Chapter 208: The Remaining Suspects
Chapter 208: The Remaining Suspects
(Aria’s POV)
I watched my father return from his confrontation with Dr. Marcus Lewis, his expression troubled but somehow resolved. His wolf’s scent carried the weight of difficult truths, and I could see the exhaustion in his
silver–gray eyes.
“How did it go?” I asked, shifting baby Nolan to my other arm as he stirred in his sleep.
“Marcus isn’t our culprit,” my father said quietly, his voice heavy with disappointment. “His shock when I mentioned Patricia’s accusations was genuine. His wolf couldn’t have faked that kind of reaction.”
My mother sank into a chair, her maternal instincts clearly drained by the emotional roller coaster we’d all
been riding. “Then we’re back to square one.”
“Not exactly,” Dominic interjected, his strategic Alpha mind still processing the information. “We’ve eliminated
one suspect. That makes our task easier.”
“Easier?” I asked, my pregnant wolf stirring with frustration. “We still don’t know who orchestrated my
kidnapping.”
“Actually, we do,” Dominic replied, his silver–gray eyes gleaming with calculation. “There are only two suspects remaining from our original investigation.”
My father looked up with renewed interest. “Two suspects?”
Think about it, Dominic continued, his Alpha authority evident in his tactical analysis. “We’ve ruled out Marcus Samuel’s defensive behavior could be protective rather than guilty. That leaves Thomas and the
wives
Dr. Thomas Lewis seemed completely indifferent to the family drama,” I observed, remembering his casual attitude during the confrontation. “Almost suspiciously so.”
Exactly Dominic said. “Sometimes the most obvious behavior is the most suspicious. A truly innocent
person would show some concern for family unity”
Shy mother’s eyes widened with understanding “You think Thomas has been hiding behind indifference?”
“It’s possible Domanic replied And we need to plan our next move carefully to expose the real culprit before
the full moon celebration ends
Before anyone could respond the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted our discussion. We all turned toward the doorway expecting to see one of the Lewis family members
instead, isabelle Blackwood appeared in the entrance her elegant presence immediately commanding attention Her usual composed demeanor seemed softer somehow, more vulnerable than I’d ever seen her
“I hope I’m not interrupting she said, her ace carrying an unusual warmth I wanted to spend a few more minutes with my grandson before leaving
“Of course replied, genuinely pleased by her unexpected return “Would you like to hold him again?”
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< Chapter 208 The Remaining Suspects
Isabella’s eyes lit up with genuine joy as she approached. “I would love that.”
I carefully transferred Nolan into her arms, watching as her entire demeanor transformed. The stern, aristocratic mask she usually wore melted away, replaced by the soft expression of a grandmother discovering unconditional love.
“He’s so beautiful,” Isabella whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “So perfect.”
“He has the Blackwood eyes,” I said softly, watching her trace his tiny features with gentle fingers.
“Yes,” Isabella agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. “He does.”
Points
We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the weight of family politics temporarily forgotten in the presence of innocent new life. Isabella’s wolf seemed to finally be at peace, her scent carrying none of the
usual tension I associated with her.
“Aria, Isabella said suddenly, her voice carrying an unexpected gravity. “I need to thank you.”
Thank me?” I asked, surprised by the intensity in her voice. “For what?”
Isabella’s eyes met mine, and I saw vulnerability there that I’d never witnessed before. “For giving me this. For
giving me the chance to love my grandson properly.”
“Isabella, you don’t need to thank me for that,” I said gently. “He’s your family.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Isabella continued, her voice growing stronger. “I need to explain something to
you. About Dominic’s childhood. About why I was such a terrible mother.”
“You weren’t terrible,” I protested, but she raised a hand to silence me.
“I was,” Isabella said firmly. “And you deserve to know why.”
She took a deep breath, her wolf’s scent shifting with old pain and regret. “My mate bond with William was political, not romantic. I was young and foolish, and I resented being forced into an arranged mating.”
I felt my heart clench at the pain in her voice. “Isabella, you don’t have to tell me this.”
“Yes, I do,” she insisted. “Because it affected my son, and now it affects you and Nolan.”
