Claimed by My Ex Chapter 221 Speaking of health

Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Speaking of health

Victoria’s POV

I know my grandfather behaves like a stubborn pup when it cos to his diet. The aroma of the bland, low-sodium dinner wafted up from our plates, and I could see the disappointnt in his eyes. Most of the dishes were vegetarian—the pack doctor’s strict orders. William Lancaster might be the legendary Alpha of the Crescent Dawn Pack, but right now he looked like a wolf denied his favorite prey.

"This isn’t enough to feed a cub," he grumbled, pushing the stead vegetables around his plate. His wolf spirit, always so powerful and commanding, seed equally disgruntled at being served rabbit food.

I leaned forward, my voice firm but gentle. "Grandfather, you know you should only eat until you’re seventy percent full. If you overdo it, your blood sugar will spike again tomorrow morning."

My wolf, Nora, humd in agreent inside , equally concerned about our pack elder’s health.

Jas, our pack butler who’d served my family for decades, chid in with perfect timing. "Miss Victoria, you really need to keep an eye on him. Last week I caught him raiding the kitchen refrigerator at midnight—third ti this month."

Grandfather’s eyes flashed with that familiar Alpha defiance. "Since when did reporting to my granddaughter beco part of your job description, Jas? I wasn’t ’raiding’ anything. A wolf gets hungry, especially when you all insist on starving ."

"We’re looking after your health," I said, trying to maintain a stern expression despite the smile tugging at my lips. "No more midnight snacks. Promise ."

Grandfather rely huffed, his silver eyebrows furrowing in that stubborn way that told

he had no intention of keeping any such promise. I’d recognized that look since childhood—it ant he’d do exactly as he pleased the mont my back was turned.

"Speaking of health," I said, changing tactics, "weren’t you supposed to have a check-up the other day? Let

see the results."

I rembered being too caught up with pack business at the ti. Jas had accompanied him instead.

Jas cleared his throat. "Actually, Mr. Lancaster decided he wasn’t in the mood and postponed it."

"Grandfather!" The Alpha tone slipped into my voice without

intending it. "Regular check-ups are non-negotiable at your age!"

Early detection could make all the difference with health issues. The thought of anything happening to him made my chest tighten painfully.

Grandfather waved his hand dismissively. "I despise hospitals. The antiseptic sll offends my wolf senses. A few days’ delay won’t matter much. My wolf is still strong."

"You’re acting like a rebellious teenager, not taking your health seriously," I sighed, my voice softening. "If you won’t go alone, I’ll take you tomorrow."

"Don’t you have work?" he challenged, though I caught the subtle softening in his expression.

"The pack business can survive without

for one day. Your health matters more." I reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

"Stop fussing," he grumbled, but squeezed back. "I’ll go on my own ti. You focus on running the company and finding a proper mate. One better than that Sterling pup."

We were both stubbornly protective of each other. As my grandfather aged, he seed to grow more childlike in so ways, yet remained immovably headstrong in others.

For the past week, I’d been coming ho every evening to be with him, which had clearly tested Damien’s patience. He understood why I needed to be with my grandfather, but that didn’t stop him from feeling neglected.

Our compromise was late-night phone calls after Grandfather went to bed, or the occasional stolen mont when Damien would wait outside the Lancaster estate gates just to see

briefly. Not ideal for a newly bonded pair—especially since Damien clearly wanted more than just talking and brief embraces. His wolf, Arthur, was particularly vocal about wanting to spend nights with .

Tonight’s call was winding down when I said, "You should get so sleep too. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight," Damien’s deep voice rumbled through the phone. "But rember, you owe

so proper attention when you co back ho. My wolf is getting restless."

His words made

freeze as a sudden realization hit . Sothing important I’d completely forgotten.

The night we’d spent together in that frenzy of passion after I removed my charm bracelet—we hadn’t used any protection. I’d been rushing to a eting the next morning and planned to take ergency contraception later, but then Damien had whisked

away that evening. Between pack business and Grandfather’s health, it had completely slipped my mind. Now almost a week had passed without

taking anything.

Ergency contraception was only effective within 72 hours. That window had long closed.

Surely I couldn’t be that unlucky—or Damien that potent—to conceive from one unprotected encounter? Then again, wolves were notoriously fertile once they found their true mates. My hand instinctively moved to my flat stomach.

"Victoria? You still there?" Damien’s voice snapped

back to reality. "Why’d you go quiet?"

I realized I’d been silent after saying goodnight. "Sorry, I just rembered sothing."

"What is it?" His voice imdiately softened with concern.

I bit my lip. "If I tell you, promise you won’t be upset."

"I promise." His voice was gentle, making my wolf purr with contentnt.

"I actually made plans with Grace this weekend. I promised before you returned, so I can’t spend the weekend with you."

I heard Damien’s long exhale through the phone. I knew he’d been looking forward to us spending uninterrupted ti together.

"It’s those exclusive tickets Elijah gave her, right?" he asked after a mont.

"Yes, I agreed weeks ago," I admitted, feeling guilty. "I’m sorry."

"Don’t apologize," he said, his tone sincere despite the obvious disappointnt. "Grace is your best friend. I’m not the type of mate who demands all your ti or keeps you from your friends. Just make it up to

later."

This was exactly why I loved him. Unlike Ethan, who’d grown increasingly possessive and controlling during our relationship, Damien respected my independence and my other relationships.

"I promise I’ll make it up to you," I said, my voice dropping to a suggestive whisper. "I’ll make sure my Alpha mate doesn’t feel neglected."

Damien’s low chuckle sent warmth through my body. "I’m not feeling neglected, Victoria. I just miss you."

He wasn’t the kind of man to guilt-trip

for keeping my commitnts. His understanding only made

want him more.

"Go to sleep," I teased. "Maybe I’ll visit you in your dreams."

"In that case, I’m going to bed right now," he replied, the smile evident in his voice.

"Goodnight, Damien."

"Goodnight, my mate."

His voice was so captivating that I lingered on the line, reluctant to disconnect. We’d thought we were talking for just half an hour, but it had stretched to two hours. It was already past midnight.

I finally ended the call, hoping he’d get so rest. What I didn’t know then was that Damien wasn’t at ho at all—he was parked a short distance from the Lancaster estate, where he could see the light in my second-floor bedroom window. Far enough that the security wouldn’t notice him, but close enough to feel connected to .

I saw my bedroom light finally go out as I drifted toward sleep, unaware that my mate was watching over

from a distance。