< Chapter 31 Never Sever 0
Chapter 31: Never Sever Our Mate Bond
Chapter 31: Never Sever Our Mate Bond
(Aria’s POV)
I nearly stumbled backward when Alexander’s hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. His grip was like iron, sending a jolt of pain up my arm.
“Let go of me!” I snapped, trying to yank my arm free.
Alexander’s appearance shocked me. His usually immaculate hair was disheveled, dark circles ringed his bloodshot amber eyes, and he somehow looked years older than he had just yesterday.
“How could you leave me with Claire last night?” he demanded, his voice hoarse. “Do you have any idea what
He trailed off, his mouth pressing into a thin line. Something flashed in his eyes–anger, desperation, or perhaps both.
“I will never sever our mate bond,” he declared suddenly, his tone resolute. “Never.”
I stared at him, incredulous. Was he serious?
“Then go ahead with your lawsuit,” I shot back, my patience completely gone. “I don’t care how you do it, but this relationship is over.”
Alexander’s expression shifted, the hard lines of anger softening into something more calculating. The change was so abrupt it made me wary.
“Aria,” he said, his voice gentler now. “Stop fighting me. I know I was wrong. I’ll end things with Claire, I promise.”
Just then, his phone rang. I watched his face carefully as he checked the screen, recognizing the slight widening of his eyes that always happened when Claire called.
To my surprise, Alexander rejected the call and promptly blocked the number. The gesture would have meant. something a week ago. Now, it felt like too little, too late.
He took my hand, his touch uncomfortably warm. “Forgive me,” he pleaded. “I’ve been a fool.”
tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. His Alpha strength was impossible to break, a reminder of the power imbalance that had always existed between us.
“Let go,” I said through gritted teeth.
A wave of helplessness washed over me. His belated display of affection was worthless. He didn’t truly love me–he never had. This was about his Alpha pride, nothing more.
“Please,” I said, hating how desperate I sounded. “We’re over, Alexander. Don’t make this ugly. Just go back to being indifferent toward me like before.”
“Is that what you think?” His amber eyes searched mine. “That I was indifferent? I made mistakes, Aria, but I can change. I’ll make it up to you.”
“Just let me go,” I repeated, my voice breaking slightly.
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“How can you be so cold?” he asked, his grip loosening slightly. “How can your heart be so cruel?
A bitter laugh escaped me. “Crueler than yours? When I begged you for a formal mating ceremony because my mother wanted to see it before she died, what did you say?”
Alexander fell silent, recognition flickering in his eyes.
“You said it was unnecessary,” I continued, unable to stop now that the words had started flowing. “That pack traditions were outdated. That we were already mated in the ways that mattered.”
“I explained about Claire-” he began.
“Yes,” I cut him off. “Your obligation to her because her mate saved your life. How you couldn’t let her commit suicide. I’ve heard it all before.”
With a sudden surge of strength–my wolf momentarily rising to the surface–I yanked my hand free.
“You already chose between us,” I said coldly. “And I was the one you discarded.”
Alexander’s expression changed in an instant. The pleading vanished, replaced by a dark fury that made his amber eyes almost black.
“It’s Dominic, isn’t it?” he snarled, all pretense gone. “You’re having an affair with him.”
My mouth fell open at the accusation.
“How did someone like you captivate Dominic Blackwood?” Alexander continued, his words dripping with venom. “It started when he returned from his territory expansion last month, didn’t it? When he suddenly demanded I get a medical checkup and then resigned from our joint security operations? He was on the verge of a promotion, and out of nowhere, he-”
The sound of my palm connecting with his face echoed in the empty parking lot. The force of the slap turned his head sideways, leaving an angry red mark on his cheek.
Alexander touched his face, eyes widening in shock before narrowing with malice. “Did I hit a nerve, Aria?”
I was trembling, my wolf bristling beneath my skin with disgust and rage.
