Chapter 173: Confrontation in the Bathroom
Chapter 173: Confrontation in the Bathroom
(Aria’s POV)
“The shape of her eyes is remarkably similar to yours,” Olivia continued, her voice dropping to a whisper. “And that auburn hair has the same undertones as yours in sunlight.”
Dominic, who had been listening to our conversation with amusement, playfully dismissed the idea. His silver–gray eyes sparkled with affection as he looked at me.
“Nonsense,” he said, his powerful Alpha presence radiating possessive satisfaction. “My mate is far more beautiful than anyone else in this room.”
“Dominic!” I protested, feeling my cheeks heat with embarrassment at his public declaration.
“It’s true,” he insisted, his cedar scent wrapping around me protectively. “There’s no comparison.”
Olivia chuckled at our exchange, but then her expression grew slightly uncomfortable. “I need to excuse myself to the restroom,” she said, her wolf’s scent shifting with nervous energy.
“Actually, would you mind going first?” she asked, pulling out her mobile phone. “I need to take this call from work. It’ll just be a moment.”
I nodded understandingly. “Of course. I’ll meet you back here in a few minutes.”
The Lewis family residence was beautifully appointed, with marble floors and elegant fixtures throughout. I found the guest bathroom easily, its pristine white tiles and gold accents reflecting the family’s refined taste.
As I washed my hands at the ornate sink, I heard the door open behind me. In the mirror, I saw Sophia Lewis enter, her emerald eyes immediately locking onto mine through the reflection.
The pleasant atmosphere from the banquet seemed to evaporate instantly. The prior unpleasant exchange during introductions had made me want to avoid her, but now we were trapped in this confined space
together.
“Finishing up,” I said politely, reaching for a towel.
But as I moved toward the door, Sophia deliberately stepped into my path, her wolf’s aggressive pheromones filling the confined space. The sudden shift in her demeanor was startling.
“Not so fast,” she said, her voice dripping with barely contained hostility.
I paused, my pregnant wolf whimpering anxiously within me. “Excuse me?”
Sophia’s emerald eyes flashed with jealousy as she looked pointedly at my slightly rounded belly. “So you’re the one who managed to trap Alpha Dominic with a pregnancy,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“How convenient for you.”
My wolf bristled defensively beneath my skin. “I don’t know what you’re implying, but I need to get back to the banquet.”
“Oh, I think you know exactly what I’m implying,” Sophia continued, her voice growing more venomous. “You’ve been riding on the coattails of that pregnancy, haven’t you? Playing the helpless little mate?”
Chapter 173 Confrontatio
I felt my temper flare. “You don’t know anything about my relationship with Dominic.
“I know enough,” she retorted coldly.
I tried to step around her, but she moved to block my path again. This time, I heard the distinct click of the
bathroom door lock.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, my pregnant wolf growing increasingly anxious.
Sophia’s wolf’s territorial instinctere clearly flaring as she positioned herself between me and the exit.
“We’re going to have a little chat, you and I.”
“Unlock that door immediately,” I said, my voice taking on the authority I’d learned as Alexander’s former
Luna.
“I don’t think so,” Sophia replied, her emerald eyes blazing with possessive fury. “Not until you agree to sever
your mate bond with Dominic.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “Are you insane? What gives you the right to make such demands?”
“Dominic was meant to be my mate,” she declared, her voice rising with emotion. “We were arranged to be
bonded when we were children. You’re just an interloper!”
“That arrangement was a childhood promise between families,” I countered, my wolf’s protective instincts
surging. “It means nothing now. I am Dominic’s legitimate mate, registered and recognized by werewolf law.”
“You manipulated him!” Sophia accused, her face contorting with rage. “Used your pregnancy to trap him!”
“You’re delusional,” I said firmly. “And you’re threatening the Shadow Pack Luna. Do you understand the potential repercussions of your actions?”
Sophia’s laugh was bitter and harsh. “Shadow Pack Luna? You’re nothing but a low–ranking she–wolf who got
lucky.”
Just then, a knock echoed through the bathroom door. Olivia’s familiar voice called out, her scent reaching me through the door.
“Aria? Are you okay in there? You’ve been gone for a while.”
Relief flooded through me at the sound of my friend’s voice. “Olivia, I’m fine. Just finishing up.”
I turned to Sophia, my wolf bristling with defensive instincts. “Move aside. Now.”
But Sophia remained defiant, her wolf’s aggressive pheromones intensifying. “We’re not finished here.”
“Yes, we are,” I said firmly, stepping toward the door.
That’s when I noticed a sudden flash of malice in Sophia’s emerald eyes. Something dangerous and unhinged
flickered across her features.
My pregnant wolf sensed immediate danger, every instinct screaming at me to protect myself and my unburn
pup.
“Sophia, don’t-”
But it was too late. She shoved me with considerable force, her werewolf strength evident as I stumbled backward. My back hit the toilet stall door with a painful impact that sent shockwaves through my spine.
“You want to know what I really think?” Sophia snarled, advancing menacingly. “Your pregnancy is the only
Chapter 173 Confrontatio
reason you’re sitting pretty right now.”
Her eyes grew wild with jealous rage as she continued, “But what if something happened to that precious pup of yours? What would your position be worth then?”
Terror shot through me as I realized the full extent of her threat. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” she hissed, her wolf’s fury making her unnaturally strong.
“Olivia!” I screamed, my voice cracking with panic.
I quickly backed into the toilet stall, slamming the door and fumbling for the lock. My hands shook as i secured it, but I knew the flimsy barrier wouldn’t hold for long.
“Aria! What’s happening in there?” Olivia’s voice was urgent now, accompanied by the sound of her trying the
bathroom door handle.
Sophia had started kicking and ramming the stall door with her enhanced werewolf strength. Each impact sent vibrations through the metal frame, and I could hear the hinges beginning to strain.
“Help me!” I called out desperately, my hands instinctively moving to protect my belly where our unborn pup
was growing.
The stall door shuddered under another powerful kick. I braced myself against it, trying to keep it closed, but Sophia’s assault was relentless.
“You don’t deserve him!” she screamed, her voice echoing off the bathroom tiles. “I’ve waited my whole life for
Dominic!”
Another violent impact, and I felt the door frame beginning to splinter. The metal was bending under the repeated blows.
“Sophia, stop!” I pleaded, but she was beyond reason now.
With a final, devastating ram, the stall door splintered and broke under the assault. The force from the door’s impact caused a jolt of pain through my abdomen, sharp and unexpected.
I saw Sophia’s vicious face as she loomed over me, her emerald eyes wild with rage. The excruciating pain made me curl up protectively, my arms wrapped around my belly.
“My pup,” I gasped, fear overwhelming me as I felt my pregnant wolf’s distress.
The pain was unlike anything I’d experienced before, radiating through my lower abdomen in waves. My wolf whimpered in terror, sensing something was terribly wrong.
