Chapter 72: Mother–In–Law Awakens!
Chapter 72: Mother–in–Law Awakens!
(Aria’s POV)
I stared at my phone in disbelief, scrolling through the countless notifications. The video of my confrontation with Alexander and Claire had gone viral overnight.
“I don’t understand,” I muttered, looking up at Dominic who sat across from me at his kitchen island. “How did this get leaked?”
Dominic’s lips curved into that now–familiar smirk, his silver–gray eyes glinting with mischief. “Perhaps someone wanted the truth to come out.”
On the screen, Claire’s voice rang clear as she repeatedly called Alexander her “good buddy” while arguing with me in the mall. The camera angle captured her possessive grip on Alexander’s arm contrasted with her dismissive words.
“The Storm Pack supporters are going crazy,” I said, reading through the comments. “They’re calling me all sorts of names.”
“Keep scrolling,” Dominic instructed, taking a sip of his coffee.
I did as he suggested and noticed a shift in the newer comments. More and more werewolves were criticizing Claire’s behavior, pointing out the contradiction between her words and actions.
“If he’s just a ‘good buddy,‘ why is she clinging to him like a mate?” I read aloud. “Poor Luna Aria, having to watch this display.”
Another comment caught my eye: “Claire calls herself a healer but she’s breaking a mate bond. Where’s the healing in that?”
The tide was turning. What had started as an attack against me was becoming a public relations disaster for
Claire.
“Look at this one,” I said, showing Dominic my screen. “Anyone else notice how Claire keeps touching Alexander while calling him just a friend? Imagine how Luna Aria felt watching this!”
Dominic nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. “The pack mind is changing. Wolves respect loyalty and honesty above all.”
A notification popped up–Claire had just posted a statement on her social media account. I quickly clicked
on it.
“I wish to clarify that I have never been involved in Alpha Alexander Reed’s mate bond with Luna Aria,” I read, my eyebrows rising with each word. “Our friendship has been misconstrued, and I deeply apologize for any public attention this has brought to the Storm Pack. As a healer, my only desire is to serve my pack and support its leadership.”
I looked up at Dominic, genuinely impressed. “That was fast.”
“She’s scrambling,” Dominic observed, his tone casual. “Public opinion is turning against her.”
“This morning they were protesting outside my workplace. Now they’re defending me.” I shook my head in
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Chapter 72. Mother–in–La
disbelief. “Werewolf social media is vicious.”
“It can be a powerful tool,” Dominic said, his silver–gray eyes gleaming. “When wielded correctly
A sudden thought struck me. “You leaked the video, didn’t you?”
Dominic didn’t deny it. He simply shrugged, a hint of pride in his expression. “The mall where you had that encounter is owned by one of my investment companies. The security footage was easy to access
“You’re devious,” I said, but I couldn’t help smiling. For once, Claire was on the defensive.
“I prefer the term ‘strategic,” he replied with a wink. “Besides, it was only fair to show the territory what really happened.”
My phone began vibrating with an incoming call. Alexander’s name flashed on the screen.
“It’s him,” I said, my smile fading. “He’s called three times already.”
“You should answer,” Dominic suggested. “Let’s hear what he has to say now that his precious Claire is being
exposed.”
With a deep breath, I accepted the call, putting it on speaker. “Yes?”
“Aria.” Alexander’s voice came through clearly. “Have you seen the video?”
“It’s hard to miss when it’s trending on every werewolf social platform,” I replied dryly.
“I’ll have Claire apologize to you personally,” he said, his tone almost pleading. “This whole situation has gotten out of hand.”
“Don’t bother,” I said. “Her public statement was quite sufficient.”
There was a pause on the other end. “You sound… different.”
“How so?”
“Cold. Distant.” He sounded genuinely confused. “This isn’t like you, Aria.”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “You mean I’m not desperately trying to please you? Not hanging on your every word?”
“That’s not what I-”
“My wolf no longer recognizes you as my mate,” I cut him off sharply. “That chapter of my life is over.” The silence that followed was heavy with disbelief. When Alexander finally spoke, his voice had lost its confident edge. “How can you say that? After ten years… three as mates. How can those feelings just disappear?”