“You’re the only thing disgusting me right now,” I spat.
“Dominic stole my Luna,” Alexander sneered. “He’s no better than me.”
I stared at him, feeling as though I was seeing him clearly for the first time. This man had occupied my entire youth. I had loved him with every fiber of my being, had dreamed of being his Luna since I was a teenager.
And this was what it had led to.
“I will not sever our mate bond,” Alexander declared, stepping back. “Tell your lover that. Let him try to defy werewolf pack laws and take a mated she–wolf.”
He stormed off, leaving me standing there, feeling utterly drained. My hand moved instinctively to my belly, protective of the tiny life growing inside me.
My legs felt weak, and I leaned against a nearby car for support. Twelve years of loving him, three years of being his mate all of it crumbling like sand between my fingers. Where had it all gone wrong?
I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. My wolf was agitated, sensing my distress and responding to the lingering scent of Alexander’s anger in the air. The pup within me made my wolf even more
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protective, more sensitive.
“It’s okay,” I whispered to myself, to my wolf, to my unborn pup. “We’ll be okay.”
40 Print $
After composing myself, I headed into the Silver Leaf building. I refused to let Alexander ruin my first day. My future–and my pup’s future–depended on this job.
The security guard at the entrance gave me a concerned look. “Everything alright, miss?”
I forced a smile. “Just fine, thank you.”
Inside, I splashed cold water on my face in the restroom, erasing any traces of tears. I stared at my reflection, noticing the slight pallor of my skin, the tired lines around my eyes. This stress couldn’t be good for the pup.
“Get it together,” I told my reflection firmly.
The morning passed in a blur of herbal preparations and introductions to colleagues. I was grateful for the work, for the focus it required, keeping my mind off Alexander’s threats.
Mr. Fenton stopped by my workspace just before lunch. “How’s your first day going, Ms. Summers?”
“Very well,” I lied. “Everyone has been so welcoming.”
“Excellent!” he beamed. “And don’t forget, you’re our liaison with Alpha Blackwood now. Very important role!”
- I nodded, forcing another smile as he walked away. The reminder of Dominic sent a mix of emotions through me gratitude, confusion, and something else I couldn’t quite name.
During lunch break, I found a quiet corner in the staff garden, unwrapping the sandwich I’d hastily purchased from the cafeteria. The fresh air helped clear my head, though my appetite was minimal.
My wolf whimpered softly within me, sensitive from both the pregnancy and the emotional confrontation with Alexander. I sent her soothing thoughts, trying to calm us both.
“Just eat a little,” I murmured to myself. “For the pup.”
I had barely taken two bites when my phone rang, displaying Dominic’s number. My heart skipped a beat. “Hello?” I answered, wondering what he wanted now.
“Aria,” his deep voice came through, sending an inexplicable warmth through me. “I hope I’m not interrupting your work.”
“It’s my lunch break,” I explained. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” he assured me. “I’m calling to invite you to a gathering at Moon Valley Lodge tonight.” My sandwich forgotten, I sat up straighter. Moon Valley Lodge was the most prestigious venue in the territory, where elite werewolves gathered for networking and social events. Under normal circumstances, I would have been thrilled by such an invitation.
But these weren’t normal circumstances.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I said slowly. “I’m still mated to Alexander, and after your phone call this morning…”
I didn’t need to finish. The threat in Alexander’s voice had been clear.
“I understand your concern,” Dominic replied, his tone softening. “But you should know that Alexander and
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Claire will be there too.”
My grip tightened on the phone. “They will?”
“Yes,” Dominic confirmed. “It’s a territory business function. All major pack representatives were invited.”
Something shifted inside me. If Alexander was bringing Claire to a public event despite our unresolved mate bond, then why should I sit at home?
“I’ll be there,” I said firmly, my decision made.
Dominic’s pleased chuckle sent another unexpected flutter through me. “Excellent. I’ll pick you up after work.”
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