Chapter 77: I Am Not Your Brother
Chapter 77: I Am Not Your Brother
(Aria’s POV)
Blood spattered as Dominic’s fist connected with my brother’s jaw. The sound of the impact made me flinch.
“Stop! Dominic, stop!” I screamed, my voice breaking with desperation.
James stumbled backwards, his lip split and eye already swelling. Dominic stood between us, his powerful body coiled and ready to strike again. Growing up in the Shadow Pack compound with elite enforcer training had made him lethal, and it showed in every calculated movement.
“You don’t touch her,” Dominic growled, his silver–gray eyes flashing dangerously. “Ever.”
My brother spat blood onto the carpet. “She’s not your concern, Alpha. This is family business.”
Dominic stepped forward again, and James flinched. Despite his bravado, my brother was no match for an Alpha of Dominic’s caliber.
“Please,” I begged, moving toward them. “That’s enough.”
My wolf whimpered anxiously within me, concerned not just for my brother but for my unborn pup. This stress couldn’t be good for either of us.
James glared at me, wiping blood from his mouth. His eyes–so like our mother’s–were filled with a hatred I’d never seen before.
“Why are you here, Aria? Come to spy on me? Report back to your precious Alexander?”
“No,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. “I saw you today. With Claire. I need to know what’s going on.”
A bitter laugh escaped his bloodied lips. “Of course. Always so concerned with pack politics, aren’t you? Just
like dad.”
“What does that mean?” I asked, confused by the comparison.
James straightened, his wolf’s anger radiating off him in waves. “It means I’m done. With all of it. With you.” The words hit me like a physical blow. “James, please-”
“No!” he shouted, his eyes flashing with his wolf’s rage. “I am not your brother anymore. You stopped being my sister the day you chose that Reed bastard over your own family.”
Tears burned in my eyes. “That’s not fair. I never abandoned our family.”
“Didn’t you?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Mom died because of you. Dad died because of you. Everyone who loves you ends up dead, Aria.”
I staggered back as if he’d struck me. “What are you talking about? Dad was killed in a hunter attack. It was random, tragic-”
“It was your fault!” James roared, his wolf briefly surfacing in his eyes. “He shouldn’t have sacrificed himself for you! If you hadn’t wandered off that day, if you’d stayed with the group like you were told, he’d still be alive!”
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Chapter 771 Am Not Your
The accusation left me breathless. All these years, I’d believed my father’s death was a tragic accident- hunters finding our family in the neutral territory during a herb gathering trip. I’d been sixteen, devastated by the loss. But James’s version painted a different picture entirely.
“Get out,” James said, his voice suddenly cold and final. “Both of you. And if I ever see you again, Aria, I won’t be responsible for what I do.”
Dominic moved to my side, his arm supporting me as my knees threatened to give way. “Let’s go,” he murmured, his powerful Alpha scent wrapping around me protectively.
I looked at my brother one last time, hardly recognizing the man before me. “James, please-”
“OUT!” he roared, his wolf’s fur bristling beneath his skin.
Dominic guided me toward the door, his body positioned to shield me if James attacked. But my brother simply turned his back, his shoulders rigid with anger.
In the hallway, I slumped against the wall, my mind reeling from James’s accusations. How could he blame me for our father’s death? And what connection could he possibly have with Claire Watson?
“He’s talking nonsense,” Dominic said firmly, his hand gently lifting my chin so I’d meet his gaze. “You know that, right?”
I nodded uncertainly. “But what if… what if he’s right? What if my father did die saving me? I was so young when it happened. The details are… blurry.”
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes softened. “Even if that were true, it wouldn’t be your fault. A parent protecting their child is the most natural thing in the world.”
Before I could respond, the elevator at the end of the hallway dinged. The doors slid open to reveal a familiar figure–Claire Watson.
Despite her attempts to disguise herself with a scarf and scent–neutralizing charms, I would have recognized her anywhere. Her pregnant belly was more noticeable now, straining against her expensive blouse.
Our eyes locked, and for a moment, she seemed frozen in place. Then, with a muttered curse, she jabbed repeatedly at the elevator button.
Dominic moved with Alpha speed, his hand stopping the doors before they could close. “Going somewhere, Miss Watson?”
