Chapter 11: Becoming a Father
Chapter 11: Becoming a Father
(Aria’s POV)
I stared at Alexander in disbelief. His words hung heavy in the air between us.
For your mother’s sake, let’s postpone this discussion. The stress of a mate bond severance could kill her in
her condition.”
How dare he use my mother’s illness against me? The manipulation was so blatant it left me breathless. I pulled my hand away from his, unable to bear his touch.
“That’s low, even for you,” I whispered.
Alexander’s amber eyes widened slightly, as if surprised I’d called out his tactic. “Aria, I’m simply stating
facts. Your mother’s condition-”
“Don’t,” I cut him off sharply. “Don’t pretend you’re concerned about my mother when you’re only worried about
your reputation.”
I moved to the window, gazing out at Storm Pack territory. The view reminded me of when I first arrived here as Alexander’s mate. How hopeful I’d been then. How naive.
Back then, Alexander and Dominic had been the most admired Alpha figures in our region. Young, powerful, respected. I’d felt so blessed that my wolf had recognized Alexander as my mate after years of secret
longing.
Now that girlish adoration felt like a distant dream, belonging to someone I barely recognized.
“Do you remember when we first met?” Alexander asked, his voice soft with nostalgia. “At the territorial council meeting when you were eight?”
I didn’t turn around. “I remember.”
“You were collecting herbs behind the meeting hall,” he continued. “You had dirt on your cheek and leaves in your hair.”
Despite everything, the memory tugged at something deep within me. I’d been so nervous meeting the young
heir to the Storm Pack.
Alexander moved behind me, carefully placing his hands on my shoulders. When I didn’t pull away, he gently
turned me to face him.
“There is nothing between Claire and me,” he said, his amber eyes earnest. “Nothing that matters, anyway.
You are my mate, Aria. My Luna.”
His words should have warmed me. Once, they would have. Instead, I felt hollow.
The shrill ring of his mobile phone shattered the moment. Alexander pulled it from his pocket, grimacing at the screen. Claire’s name flashed insistently.
A bitter smile twisted my lips. “Quite the coincidence.”
“I won’t answer,” he said quickly.
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I stepped back, gesturing to the phone. “Go ahead. We both know you want to.”
No. He declined the call with a firm press of his thumb. “I meant what I said.”
The phone rang again immediately. Claire’s persistence was almost impressive.
Without hesitation, I plucked the device from his hand. Alexander stiffened but didn’t stop me as I navigated to his contacts and blocked Claire’s number.
“There,” I said, handing it back to him. “Problem solved.”
I expected anger or at least irritation. Instead, his shoulders seemed to relax, as if I’d lifted some burden from him.
“Thank you,” he said quietly.
His reaction confused me. Was he genuinely relieved to be free of her calls? Or was this another performance?
“I really am sorry for leaving you alone at Silvercrest,” he continued, taking my hands in his. “It won’t happen again.”
A month ago, such a gesture would have delighted me. Now I felt only weariness.
“My mother’s health is my priority right now,” I told him, the truth simpler than explaining my complicated
mated before…”
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feelings. “And she wants to see us properl
I couldn’t finish the sentence. The reality of my mother’s terminal illness was still too painful to acknowledge aloud.
Alexander nodded solemnly. “Then we’ll give her that. The formal ceremony will proceed as planned.”
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it despite everything.
The following days passed in a blur of ceremony preparations. To my surprise, Alexander remained attentive and engaged. He helped select invitations decorated with the traditional symbols of our packs merged together.
We chose ceremonial offerings for the pack elders–rare herbs and precious stones that symbolized fertility and prosperity. Alexander seemed genuinely interested in every detail, consulting me on each decision.
“What do you think of these?” he asked one afternoon, showing me samples of ceremonial candles infused with mountain herbs.
I inhaled their scent, appreciating the calming aroma. “They’re perfect.”
He smiled, looking pleased with my approval. It felt almost normal, like we were the happy couple everyone believed us to be.
Claire’s absence was conspicuous. No calls, no unexpected visits, no emergencies requiring Alexander’s immediate attention. The quiet should have been comforting, but instead, it left me on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I didn’t have to wait long.
We were in the family sitting room reviewing ceremony details when Claire arrived, accompanied by Richard Reed. She swept in wearing her signature white, emerald eyes scanning the room until they landed on Alexander.,
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thought it offer my assistance with ceremony preparations, she announced, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “have extensive experience with traditional rituals.”
Richard beamed at her. “A wonderful gesture, isn’t it?”
1 forced a polite smile. “How thoughtful.”
Alexander barely looked up from the tablet where he was selecting traditional dishes for the feast. His lack of enthusiasm at Claire’s arrival was new and unexpected.
“We’ve got everything under control,” he said flatly.
Claire moved closer, peering over his shoulder at the tablet. “Oh, you’re choosing the menu! Let me see.”
I watched their interaction carefully. In the past, Alexander would have shifted to make room for her, would have welcomed her input. Now he remained rigid, his posture closed to her.
“What about silver moon cakes?” Claire suggested, pointing at the screen. “Remember how they served those
at your parents‘ anniversary ceremony? They were your favorite.”
“Be quiet, Claire,” Alexander snapped, his tone unusually harsh.
Claire drew back, her perfect features arranging themselves into a wounded expression. “I was only trying to help. No need to bite my head off.”
“You always did have a sweet tooth,” she continued, her voice softening into familiarity. “Remember when we
snuck into the kitchens during the Winter Solstice gathering? Your mother caught us with our faces covered in sugar frost.”
Alexander’s lips twitched despite himself. “And you blamed it all on me.”
“Because you were terrible at lying!” Claire laughed, the sound light and intimate.
I stood watching their exchange, feeling like an intruder. Their shared history stretched back to childhood,
filled with memories I could never be part of.
Suddenly, Alexander set down the tablet and stood. Without a word, he took my hand and pulled me toward
the doorway.
“Where are you going?” Claire called after us. “We haven’t finished with the menu!”
Alexander didn’t answer, merely leading me up the staircase toward our private den. As we left, I glanced
back to see Claire watching us, her emerald eyes burning with fury.
I couldn’t help the small flicker of satisfaction that rose within me at her expression.
“The mountain trout with juniper berries would be best for the main course,” Alexander said once we were
alone in our den. “It’s traditional for the Storm Pack ceremonies.”
I blinked at his casual tone. “You didn’t have to leave just to tell me that.”
He shrugged, settling into the cushioned window seat. “I thought we could continue in private.”
As we discussed flower arrangements and music selections, I found myself studying him. His behavior toward Claire had shifted dramatically. Whether it was genuine or for show remained to be seen.
“After the ceremony,” I said carefully, “I want to have a medical checkup at Silvercrest Hospital.”
conce
Alexander looked up, concern crossing his features. “Is everything alright?”
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Yes I assured him. “But once my position as your Luna is solidified by the formal ceremony, I think I’ll have some good news to share”
His brow furrowed in confusion, then cleared as understanding dawned. “Aria, you don’t need to worry about concelving. It will happen when it happens.”
I didn’t correct his misunderstanding. Let him continue thinking I was concerned about getting pregnant. He would discover soon enough that I was already carrying his pup.
“The doctors at Silvercrest are very thorough,” I said instead. “I’m hopeful for positive results.”
Alexander smiled, reaching across to take my hand. “We’ll have a family soon, I’m sure of it.”
Despite everything–my doubts, my hurt, the complications of our relationship–I couldn’t help smiling at the thought of Alexander becoming a father. How would he react when he learned about the tiny life already growing inside me?
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