Chapter 70: Devastating Discoveries
Chapter 70: Devastating Discoveries
(Aria’s POV)
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Pressed against the wall beside the dressing room door with Dominic beside me, I strained
to catch every word of Claire and Richard’s conversation.
“Alexander has never touched me at all…”
Claire’s words hit me like a physical blow. My hand flew to my mouth to stifle my gasp.
“What do you mean?” Richard’s voice was incredulous. “You’re pregnant with his pup!”
Claire’s laugh was high and brittle. “I never said it was his. Everyone just assumed.”
“Then whose is it?” Richard demanded.
“Who do you think?” Claire’s tone was coy. “Alexander was so drunk that night at the Territorial Gathering, he doesn’t remember Janything. I just let him believe we’d been together.”
My mind reeled as the pieces fell into place. Alexander had been severely intoxicated at the Territorial Gathering – the same night I’d consumed wolf–whiskey mixed with moonberry extract.
“You mean you’ve been lying to him? To everyone?” Richard sounded angry now.
THE
“Don’t act so righteous,” Claire snapped. “You’ve been lying to Elizabeth for years. Besides, Alexander will never know. Once we’re mated, this pup will be his in every way that matters.”
I felt sick to my stomach. All this time, Claire had been playing everyone – including Alexander.
“We need to leave,” I whispered urgently to Dominic. “I can’t listen to any more of this.”
Dominic nodded, gently taking my elbow and guiding me away from the dressing room. When we were a safe distance away, I leaned against the wall, trying to process what I’d just learned.
“She’s been lying about everything,” I said, my voice shaking. “The pup isn’t Alexander’s. She’s never even been with him.”
Dominic’s expression was grim. “It seems Claire Watson is even more manipulative than we thought.”
“I feel like I’ve been eavesdropping on a bad werewolf drama,” I said, rubbing my temples.
Dominic’s lips quirked into a small smile. “You have been eavesdropping on a bad werewolf drama.”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help but laugh. The absurdity of the situation was almost too much.
“What about my mother–in–law?” I asked, sobering quickly. “If Claire’s pup isn’t Alexander’s, why would she poison Elizabeth?” “We don’t know for certain that she did,” Dominic reminded me. “The tests showed nothing in her medicine.”
I sighed heavily. “But if it wasn’t poison, what’s happening to her?”
“Let Alexander handle it,” Dominic advised. “I’ll speak to him about our suspicions regarding Claire’s relationship with his father. He deserves to know the truth.”
“You’re right,” I agreed reluctantly. “I just want to go home. This is all too much.”
Dominic placed his hand on the small of my back, a reassuring warmth that somehow steadied me.
“Let’s go,” he said quietly.
We made our way toward the exit, my mind still reeling from Claire’s confession. Just as we reached the main hallway, a familiar voice called out.
“Leaving so soon?”
I turned to find Alexander and Claire approaching us. Claire’s arms were wrapped possessively around Alexander’s, her emerald eyes glittering with malice as they landed on me.
“I’m surprised to see you here, Aria,” Claire said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I didn’t think herbal remedies qualified
<Chapter 70: Devastating Discoveries
for healing awards.”
+8 Points
Before I could respond, Dominic spoke. “Perhaps if you spent less time on appearances and more time on actual healing, you’d know the value of traditional remedies.”
Claire’s smile faltered, her wolf bristling beneath her skin at the direct challenge.
Alexander’s amber eyes narrowed as he looked between Dominic and me. “Blackwood, I need to speak with you privately.”
I tensed. Had Alexander somehow discovered Dominic’s suspicions about Claire and Richard? Or worse, had he learned about my pregnancy?
“It’s important,” Alexander insisted, his voice dropping lower. “About my mother.”
My heart skipped a beat. Elizabeth’s condition had been weighing heavily on my mind.
“Go ahead,” I urged Dominic, touching his arm lightly. “I’ll wait by the car.”
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes met mine, a silent communication passing between us. He covered my hand with his own.
“No,” he said firmly. “Whatever Alexander has to say, he can say it in front of you.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened. I could smell his wolf’s agitation, the scent sharp and hostile.
“Fine,” he growled. “Both of you follow me.”
We walked to a secluded corner of the venue’s garden. The night air was cool against my skin, carrying the scent of moonflowers and silver pine.
Alexander turned to face us, his amber eyes flashing with barely contained anger. “What game are you playing, Blackwood?”
Dominic raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Don’t play dumb,” Alexander snapped. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Aria is still my mate.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Alexander wasn’t finished.
a
“She may have filed for mate bond severance, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re connected.” His eyes found mine, desperate intensity burning in them. “Ten years, Aria. Ten years of history between us, three as mates. Whatever Blackwood has offered you, it can’t compare to what we have.”
The audacity of his claim after everything he’d done left me speechless.
“Had,” Dominic corrected, his voice deceptively calm as he stepped closer to me, taking my hand. “What you had. Which you threw away for a she–wolf who’s been lying to you.”
Alexander’s attention snapped back to Dominic. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” Dominic’s thumb traced small circles on my hand, sending unexpected shivers up my arm. “Aria and I will be together once her mate bond severance is finalized. That’s the reality you need to accept.”
“The mate bond can’t be severed that easily,” Alexander insisted, his wolf’s scent spiking with possessiveness. “Our wolves recognized each other. That doesn’t just disappear because of some paperwork.”
I flinched at the reminder. It was true
–
our wolves had recognized each other all those years ago. But things had changed.
“And yet you’ve been quite eager to move on with Claire,” Dominic pointed out. “Interesting how the sanctity of the mate bond only matters when it’s convenient for you.”
Alexander’s face flushed with anger. “That’s different. Claire is pregnant with my pup.”
The irony of his statement after what we’d just overheard made me want to laugh hysterically. Instead, I pressed my lips together, saying nothing.
Dominic’s smile was razor–sharp. “Is she? Are
Alexander stiffened, his wolf instantly alert. “What are you implying?”
absolut certain about that?”
extending in a serious breach of etiquette.
Something in Dominic’s words or expression must have struck
“Nothing at all,” Dominic said, his tone deliberately casual. “Just kicking a wolf while it’s down.”
a
nerve. Alexander lunged forward with a snarl, his claws partially
Chapter 70: Devastating Discoveries
+8 Points >
Dominic moved with lightning speed, catching Alexander’s wrist before his claws could make contact. In one fluid motion, he
twisted Alexander’s arm behind his back, effectively immobilizing him without causing injury.
“Don’t embarrass yourself further,” Dominic said, his voice low enough that only Alexander and I could hear.
Then he leaned closer to Alexander’s ear and whispered something I couldn’t catch. Whatever it was made Alexander go rigid, his face paling visibly.
Dominic released him and stepped back, returning to my side as if nothing had happened. “Let’s go, Aria.”
Still shocked by the confrontation, I allowed Dominic to lead me away. As we walked back toward the main entrance, curiosity got the better of me.
“What did you say to him?” I asked, glancing up at Dominic’s impassive face.
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