The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend

Chapter 3: Do You Want to Sever the Mate Bond?

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."