Chapter 207: The Remaining Suspects
Chapter 207: The Remaining Suspects
(Aria’s POV)
Dr. Marcus Lewis’s wolf scent spiked with anxiety and outrage. “Michael, I had nothing to do with Aria’s k********g! How can you even suggest such a thing?”
“Because you had motive,” my father replied, his Alpha authority unwavering. “With me out of the running for head healer, your branch of the family stood to gain the most.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Dr. Marcus Lewis protested, his voice rising with genuine distress. “I may have disagreed with your career choices, but I would never harm an innocent child!”
Patricia pulled at her mate’s arm, her wolf’s protective instincts screaming danger. “Marcus, we don’t have to listen to these accusations. Come away from here.”
“No,” Dr. Marcus Lewis said firmly, shaking off her grip. “If my own brother thinks I’m capable of k********g his daughter, then we need to settle this right now.”
He stepped forward, his eyes blazing with wounded pride and desperate sincerity. “Michael, I vow to you on my life, on my honor as a Lewis pack member, that I had nothing to do with Aria’s a*******n. I may have been jealous of your healing abilities, but I would never hurt family.”
His voice cracked with emotion as he continued, “When Aria disappeared, I searched for her just as desperately as you did. I spent countless nights tracking leads, following false hopes. The thought that you could believe me capable of such evil…”
The raw pain in his voice was unmistakable. My father’s expression flickered with uncertainty as his
enhanced senses detected the truth beneath his brother’s words.
“Marcus,” my father said quietly, but Dr. Marcus Lewis wasn’t finished.
“I loved that little girl,” he continued, his voice breaking. “She was innocent, pure, full of life. When she
vanished, it broke something in all of us. How can you stand there and accuse me of destroying her
childhood?”
Patricia’s eyes filled with tears as she watched her mate’s anguish. “Marcus, please. Don’t let him do this to
you.”
“I have to,” Dr. Marcus Lewis replied, his voice steadying with resolve. “Michael, I swear on everything I hold sacred that I had no part in Aria’s k********g. If you truly believe I’m capable of such monstrosity, then we have nothing left to say to each other.”
My father stared at his brother for a long moment, his wolf’s instincts warring with his suspicions. Finally, he stepped back, his expression troubled.
“I… I need to think about this,” he said quietly, turning away from Dr. Marcus Lewis’s wounded gaze.
Patricia immediately wrapped her arms around her mate, her wolf’s protective instincts soothing his distress. “It’s alright, Marcus. We know the truth. That’s what matters.”
My father returned to where Dominic and I waited in the shadowed alcove, his face heavy with doubt and
Chapter 207 The Remaining Suspects
confusion. The confrontation had clearly shaken him more than he’d expected.
“Well?” I asked quietly, studying his expression. “What do you think?”
* Points
My father ran a hand through his hair, his Alpha composure cracking slightly. “I don’t know anymore, Aria. His reaction seemed… genuine. The pain in his voice when he spoke about searching for you
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes gleamed with strategic calculation. “Actually, this makes things easier for us.”
“How so?” my father asked, his voice weary.
“We started with multiple suspects,” Dominic explained, his tactical mind already working on the next phase.
“Now we’ve eliminated one. That leaves us with only two remaining possibilities.”
I felt my wolf stir with anticipation. “Dr. Samuel Lewis and Dr. Thomas Lewis.”
“Exactly,” Dominic confirmed. “We need to plan our next moves carefully. The real culprit is still out there, and
they’ll be watching our every move.”
My father’s expression hardened with renewed determination. “Then we’ll give them something to watch. But
this time, we’ll be ready for them.”
The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted our strategy session. My mother, Mrs. Caroline Lewis,
appeared with excitement radiating from her features.
“Aria, dear,” she said, her maternal wolf’s scent carrying joy. “Isabella Blackwood has arrived. She’s upstairs
with baby Nolan.”
I felt my eyebrows rise in surprise. “Isabella? But she’s been so distant since the marking ceremony.”
“Well, she’s here now,” my mother replied warmly. “And she seems genuinely happy to be celebrating Nolan’s full moon ceremony.”
I exchanged a meaningful glance with Dominic, who looked equally surprised by his mother’s unexpected
attendance. His silver–gray eyes held a mixture of hope and wariness.
“I should go see her,” I said, smoothing down my dress. “It would be rude to keep her waiting.”
“I’ll come with you,” Dominic offered, but I shook my head.
“Let me handle this. Your mother and I need to establish our own relationship.”
I made my way upstairs to the nursery, where I found Isabella Blackwood holding baby Nolan with genuine tenderness. Her usually composed aristocratic features were softened with unmistakable joy as she gazed down at our pup.
“Isabella,” I greeted respectfully, approaching with careful steps. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”
She looked up with a warm smile that transformed her entire face. “I couldn’t miss my grandson’s full moon celebration. He’s absolutely precious, Aria.”
