Chapter 2: Claire and I have nothing
1317 Words
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 c***k 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."
- Writer
