Chapter 76: Confrontation with Brother
Chapter 76: Confrontation with Brother
(Aria’s POV)
“I didn’t hear it clearly…But Claire seemed to be apologizing…“Dominic said.
“I can’t believe she thinks a simple apology will fix everything,” I said, my voice tight with anger.
Dominic glanced at me, his silver–gray eyes reflecting understanding. “She’s trying to save face. The video exposed her true nature.”
I clenched my fists, remembering the day of my mother’s funeral. “You know what she said at my mother’s ceremony? She told everyone how ‘unfortunate‘ it was that my mother died without seeing her son happy with his ‘destined mate.‘ As if that was me!”
The memory burned like acid. My mother had been in her coffin, not even cold, and Claire was already positioning herself as Alexander’s rightful partner.
“That stress contributed to my mother’s death,” I continued, my voice breaking slightly. “And now I find out my own brother might be involved with her?”
Dominic reached over and squeezed my hand. The gesture was surprisingly comforting.
“We’ll get answers,” he promised.
I nodded, gathering my resolve. “I need to confront James. I need to know what’s going on between him and
Claire.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Dominic asked, concern etched on his handsome face.
“I have to be,” I replied firmly. “He’s my brother.”
Dominic made a quick call to his enforcer wolves who had been tracking James. Within minutes, we had an address – a mid–range hotel on the outskirts of the city.
My heart pounded as we pulled into the hotel parking lot. I was about to face my brother for the first time since our heated argument after our mother’s funeral.
“Maybe we should have dinner first,” Dominic suggested, noticing my nervousness. “Give you time to calm down before confronting him.”
I nodded gratefully. “That’s probably wise.”
We found a small restaurant nearby. Throughout the meal, Dominic kept the conversation light, clearly trying to distract me from my worries. It worked, temporarily.
By the time we returned to the hotel, night had fallen. We stood outside room 312, and I hesitated, my hand poised to knock.
“What if he won’t talk to me?” I whispered.
Dominic’s powerful presence beside me was reassuring. “He’ll talk.”
Taking a deep breath, I knocked firmly on the door.
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Chapter 76 Confrontation
After a moment, I heard footsteps approaching. The door swung open to reveal James, my older brother, He was smiling expectantly, but his expression fell instantly when he saw me.
“Aria?” His voice was filled with surprise and something else – panic.
His eyes darted past me to Dominic, whose intimidating presence filled the hallway. James immediately tried to close the door, but Dominic’s hand shot out, stopping it effortlessly.
“That’s not very brotherly,” Dominic commented, his voice deceptively casual as he pushed the door open
wider.
James took a step back, his eyes narrowing. “What do you want? And who is he?”
“This is Dominic Blackwood,” I said, stepping into the room. “Alpha of the Shadow Pack.”
James paled visibly. Everyone in the Northern Territory knew of Dominic’s reputation.
Dominic gave James a measured look. “I’ll wait outside. Let you siblings talk.” His silver–gray eyes flashed with warning as he stared at my brother. “Civilly.”
James swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. After Dominic stepped back into the hallway, James turned to me.
“Why are you here, Aria?” he asked, his voice strained.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Were you expecting someone else? Claire perhaps?”
His expression flickered momentarily. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.
“Don’t lie to me, James,” I said sharply. “I saw you with her this afternoon.”
James’s eyes widened. “You were in that black SUV? With him?” He gestured toward the door where Dominic had disappeared.
I ignored his question. “What’s going on between you and Claire Watson?”
“Nothing,” he insisted. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends?” I laughed bitterly. “The woman who contributed to our mother’s death? The woman who’s trying to take Alexander’s position for herself?”
James’s face hardened. “That’s not fair. It was Alexander who broke your heart, not Claire. He’s the one who drove our mother to her deathbed with worry about you.”
“Don’t turn this around,” I snapped. “I saw how close you two were today. The way you comforted her. How long has this been going on?”
“We’re just friends,” he repeated firmly. “Claire understands what I’ve been through. She listens to me.”
I stared at him incredulously. “She listens to you? James, she’s using you! Whatever she’s told you, it’s part of some scheme.”
“You don’t know her,” James insisted, his voice rising. “She’s not what you think.”
“Really?” I arched an eyebrow. “Then you know she’s going to have a marking ceremony with Alexander at the end of the month?”
James shook his head firmly. “That’s just for public appearance. They’re just friends.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My own brother, completely deluded by Claire’s manipulations.
< Chapter 76 Confrontation
“She’s pregnant, James,” I revealed, watching his face carefully. “She claims it’s Alexander’s pup
The color drained from his face. “That’s… that’s not possible.”
My suspicions were confirmed by his reaction. “So I was right. There is something between you two.” James ran his hands through his hair in agitation. “You need to leave. She’ll be here soon.”
“Perfect,” said coldly. “I have plenty to say to her too.”
“No!” James grabbed my arm. “You can’t be here when she arrives. Think about her reputation, what people would say if they knew-”
“If they knew what?” I challenged. “That she’s been stringing along both Alexander and my brother? That the pup might not even be Alexander’s?”
“It’s not like that,” James insisted, his grip on my arm tightening. “Claire has been through so much. Her
ex–mate’s accident, the pressures of her position-”
“Let go of me,” I said, yanking my arm free. “I’m not leaving until I get answers.”
“This isn’t about answers!” James shouted. “This is about you being jealous that Claire has moved on with her life while you’re still hung up on a mate who never truly wanted you!”
His words stung like a physical slap. “Is that what she told you? That Alexander never wanted me?” “It’s obvious, isn’t it?” James retorted. “He jumped at the first chance to be with her. Our mother is dead because of your stupid determination to hold onto a mate who was never yours to begin with!”
“Don’t you dare blame me for mother’s death,” I said, my voice shaking with fury. “I was there every day, caring for her, while you were nowhere to be found!”
“I couldn’t bear to see her like that!” James shouted. “Sick, dying, worried about you constantly because you wouldn’t let go of Alexander!”
“I did let him go!” I shot back. “I filed for the mate bond severance before mother died!”
“Too little, too late,” James said cruelly. “Now get out. Claire will be here any minute.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I insisted, planting my feet firmly.
Panic crossed James’s face. He grabbed my arm again, pulling me toward the door. “You have to leave. Now. Claire’s reputation can’t survive another scandal.”
“Let go of me!” I struggled against his grip.
“It’s all about you, isn’t it?” James snarled. “It always has been! You never think about anyone else!” His words ignited my temper. “Me? I sacrificed everything for our family! Where were you when mother needed us? Off somewhere with Claire, apparently!”
“You killed her!” James shouted, his face contorted with rage. “Your obsession with Alexander killed our mother!”
The accusation hit me like a physical blow. Before I could respond, James shoved me hard. I stumbled backward, hitting the door with a painful thud.
Pain shot through my lower back, and I instinctively clutched my stomach, terrified for my unborn pup.
Chapter 76 Confrontation
At that exact moment, the door flew open. Dominic stood there, his powerful frame filling the doorway. His silver–gray eyes took in the scene instantly – me against the door, hand on my stomach, face pale with pain.
“Aria?” Concern flooded his voice as he stepped toward me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, trying to downplay what had happened. “We were just talking.”
But Dominic wasn’t listening. His focus had shifted to James, his silver–gray eyes darkening to the color of a storm cloud. In one fluid motion, he crossed the room and slammed his fist into my brother’s face.
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