Chapter 18: Help Me Sever the Mate Bond
Chapter 18 Help Me Sever the Mate Bond
(Arie’s POV)
“Sign it “I thrust the papers toward Alexander, my voice steadier than I expected “Sign it and leave my
Brartment
Alexander’s amber eyes Rashed dangerously. His wolf’s rage fitted the room, thick and suffocating as his scent changed from his usual pine and earth to something sharper, angrier
“You think I just let you go? He snatched the papers from my hand.
Before I could stop him, he tore them to shreds. The sound of ripping paper echoed through my small apartment as fragments fluttered to the floor like snow.
I watched impassively I’d expected this.
“That was childish,” I said, reaching into my purse and pulling out another copy ‘I made extras.”
Alexander stared at me as if seeing me for the first time. His face registered genuine shock that I’d
anticipated his reaction.
“Who are you?” he whispered. “The Aria I know wouldn’t-
“The Aria you knew died with her mother,” I cut him off. “Now sign the papers and go.”
He stepped closer, his Alpha presence overwhelming in the confined space.
“I won’t sign any severance agreement,” he growled. “You’re my mate. My Luna.”
“Your possession, you mean? Like a trophy to display while you run to Claire whenever she calls?”
His jaw tightened. “You don’t understand the complexity of-
“I understand perfectly. I’m just not accepting it anymore.”
Alexander ran his hand through his hair, a gesture I once found endearing. Now it just seemed calculated, designed to make him appear vulnerable.
“I won’t do it,” he stated flatly. “I won’t agree to sever our mate bond.”
His finality sparked fresh anger within me. “You’d rather keep me trapped in a loveless mating?”
“It’s not loveless!” he snapped. “You’re twisting everything!”
I laughed bitterly. “Love doesn’t look like this, Alexander. Love doesn’t post pictures with another woman on
our ceremony day.”
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “I’ve told you, I didn’t post that picture.”
“Right. It magically appeared on your account.”
Alexander’s fists clenched at his sides. For one heart–stopping moment, I thought he might strike me.
He didn’t. Instead, he turned abruptly and strode to the door. “This conversation is over.”
The door slammed behind hirm with enough force to rattle the windows. His Alpha scent lingered in the air,
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marking the space as if to remind me I was still his.
I sank onto my sofa, suddenly exhausted. The scattered pieces of the torn agreement mocked me from the
floor.
My wolf whimpered within me, confused and distressed. She recognized Alexander as our mate, yet she also felt the betrayal, the hurt he had caused us.
A wave of anxiety washed over me. What would I do now? Alexander could make the bond severance process nearly impossible, especially with his status as Alpha. He could drag it out for months, even years.
Unless…
Dominic Blackwood’s words echoed in my mind: “Want to sever the mate bond? I’ll help you.”
At the time, I’d thought it was just a provocative comment meant to challenge Alexander. But what if he’d
meant it?
My wolf perked up at the thought, her interest piquing at the memory of Dominic’s powerful presence.
Without giving myself time to reconsider, I grabbed my phone and dialed Dominic’s number. I’d intended to request a meeting, to explain my situation carefully.
“Aria?” His deep voice answered after just two rings, sounding surprised but not displeased.
Hearing him say my name sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
“Dominic, 1-” I paused, suddenly unsure how to proceed. “I wanted to thank you properly. For everything you did at the hospital.”
“No thanks necessary,” he replied. “How are you holding up?”
His genuine concern caught me off guard. “I’m… managing. Listen, do you have time for dinner? There’s something important I’d like to discuss.”
I held my breath, waiting for his response. Would he think me too forward?
“Of course,” he said without hesitation. “When did you have in mind?”
“Tonight?” I suggested, surprised at my own boldness. “If that’s not too soon.”
“Tonight works perfectly,” Dominic replied, his voice betraying no surprise at my prompt request. “Text me the
time and location.”
After hanging up, I spent an embarrassing amount of time choosing what to wear. Nothing too formal,
nothing too casual. Nothing that screamed ‘desperate for help‘ or ‘recently abandoned mate!
