[BL]My Stepbrother, My Fated Omega-Chapter 81: Love you, always my son

Ash’s body went limp, and Adrian caught him just before he hit the ground.

Lucien dropped to his knees, shaking. His eyes were wide, unfocused. Tears slid down his cheeks as blood trickled from his nose. The doctor’s words rang again in his head, We tried our best.

Ash’s mother broke into a wail, her body trembling as Adrian’s father wrapped his arms around her up.

Moments later, Aster came rushing in, breathing hard. "What happened?" he demanded.

Between muffled sobs, Ash’s mother managed, "Mother...she’s gone."

Aster froze, his expression empty for a moment before disbelief struck. His lips trembled. "No..." he whispered, but the tears had already started falling.

Adrian gathered Ash into his arms and hurried him into the emergency room.

Then Aster noticed Lucien, still kneeling on the cold floor, his head lowered, blood staining the tiles beneath him.

"Alpha Lucien!" Aster called, running toward him. But Lucien didn’t respond, his gaze lost somewhere far away.

Without thinking, Aster grabbed him and carried him inside. The nurses rushed over at once, guiding Lucien to a bed as his body shook uncontrollably.

Outside, Adrian turned to Aster. "What happened to him?" he asked quietly.

Aster’s voice trembled. "The shock...it hit him too hard. He couldn’t take it."

...

Later that night, the penthouse was silent.

Adrian lay on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, a distant glaze over them. Tears slid quietly down his temples as memories of Grandmother replayed, the first time he met her, in her prime, kneeling by the roadside in the rain, holding an unconscious thirteen-year-old Ash. Her laughter, her warmth, her cooking-everything came back in flashes.

A faint smile touched his lips before fading. "I kept asking you to marry me," he murmured, voice cracking, "just so you could spoil me with your cooking. You refused...knowing you might leave first." His chest tightened. "Did you come today just to make us your last meal?"

In the living room, Lucien lay curled on the couch, clutching a pillow against his face. His shoulders trembled with quiet sobs. Between shaky breaths, he whispered, "You left before I could finish learning how to sew the baby’s cap and socks..."

Downstairs, beneath the still water of the swimming pool, Ash floated motionless, bubbles rising slowly from his lips. His eyes were open but distant, his thoughts heavy.

Grandma...you promised to stay until I graduate. Why did you break your promise?

...

Trending News:

Alpha Leiclar’s wife’s mother has tragically passed away following a car accident earlier today. Hospital officials confirmed that she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being admitted.

The burial is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Several high-ranking members and close associates have already sent their condolences to Alpha Leiclar and his family during this difficult time.

...

Bravin entered the penthouse quietly, watching his three masters sunk in grief.

He glanced toward the kitchen, dirty dishes still piled high in the sink. His brows drew together.

Didn’t those two maidservants I saw earlier wash the dishes? he thought puzzled.

With a small sigh, he rolled up his sleeves and began to clean up in silence.

When he finished, he gathered the garbage and picked up a food container from the counter, planning to throw it out. As he passed the living room, a sharp voice stopped him.

"Where are you taking that food?" Lucien asked, his tone cutting.

Bravin turned, startled. "To the garbage," he replied softly.

Lucien’s expression darkened. In a blur, he strode over, grabbing Bravin by the neck. Rage rolled off him in waves, his pheromones thickening the air. "How dare you try to throw away Grandma’s food!" he hissed.

Bravin tried to speak, gasping, but Lucien’s grip only tightened.

Adrian rushed in, pulling Lucien back with force. "Lucien, stop!" He turned to Bravin, who was coughing, his face pale. "What did you do?"

"I-I thought the food was spoiled," Bravin stammered. "I didn’t know it was from Grandmother."

Adrian exhaled sharply. "Next time, before you throw anything out, ask for permission first."

"Yes, sir," Bravin murmured, clutching the container and hurrying back to the kitchen.

Adrian turned to Lucien, his tone calm but firm. "Control your rage." Then he walked toward the pool area.

Through the clear water, he saw Ash beneath the surface-motionless. His heart skipped. Without hesitation, Adrian dove in, pulling Ash out.

Ash gasped as he surfaced, looking up in confusion. "What are you doing?"

"I thought you’d..." Adrian’s voice trembled, fear flickering in his eyes.

Ash’s own eyes welled up. "I wish I could," he whispered. "But Grandma would be angry at me...in the afterlife."

Adrian pulled him close, holding him tightly. "Don’t say that," he murmured. "I still need you.

...

One day later, under the pale morning sky, the burial was held at Moonveil Village, in the ancestral cemetery where generations of Ash’s family rested.

Villagers filled the area, whispering softly among themselves. High-ranking officials from the city stood nearby, their suits dark against the red earth. Naomi and Martin were there too, standing quietly in the crowd.

