Chapter 1: Are You Pregnant?
(Aria's POV)
I fidgeted in the stark white waiting area of Silvercrest Hospital, my fingers absently scrolling through my phone to distract myself. The sterile smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils as I waited for Dr. Mills to return with my test results.
Three missed calls from my mother. I'd call her back soon.
My thumb froze mid-scroll as Claire Watson's newest social media post appeared on my feed.
She was my mate's Alpha Alexander's childhood sweetheart.
My stomach tightened as I read her caption: "Officially dissolving the mate bond with Beta David. Time for new beginnings! #FreshStart #MovingOn"
The glossy photo showed her looking somber yet beautiful, as always. Comments flooded in with sympathy and support. Everyone loved Claire.
"Mrs. Summers?" Dr. Sarah Mills appeared in the doorway, her white coat pristine and her smile wide. "I have your results."
I tucked my phone away and followed her into her office, my heart pounding against my ribs.
Dr. Mills sat behind her desk, her blonde hair pulled back into a neat bun. "I have wonderful news, Aria," she said, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine happiness. "You're pregnant!"
My hand flew to my mouth. "Really? After trying for so long?"
"Yes! About six weeks along. Everything looks perfect." She handed me a folder of papers. "Here's your prenatal vitamin schedule and first ultrasound appointment."
Tears blurred my vision. After a full year of disappointment, of watching Alexander's face fall each time I shook my head, we finally had our miracle.
"Thank you, doctor." My voice cracked with emotion.
Dr. Mills squeezed my hand. "You've been so patient throughout this process. I'm truly happy for you and Alpha Reed."
Alexander. I needed to tell him immediately.
I practically floated out of the hospital, clutching the folder to my chest. Our pack would finally have its heir. My wolf, Ember, purred with contentment inside me, her presence warm and satisfied for the first time in months.
"To the pack house, please," I told my driver, Robert, as I slid into the back seat of the black SUV.
"Yes, Luna." He nodded respectfully in the rearview mirror.
As the car pulled away from the hospital, my phone rang. Mother's face appeared on the screen, her warm amber eyes crinkling at the corners from her smile in the photo.
"Hi, Mother," I answered, unable to keep the excitement from my voice.
"Little wolf," she said, using my childhood nickname. Her voice sounded weaker today, I noticed with a pang. "How are you, sweetheart?"
"I'm good. How are you feeling today?" I asked, concerned about the fatigue in her tone.
"Oh, the same." She dismissed her condition like always. "I was thinking about you and Alexander. Have you discussed the formal mating ceremony yet?"
I bit my lip. The traditional ceremony should have happened shortly after our official mating, but Alexander's grandfather had fallen ill, and then there were always pack matters, business deals, territory negotiations...
"We haven't set a date yet," I admitted.
Mother's sigh was soft but filled with longing. "I would love to see you both participate in the ceremony before I..." She trailed off.
"Don't talk like that," I said quickly. "You'll be fine."
"Dear, we both know my condition isn't improving." Her pragmatism was gentle but firm. "It would mean everything to me to see my daughter properly celebrated as Luna before I pass."
My throat tightened. "We're planning it, Mother. I promise."
"Good," she said, sounding relieved. "I love you, dear."
"I love you too."
After hanging up, guilt gnawed at me. I hadn't exactly lied, but Alexander hadn't mentioned the ceremony in months. Now with the baby coming, though, surely he would want to make everything official.
My phone rang again. Alexander's name flashed on the screen.
"Alexander!" I answered eagerly. "I have amazing—"
"Aria," he cut me off, his voice pitched low and professional. "I'll be working late tonight. Don't wait up."
I frowned. "But I have something important to tell you."
A feminine laugh sounded in the background. My spine stiffened.
"Sorry, can't talk now. Important meeting. I'll see you tomorrow." He hung up before I could respond.
I stared at my phone in disbelief, then reopened social media. Claire had posted again just two minutes ago: "Visiting the pack house" with a photo of a man's back by a large window. The broad shoulders and golden-brown hair were unmistakable. Alexander.
"Robert," I said, my voice harder than before. "We're still going to the pack house."
He hesitated, eyes meeting mine in the mirror. "Luna, perhaps we should—"
"The pack house, Robert. Now."
