Chapter 7: His Guilt
1554 Words
Chapter 7: His Guilt
(Aria's POV)
"Scandal?" Elizabeth's voice cut through the room like a knife. Her eyes darted between Alexander and Claire, then settled on me with concerned intensity. "What scandal is this?"
Alexander stepped forward, his posture stiff and defensive. "It's nothing, Mother. Just rumors."
"Rumors with photographic evidence," I countered, my voice steadier than I felt.
Claire laughed lightly, the sound like broken glass to my ears. "People will talk about nothing. I assure you, Elizabeth, there's nothing inappropriate between Alexander and me."
Elizabeth's gaze hardened as she pulled out her tablet from a nearby drawer. After a few quick taps, she turned the screen toward us.
"Nothing?" she questioned, displaying the news article with photos of Alexander and Claire standing intimately close by his office window. "This doesn't look like nothing to me."
Alexander's jaw tightened. "It's being taken out of context."
"And this?" Elizabeth swiped to another image showing Claire clinging to Alexander's arm outside the pack house. "Is this also out of context?"
Claire's perfect smile faltered for just a moment. I noticed Richard shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
Elizabeth zoomed in on one particular photo, her finger pointing to a figure in the background. "That's Lucas, isn't it? Your Beta was present during these... business meetings?"
Alexander remained silent, caught in his mother's trap. Lucas Bell's presence in the photos confirmed these weren't isolated incidents or misinterpreted moments.
Elizabeth set down the tablet and turned to Claire, her usually gentle demeanor transformed by maternal protectiveness.
"Listen carefully," she said, each word deliberate and sharp. "Whatever game you're playing ends now. Alexander and Aria will have their formal mating ceremony soon, with the blessing of both families."
Claire's emerald eyes flickered with something dangerous. "Elizabeth, you misunderstand. Alexander and I are merely—"
"Childhood friends. Yes, I've heard," Elizabeth cut her off coldly. "Friends don't cause scandals that endanger their friend's mother-in-law's health."
Richard finally found his voice. "Elizabeth, you're overreacting. Claire has every right to—"
"To what?" Elizabeth challenged, rounding on her husband. "To insert herself between a mated pair? To undermine our son's Luna? To bring shame to our pack's reputation?"
The room fell silent. Even Richard seemed to have no response.
Claire stood gracefully, smoothing her pristine white dress. "I think it's best if I leave." Her voice was controlled, but I could sense her anger beneath the practiced calm. "I never meant to cause any trouble."
Alexander stepped forward. "I'll drive you—"
"No," Elizabeth and I said simultaneously.
Claire's perfect mask slipped for just a second, revealing raw fury before she composed herself.
"Of course," she murmured. "I can call for a car." She looked at me with false sympathy. "I truly hope your mother recovers soon, Aria."
The mention of my mother from her lips made my wolf growl beneath my skin. I said nothing as she glided out, Richard following to escort her.
Dominic, who had been silently observing the entire exchange, finally spoke. "So there's to be a formal mating ceremony? Congratulations are in order, then."
His tone was light, but his silver-gray eyes studied Alexander intensely.
Alexander glared at him. "Yes. Soon."
"Wonderful news," Dominic continued smoothly. "I'll be sure to send an appropriately generous gift. The Shadow Pack values strong alliances."
The underlying message wasn't lost on anyone. Dominic was reminding Alexander of his position as Alpha of storm pack and the political implications of his personal scandals.
Elizabeth smiled tightly. "Shall we have dinner? The food is getting cold."
Dinner was a tense affair filled with stilted conversation. Richard returned halfway through, his expression sour. Dominic maintained perfect courtesy, discussing territory matters with calculated ease that somehow made Alexander grow increasingly agitated.
My thoughts kept drifting to my mother lying in a hospital bed because of this situation, and to the tiny life growing inside me that no one yet knew about.
After the meal, I excused myself, claiming exhaustion. It wasn't a lie – the pregnancy and emotional turmoil had drained me completely.
"I should be going as well," Dominic announced, rising from his seat. "Elizabeth, exceptional meal as always."
Alexander walked him to the door while I headed upstairs to our private quarters. I barely had the energy to change into my nightgown before collapsing onto the bed.