Adrian’s father and Ash’s mother sat in the front row, their faces heavy with grief. Ash, Lucien, and Adrian sat beside them, silent throughout the ceremony.

The burial proceeded solemnly, the final prayers fading into the rustle of wind through the trees. When it ended, people began to disperse slowly, their murmurs fading down the hill.

Ash turned, scanning the crowd. His eyes searched from face to face.

He frowned. "Where’s my mother?" he muttered.

Adrian, noticing, asked, "Who are you looking for?"

"My mother," Ash replied softly, still searching.

Adrian glanced around, then said, "Maybe she already went home."

Ash’s shoulders slumped. "I really wanted to talk to her," he said quietly. "We haven’t talked since..."

Before he could finish, a soft chime from his phone interrupted him. He pulled it out, and his heart skipped when he saw his mother’s name on the screen.

He opened the message.

Dear my baby Ash,

I know you really want to talk to me. I do too. But the guilt inside me won’t let me face you yet.

Because of my selfishness, I almost cost you, and my unborn grandchild, your lives. I was too afraid of how Adrian’s father would react if he found out you were carrying his son’s child. I chose my marriage and reputation over you, and I regret it deeply.

When I called your grandmother, I wanted her to help fix things between us, to explain to Adrian’s father the situation and make peace. But she left before she could.

I’m afraid I can’t stay in a marriage with a man who refuses to accept you as his son’s mate. So I’ve decided to end our marriage.

By the time you read this, I’ll already be leaving the country. Don’t worry, once I find peace, I’ll come back.

I’ve left you under the care of Adrian and Lucien.

Love you always, my son.

...

Ash stood frozen, the phone trembling in his hand, his throat tightening as the last words blurred through his tears.

Before Adrian could even speak, his own phone buzzled. He glanced at the message, his expression softening as he looked at Ash. Without a word, he stepped forward and pulled him into his arms.

"I got you," Adrian whispered.

Lucien rushed in moments later, breathing heavily. "Did you see it?"

Adrian nodded, still holding Ash.

Lucien exhaled deeply, wrapping his arms around both of them. "This Alpha is going to protect the two of you, no matter what.

Adrian let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "The one who already lost his dominance?"

"Huh? What did you just say?" Lucien shot back, chasing him around as Ash watched, a faint smile breaking through his sadness.

...

Two days later, morning light filtered through the curtains. The three of them lay tangled together on the bed, laughter soft and lazy. Then Ash’s phone rang. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

He reached for it, still half asleep, but when he saw the caller ID, his eyes widened. "Elder Katana?" he said, answering quickly. "It’s rare for you to call me. What’s wrong?"

"Ash," the elder’s voice came through, tight with urgency. "You need to come to the village right now. Your uncle Aster is selling your grandmother’s house."

"What?" Ash shot upright.

"I tried to stop him," the elder continued. "But he won’t listen. They’re about to finalize the sale."

Ash’s heart dropped. "I’m on my way."

He hung up, already slipping into his slippers. "Adrian, I need to rush to the village-by jet."

"I’m coming with you," Adrian said immediately.

"Me too," Lucien added.

When they arrived, it was just in time, Aster was still deep in negotiation with the buyer.

The moment he spotted them, his expression hardened in shock. "Ash? What are you doing here?"

Ash stepped forward, voice steady but cold. "I came to stop you from selling Grandma’s house."

Aster’s jaw clenched, anger flashing in his eyes. "You have no right to stop me. The house is mine now."

"Even so, " Ash shot back, "it’s not something that should be sold. This house hold memories that deserve to be cherished, not erased."

"That’s exactly why I’m selling it," Aster snapped.

"I want those memories gone."

Ash’s eyes darkened. "Over my dead body."

His pheromones flared, the air around them pulsing with pressure as Aster’s own aura rose in defiance.

But before the clash could erupt, a wave of golden pheromones surged across the yard, overwhelming them both. The force struck Aster hard, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Ash froze, heart racing. He turned to Adrian and Lucien.

"It’s not me," Ash said quickly, bewildered.

A soft laugh drifted from behind them; light, poised, and unmistakably feminine. The sharp click of heels echoed on the stone path.

They turned.

A woman stood there, draped in black. A shawl fell elegantly over her shoulders, and a wide-brimmed hat shadowed her face.

"Aster," she said, her tone calm yet edged with authority. "Did you really think your mother’s death gave you the right to misbehave?"

Aster’s face drained color. "A-Auntie...you came back?"

The woman stepped closer, removing her hat with a slow, deliberate motion. She cast her shawl aside, her presence radiating quiet command.

Her gaze settled on Adrian, a knowing smile curving her lips.

"Long time, Adrian."

Adrian’s breath caught, disbelief flickering across his face.

"Prophetess Annette..." he murmured.