Twenty-three years ago, Shelly Montague, formerly Michele, longed deeply to become a mother. Married to Richard for five years, they had struggled unsuccessfully to conceive a child. Shelly believed that marrying Richard, the Delta of the Redmoon pack, would fulfill her dreams, even though moving to his pack meant sacrificing her desire to be near her own. Despite her efforts, Shelly found it difficult to connect with the tightly knit and often snobbish women of the pack, especially Miranda Cash, the Beta\u2019s mate, whose approval she sought desperately.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shelly\u2019s greatest challenge was hiding the painful truth that she had been unable to conceive, even as she pretended to share in the hopes of motherhood with the other women. Her longing for acceptance and the dream of motherhood weighed heavily on her, and when the doctor finally confirmed she was infertile, Shelly\u2019s world began to crumble. Though the doctor offered alternatives like surrogacy and adoption, the news devastated her, leaving her numb and tearful, comforted only by Richard\u2019s embrace.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
While waiting in the hospital, Shelly noticed a young, heavily pregnant woman named Meg, who appeared fragile and alone. Meg was clearly a rogue with no pack support, suffering emotionally and physically as she neared her due date. Shelly, moved by Meg\u2019s distress, reached out to comfort her, learning that Meg was only nineteen, had lost her boyfriend, and was facing motherhood without any family or support. Meg expressed deep fear and loneliness, feeling overwhelmed and regretting her pregnancy.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shelly empathized with Meg\u2019s pain, sharing her own sorrow and encouraging her that having a child was a blessing, despite the hardships. Meg\u2019s tears and pain revealed her isolation, but Shelly\u2019s kindness offered a small measure of comfort. As Meg clutched her belly in pain, Shelly reassured her that as long as the baby had her, she would never be truly alone, forging a fragile bond between two women facing very different but equally challenging paths to motherhood.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 795<\/p>\n
Twenty-three years ago<\/p>\n
Michele, who went by Shelly Montague, had only one deep desire in life: to become a mother. She and her husband Richard, married for five years, had been trying for several years to conceive, but their efforts had been in vain. When Shelly found Richard and made him her mate, she believed this was her fairy tale ending\u2014the moment she had been waiting for. Finally, she thought, she would have everything she dreamed of in life.<\/p>\n
Relocating to the Redmoon pack had been a difficult adjustment for Shelly. Richard, her mate, was the pack\u2019s Delta and had spent his entire life there. So, despite how much Shelly longed for her own pack just a few hours away within the Landry territory, moving away wasn\u2019t an option. It was a sacrifice she had to accept.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t that Shelly disliked the Redmoon pack; she simply struggled to connect with the others. The pack was tightly knit, with cliques that felt impenetrable. There was a particular group of wealthy, snobbish women she tried desperately to fit in with, but no matter how hard she tried, she never seemed to earn their approval.<\/p>\n
The hardest to impress was Miranda Cash, the queen bee of the group. Miranda was arrogant and cold\u2014someone Shelly knew she shouldn\u2019t want to befriend. Yet, Miranda was the Beta\u2019s mate, and Shelly understood that gaining favor with her could open doors to long-term social acceptance within the pack.<\/p>\n
The biggest challenge was that most of these women were either already mothers or expecting. Shelly confided in them that she was trying to have a baby, which gave her a foothold. Now, they invited her to brunches and sought her advice about parenting for when she eventually became pregnant.<\/p>\n
What she never revealed was how long she had been trying without success. That secret was too painful and too humiliating. Sharing it would have destroyed any chance she had at gaining popularity.<\/p>\n
At 25, Shelly knew she probably shouldn\u2019t care so much about being popular, but the truth was, she cared deeply. It mattered more than she wanted to admit.<\/p>\n
And now, in just a few minutes, it felt as if her entire world was crumbling.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean I can\u2019t get pregnant?\u201d Shelly choked out, fighting back tears. The word \u201cinfertile\u201d hung heavily in the sterile hospital room between her and Richard as their eyes locked on the doctor. They had been waiting for over an hour for this appointment, and now that the moment had arrived, Shelly wished she could take it back.<\/p>\n
Maybe ignorance was bliss.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m truly sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Montague,\u201d Dr. Edwards said gently, a faint smile touching his lips. \u201cBut there are still options available. You could consider surrogacy, or adoption is always a possibility. There are many children in need of loving homes. I can provide you with referrals.\u201d He paused, his tone kind but encouraging. \u201cPlease don\u2019t lose hope in becoming parents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shelly felt like breaking down completely. Despite the comforting words from both her husband and the doctor, her stomach churned with nausea. Richard reached out, took her trembling hand, and pulled her close, wrapping her in a protective embrace as she wept quietly.<\/p>\n
Her mind was foggy, and she barely managed to say goodbye to the doctor. He handed Richard a brochure outlining their alternatives because Shelly was too numb to take it herself. Richard led her out of the office and down the long, cold hospital corridor. Shelly barely noticed their surroundings or the faces in the waiting room.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to use the restroom,\u201d Richard said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. \u201cStay here; I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shelly barely registered his words but sat down anyway, willing her tears to stop.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t do this\u2026\u201d a small voice whispered nearby.<\/p>\n
Shelly glanced up and saw a young woman, probably no older than nineteen, sitting tensely in one of the chairs. Her hands gripped the armrest so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and her blonde hair was tangled and unwashed, hanging in disarray. Her clothes were worn and torn in places, giving her a neglected, fragile appearance.<\/p>\n
Chapter 796<\/p>\n