I finally settled on a forest–green dress that complemented my eyes and wasn’t too tight around my
midsection. At just six weeks pregnant, I wasn’t showing, but my wolf’s heightened senses made me acutely
aware of every change in my body.
Silver Moon was an upscale restaurant that catered specifically to werewolves. With private dining options
and scent–neutralizing spaces, it was perfect for sensitive conversations.
I arrived early, nervously smoothing down my dress as I approached the entrance. My wolf was alert,
scanning for potential threats or prying eyes that might report back to Alexander.
To my surprise, Dominic was already there, his powerful Alpha presence unmistakable even across the
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crowded foyer. Several wolves turned to look at him, then at me as I approached him.
You’re early, I observed.
His silver–gray eyes warmed slightly. “I had a meeting with a territory official nearby. Convenient timing.”
He looked impeccable in a charcoal suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. Unlike Alexander, whose Alpha status always felt like a performance, Dominic’s power seemed effortless, intrinsic to his very being. “I’ve arranged for us to have some privacy,” he said, guiding me not to a regular table but toward a hallway at
the back of the restaurant.
“You made a reservation?” I asked, impressed he’d managed it on such short notice. Silver Moon was notoriously difficult to book.
“In a manner of speaking.” he replied with a slight smile. “I keep a standing reservation for a private dining room here. Business convenience.”
He opened a door to reveal an elegantly appointed room with a single table set for two. The lighting was soft, the table adorned with fresh flowers.
“This is… more than I expected,” I admitted, slightly flustered by the intimate setting.
Dominic pulled out my chair. “I hope it’s not uncomfortable for you. I find it easier to have important conversations without twenty pairs of ears listening in.”
The scent of his wolf’s power lingered in the air around us – not dominating like Alexander’s could be, but steady and reassuring.
A waiter appeared almost immediately with menus.
“The premium venison is exceptional tonight,” Dominic suggested, scanning the options. “And the moon crab is a specialty I’d recommend.”
I glanced at the prices and tried not to wince. “I’ll just have-”
“My treat,” Dominic interrupted gently. “Please order whatever appeals to you. Do you have any dietary restrictions I should be aware of?”
His genuine consideration touched me. Alexander had never bothered to ask such things.
“No restrictions,” I replied. “Though I’ve been having some… sensitivity to certain scents lately.”
Dominic’s eyes flickered briefly to my midsection before returning to my face. His expression revealed
nothing.
“We’ll avoid the stronger–scented dishes then,” he said smoothly. “The silver pine soup might be a good starter. It’s known for its gentle properties.”
When the waiter returned, Dominic ordered the venison, moon crab, silver pine soup, and several other delicacies I’d never tried before. I added a more modestly priced forest sturgeon dish and wolf–apple pie to the order, pleased when Dominic nodded approvingly at my choices.
“Wolf–apple is an excellent choice,” he commented after the waiter left. “Particularly beneficial for…”
He trailed off, clearly unsure whether to acknowledge what he’d guessed.
The food arrived promptly, each dish more beautifully presented than the last. Despite my anxiety, I found
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mpeat anjoying the meal My pregnant well especially appreciated the mich ents in the premium dishes.
Fuskents
was
Dominic watched me with these promptive eyes as I savored as of crab. You wanted to discuss something Important he prompted pardly
Te down my fort, gathering my courage
At the hospital, you need if I wanted to sever my rate bond with Alexander I began. You offered to help
Dominic nodded slowly remarriber
To like to take you up on that offer, I said, the words rushing out before I could reconsider. ‘Alexander refuses to sign the severance agreement. He’s going to make this as difficult as possible
Dominic was silent for a long moment. I could almost see the thoughts racing behind those silver gray eyes.
“Aria,” he finally said. “I meant what I said. But there’s a complication I need to be honest about.”
My heart sank. What complication?”
“Alexander and 1…” He paused, searching for the right words. “We’ve been friends for a long time. Despite our
different territories, he’s almost like pack to me. Helping you sever your bond with him puts me in a difficult
position.”
My hope faltered, my wolf whimpering in disappointment. I’d been so focused on Dominic’s offer that I hadn’t
considered his relationship with Alexander.
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