Claire’s emerald eyes darted between us, calculation evident in her gaze. “What a surprise,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “The soon–to–be–ex Luna of the Storm Pack, at a hotel with another Alpha. How scandalous.”
My cheeks burned with anger. “That’s rich, coming from you.”
Claire stepped out of the elevator, apparently deciding that offense was her best defense. “I’m not the one betraying my mate bond, Aria. You’re still technically mated to Alexander.”
I laughed bitterly, one hand instinctively moving to my belly where my own pup grew. “And you’re carrying what you claim is his pup, while sleeping with his father. How’s Richard these days, Claire? Still meeting in secret?”
Her emerald eyes widened slightly before narrowing. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Chapter 77 I Am Not Your
“We both know that’s not true,” I countered, my wolf bristling beneath my skin. “Just like we both know you’re
here to meet my
brother.”
Claire’s practiced innocence was almost impressive. “Your brother? I don’t even know your brother.”
“We saw you,” I pressed, stepping closer to her. “Earlier today, on the mountain road. And now here. What business could you possibly have with James Summers?”
“I’ve never met anyone by that name,” Claire insisted, her emerald eyes wide with feigned confusion. “And if you continue spreading such defamatory rumors, I’ll file a complaint with the Territorial Registry Office.”
The threat reminded me of our precarious position. My mate bond severance from Alexander was still pending. Any complications could delay the process.
“What do you want with my brother?” I demanded, refusing to back down despite her threats. “Haven’t you done enough damage to my family?”
Claire scoffed. “Your paranoia is concerning, Aria. Perhaps you should see a healer about these delusions.” “Stop the act,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “I know you’re manipulating him somehow. If anything happens to James-”
“Is that a threat?” Claire interrupted, her voice sharp. “Because I’m sure Alpha Reed would be very interested to hear about you threatening a pregnant she–wolf.”
Dominic stepped forward, his Alpha presence filling the hallway. “Careful, Miss Watson. Your position isn’t as secure as you seem to think.”
Claire’s confident smile faltered slightly. “I don’t know what game you two are playing, but stay away from me. And keep your wild accusations to yourselves.”
“Just leave my brother alone,” I said, my voice quieter now but no less intense. “Whatever scheme you’re involved in-”
“You know nothing,” Claire hissed, her composed facade cracking momentarily. “Nothing about me, nothing about what’s really happening.”
“I know more than you think,” I countered, studying her reaction carefully. “And others might find out too, if you’re not careful.”
Something flickered in her emerald eyes–worry, perhaps? Fear? “What exactly do you think you know?” she challenged, her wolf’s scent betraying a hint of nervousness despite her confident posture.
I held her gaze steadily, aware that revealing too much could jeopardize everything. “Enough to warn you to be careful, Claire. Secrets have a way of coming to light.”
Claire’s lips curled into a smirk, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Is that so? Then why not tell Alexander everything you think you know? Unless, of course, you’re bluffing.”
The elevator dinged again, and Claire stepped back into it. “Stay away from me, Aria. And remember–I’ll be Luna of the Storm Pack in less than a month. Your time is over.”
As the doors closed on her smug expression, I leaned heavily against Dominic, suddenly exhausted. “I can’t believe I let her get away with that,” I muttered.
Dominic’s arm tightened around my waist, supporting me. “You did the right thing. Confronting her directly
< Chapter 77 I Am Not Your
would only complicate things.”
We walked slowly toward the stairwell, my mind spinning with everything that had happened. First James’s shocking accusations, then Claire’s appearance–it was too much to process.
“I hate that she’s going to get away with everything,” I said as we descended the stairs. “The affair with Richard, whatever she’s doing with my brother–she always manages to come out on top.”
A predatory gleam appeared in Dominic’s silver–gray eyes. “She won’t get away with it. Not this time.”
I looked up at him with renewed hope. “What do you mean?”
“I have evidence,” he said simply. “Against Claire.”
“You mean about the pregnancy? About Richard being the father?” My wolf stirred anxiously within me. “What if she claims I caused her to miscarry when I confronted her? She could use it to gain Alexander’s sympathy.” Dominic shook his head, his lips curled in a satisfied smile. “Not that evidence. Something else entirely.”
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