Isabella’s gaze returned to the sleeping baby in her arms. “I found out I was pregnant soon after our marking ceremony. William didn’t care about me during my pregnancy. He was always busy with pack politics and territorial disputes”
“That must have been incredibly lonely,” I said softly, my own maternal instincts responding to her pain.
“It was, Isabella agreed. “And when Dominic was born, I made the worst mistake of my life. I neglected him
out of spite, seeing him as William’s child rather than mine.”
The confession hung in the air like a physical weight. I could see the years of guilt and regret etched in every
line of her face.
“I hadn’t been a good mother,” Isabella continued, her voice breaking slightly. “I always kept my distance, not knowing how to face him. I had deprived him of the love he deserved.”
“Isabella,” I said gently, “you’re being too hard on yourself.”
“Am I?” she asked, her eyes filling with unshed tears. “I watched my son grow up believing he wasn’t worthy of love. I saw him become aloof and distant, and I knew it was my fault.”
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Chapter 208 The Remaining Suspects
“But you’re here now,” I pointed out. “You’re trying to make amends.”
Pody>
Isabella nodded, her gaze returning to Nolan. “I was touched to see Dominic smile so tenderly when he was with you. I realized I was wrong about him, about everything.”
“He loves you,” I said softly. “Despite everything, he loves you.”
“I know,” Isabella whispered. “And that makes my failures even harder to bear.”
Before I could respond, Isabella carefully transferred Nolan back to me, her movements gentle and reluctant.
“I’m sorry, but I need to leave,” she said, glancing at her watch. “I have obligations I cannot ignore.”
Of course,” I said, understanding the complex demands of pack leadership. “Thank you for coming.”
Isabella paused at the doorway, turning back with one last look at her grandson. “Take care of him, Aria. And take care of my son.”
“I will,” I promised, and I meant it with every fiber of my being.
After Isabella left, I found Dominic standing by the window, his powerful frame silhouetted against the evening light. He was watching Nolan sleep in his portable crib, but his expression was distant and troubled.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, approaching him with careful steps!
“Nothing, Dominic replied automatically, but his wolf’s scent betrayed his emotional turmoil.
“Dominic,” I said firmly, my hand finding his arm. “I can tell something’s bothering you.”
He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I overheard your conversation with my mother.”
“Oh,” I said, understanding immediately. “About your childhood.”
“Yes,” Dominic confirmed, his voice tight with old pain. “About how she neglected me because I reminded her of my father”
I moved closer, my wolf’s instincts demanding I comfort my mate. “Dominic, she was young and hurt. She
made mistakes?
know, Dominic said quietly. “But knowing doesn’t make it hurt less.”
Tell me what you’re thinking,” I said softly, my hand moving to rest on his chest.
Dominic’s silver gray eyes met mine, and I saw the vulnerability he rarely showed. “I used to resent her. Growing up in the Shadow Pack territory, I felt the absence of parents unlike the other young werewolves.”
“That must have been incredibly painful,” I said, my heart aching for the lonely child he’d been.
wondered if I wasn’t good enough for their love,‘ Dominic continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sol
worked hard to excel in everything, yet they still seemed distant
“Oh, Dorranic‘ I breathed my wolf whimpering at the pain in his voice.
“I became the perfect son, the perfect student, the perfect Alpha.‘ Dominic said, his voice growing stronger. “But nothing I did seemed to matter They remained cold and distant
“But you’re not that lonely child anymore. I said firmly “You have me, and you have Nolan.”
Dominic’s expression softened as he looked at our sleeping son. “Yes, I do.”
“Your mother sees that now, I continued ‘She sees how you’ve changed, how you’ve grown. She’s proud of
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Chapter 208 The Remaming Suspects
you.”
“Maybe,” Dominic said, his voice carrying uncertainty. “But the past is in the past. These feelings of guilt or acknowledgment won’t change nothing.”
“They might not change the past,” I agreed, “but they can change the future.”
Dominic pulled me closer, his cedar scent wrapping around me like a protective shield. “You’re right. And I
have you and Nolan to focus on now.”
“We’re your family,” I said softly. “And we’re not going anywhere.”
“Promise me,” Dominic said, his voice carrying an edge of desperation. “Promise me you’ll always be there for
me and Nolan.”
“I promise,” I replied without hesitation. “Through everything, we’ll face it together.”
Dominic changed the subject,“Besides, I found something really interesting about Marcus.”
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