Chapter 4: A Shocking Revelation
1436 Words
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!"
- Writer