“They didn’t just disappear,” I replied, surprising myself with my own candor. “You eroded them day by day, choice by choice. Until there was nothing left.”
“But all those years… your promises that your love would never change…” He sounded truly stunned, as if he’d never considered I might actually leave him.
“Promises work both ways, Alexander,” I said firmly. “You made promises too. And broke every single one.” A few months ago, I would have done anything to avoid upsetting Alexander. I would have softened my words, made excuses for his behavior. But now? I felt nothing but a dull ache where my love for him had once
< Chapter 72: Mother–in–La
been.
“Aria, I…” Alexander’s voice broke slightly. “I’m sorry.”
The apology caught me off guard. In all our years together, I couldn’t remember him ever apologizing to me. My wolf whimpered softly within me, but it wasn’t the anguished cry of a severed bond–just a quiet acknowledgment of what once was.
“It’s too late for that,” I said quietly.
“Please,” he persisted, desperation creeping into his voice. “We can talk about this. I can explain-”
“There’s nothing to explain.” My resolve strengthened with each word. “Your actions have spoken loudly
enough.”
Alexander cleared his throat. “There’s something else. My mother has awakened. She’s asking for you.*
“Elizabeth is awake?” My heart leaped with genuine joy. “When? How is she?”
“This morning. She’s still weak, but the doctors say she’s out of danger.”
“I’ll come right away,” I said without hesitation. Despite everything, I’d always been fond of my mother–in–law. “I’ll tell her to expect you,” Alexander replied. Then, his voice hardened slightly. “Is Blackwood with you?”
Dominic, who had been listening silently, raised an eyebrow at me.
“Yes, he is,” I answered truthfully.
“Why are you always with him?” Alexander’s Alpha pheromones spiked with jealousy, detectable even through the phone. “Every time I hear about you, he’s there. What exactly is going on between you two?”
“That’s no longer your concern,” I replied coolly. “You lost the right to question me about my personal life.” “Aria, I’m still your mate until the severance is final!” His voice rose with authority.
“Only on paper,” I fired back: “My wolf has already made her choice.”
“Aria-”
I ended the call and immediately blocked his number. No more interruptions, no more manipulations.
“That was… impressive,” Dominic said, a new respect in his eyes.
“It felt good,” I admitted, surprised by how liberated I felt. “Standing up to him.”
“Ready to go?” Dominic asked, already standing.
I nodded, grateful for his steady presence. “Thank you for coming with me.”
The drive to Silvercrest Hospital was quick. As we walked through the sterile corridors, I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension. What would Elizabeth think of me now, after I’d initiated the mate bond severance with her son?
“What will you tell her?” Dominic asked as we approached her room.
“The truth,” I replied simply. “She deserves that much.”
When we reached her private room, I hesitated at the door.
“Do you want me to wait outside?” Dominic asked.
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I shook my head. “No, please come in with me. I might need your support.”
Elizabeth Reed was propped up against several pillows, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders. Despite her pallor, her amber eyes–so like Alexander’s–were alert and warm as they found mine.
“Aria,” she said, her voice weak but welcoming. “My dear girl.”
Something about her maternal gaze unleashed a flood of emotion within me. I moved quickly to her bedside, careful not to disturb the various monitors and IV lines.
“Elizabeth,” I said softly, taking her frail hand in mine. “I’m so happy to see you awake.”
Her touch reminded me painfully of my own mother’s last days. The same fragility, the same warmth. My wolf whimpered with the memory.
Her gaze drifted to Dominic, who stood respectfully near the door. A knowing smile touched her lips. “Alpha Blackwood. Thank you for accompanying my daughter–in–law.”
Dominic inclined his head. “Lady Reed.”
Elizabeth’s attention returned to me, her expression growing serious. “Alexander told me what you did. How you suspected I was being poisoned and started investigating.”
I blinked in surprise. Alexander had told her that? Part of me had expected him to take credit for the discovery himself.
“Is it true?” I asked. “Was it poison? Did they find who did it?”
Elizabeth’s amber eyes darkened with disgust. “Yes to both questions.”
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