He nodded, concern evident in his expression as he turned back to the road.
Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to the imposing glass and stone building that served as the Storm Pack's headquarters. My chest tightened as I stepped out of the car, noticing the massive LED display on the building's facade.
Claire's face beamed down at me, her perfect smile announcing her as "Chief Healer of Storm Pack's New Healing Institution."
When had that happened? Alexander hadn't mentioned any new appointment.
I marched through the lobby, ignoring the curious glances from pack members. As Alpha's mate, my presence wasn't unusual, but my obvious agitation was.
"Luna Summers," the receptionist greeted me nervously. "Alpha Reed is in a meeting—"
"I know," I cut her off, striding toward the elevator.
My heart hammered as the elevator climbed to the top floor. The pregnancy test results felt heavy in my hand. Would Alexander be happy? Would this change things between us?
I pushed open his office door without knocking.
Alexander stood by his desk, leaning over some documents. Claire sat comfortably on the leather couch, her legs tucked beneath her as if she belonged there. Both looked up at my entrance.
"Aria," Alexander straightened, surprise flickering across his handsome face. "I thought I told you I was working late."
"You did." I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. "But I needed to see you."
Claire's smile was honey-sweet as she stood. "Aria! What a lovely surprise. Alexander and I were just discussing my new position."
I ignored her, focusing on Alexander. "I need to speak with you. Alone."
Alexander frowned. "Claire is our chief healer now. Whatever you need to say—"
"Is private," I finished firmly.
Claire placed a hand on Alexander's arm, the gesture casual yet possessive. "Don't worry, I understand mate things." She winked at me. "Though you should know, Aria, there's no need to be territorial. Alexander and I have been friends since we were pups."
More than friends, I thought bitterly, but kept my expression neutral.
Alexander stepped toward me, finally giving me his full attention. "What is it? You look... different."
I felt a flutter of hope. Maybe he could sense the change in me already. I took a deep breath and reached for his hand.
"Alexander, I—"
A sharp crash interrupted me. Claire had knocked over her crystal water glass, sending shards scattering across the hardwood floor.
"Oh!" she cried out, bending to pick up the pieces. "I'm so clumsy!"
"Don't touch that!" Alexander immediately released my hand and rushed to her side. "You'll cut yourself."
Too late. A small gasp escaped Claire as blood welled from her index finger. The scent hit the air—sharp, tangy, distinctive.
Alexander's protective instincts flared instantly. He crouched beside her, taking her hand in his with a gentleness that made my wolf whimper in confusion.
"What were you thinking?" he scolded, but his tone was soft with concern. "Let me see."
I stood frozen, watching as my mate tended to another woman with care that should have been reserved for me alone. The scene felt surreal, like I was watching from outside my body.
Claire looked up at me through her lashes. "Sorry about that, Aria. Don't be jealous—Alexander's always been overprotective of me since we were little. It's just his nature."
I managed a strained smile, my heart fracturing along invisible fault lines.
"I should get this cleaned properly," Claire said, making no move to withdraw her hand from Alexander's. She stood, and he rose with her, still holding her injured finger. "You two continue your... show of affection. I'll see myself out."
The way she said "show of affection" carried a subtle challenge, as if she knew perfectly well there had been none to interrupt.
As the door closed behind her, I was left alone with Alexander and the lingering scent of Claire's expensive perfume mixed with her blood. The combined smells suddenly hit me differently—my wolf's senses heightened by pregnancy.
Nausea rolled through me in a violent wave. I clapped a hand over my mouth and bolted for the private bathroom connected to Alexander's office.
I barely made it to the toilet before emptying my stomach. Alexander appeared in the doorway, watching with a frown as I retched miserably.
When I finally straightened, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, his expression had shifted from confusion to dawning realization.
"Aria, you..." Alexander looked at me with a frown, "You...are you pregnant?"
Chapter 2: Claire and I have nothing
(Aria's POV)
My hand instinctively moved to cover my still-flat stomach. This wasn't how I'd planned to tell him.
Before I could confirm his suspicion, Alexander's expression hardened. "You can't be pregnant, Aria."
His words hit me like a physical blow. Not a question, but a statement—definitive and cold.
"What?" I managed to croak out, my voice barely audible.
