Chapter 59: Did He Confess to You?
Chapter 59: Did He Confess to You?
(Aria’s POV)
The morning sun had barely risen when I arrived at Silver Leaf Herbalists. I’d decided to come early to prepare the
moonberry–infused remedy I’d been working on all week.
Something felt off the moment I walked through the doors. A cluster of my colleagues huddled outside the manager’s office,
whispering excitedly amongst themselves.
“What’s going on?” I asked Lisa, one of the junior herbalists.
Her eyes widened. “There’s a prestigious wolf healer visiting! They’ve been in there for half an hour already.”
I nodded, not particularly interested. This happened occasionally–respected healers would visit seeking endorsements for our
cooperative’s remedies. Nothing that concerned me directly.
“Do you know who it is?” I asked casually, heading toward my workstation.
Lisa shrugged. “Someone important enough for the manager to bring out the special moon–silver tea set.”
I chuckled at that. Our manager only used that tea set for the most distinguished guests.
Settling at my workspace, I laid out the dried moonberries and began separating them by ripeness. The repetitive task was
soothing, helping me focus on something other than the past weekend with Dominic at the Shadow Pack compound.
“Aria?”
I looked up to find Jason Hart approaching, his brow furrowed with concern.
“Morning, Jason.” I offered a small smile, continuing my work.
He shifted uncomfortably. “Did you hear about the visitor?”
“Some important healer, right? Here for an endorsement, I assume.”
Jason’s frown deepened. “It’s Claire Watson. And she’s not here for an endorsement. She’s here to see you.”
My fingers froze over the moonberries. “Me?”
“She’s offering you the position of her exclusive herbal remedy provider,” he explained quickly. “The manager is ecstatic about the
potential partnership.”
The moonberry in my hand crushed between my fingers, its tart scent filling the air.
“She says she’s willing to drop the previous issues between you if you accept,” Jason continued, clearly confused by the implication of “previous issues.”
I wiped my stained fingers on a cloth, my stomach churning with disgust.
“I’m not interested,” I said flatly.
Jason’s eyes widened. “Aria, this is Claire Watson we’re talking about. The Chief Healer of Storm Pack. This could be a
career–making opportunity.”
I shook my head firmly. “No.”
“But-”
“I said no, Jason.” My tone left no room for argument.
He ran a hand through his hair, visibly stressed. “The manager won’t be happy. Refusing someone of Claire’s status could have
consequences.”
Before I could respond, one of the administrative assistants approached.
“Aria, the manager wants to see you in his office immediately.”
Taking a deep breath, I wiped my hands clean and followed her. Each step felt heavier than the last.
+8 Points>
Charter 59 Did He Confess to You?
Inside the office, I found Claire Watson sitting with her back to me, facing the manager’s desk. Beside her sat Margaret, her pack
representative, wearing that familiar condescending expression.
“Ah, Aria!” The manager beamed with forced enthusiasm. “Please, sit down.”
I remained standing. “I’ll pass, thank you.”
Margaret’s sharp eyes assessed me. “This won’t take long. We just need your signature on this contract.”
She slid a document across the desk toward me. The compensation figure made me blink in surprise–it was equivalent to a
top–tier herbalist’s salary, far more than what I currently earned.
“As you can see,” Margaret continued smoothly, “we’re offering very generous terms. Chief Healer Watson recognizes your talent
with moonberry–infused remedies.”
“I’m not interested,” I repeated, not even touching the contract.
Margaret’s smile tightened. “Perhaps you don’t understand the opportunity being presented. This would secure your career advancement for years to come.”
“I understand perfectly. My answer is still no.”
At this, Claire finally turned in her chair to face me. Her eyes widened with shock as she recognized me.
“You?” she gasped.
I met her gaze coolly. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
Margaret glanced between us, confusion evident her face. “You two know each other?”
Claire’s eyes narrowed. “She’s Alexander’s soon–to–be ex–Luna.”
Margaret’s jaw dropped slightly. “That’s why you look so familiar! You’re the one from the mate bond severance case!”
Our manager looked like he’d just discovered a treasure trove of gossip. “You two are… acquainted?” he asked hopefully.
“Very bad,” I answered bluntly, crushing his dreams of a smooth resolution.
Claire stood, using her slight height advantage to look down at me. “What are you doing working here?” she asked with disdain. “Didn’t you receive a substantial settlement from the mate bond severance?”
My wolf bristled beneath my skin at her condescending tone.
“I didn’t realize my employment status was any of your business,” I replied evenly. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned with your pregnancy? Making sure you still fit into your ceremonial attire for the marking ceremony?”
The room fell silent. Both the manager and Margaret stared at Claire with undisguised shock.
“Pregnancy?” Margaret whispered, clearly hearing this for the first time.
Claire’s face flushed with anger. Her hands clenched at her sides as she glared at me with pure hatred.
“You…” she hissed, unable to form a complete sentence.
Without another word, she grabbed her bag and stormed out of the office, the door slamming behind her.
Margaret hurriedly gathered the contract and followed, throwing me one last venomous look before leaving.
The manager turned to me, his eyes alight with excitement at the unfolding drama.
“She’s pregnant?” he asked eagerly. “Claire Watson is pregnant, but you’re Alexander Reed’s mate? So she’s the… homewrecker?”
I sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. “Yes, she’s pregnant.”
“Well, this is certainly… unexpected,” he stammered, clearly struggling to process the implications for our cooperative. “Perhaps we should continue this discussion later.”
I nodded and left his office, ignoring the curious stares of my colleagues who had undoubtedly heard at least parts of the confrontation.
The rest of my workday passed in a blur of whispers and sidelong glances. By the time I returned to my apartment that evening, my shoulders ached with tension.
A knock at my door announced Olivia’s arrival. She stood there grinning, holding several bags of takeout.
<Chapter 59: Did He Confess to You?
“I brought moon–seared steaks! The good kind, not the cheap stuff,” she announced, pushing past me into the apartment.
I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “What’s the occasion?”
“Do I need an occasion to visit my best friend?” She began unpacking the food on my coffee table. “So, how was your day?”
I groaned, collapsing onto the couch. “Claire Watson showed up at Silver Leaf.”
Olivia froze, a container of steak halfway to the table. “What? Why?”
I recounted the entire encounter while we ate, not leaving out a single detail. By the time I finished, Olivia was fuming.
+8 Points >
“That manipulative, conniving-” She stopped herself, taking a deep breath. “You need to be careful, Aria. Someone like Claire won’t take this public humiliation lightly.”
I nodded, pushing my food around with my fork. “I know.”
“Maybe you should tell Dominic,” Olivia suggested cautiously. “He could help if Claire tries anything.”
I shook my head. “I can’t keep relying on him for everything.”
“Speaking of Dominic…” Olivia leaned forward with interest. “How are things going with your
handsome neighbor?”
set down my fork. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about moving back to my old apartment.”
Olivia’s jaw dropped. “What? Why? This place is twice the size of your old one, and it’s closer to work!”
“I know, but-”
“Did something happen during your trip to Shadow Pack territory?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You’ve been acting strange
since you got back.”
“Nothing happened,” I insisted, perhaps too quickly.
Olivia’s expression turned sly. “Then why the sudden desire to move? This place is perfect.”
I hesitated, picking at a loose thread on the couch cushion.
“Aria,” she prompted, “what aren’t you telling me?”
“Dominic…” I began reluctantly, “he seems to like me.”
Olivia’s face broke into a triumphant grin. “I know he likes you!”
She paused, something in my expression making her lean even closer. “Wait, how do you know? Did he confess to you?”
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