Chapter 73: My Stomach Hurts
Chapter 73: My Stomach Hurts
(Aria’s POV)
“Leah Moore did this to me,” Elizabeth’s voice quavered as she gripped my hand tightly.
I blinked in confusion. “Leah? Martha’s daughter–in–law?”
Elizabeth nodded weakly, her amber eyes clouded with betrayal. “She confessed everything once the security footage showed her entering my room repeatedly.”
“But why would she want to harm you?” I asked, genuinely bewildered. Martha had always spoken so highly of her family.
“Money,” Elizabeth replied bitterly. “She claimed she needed funds for her son’s silver–blood treatment.” “Silver–blood?” Dominic’s deep voice came from behind me. “That’s a serious condition.”
Elizabeth’s expression hardened. “We already lent them ten thousand moon–silver last year for the treatment. Apparently, it wasn’t enough.”
I exchanged a knowing glance with Dominic. This didn’t make sense. Martha had never mentioned financial troubles in her family. And the timing was too convenient, especially after what we’d learned about Claire and
Richard.
“It seems convenient,” Dominic remarked, his silver–gray eyes narrowing slightly. “That someone would confess so quickly.”
My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin. Something wasn’t right about this situation.
Before Elizabeth could respond, the door to her hospital room swung open. Richard Reed strode in, followed closely by Claire Watson. Their scents mingled together in a way that confirmed everything I’d witnessed the previous night.
My stomach turned at their feigned innocence. My wolf bristled with disgust, recognizing the deception instantly.
“Elizabeth!” Richard rushed to his mate’s bedside with theatrical concern. “How are you feeling? I came as soon as I heard you were awake.”
His voice dripped with false worry. I had to fight the urge to scoff openly at his performance.
Claire lingered by the doorway, her emerald eyes meeting mine briefly before flickering away. I noticed how she carefully maintained her distance from Richard in public.
“I’m alive, no thanks to you,” Elizabeth replied coldly.
Richard ignored her hostility, turning instead to face Dominic and me. “Can you believe what that housekeeper’s family did? After all we’ve done for them!”
His performance was almost impressive. If I hadn’t overheard his passionate encounter with Clair. iust hours ago, I might have believed his outrage. The memory of their illicit meeting made my skin crawl.
“It is quite shocking,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral while studying his face. I wondered how he could
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Chapter 73 My Stomach
look his mate in the eyes after betraying her so completely,
“Martha must have known,” Richard continued, pacing the room dramatically. “I’ve already had security escort her and all her family members off pack property.”
Elizabeth’s frail hand tightened around mine. “Martha has served our family faithfully for forty years, Richard
“And her daughter–in–law tried to kill you!” he thundered, his amber eyes flashing.
I wanted to shout at him, to expose his affair with Claire right there. My wolf urged me to protect Elizabeth from their lies. But I held my tongue, knowing it would only cause more distress for my ailing mother–in–law.
Dominic cleared his throat. His Alpha presence filled the room, subtly asserting dominance in a way that made Richard pause. I felt a surge of gratitude for his intervention.
“What a coincidence that you and Claire arrived at the same time,” Dominic observed, his silver–gray eyes cold. “Did you happen to run into each other at the hospital entrance?”
Claire stepped forward, her expression carefully composed. “Yes, we-”
“No,” Dominic cut her off. “The hospital entrance is on the east side. Richard, you came from the west wing.
Where the café is located.”
The implication hung heavy in the air. Richard’s jaw tightened, his scent spiking with anger and fear. I held my breath, waiting for his response.
Before he could speak, Elizabeth’s attention shifted fully to Claire. Her amber eyes narrowed dangerously, reminding me that despite her weakened state, she was still a formidable she–wolf.
“Why are you here?” Elizabeth demanded, her voice like ice. Her wolf’s protective instincts surged through her weakened body. “I made it clear you’re not welcome in my den.”
Claire’s practiced smile faltered. “I came to wish you well, of course. As Alexander’s-”
“As Alexander’s what exactly?” Elizabeth cut in, her voice venomous despite her frail state. “You are nothing to
my son.”
“Mother,” Alexander’s voice came from the doorway. I hadn’t even noticed him arrive. My heart skipped a beat at his sudden appearance, but I quickly steadied myself.
Claire immediately moved toward him, her hand seeking his for support. The gesture seemed rehearsed, designed to showcase their bond to everyone present.