"You can't be," he repeated, softer this time but no less certain. "It's just the medication making you sick again."
A strange relief washed over me. He didn't know yet. My secret was still mine to reveal when the timing was right—not in the aftermath of finding him with Claire.
"What medication?" I asked, genuinely confused. My wolf stirred uneasily inside me.
Alexander's brow furrowed, concern reflecting in his amber eyes. "The fertility supplements you've been taking. You shouldn't overuse them—they're clearly making you ill."
Another wave of nausea hit me, this time not from pregnancy but from his words.
"How do you know about those?" I whispered, though I already suspected the answer. My heart pounded in my chest.
He shifted uncomfortably. "Claire mentioned seeing them. She said they're prescribed for fertility issues."
"Claire," I repeated, the name bitter on my tongue. "And what else did your... friend tell you about my medication?"
The casual way he'd mentioned her name made my wolf bristle beneath my skin. Ember growled, sensing my distress.
Alexander ran a hand through his golden-brown hair, clearly frustrated. "That they're commonly used by females struggling to conceive. She was concerned about side effects."
"And you just believed her?" I asked, my voice rising slightly.
"She's a healer, Aria. She knows these things."
I stood straighter, finding strength in my growing anger. "And you believed her over me? I told you they were herbal vitamins."
"Because you didn't want me to worry." His scent sharpened with frustration. "But I've noticed the pattern, Aria. Your frequent visits to Silvercrest, all the herbal remedies you consume."
My wolf whimpered as the truth dawned on me. "Do you believe I'm infertile, Alexander?"
His silence was answer enough. He couldn't even look me in the eye.
"Is that what you think?" I pressed, needing to hear him say it.
He sighed heavily. "The evidence suggests—"
"The evidence?" I cut him off, my voice cracking. "What about trust? What about faith in your mate?"
I felt my world cracking around me. Three years we'd been mated. Three years of trying for a child, of watching disappointment flash across his face each month. Three years of secretly visiting Dr. Mills to check on our fertility—only to discover the issue wasn't with me but with him.
I'd protected his Alpha pride, endured Richard Reed's barely veiled contempt alone, and absorbed the pack's whispers about my apparent failure as Luna.
And all this time, he thought I was the broken one.
"Alexander, the medication isn't—" I began, but the office door swung open, cutting me off.
Claire stood there, her perfect pout arranged in what might have passed for apology if her emerald eyes hadn't gleamed with satisfaction.
"So sorry to interrupt again." Her melodic voice filled the tension-heavy room. "My car broke down in the pack parking area. I was hoping for a ride home?"
Alexander's posture stiffened. "I'm in the middle of something with Aria."
Claire's gaze flicked between us. "Of course, I understand." She hesitated, then added, "But everyone will be leaving soon, and it wouldn't look good for the new Chief Healer to be stranded, would it?"
She turned those emerald eyes on me. "Aria wouldn't mind, right? We've been friends since we were pups, Alexander and I."
For a split second, I questioned my suspicions. Was I being paranoid? Reading too much into innocent interactions?
I smiled pleasantly. "Of course I don't mind."
Relief flashed across Alexander's face so quickly I almost missed it.
"Lucas can arrange transportation for you, Claire," I continued, voice sweet but firm. "My mate and I have important matters to discuss."
Alexander hesitated, clearly torn. His scent betrayed his inner conflict—duty to me warring with whatever pull Claire still held over him.
"Aria," he started, his tone pleading.
My smile remained fixed, but my eyes hardened. "I insist."
Claire seemed unbothered by my refusal. "It's just a quick ride, Aria. Fifteen minutes at most." She stepped closer to Alexander, her hand brushing his arm. "Besides, we need to finalize details about the healing center. My public image as Chief Healer is at stake."
A low growl rumbled in my chest, barely contained. "And being seen with the Alpha who has a Luna wouldn't damage your image?"
Claire's perfect features rearranged into surprise. "I assumed you knew I was Alexander's childhood sweetheart before your wolves recognized each other as mates."
The revelation crashed over me like ice water. My wolf whimpered in confusion.
"Claire," Alexander warned, his voice tight.
She waved a delicate hand. "Ancient history, really. We were practically engaged before fate intervened. Then I found my darling David..." Her voice trailed off dramatically.
