Chapter 63: Mate Bond Severance and Marking on the Same Day!
Chapter 63: Mate Bond Severance and Marking on the Same Day!
(Aria’s POV)
I stared at Martha, the elderly pack housekeeper. Her wrinkled face showed concern as she looked around nervously. i needed answers about Elizabeth’s condition, and Martha might be my only source of information.
“Martha,” I said quietly, “do you know anything about Elizabeth’s sudden illness?”
The old she–wolf’s eyes darted to the door before she leaned closer to me.
“That Watson she–wolf,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “She visited Lady Elizabeth’s room on the day she was hospitalized.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Claire was here?”
Martha nodded, her gray hair bobbing with the movement.
“I’ve served the Reed family for forty years, and I’ve never seen Lady Elizabeth fall ill so suddenly,” Martha said, her aged eyes reflecting concern. “That Watson she–wolf was in there just before it happened, and there was shouting. I may be old, but my wolf’s hearing is still sharp.”
My suspicions deepened. Claire had been the first to find Elizabeth when she collapsed. Now Martha was telling me Claire had argued with Elizabeth just before.
“Did you hear what they were arguing about?” I asked, my voice hushed.
Martha shook her head. “Not clearly. But Lady Elizabeth was upset. Very upset.”
I shared my own suspicions with Martha, telling her about Dr. Lewis’s belief that Elizabeth might have been poisoned. Her eyes widened in horror, but she didn’t seem entirely surprised.
“I’ve been worried,” she admitted. “The way she fell ill… it wasn’t natural.”
Martha’s gaze softened as she looked at me.
“I heard about the mate bond severance, dear,” she said gently. “I’m sorry it’s come to this.”
The mention of the severance sent a pang through my chest.
“It’s for the best,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
“That Watson she–wolf,” Martha spat the name, “she’s already planning the marking ceremony, you know. For the end of the month.”
I froze. “The end of the month?”
“The same day your mate bond severance becomes final,” Martha confirmed. “It’s not right,” she muttered, shaking her head. “That woman’s already planning the marking ceremony, even ordering special moonsilver decorations for the pack house.” The timing couldn’t be coincidental. Claire was making sure there wasn’t a single day when Alexander was unmated. The thought turned my stomach.
“She’s here almost every day now,” Martha continued, her disapproval evident. “Acting like she’s already Luna. You should see the new silver–gray luxury SUV she drives around–with the Storm Pack emblem already on it!”
“Alexander bought her a car?” I asked, surprised.
Martha scoffed. “Not Alexander. His father. Richard Reed
that woman like a daughter.”
Of course he did. Richard Reed had always favored Claire.
“Is she here now?” I asked, my wolf bristling beneath my skin at the
Martha nodded, confirming my fears.
“She arrived an hour ago. She’s with Richard in his study.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I wasn’t here to confront Claire. I was here to gather information about Elizabeth’s
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Chapter 63: Mate Bond Severance,
poisoning.
“Martha, could you help me? I need to get my belongings packed and sent to my apartment.”
Martha looked surprised. “You’re not taking anything?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I’m starting fresh.”
Martha agreed to arrange for my things to be packed and delivered. As she left to make the arrangements, I stood in what used to be my home, feeling like a stranger.
My hand moved instinctively to my belly, a protective gesture that had become habit. My unborn pup was the only thing that mattered now.
“Well, well,” a sickeningly familiar voice said from behind me. “What brings Alexander’s soon–to–be ex–Luna back to the pack house? Looking to steal something before you leave for good?”
I turned slowly, coming face to face with Claire Watson. Her emerald eyes glinted with mockery, her wolf’s scent betraying her smugness.
I forced myself to remain calm, though my wolf growled within me.
“I don’t need to steal what’s rightfully mine,” I replied coolly.
Claire’s perfectly arched eyebrow rose. “Nothing is yours here anymore. You’re just a visitor.”
I straightened my spine, drawing on my wolf’s strength.
“Last I checked, I’m still Luna of this pack for another twenty–seven days,” I said firmly.
Claire’s face flushed with anger. “How dare you? Everyone knows your position is just a formality now.”
voice deceptively light. “The other woman?”
“And what’s your position exactly?” I asked, nay?” Claire sputtered, her wolf’s anger flashing in her eyes. “I’ve known
“You think you have any right to speak to me Alexander since we were pups. You’re just-”
that
“Just the she–wolf he chose to mate with for three years while you were what, exactly? His friend?” I cut her off with a cold laugh. Claire’s emerald eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Don’t pretend you’re not here trying to win him back,” she hissed. “I know you regret filing for the mate bond severance.”
I shook my head, almost pitying her delusion. “I think you’re projecting, Claire. I want nothing to do with Alexander.”
“Then why are you here?” she demanded.
“Just collecting some personal items,” I replied vaguely.
Claire snorted in disbelief. “You’re not fooling anyone. You came back for the things you abandoned, just like you’ll try to come back to Alexander when you realize what you’ve lost.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.
“Trust me, I have no interest in recycling garbage,” I said dismissively.
Claire’s face contorted with rage.
“You should be grateful he even mated with you in the first place,” she snarled. “He only did it out of pity.”
The barb was meant to hurt, but it only amused me.
“Is that what he told you?” I asked. “While you were busy being his ‘childhood friend‘ during our mating?”
Claire stepped closer, her voice dropping to a threatening whisper.
“Don’t even think about trying to retract the mate bond severance “To finally be with me, his true choice.”
plication. He’s been waiting for this chance,” Claire hissed.
I stared at her, genuinely bewildered by her behavior. What kind of wolf acted this way?
“Did your parents not teach you pack manners?” I asked, genuinely curious. “Or is this special behavior you reserve just for me?” Claire’s face flushed with anger. Before I could move past her, she grabbed my wrist, her claws slightly extending in aggression.
<Chapter 63: Mate Bond Severance.
“We’re not finished,” she growled.
I pulled my arm away in disgust. As I did, I noticed something on her exposed collarbone
exchanged during intimate moments between wolves.
I couldn’t help but stare at it. Alexander had already
–
a fresh mating bite. The kind
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pregnancy, no less! Any wolf with basic knowledged her?
Before our mate bond was officially severed? And during her
My wolf growled within me, outraged at the disrespect.
that mating bites during pregnancy could be risky.
Claire noticed my gaze and quickly covered the mark with her hand. She looked flustered and guilty, like a pup caught stealing moonberries.
At that moment, I sensed a powerful Alpha presence. The familiar scent filled the hallway before Alexander appeared around the corner.
His amber eyes widened in surprise when he saw me.
“Aria,” he said, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and what sounded like genuine pleasure, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
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