“I was just explaining that I wanted to pay my respects, as the future-”
“The future nothing,” Elizabeth hissed, her chest heaving with the effort. “You caused this attack. Your constant schemes, your manipulations. You’ve been trying to push your way into our pack for years.” “That’s not true,” Claire protested, tears welling in her emerald eyes. She looked genuinely hurt, and for a moment, I almost believed her. “I care deeply for Alexander. I always have.”
“You care about our pack’s position and wealth,” Elizabeth corrected with surprising strength. “Nothing more.” I watched Claire’s face, wondering if Elizabeth could sense what I knew that Claire was having an affair with Alexander’s father while trying to secure her position as Luna.
–
Claire’s expression crumpled in what appeared to be genuine hurt. “How can you say that when I’m carrying your grandpup? Don’t you want your son’s pup to have a proper father figure?”
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< Chapter 73 My Stomach.
The room fell silent. Even Richard seemed stunned by Claire’s direct approach. My hand instinctively moved to my own belly, protecting my secret.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she turned to Alexander. “Is this true? Did you mate with this she–wolf while still
bonded to Aria?”
Alexander stepped forward, looking torn between defiance and shame. “It’s true that Claire is pregnant with my pup. We’ve been… close since Aria filed for the severance.”
I bit my tongue to keep from laughing bitterly at the lie. Close? Our surveillance had confirmed Claire’s admission Alexander had never touched her.
–
I watched Elizabeth’s face drain of color. Her hand clutched at her chest as her breathing became labored. The monitors began to beep erratically.
“Get out,” she wheezed, her eyes fixed on Claire with pure hatred. “All of you. Out!”
The monitors attached to Elizabeth began beeping frantically. A nurse burst through the door, quickly assessing the situation.
“She’s having another episode,” the nurse announced, pressing the emergency call button. “Everyone needs to leave immediately.”
As medical staff rushed into the room, Dominic gently guided me out into the corridor. His touch was
卷 reassuring, anchoring me amidst the chaos.
Claire and Richard followed, with Alexander lingering at the doorway, his face creased with worry. The hallway was tense with unspoken accusations.
Once outside, Claire rounded on me, her emerald eyes flashing with malice. All pretense of the sweet, caring healer vanished.
“Happy now?” she hissed, stepping into my personal space. “Coming here with your new Alpha to flaunt your relationship in front of your mother–in–law? What did you hope to achieve?”
I felt my patience snap like a dry twig. Grabbing/Claire’s arm, I pulled her closer, my wolf’s strength surging
with my anger.
“Did you deliberately mention your pregnancy to upset her?” I demanded, my voice low and dangerous. “Was that your plan all along?”
Claire tried to wrench her arm free. “Let go of me! You’re hurting me!”
“Answer me,” I insisted, tightening my grip. My wolf howled for justice, urging me to expose Claire’s lies. “Was this another one of your schemes?”
“Aria,” Alexander’s commanding voice cut through my rage as he and Richard approached. Their Alpha pheromones filled the hallway, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
In the struggle, Claire’s claws partially extended, scratching my wrist. I felt the sharp sting as her nails drew blood. The pain only fueled my anger.
Dominic reacted instantly. His powerful Alpha presence erupted like a physical force, making nearby werewolves in the corridor lower their gazes submissively. Even Alexander took a half–step back, his wolf instinctively responding to the superior Alpha.
Chapter 73. My Stomach.
Dominic grabbed Claire’s shoulder, pulling her away from me with barely restrained fury. His silver gray eyes had darkened to storm clouds.
“Touch her again,” he growled, the threat unmistakable in his tone, “and I’ll forget you’re a pregnant she wolf:
Claire’s face contorted in fear, but then suddenly shifted to pain. The transformation was so swift that i immediately suspected an act.
She let out a dramatic cry, doubling over and clutching her stomach. “You’re hurting me!” she wailed, loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. “The pup! Something’s wrong with the pup!”
Alexander rushed forward, his face pale with concern. “Dominic, let her go! She’s carrying my pup!”
Dominic released her immediately but his expression remained cold. His lips curled into a mocking smile as he looked between Claire, Alexander, and Richard.
“Are you so sure about that, Reed?” he asked sarcastically. “So eager to be cuckolded by another wolf?”
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