"You were engaged?" I whispered, looking at Alexander. His face confirmed it before he could deny it.
"Not officially," he muttered, not meeting my eyes.
Claire laughed lightly. "Only because your father insisted on waiting until your twenty-first birthday. The ring was already chosen."
Alexander silenced her with an angry growl. "Enough. Lucas will take you home."
He gestured to his Beta, who had appeared silently in the doorway. Lucas nodded respectfully to me before guiding Claire out.
"See you tomorrow, Alex," she called over her shoulder, the nickname landing like a slap across my face.
The scent of her expensive perfume lingered long after she'd gone, clinging to the air like a poisonous cloud.
I stood there, processing what I'd just learned. Alexander had never mentioned being practically engaged to Claire. The woman who now seemed determined to insert herself back into his life—into our life.
"Was she telling the truth?" I asked quietly once we were alone.
Alexander looked uncomfortable. "It was a long time ago."
"That's not an answer," I shot back, my patience snapping. "Were you engaged to her?"
"Informally," he admitted. "Our families had planned it since we were children."
"And you never thought to mention this to me?" My voice rose with each word.
"It wasn't important," he said defensively.
"Not important?" I echoed in disbelief. "Your ex-fiancée is now working in our pack house, you're having private meetings with her, and it's not important?"
As soon as the door closed completely, I pushed Alexander away, my hands trembling with suppressed emotion.
"Do you still have feelings for her?" I demanded, voice barely steady.
Alexander's amber eyes flashed. "No, of course not."
"Don't lie to me," I whispered, heartbroken. "Claire is your childhood sweetheart. The one you were going to marry before our wolves recognized each other as mates."
"Claire is my past, Aria. You are my mate." He reached for me, but I stepped back.
"Am I?" I challenged. "Or am I just the woman fate forced on you?"
My wolf cowered within me, sensing my pain. "If you still love her, I..." The words physically hurt to speak. "I can sever our mate bond if that's what you want."
Alexander's eyes widened in shock. "What are you talking about?"
"The procedure is dangerous," I continued, my voice growing hollow, "but it would free you to be with—"
I stopped abruptly, catching a faint scent by the door. A shadow moved slightly in the crack beneath it.
Someone was eavesdropping.
Alexander followed my gaze and frowned. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"That's enough, Aria. There should be limits to fooling around." His tone was suddenly firm, authoritative. "Claire and I have nothing."
Chapter 3: Do You Want to Sever the Mate Bond?
(Aria's POV)
"Nothing?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "You expect me to believe there's nothing between you and Claire?"
Alexander's amber eyes hardened as he stepped toward me. "She means nothing to me, Aria. You are my Luna, my true mate."
His words should have reassured me, but they rang hollow after what I'd just witnessed.
"Then why did you rush to her side the moment she cut her finger?" I demanded, my wolf bristling beneath my skin.
Alexander sighed, running his hand through his golden-brown hair. "It was instinct, nothing more. I've known her since childhood."
"You never told me you were engaged to her," I said, unable to keep the hurt from my voice.
He reached for me, pulling me into his embrace. I stiffened at first, surprised by this rare display of affection.
"It was arranged by our families," he murmured against my hair. "But when my wolf recognized you as my true mate, none of that mattered anymore."
I wanted to believe him. Three years ago, I would have melted into his arms, overjoyed at this tender moment. But now...
"She severed her mate bond with Beta David," I said, pulling back to look into his eyes. I reached for my phone, opening Claire's social media. "Look."
Alexander glanced at the screen, his expression unchanged. "And?"
"And she's suddenly appearing everywhere in our lives," I pointed out. "Becoming Chief Healer, visiting you at work, calling you 'Alex'..."
His amber eyes remained steady. "Claire and I are from the same pack. We grew up together. That's all there is to it."
"She wants you back," I whispered.
Alexander cupped my face in his hands. "It doesn't matter what she wants. We are mates, Aria. We will live our own lives."
His words were perfect, but something in his tone made my stomach clench with doubt.
He turned toward the door. "Lucas!"
The Beta appeared instantly, as if he'd been waiting just outside. His hazel eyes darted between us before settling respectfully on Alexander.