Nolan began to fuss softly, his tiny whimpers indicating hunger. My maternal instincts responded immediately.
“May I?” I asked, reaching for my son.
Added to the library
Isabella handed him over reluctantly, her wolf’s grandmother instincts clearly awakened by our precious pup. “Of course. He needs his mother.”
< Chapter 207 The Remaining Suspects
I settled into the comfortable nursing chair, adjusting my dress to feed Nolan. Isabella surprised me by staying to watch, her fascination evident in her gentle expression.
“I hope you don’t mind me staying,” she said quietly. “I’ve never had the chance to observe this before.”
“Not at all,” I replied, touched by her interest. “You’re always welcome.”
Nolan latched on eagerly, his tiny form relaxing as he fed. Isabella’s wolf scent softened as si
natural bond between mother and pup.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured. “The way he trusts you completely.”
Points
Derved the
“It’s instinctive,” I explained softly. “His wolf recognizes me as his source of comfort and nourishment.”
We sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, the intimate moment creating an unexpected bridge between us. When Nolan finished eating, he dozed peacefully in my arms.
Margaret Stone, our hired nanny, appeared in the doorway with professional efficiency. “Shall I take Master Nolan to his crib, Mrs. Blackwood?”
“Yes, thank you, Margaret,” I replied, carefully transferring our sleeping pup to her capable hands.
Margaret smiled warmly at both of us before quietly leaving the room, understanding the importance of family bonding time without interference.
Isabella settled into the chair across from me, her usual aristocratic reserve melting away in the intimate setting.
“Aria,” she began, her voice carrying more openness than I’d ever heard from her. “I need to ask you something. Do you know that William is in the capital territory?”
I nodded carefully. “Yes, I’m aware of his presence. And his continued opposition to our mate bond.”
Isabella’s expression grew concerned. “He’s been making his feelings about your relationship quite clear in political circles.”
“I know,” I replied quietly. “Dominic has tried to shield me from the worst of it, but I understand the situation.”
“William is stubborn,” Isabella said with a mixture of affection and exasperation. “But he truly cares about Dominic, despite his harsh methods of showing it.”
Her wolf’s maternal understanding was evident in her defense of her mate. “He thinks he’s protecting our son from political complications.”
“And what do you think?” I asked, meeting her gaze directly.
Isabella smiled, her expression warming. “I think you and Dominic should live a quality life for yourselves. One day, William will surrender to the strength of your bond and accept your union.”
Her words carried the wisdom of years navigating Shadow Pack politics. “He’s not as heartless as he appears, Aria. Give him time.”
To my surprise, Isabella reached into her elegant purse and pulled out several photographs. “I found these in William’s office drawer.”
I gasped as I recognized the images. They were photos of baby Nolan, taken during our recent hospital stays and outings. The pictures showed our pup’s growth and development, carefully documented and preserved.
3/4
Chapter 207 The Remaining Suspects
“He’s been keeping these?” I asked, my voice filled with wonder.
“Hidden away where no one would find them,” Isabella confirmed. “He may publicly disapprove of your relationship, but he secretly cares for his grandpup.”
The revelation touched something deep in my heart. Despite his intimidating exterior and political maneuvering, William Blackwood was still a grandfather who loved his grandchild.
“Don’t give in to his pressure easily,” Isabella advised, her wolf’s protective instincts extending to me as her son’s chosen mate. “You have rights as Nolan’s mother. Use them.”
I hesitated, uncertain about challenging such a powerful Alpha. “Isabella, I’m not sure I have the strength to
stand up to him.”
“You do,” she insisted firmly. “You’ve already proven it by choosing love over convenience. As Nolan’s mother, you have the right to protect your pup and our family from political interference.”
Her confidence in me was both humbling and empowering. I felt my wolf stir with renewed determination.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For believing in me.”
Isabella’s expression grew even more tender. “Aria, I need to thank you.”
“For what?” I asked, genuinely surprised.
“For loving my son the way he deserves to be loved,” she replied, her voice carrying genuine emotion that surprised me with its depth and vulnerability. “For giving him the family he’s always wanted. For bringing joy
back into his life.”
I felt deeply touched by her unexpected gratitude. In this moment, I saw a softer, more maternal side to my
mother–in–law that I hadn’t witnessed before. Her wolf’s true nature was finally revealed, showing me the
source of Dominic’s gentle, protective instincts.
“He’s easy to love,” I said softly. “Dominic has the most generous heart I’ve ever known.”
“He gets that from me,” Isabella said with a sad smile. “Not from his father.”
I realized then that Dominic had inherited his capacity for tenderness from his mother rather than from his
intimidating father. The family connection became clear as I watched Isabella’s genuine affection for our pup
and growing acceptance of our mate bond.
“I’m glad he has you,” Isabella continued. “And I’m glad Nolan will grow up knowing real love.”
Comments
Get Bonus (Ad) >
