Chapter 21: Are You Pregnant, Aña?
Chapter 21: Are You Pregnant, Aria?
(Ans’s POV)
A jinx? No, I am not, you are.” I spot, straightening my spine as Richard continued his tirade. “You’re the one who have been pushing Alexander toward Claire since the day we mated! You’re the one who destroyed our Family!
Richard’s face flushed an angry red. “Claire Watson would have been the perfect Luna! Her mother-
“Her mother was the woman you couldn’t have,” I cut in, finally understanding his bizarre favoritism. “And now you’re trying to live vicariously through your son!”
Elizabeth gasped, her eyes darting between us. Richard looked as though I’d slapped him.
I shook my head in disgust. “I’m done with this family’s dysfunction. I came to see Elizabeth because she asked for me, not to be insulted by you.”
1 squeezed Elizabeth’s hand gently before standing. “I’ll visit again when he’s not here.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” Richard growled, blocking my path to the door. His former Alpha scent filled the
room, aggressive and dominating.
“Move,” 1 demanded, my wolf bristling beneath my skin.
“Not until you commit to finalizing this mate bond severance, he snarled. “Stop playing games with my son’s
emotions.”
I laughed bitterly. “Are you serious? I’ve already signed the papers! I’m just waiting for Alexander to do the
same!”
Richard’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing again. “Then make sure he signs them. The sooner you’re
gone from this pack, the better.”
“Gladly,” I hissed, pushing past him.
I hurried down the stairs, my hands shaking with anger. How dare he treat me this way after all I’d endured? My wolf paced restlessly inside me, both protective of our pup and furious at Richard’s treatment.
The fresh air outside was a relief after the suffocating atmosphere of the Reed home. I took several deep
breaths to calm myself, one hand instinctively moving to my stomach.
“Going somewhere, Luna?”
Alexander’s voice made me freeze. He stood beside his black SUV, leaning against it with an unsteady
posture. His scent hit me immediately – pine and earth, but overlaid with the strong, woody aroma of
wolf–whiskey.
He was drunk.
“I’m leaving,” I said firmly, trying to walk past him to my car.
He moved with surprising speed for someone intoxicated, blocking my path. His amber eyes were unfocused,
his smile slightly crooked.
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apter 21: Are You Pregn..
“But you just got here,” he slurred. “Don’t you have duties to attend to? Luna duties?”
1 stepped back, maintaining distance between us. “I’m no longer your Luna, Alexander. Let me pass.”
His expression darkened. “Not Luna? We haven’t severed the bond yet.”
Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, pulling me toward his car with Alpha strength that made resistance nearly impossible.
“Let go of me!” I struggled against his grip, panic rising in my chest.
“We need to talk,” he insisted, his words slightly slurred. “About us. About Claire.”
He managed to push me into the passenger seat of his car, climbing in after me and closing the door. The confined space filled with his whiskey–laden scent, making my sensitive pregnancy senses reel.
“Alexander, stop this!” I pressed myself against the door, trying to create distance. “You’re drunk!”
“Just had a few drinks,” he mumbled, leaning closer. “Missing my mate. My Luna.”
His hand reached for my face, but I jerked away. “I’m not yours anymore. I’ve signed the severance papers.”
“No!” he growled, his wolf flaring in his eyes. “No severance. You’re mine!”
He lunged forward, pressing me against the car door, his lips seeking mine with desperate urgency. His strength was overwhelming, his scent suffocating in the small space.
My wolf surged with protective fury, sensing the danger to our pup. With strength I didn’t know I possessed, I twisted my head and bit down hard on his forearm.
Alexander howled in pain, jerking back as blood welled from the bite. “What the hell, Aria?”
The strong smell of wolf–whiskey on his breath, combined with the metallic scent of blood, sent my already sensitive stomach into revolt. I doubled over and vomited on the expensive leather interior of his car.
The aggression drained from Alexander’s face, replaced by concern. “Aria? Are you okay?”
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, still trembling from the encounter. “Do I look okay? You just tried
to force yourself on me!”
He handed me a tissue from the glove compartment, his movements more careful now. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” His eyes narrowed suddenly, focusing on me with unexpected clarity. “Are you pregnant, Aria?”
My heart stuttered in my chest. “What? No!”
“Then why did you get sick? You’ve never had a weak stomach.”
“Maybe because you reek of alcohol?” I snapped, desperate to divert his suspicion. “Or because my mother just died? Or because my mate is trying to assault me in a parking lot?”
Guilt flashed across his face. “I wouldn’t have hurt you. I just wanted…”
“What? What did you want?” I demanded, my hand on the door handle, ready to escape.
“I wanted things to be like they were before,” he admitted, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Before
everything got so complicated.”
I laughed bitterly. “Things were never simple, Alexander. You just chose not to see it.”
His expression softened. “Let me take you to Silvercrest. Make sure you’re okay.”
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Chapter 21 Are You Pregn
I don’t need your help,” I said firmly, pushing the car door open. “Stay away from me.”
I climbed out on shaking legs, one hand protectively covering my belly where our pup was growing. I needed to get away from him before he realized the truth.
“Aria, wait!” Alexander called, stumbling out of the car after me. His face was pale now, the effects of the alcohol seemingly diminished by our confrontation.
I kept walking, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Please,” he pleaded, catching up to me in the hospital parking lot. “I know you’re angry about Claire-”
“Angry doesn’t begin to cover it,” I spat, whirling to face him. “You left our mating ceremony for her!”
“I had to!” he insisted. “Her mate-”
“Her mate saved your life years ago,” I finished. “I know the story. It doesn’t excuse your behavior.”
Alexander reached for my hand, but I pulled away. “I’ll end it with her,” he promised. “I’ll cut all ties if that’s
what you want.”
“It’s too late for that,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. “You had your chance.”
The electronic chime of his phone interrupted us. Alexander pulled it from his pocket, and I caught glimpse of the screen: Claire calling.
Of course. Of course she would call right now.
“See?” 1 laughed humorlessly, gesturing at his phone. “Some things never change.”
I turned and walked away, my wolf whimpering with hurt inside me. This time, Alexander didn’t follow. The
call from Claire was more important, just as it always had been.
Once I was safely in my car, I broke down, tears streaming down my face. My hands shook so badly I couldn’t insert the key into the ignition.
My phone rang, startling me. Olivia’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hello?” My voice cracked.
“Aria? What’s wrong?” Olivia’s concern was immediate. “Are you crying?”
“Alexander,” I managed between sobs. “He was drunk. He tried to… in the car…“\
“What?” Olivia’s voice sharpened with fury. “Did he hurt you? Where are you?”
“The hospital parking lot,” I said, wiping my tears. “I’m okay. I bit him.”
Despite everything, Olivia chuckled. “Good. I hope you drew blood.”
“I did,” I confirmed, feeling slightly calmer. “But Liv… he asked if I was pregnant.”
A moment of silence followed. “Did you tell him?”
“No,” I whispered. “But it made me think… about the complications a pup would create. With the severance and everything…”
“What are you saying, Aria?”
I took a deep breath, making the hardest decision of my life. “I’ve decided to terminate my pregnancy despite my previous desire for a child with Alexander.”
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Chapter 22. Abortion
Chapter 22: Abortion