"Cancel my afternoon appointments," Alexander instructed. "And schedule an appointment with Dr. Nathan Lewis at Silvercrest for Aria's mother. The best treatment available."
I blinked in surprise. My mother's condition had been deteriorating for months, but I hadn't expected Alexander to intervene personally.
"Yes, Alpha," Lucas nodded, then disappeared as quietly as he'd arrived.
Alexander turned back to me, his expression softening. "Your mother's health is important to you. It's important to me too."
My wolf calmed slightly at this gesture of caring. Was I being paranoid about Claire? Was I letting my insecurities cloud my judgment?
I was pregnant with Alexander's child. My mother was looking forward to our formal mating ceremony. Perhaps things weren't as broken as they seemed.
"Alexander, I—" I began, but was interrupted by the shrill ring of his mobile phone.
He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. Claire's name flashed brightly.
My heart sank as he declined the call. But when it rang again immediately, something shifted in his expression.
"What is it, Claire?" he answered, his tone annoyed.
I turned away, not wanting him to see how much this hurt me. My hand instinctively moved to my belly, where our pup was growing. Ember whimpered within me, sensing my distress.
"What?" Alexander's voice suddenly sharpened. "Are you hurt? Where are you?"
I froze, my back still to him. The concern in his voice was unmistakable.
"Stay there. I'm coming now," he promised, his wolf's protective instincts evident in his tone.
He ended the call and strode toward me. "Claire's been in a car accident outside the pack house. I need to check on her."
My throat tightened. "Of course you do."
"I'll send Robert to take you home," he said hurriedly, already moving toward the door. "We'll reschedule the hospital visit for your mother."
Just like that, he was choosing Claire over me—over my dying mother—again.
"Alexander," I called after him, but he was already gone, the door closing behind him with a decisive click.
I stood alone in his office, the weight of his abandonment crushing me. My hand pressed against my stomach as tears threatened to spill.
"Your father doesn't know about you yet, little one," I whispered to my unborn pup. "And I'm not sure he would care if he did."
Ember howled in pain within me, her anguish mirroring my own. What kind of future could I offer this child in a home where its father's heart belonged to another woman?
I composed myself and headed downstairs, determined to see this "accident" for myself.
Outside the pack house, I spotted Claire's sleek silver car with barely a scratch on its fender. The "accident" was nothing more than a minor bump against another parked vehicle.
I watched as Alexander arrived, speaking briefly with Lucas, who seemed to be explaining something. Then Claire emerged from her car, her movements graceful despite her claims of injury.
"Alexander!" she cried, stumbling slightly. "Thank goddess you came!"
She clung to his arm, her emerald eyes seeking his immediate attention. Alexander leaned closer, examining her for injuries with obvious concern.
The tears I'd been holding back finally broke free, streaming down my cheeks. I turned away, unable to watch any longer.
"Are you okay?" A deep, unfamiliar voice startled me.
I looked up to find a sleek black luxury SUV stopped beside me, the passenger window rolled down. A man with intense gray eyes studied me from the driver's seat.
It took me a moment to recognize him—Dominic Blackwood, Alpha of the Shadow Pack and, ironically, Alexander's childhood friend. I'd seen him at a few pack gatherings but never spoken to him directly.
"I'm fine," I lied, hastily wiping my tears.
His powerful aura was unmistakable, even from inside the vehicle. He was easily the most intimidating werewolf I'd ever encountered—tall and broad-shouldered, with an air of absolute authority that made even other Alphas defer to him.
"You don't look fine," he observed, his gaze moving past me to where Alexander and Claire stood. "Need a ride somewhere?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you."
"Sure? I could call your mate back for you," he suggested, a teasing note in his voice.
"No!" The word burst from me with unexpected force. My wolf bristled at the mere suggestion. "No," I repeated more calmly. "I need to go to Silvercrest Hospital."
He raised an eyebrow. "Then let me drive you. It's on my way."
I hesitated, glancing back at Alexander. He hadn't even noticed I was still here.
"Alright," I agreed reluctantly.
Dominic leaned across to open the passenger door, and I slid into the luxurious interior, immediately enveloped in the scent of expensive leather and something distinctly wild—his wolf.
As we pulled away from the pack house, I felt oddly relieved to be escaping, if only temporarily.
