Chapter 88: My Mother Knew Claire Was My Brother’s Girlfriend?
Chapter 88: My Mother Knew Claire Was My Brother’s Girlfriend?
(Aria’s POV)
My phone rang with an unknown number. After a moment’s hesitation, I answered.
“Hello, Aria Summers speaking.”
“Ms. Summers, this is David Turner. The voice was calm yet somehow unsettling.
My breath caught in my throat. Claire Watson’s ex–mate, the man in the wheelchair whold given me that mysterious photo. I glanced at Dominic, who Immediately moved closer.
“Mr. Turner,” I managed to reply. “I wasn’t expecting your call.”
“I believe we have a mutual concern,” David said, his voice carrying a subtle edge. “Your brother, James Summers–his involvement with my ex–mate during our bond.”
My heart skipped a beat. So it was true. James and Claire had been involved while she was still mated to
David.
“My brother was deceived,” I defended automatically. “Claire has a way of manipulating people. She’s doing
the same to Alexander now.”
David’s laugh was cold and harsh through the phone. “Deceived? That’s what you believe? Ms. Summers, what exactly could your brother offer that would be worth Claire deceiving him for?”
The question hit me like a physical blow. What did James have that Claire would want? He wasn’t wealthy or powerful. He had no pack connections or special abilities that I knew of. The question left me speechless.
“… I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice smaller than I intended.
“Exactly,” David pressed. “Your brother is a nobody in the pack hierarchy. No wealth, no connections, no power. So why would Claire risk her mate bond with me for him?”
My mind Searching for an explanation that made sense
raced, James was just my overprotective brother, a werewolf who lived on the fringes of society, taking odd jobs and keeping to himself.
“Perhaps it was to hurt you,” I suggested weakly. “Or maybe she genuinely had feelings for him.”
David scoffed. “Claire doesn’t have genuine feelings for anyone but herself. There had to be something else.” The tension in his voice was making me increasingly uncomfortable. Dominic must have noticed my as he reached for the phone.
distress.
“Let me handle this,” he whispered.
Instead of handing it over, I put the call on speaker, I needed to face this myself, but having L everything gave me strength.
nic hear
“Mr. Turner,” I said with newfound resolve, “what exactly are you implying about my brother?” Dominic nodded encouragingly, making subtle gestures to guide me–keep my voice steady, maintain composure.
I’m not implying anything, David replied. “I’m trying to solve a puzzle, and your brother is a crucial plece that makes no logical sense.”
“My brother is not a ‘piece‘ In whatever game you’re playing,” I said, my wolf bristling beneath my skin.
“This is no game, Ms. Summers, David’s voice hardened. “Your brother has made himself a player in matters beyond his understanding. Actions have consequences.”
My heart raced at the velled threat. “Are you threatening my brother?”
I’m stating a fact,” he replied coolly. “Claire left a trail of destruction in her wake. Your brother may be next.”
“Leave my
brother out of this,” I demanded, my free hand instinctively moving to my belly, my pregnant wolf reacting to the stress.
“That’s not up to me. Or you.” David’s voice was suddenly distant. “I need to go. We’ll speak again, Ms. Summers.”
The call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at my phone with a mixture of confusion and dread.
“He threatened James, I whispered, looking up at Dominic, my hands shaking.
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes flashed with anger as he took the phone from my trembling hand. “Not directly, but the implication was clear.”
“I need to warn my brother,” I said, trying to stand but feeling dizzy from the sudden movement.
“Sit,” Dominic ordered gently, his hand steadying me. “We’ll handle this together. I promise you, nothing will happen to James.”
His certainty calmed me slightly. “Your enforcers?”
“Already watching him,” Dominic confirmed. “I increased security after our encounter with him at the hotel. No
one will touch him.”
Relief washed over me, but the confusion remained. “Why would Claire be interested in my brother?” I asked, desperate for some explanation that made sense. “David’s right–James has nothing she would want.”
“Unless what she wanted was connected to you,” Dominic suggested, his expression thoughtful.
My brow furrowed. “Me? But that makes even less sense. I had nothing to do with Claire until I mated with
Alexander.”
“Are you certain?” Dominic asked, leading me to a nearby chair. “Think carefully. Did your paths ever cross before? Even indirectly?”
I shook my head, trying to recall any possible connection. “No, never. We grew up in different territories. The first time I even heard of Claire Watson was when Alexander mentioned her as a childhood friend.”
Dr. Nathan Lewis, who had been quietly observing from nearby, suddenly spoke up, his face serious.
“Claire Watson…” he said, his brow furrowed in concentration. “I remember seeing her at Sh. rest Hospital
about a month ago.”
I turned to him, surprised. “A month ago? That would have been…”
“When your mother was admitted,” he finished, his expression growing concerned. “I saw Claire outside your mother’s room, but I didn’t think much of it. I assumed she was there for some charity event–she often does
<Chapter 88 My Mother Kn
appearances at the hospital,”
The revelation hit me like an icy wave. My stomach clenched tight.
“Claire visited my mother? But why? They didn’t know each other.” My voice rose with panic
“Are you sure about that?” Dominic asked quietly, his eyes never leaving mine
My mind was racing now, plecing together fragments of memory. My mother’s reaction when I told her about Alexander’s affair with Claire had seemed disproportionately severe. At the time, I had attributed it to her
concern for me, but what if…
“My mother collapsed after I told her about Claire and Alexander,” I said slowly, my heart pounding harder. “1 always thought it was because she was worried about me, about how I was being treated”
“But what if it wasn’t just that?” Dr. Lewis suggested, exchanging a meaningful look with Dominic
Dominic’s expression was grim. “What if her collapse wasn’t solely about your connection to Alexander? What if your mother knew exactly who Claire Watson was?”
A terrible suspicion began to form in my mind. The room suddenly felt too warm, too small.
“You think my mother knew about Claire and James?” My voice cracked as I spoke.
“It would explain her extreme reaction,” Dominic suggested carefully. “Finding out that the same woman who was involved with your son had now taken your daughter’s mate.”
The implications were staggering. If my mother had known about Claire and James, it meant the relationship wasn’t recent. It had been going on long enough for my mother to discover it.
“But that would mean…” My voice trailed off as the full horror of the situation dawned on me.
“It would mean Claire’s involvement with your brother was premeditated,” Dominic finished my thought. “Possibly part of a larger plan.”
Dr. Lewis paced the room, his medical mind clearly working through the possibilities. “Claire is known for her calculated approach to relationships. She doesn’t do anything without a reason.”
“But what reason could she possibly have to target my family specifically?” I asked, my eyes burning with unshed tears.
Dominic knelt before me, taking my hands in his. “I don’t know yet. But we will find out.”
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