instantly, they stepped back in fear, returning to their seats. Only one remained seated, clutching a tablet to her chest.

Ash walked toward her, his steps slow but heavy with authority. "Give it here," he said.

The omega hesitated, then handed it over with trembling hands. Ash glanced at the screen, and froze.

There, flashing in bold headlines, was a photo of Adrian beside Celeste.

"Alpha Adrian’s Wife Celeste Pregnant-Trending Gossip No. 1."

A sharp breath left him, then anger took over. His hand moved before his thoughts could catch up. The tablet flew across the room, hitting the wall with a loud crack and shattering into pieces.

The room went dead silent. No one dared to breathe.

Ash’s voice was low but dangerous. "If I’m not mistaken," he said coldly, "I added Rule No. 59 and Rule No. 60 to this school. And it seems you’ve broken Rule No. 16 and Rule No. 59."

He turned his gaze toward Naomi. "Class prefect, remind everyone of those rules."

Naomi stood immediately, her voice clear though slightly shaky. "Rule No. 16: Gossip about high-ranked officials is prohibited. Rule No: 59: No devices are allowed during class."

Ash’s eyes swept over the class, cold and sharp.

"Therefore," he said slowly, "to make it clear to the juniors that I wasn’t joking when I set those rules, everyone involved will stand at the school gate after classes and greet every student leaving for the day. You’ll do it for an entire week. No exceptions."

The students gasped softly; it was harsh, humiliating, and far beyond what they’d expected. Even Naomi shifted uneasily.

From the doorway, a teacher on duty who had been passing by stopped, clearly startled by what she’d overhead. "Mr. Ash," she said firmly, frowning. "That’s excessive. You can’t do that, they’re supposed to be preparing for exams."

Ash turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp but composed. "Then report it," he said flatly. "Rules are rules."

The teacher hesitated, visibly angry but unable to argue further, and stepped out, likely heading straight to Lucien’s office.

The class stayed utterly silent. No one dared meet Ash’s eyes.

He sat down at his seat, his expression cold and unreadable.

Naomi leaned closer, whispering, "What’s up with you today?"

Before Ash could answer, Martin muttered from the side, "Maybe it’s just bad moods. You were like this the other day too."

Naomi clicked her tongue. "Tsssk..."

A few minutes later, the door opened. The teacher on duty returned, this time with Lucien beside her.

Lucien’s presence filled the room instantly; the air seemed to tighten. "What’s going on here?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with authority.

Ash said nothing.

The omega whose tablet had been broken earlier stood up nervously. "Alpha Lucien...h-he broke my tablet and gave us punishment to stand at the school gate all week."

Lucien’s brows drew together slightly. "Is that so?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the class.

"And what exactly were you all looking at before that?"

The omega hesitated, lowering her head. "It was...an article. About Alpha Adrian and his wife Celeste...being pregnant."

Lucien’s eyes widened briefly, then a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He lifted his hands halfway in mock surrender. "If that’s the case," he said smoothly, "then I won’t interfere."

He turned and began walking toward the door.

"Alpha Lucien!" the teacher on duty called after him, frustration in her voice. "You can’t leave without solving the case!"

But Lucien didn’t look back. His voice drifted out coolly as he exited.

"It’s already solved."

...

Later that afternoon, as Lucien prepared for his mathematics lesson with Ash’s class, a knock sounded on his office door.

"Come in," he said without looking up.

The door opened, and when Lucien glanced up, his hand froze mid-movement.

"Stephene..." he breathed.

A faint, confident smile curved Stephene’s lips as he stepped inside. "You’ve been ignoring me for a while," he said smoothly. "So I decided to bring myself to you...my little Lucien."

He walked closer, unhurried, every step deliberate. Lucien blinked, momentarily stunned, before clearing his throat and taking a small step back. "Don’t call me little. I’m an adult now, Stephene. And I haven’t been ignoring you, I’ve just been busy. As you can see, I’m preparing for class.

Stephene didn’t stop. He advanced until Lucien’s back met the wall. One hand pressed beside Lucien’s head, trapping him there. His eyes lingered on Lucien’s face; calm, unreadable, almost possessive.

"So tell me," Stephene murmured, voice low, "between your students and your Ddazy...who’s more important?"

Lucien swallowed, caught off guard." ...Both of you are important," he managed to say quietly.

Stephene’s gaze softened, but his tone didn’t. "I’ve waited long enough," he said. "It’s time to keep that promise."

Lucien’s breath hitched. "But...I’m engaged to..."

"I only stepped back for Adrian," Stephene interrupted sharply. "I’m not stepping aside for anyone else. You promised me, if it wasn’t him...it would be me."

Lucien’s pulse quickened. He tried to find his voice, but Stephene leaned closer, his words brushing the air between them.

"Just be my woman, Lucien," he whispered. "Let me shield you under my wings."

Lucien placed a hand on Stephene’s chest and pushed him back gently. "I’ll be late for class," he said quietly, avoiding his gaze. "Let’s...meet later at my hotel."

Stephene exhaled slowly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I can’t wait," he murmured, winking before turning and walking out of the office.

When the door closed, Lucien let out a shaky breath and sank into his chair. For a long moment, he just sat there, staring blankly at the desk, trying to steady himself before heading to class.

...

Lucien entered the class a few minutes later, the quiet hum of students greeting him. He began teaching as usual, his tone calm and collected. But when he called on Ash to explain a mathematics equation, the atmosphere shifted.

"Ash," Lucien said, writing on the board. "Show the class how to simplify this-step by step."

Ash stood, his voice steady but his tone sharp. "Of course," he began, his explanation precise yet cold. "To solve this, you first take what’s below and make it dominate what’s above...unless the one below prefers to submit, then naturally the stronger term takes control. Right?"

A few students exchanged uneasy glances. Lucien froze for a moment, feeling a strange weight in the air.

"That’s enough," Lucien said quietly, closing the marker. "Follow me."

...

At his office, the moment Ash stepped in, Lucien closed the door behind them with a sharp click. He pressed Ash against it, his hands braced on either side, trapping him. His breath brushed against Ash’s ear.

"What kind of solving was that?" Lucien asked, his voice low. "From morning you’ve been acting strange, you even broke another student’s tablet. Tell me what’s wrong with you."

Ash’s jaw tightened, his eyes burning with restrained fury. "I’m not the one with a problem," he said bitterly. "It’s you."

Lucien’s brows furrowed. "Me?"

"Yes, you!" Ash snapped. "You’re my mate, Lucien. You don’t want to dominate me, but you want to be your senior’s woman?"

Lucien’s breath caught. The realization hit instantly-Ash had overhead everything between him and Stephene.

"Ash..." Lucien started, but before he could finish, Ash shoved him back roughly.

"You know what?" Ash said, voice trembling between anger and pain. "If tonight you won’t dominate me...I’m calling off our engagement."