The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend

Chapter 6: Shifting the Blame (Aria's POV)

Chapter 6: Shifting the Blame (Aria's POV)

My breath caught in my throat as I watched Claire step out of Alexander's car. I couldn't believe she had the audacity to come here, to our family home, after everything that had happened.

She emerged with practiced grace, her auburn hair catching the afternoon sunlight. As always, she wore pristine white clothing that emphasized her healer status and supposed purity. The sight made my stomach turn.

Alexander followed behind her, carrying several packages. His face tensed when he spotted Dominic standing beside me, and his amber eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Elizabeth!" Claire exclaimed with theatrical warmth, approaching my mother-in-law with outstretched arms. "It's been too long!"

Elizabeth's smile remained fixed in place, but I could see the strain in her eyes. "Claire. What a surprise."

Claire presented a beautifully wrapped package to her. "A small gift. That special tea blend you've always loved from the eastern territory."

Elizabeth accepted it with cold politeness. "How thoughtful."

Claire then turned to me, another package in her manicured hands. "And for you, Aria. Some rare healing herbs to help with your... fertility issues."

The deliberate emphasis on my supposed infertility made my wolf bristle violently beneath my skin. I glanced at the herbs Alexander carried - clearly purchased during their outing together while I'd been dealing with my mother's medical emergency.

"No, thank you," I said firmly, not bothering to mask my hostility. "I don't accept gifts from women who answer my mate's phone."

Claire's emerald eyes widened in feigned hurt. "I was merely helping Alexander while he selected these herbs. For you, of course."

Her perfect smile couldn't hide the venom beneath her words. My wolf sensed the deception and growled softly within me. The pregnancy had made me more attuned to threats, and every instinct in my body screamed that Claire was dangerous.

"Aria!" Richard Reed's harsh voice cut through the tense silence. Alexander's father scowled at me from the doorway. "Is this how the Luna of Storm Pack treats guests?"

I straightened my spine, refusing to be cowed. "Does Storm Pack typically entertain uninvited guests in the family home rather than the pack house?"

Richard's face darkened with anger. "Claire Watson is always welcome in this house. She's practically family."

"Unlike some," he added under his breath, though loud enough for my enhanced hearing to catch.

The words stung more than I wanted to admit. After three years, I was still an outsider to him.

"Richard," Elizabeth's sharp tone cut through his tirade. Her glare silenced him immediately.

Richard's demeanor changed instantly. "Claire, my dear. How wonderful to see you!" His voice dripped with warmth he never showed me. "Tell me about your work as our new Chief Healer."

The contrast in how he treated us was stark and painful. Claire received the respect I'd spent years trying to earn.

"Yes, do tell," Dominic's deep voice rumbled beside me, his silver-gray eyes analyzing the dynamics at play. "It's fascinating how quickly you secured such an important position after severing your mate bond."

An awkward silence followed his pointed remark. Claire's smile faltered for just a second before she recovered.

"Timing and opportunity," she replied smoothly. "The Pack needed leadership in healing, and I was qualified."

"Aria," Richard commanded, ignoring Dominic's comment. "Prepare the traditional welcome tea for our guests."

The traditional welcome tea was a ritual reserved for honored pack visitors. That Richard would request it for Claire while my mother lay critically ill in the hospital was the final insult.

"I'll have the pack house staff prepare it," I responded coldly, my hands trembling slightly with anger.

Richard's face flushed with fury at my defiance. "As Luna, you should—"

"Perhaps Alexander should prepare it," Dominic suggested smoothly, cutting off Richard's tirade. "I've heard he's quite discerning about herbal blends."

Alexander's jaw tightened at Dominic's interference. The tension between the two Alphas crackled in the air.

"You seem very protective of Aria, Alpha Blackwood," Claire observed, her tone insinuating something inappropriate. "How... interesting."

Alexander growled softly, the sound barely audible but unmistakably possessive. The hypocrisy made my blood boil. He had no right to act territorial after abandoning me for Claire.

"Dominic was kind enough to drive me home after visiting my mother in the hospital," I explained pointedly. "Since my mate was unavailable."

My emphasis on the word "mate" was deliberate, a reminder to everyone of Alexander's obligations—obligations he had neglected.

Alexander's eyes met mine briefly, his expression unreadable. "Let's continue this inside," he said, dismissing Dominic's suggestion about the tea. "I'm sure everyone would be more comfortable."

Inside the main sitting area, the tension remained palpable. Elizabeth arranged for refreshments while Richard engaged Claire in animated conversation, hanging on her every word as she described her plans for the pack's healing center.

"Your ideas are revolutionary," Richard praised her, his eyes shining with admiration. "The Storm Pack will lead in healing innovations under your guidance."

I bit my tongue to keep from pointing out that many of these "revolutionary" ideas had originated from my mother's work.

Alexander turned his attention to Dominic. "I'm curious about your recent career moves, old friend. You've always avoided Alpha King responsibilities in favor of your security operations. What changed?"

Dominic leaned back, his powerful aura filling the space. "Priorities evolve."

"That's not an answer," Alexander pressed, his tone hardening.

"Perhaps I saw an opportunity to implement changes I've long advocated for," Dominic replied vaguely. His silver-gray eyes flickered briefly to me before returning to Alexander. "Creating a more unified alliance among Northern packs through diplomacy rather than dominance has always been my goal."

The two Alphas continued their thinly veiled verbal sparring, their dominant energies making the air feel heavy. My wolf whimpered within me, increasingly uncomfortable with the heightened tension. The pregnancy made me more sensitive to these power displays.

I placed a protective hand over my still-flat stomach, hoping no one would notice the gesture. My secret was still mine alone.

I shifted in my seat, trying to find a comfortable position. Claire noticed my discomfort and slid closer on the sofa.

"Aria," she whispered, her voice syrupy sweet as she nudged me with surprising force. "You should refill Dominic's tea. That's what a proper Luna would do."

The unexpected push nearly knocked me off balance. I caught myself on the armrest, anger flaring hot and bright. My wolf's protective instincts surged violently, concerned for our unborn pup.

"What do you think you're doing?" I hissed, loud enough for others to hear.

The conversation halted. All eyes turned toward us.

Claire's emerald eyes widened in practiced innocence. "I was just reminding you of your duties as Luna. There's no need to overreact."

"Overreact?" I echoed incredulously, my voice rising despite my efforts to remain calm.

"You're creating a scene, dear," Claire whispered, her voice carrying just enough to ensure everyone heard. "How embarrassing for Alexander, especially in front of another Alpha."

She masterfully twisted the situation, portraying herself as the victim of my supposed jealousy while making me appear unstable and unreasonable.

"Aria, control yourself," Richard snapped, predictably taking Claire's side.

I felt trapped in a web of manipulation, unable to defend myself without appearing more unhinged.

"I understand you might feel threatened by my presence," Claire continued with false concern, reaching out to pat my hand. I pulled away immediately. "But I'm merely his childhood friend, nothing more. Your insecurities are showing, dear."

The calculated manipulation in her words made my blood boil. She was deliberately shifting blame onto me, making it appear as if I were the problem rather than her blatant interference in my relationship.

I caught Dominic watching the exchange with narrowed eyes, clearly seeing through Claire's performance.

I sneered at her, unable to contain my contempt any longer. "A childhood friend? Is that what they call someone who causes a public scandal with a mated Alpha these days?"