What caught Shelly\u2019s attention most was how heavily pregnant the girl was\u2014so close to her due date that it was obvious. The young woman was breathing deeply, her face etched with pain and exhaustion, both physical and emotional. Shelly wondered if she was in labor and, if so, why she hadn\u2019t been moved to a hospital room yet.<\/p>\n
The hospital was located on neutral ground\u2014not the best facility, but far enough from the Redmoon pack that no one would hear about this appointment. Shelly was careful; she didn\u2019t want the pack\u2019s doctors to know about her own situation, fearing gossip would spread quickly.<\/p>\n
Just by her appearance and scent, Shelly could tell the girl was a rogue\u2014an outsider with no pack allegiance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t do this\u2026\u201d the girl repeated, tears spilling from her brown eyes.<\/p>\n
Without fully realizing it, Shelly stood and moved toward her. The girl hadn\u2019t noticed her at first, but when Shelly sat down beside her and gently took one of her clenched hands, she looked up in surprise.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey,\u201d Shelly said softly. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
The girl\u2019s bottom lip trembled as she studied Shelly, weighing whether she could trust this stranger. Shelly understood; she was a stranger, and this girl was clearly in distress.<\/p>\n
Trying a different approach, Shelly asked, \u201cAre you here alone?\u201d<\/p>\n
The girl blinked, then glanced around the room, puzzled that Shelly was speaking to her instead of anyone else. After a moment, she nodded slowly.<\/p>\n
Shelly offered a small smile, though concern crept into her expression. \u201cMy name\u2019s Michelle Montague, but you can call me Shelly,\u201d she said warmly, extending her hand. The girl hesitated but then met Shelly\u2019s gaze and took her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeg,\u201d the girl finally said softly, shaking Shelly\u2019s hand tentatively.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a beautiful name. Is it short for Meghan?\u201d<\/p>\n
Meg nodded, her breathing easing slightly, though the pain in her eyes remained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow old are you, Meg?\u201d<\/p>\n
Meg bit her lower lip and looked down, avoiding Shelly\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll turn nineteen next week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shelly felt a pang in her chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere are your parents?\u201d<\/p>\n
Meg was silent for a moment, and Shelly thought she might not answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not around,\u201d Meg said quietly. Shelly sensed there was more she wasn\u2019t saying but chose not to press further. From what she could tell, Meg was utterly alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoyfriend or husband?\u201d<\/p>\n
Again, Meg was silent, then exhaled shakily.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not here anymore,\u201d she whispered. \u201cHe was killed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Shelly\u2019s heart shattered instantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so sorry,\u201d she said gently. \u201cSo, you have no one?\u201d<\/p>\n
Meg nodded and placed her hands protectively over her belly, tears welling up again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what to do\u2026\u201d she murmured sadly. \u201cI have no one to help me. I can\u2019t raise a baby. A baby\u2014I\u2019m in way over my head. My mother was right\u2026 I should have had an abortion or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shelly felt as if her heart might break further.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t say that\u2026 Some people can\u2019t have children at all. You should consider yourself lucky. You\u2019ll have a little partner in crime for life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meg let out a shaky laugh that turned into a desperate sob.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m used to being alone,\u201d she whispered. \u201cBut I never wanted that for this baby. I don\u2019t want her to grow up alone like I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as she has you, she\u2019ll never be alone,\u201d Shelly assured her.<\/p>\n
Meg bit her lip again, pondering Shelly\u2019s words before wincing in pain, clutching her belly once more.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This chapter delicately explores the profound pain of longing and loss, weaving together the stories of two women bound by their shared vulnerability yet separated by circumstance. Shelly\u2019s heartache over her infertility is mirrored in Meg\u2019s solitude and fear as she faces motherhood alone, highlighting the universal desire for connection and the hope that love can transcend even the darkest moments. Through their brief but meaningful encounter, the narrative gently underscores the strength found in empathy and the unexpected bonds that can arise in times of despair.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the chapter leaves us with a poignant reminder that while life\u2019s challenges may feel isolating, compassion has the power to build bridges between strangers and heal fractured hearts. Shelly\u2019s gesture of kindness offers Meg a flicker of reassurance, suggesting that even in the midst of uncertainty and pain, there remains a possibility for hope, support, and the enduring promise of love.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Next chapter promises to deepen the emotional connection between Shelly and Meg, two women bound by their struggles with motherhood but coming from very different worlds. As Shelly reaches out to Meg in her moment of vulnerability, readers can expect their fragile bond to grow, revealing layers of loneliness, fear, and hope that both carry silently. This unexpected encounter may challenge Shelly\u2019s own perceptions of family and strength, stirring feelings she has long kept buried.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tensions simmer beneath the surface as Meg\u2019s situation unfolds, hinting at the difficult choices and harsh realities she faces alone. The chapter may explore how Shelly\u2019s compassion and courage could become a lifeline not only for Meg but also for herself, potentially opening doors to new alliances and unforeseen conflicts within the pack\u2019s rigid social structure. Emotional stakes will rise, as both women grapple with their fears and the uncertain futures ahead.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 795 We Built a Kingdom From Ashes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shadow-slave-by-author-novelnozi-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21864"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21864\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}