"Want to talk about it?" Dominic asked after a few minutes of silence.
"About what?" I kept my gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
His chuckle was low and knowing. "About why the Luna of the Storm Pack is crying outside her own pack house while her mate comforts another female."
I stiffened. "It's not what you think."
"No?" His gray eyes flicked to me briefly before returning to the road. "I heard most of your argument with Alexander through the door of his office."
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. "You were eavesdropping?"
"I was waiting to speak with him," Dominic corrected. "But what I heard was... interesting."
I said nothing, mortified that he had witnessed my humiliation.
"Particularly the part about severing the mate bond," he continued casually. Then, with a knowing look and a mischievous smile that didn't quite reach his silver-gray eyes, he asked, "Want to sever the mate bond? I'll help you."
Chapter 4: A Shocking Revelation
(Aria's POV)
I sat stiffly in the passenger seat of Dominic Blackwood's luxury SUV, acutely aware of his intimidating presence beside me. The silence between us felt charged with unspoken questions after his shocking offer.
"You can't be serious," I finally said, turning to face him. "Severing a mate bond isn't something to joke about."
Dominic's intense gray eyes flickered briefly from the road to me, his expression unreadable.
"Who said I was joking?" he replied, his deep voice casual. "I have connections, resources. If Alexander's attention remains focused on Claire, you deserve freedom."
I stared at him in disbelief. "You're Alexander's childhood friend."
"And you're his mate who he just abandoned to comfort another woman," he countered smoothly. "Friendship has limits."
The bluntness of his words stung because they were true. I turned away, watching the buildings blur past my window.
"Why are you going to Silvercrest?" he asked, mercifully changing the subject.
"My mother," I answered, my voice softening. "She's been battling a rare blood disease. I visit her every day."
Dominic nodded, a flicker of genuine sympathy crossing his features. "The one that affects werewolf regeneration capabilities."
I glanced at him, surprised by his knowledge. "Yes, exactly."
"I've heard about her case," he said, his tone gentler than before. "Emily Price, right? Renowned healer before her illness."
The fact that he knew my mother's maiden name caught me off guard. My wolf stirred curiously within me.
"You've been busy recently," I remarked, desperate to shift the conversation away from my family troubles. "I heard you've officially taken the Alpha King position."
Dominic was the Alpha of the Shadow pack, the most powerful pack in the Northern Territory.
In our Northern Territory, there were more than 30 packs. The Alphas of each pack formed the Alpha Council to jointly manage the entire territory. At the same time, an Alpha King will be elected to lead the Alpha Council.
Previously, because Dominic had always been unwilling to be the Alpha King, the position of Alpha King had been vacant until he suddenly decided to be the Alpha King not long ago.
A half-smile played at the corner of his mouth. "News travels fast."
"It was unexpected," I continued. "Everyone thought you'd continue running your security operations."
"Life rarely goes as expected, doesn't it?" His words carried a weight that seemed directed at my situation rather than his own.
I found myself relaxing slightly as we talked. There was something disarming about his direct manner.
"You can call me Dominic, by the way," he said suddenly. "No need for formalities."
"Dominic," I tested the name, feeling strangely comfortable with this familiarity. "I'm surprised we haven't spoken before."
He chuckled, the sound unexpectedly warm. "We have, actually. At the winter solstice gathering last year. You once helped my grandmother."
I frowned, trying and failing to recall the interaction. "I'm sorry, I don't remember."
"You were preoccupied," he said with a shrug. "My grandmother had just announced plans for expanding Storm Pack territory."
He continued as he pulled into the hospital parking lot. "She still mentions you. Said you had kind eyes."
Something about his casual revelation made my cheeks warm. Before I could respond, he smoothly parked the car.
"You don't have to come in," I said quickly, reaching for the door handle.
"I know," he replied simply, already exiting the driver's side.
I wasn't prepared for the curious stares that followed us through the hospital lobby. The Alpha King of the Shadow Pack escorting the Luna of the Storm Pack was bound to raise eyebrows.
"Maybe this isn't a good idea," I whispered as we approached the elevator.
Dominic seemed unconcerned by the attention. "Worried about gossip? I doubt it would reach Alexander while he's occupied with Claire."
The painful reminder of what I'd just witnessed made my wolf whimper inside me. Dominic immediately sensed the change in my scent.
"Sorry," he said, sounding genuinely apologetic. "That was unnecessary."
The elevator doors opened, saving me from responding. We rode in silence to the third floor.
Outside my mother's room, I hesitated. "She doesn't know about the problems between Alexander and me. I don't want to worry her."
Dominic nodded. "I understand. I'll be discreet."
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. "Mother? I've brought someone to meet you."
Emily Summers lay propped against pillows, her once-vibrant features now gaunt and pale. Despite her frailty, her amber eyes—so like my own—lit up when she saw me.
"Little wolf," she smiled, then looked curiously at Dominic.
Her eyes widened slightly in recognition of his powerful aura. Even weakened, my mother's healer instincts allowed her to sense the strength of his wolf.
"Mother, this is Dominic Blackwood," I introduced, suddenly nervous. "Alpha of the Shadow Pack."
To my surprise, Dominic approached her bedside with unexpected gentleness. "Mrs. Summers, it's an honor. Your reputation as a healer extends well beyond territory boundaries."
My mother looked pleased but confused. "Thank you, Alpha Blackwood. It's kind of you to visit, though unexpected."
"I offered your daughter a ride," he explained smoothly. "And I'd like to have my friend Dr. Nathan Lewis consult on your case, with your permission."
I stared at him in shock. Nathan Lewis was one of the most sought-after specialists in werewolf medicine.
"That's very generous," my mother said, her gaze shifting between us. "But surely Alexander has already arranged—"
"Alexander is busy with preparations for our formal mating ceremony," I interrupted quickly. "He wants everything perfect for you."
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but my mother's face brightened with joy. "Oh! He's finally agreed to the ceremony?"
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
"Thank you," I whispered to Dominic when my mother's attention shifted to adjusting her blankets.
He shrugged as if offering to have a renowned specialist examine my mother was nothing extraordinary. "Nathan owes me a favor. Plus, he likes interesting cases."
As if summoned by his name, a tall man with kind brown eyes and prematurely silver hair appeared in the doorway.
"Speaking of the devil," Dominic murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Dominic," the doctor greeted warmly before turning to me. "You must be Luna Summers. I'm Nathan Lewis."
I shook his hand, overwhelmed by his unexpected appearance. "Thank you for coming, Doctor. I didn't expect—"
"Dominic called. Said it was important," he explained, moving toward my mother. "Mrs. Summers, I've read about your case. With your permission, I'd like to review your treatment plan."
As Dr. Lewis spoke quietly with my mother, I pulled Dominic aside.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, genuinely confused by his generosity.
His silver-gray eyes met mine directly. "Perhaps I'm building goodwill for when you decide to take me up on my offer."
Before I could respond, a news report on the small television in the corner of the room caught my attention.
"...Chief Healer Claire Watson, who recently announced the dissolution of her mate bond with Beta David, appears to have found happiness with a new mate..."
My blood turned to ice as I looked up at the screen. The image showed Claire smiling brilliantly beside a man whose face was blurred out for privacy. But I would recognize that stance anywhere—the proud set of those shoulders, the distinctive way he held himself.
Alexander.
The setting was unmistakable too—the large window in his office where I'd found them together just hours ago.
The reporter continued cheerfully, "Sources close to the Storm Pack suggest this may be more than professional collaboration between the Alpha and the new Chief Healer..."
I felt the room sway around me. Tears burned behind my eyes as the full weight of betrayal crashed down on me. All his reassurances, all his promises—lies.
Dominic moved between me and the television, his broad shoulders blocking the painful images. His powerful Alpha presence radiated protective warmth that wrapped around me like a shield.
Without thinking, I grabbed his wrist, desperate for something solid to anchor me as my world collapsed.
"I'm sorry," I gasped, immediately releasing him, mortified at touching another Alpha so personally. "I didn't mean to—"
Dominic seemed utterly unperturbed by my breach of protocol, his silver-gray eyes showing only concern.
"It's alright," he said softly, his voice pitched low enough that only I could hear. "Breathe, Aria."
Just then, a nurse burst into the room, her expression alarmed. "Luna Summers! Your mother—she saw the news report and collapsed!"
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