One hand rested protectively over my belly where our unborn pup was growing. "What a day you've had, little one," I whispered, tears burning behind my closed eyelids. "I'm sorry for all this stress."
I must have fallen asleep because I woke to the sensation of someone climbing into bed beside me. Alexander's familiar scent enveloped me as he pulled me into his arms.
"You're awake," he murmured, his breath warm against my neck.
I stiffened in his embrace. "Yes."
His arms tightened around me. "Why was Dominic Blackwood bringing you home?"
Of course that would be his first concern. Not my mother's health or my emotional state.
"He drove me home from the hospital," I replied flatly. "Where my mother is fighting for her life after seeing your scandal with Claire."
Alexander sat up abruptly. "What? Your mother's in the hospital?"
I turned to face him, noting the genuine shock in his amber eyes. "Yes. She saw the news report about you and Claire. It caused a severe episode. She coughed up blood, Alexander. They had to perform emergency surgery."
Horror washed over his features. "Why didn't you call me?"
"I did," I replied coldly. "Claire answered your phone."
Alexander ran his hands through his hair, a gesture of genuine distress. "We need to go to the hospital. I need to explain to your mother that there's nothing between Claire and me."
"Is that true?" I challenged, sitting up to face him directly. "Because your actions suggest otherwise. The way you rushed to her side when she broke that glass, how you left me at the pack house to comfort her after a minor fender bender..."
Alexander's expression darkened. "It's complicated, Aria."
"Uncomplicate it," I demanded, my patience finally snapping. "Tell me the truth. What is Claire to you now?"
He was silent for a long moment, then reached for his phone. After a few taps, he handed it to me.
"Read this," he said quietly.
It was a news article from two years ago. The headline read: "PACK ENFORCER CRITICALLY INJURED SAVING ALPHA'S LIFE."
The article detailed how Beta David Watson had thrown himself between Alexander and a rogue wolf during a territorial dispute, suffering catastrophic injuries to his spine and brain that left him permanently disabled.
"David is Claire's mate," Alexander said, his voice hollow with guilt. "Or was, until she severed the bond."
The pieces started falling into place. "That's why she dissolved their mate bond? Because he's disabled?"
Alexander nodded grimly. "He requires constant care. The severity of his condition means he can no longer fulfill his duties as her mate. The strain was destroying Claire."
I felt a complex mixture of emotions – sympathy for David, disgust at Claire for abandoning her injured mate, and growing unease about Alexander's involvement.
"Why didn't you ever tell me this?" I asked softly.
Alexander's shoulders sagged. "I carry the guilt of his condition every day. If he hadn't protected me..."
"That doesn't explain your behavior with Claire," I pointed out.
Alexander met my eyes, pain evident in his gaze. "When Claire first learned the extent of David's injuries, she broke down. She... tried to take her own life with a broken glass."
Understanding dawned on me. His extreme reaction to Claire's cut finger earlier wasn't romantic concern – it was traumatic memory.
"That's why you reacted so strongly when she cut herself today," I whispered.
He nodded. "I should have explained sooner. I know how it must have looked."
I processed this new information slowly. While it explained some things, other questions remained.
"I understand your guilt, Alexander. But why all the private meetings? The special treatment? The way your father favors her?"
Alexander sighed heavily. "Claire lost everything because David saved me. My father feels we owe her a position of honor in the pack. The Chief Healer role was his idea."
I thought about Claire's calculated manipulations, how she'd played on Alexander's guilt to insert herself into our lives.
"Does she use this guilt to control you?" I asked directly.
Alexander frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Alexander, she's manipulating you," I said softly. "Using your guilt to maintain her hold on you. I understand feeling responsible for David's condition, but her behavior goes beyond seeking support."
Alexander seemed to consider my words carefully. "I never looked at it that way."
I took his hand, feeling a faint glimmer of hope that we might find understanding. "I need you to be honest with me now. Given everything – my mother's condition, our circumstances, and Claire's behavior – do you think it's wise to continue this close association with her?"
Alexander squeezed my hand. "I hear your concerns, Aria. I'll be more careful about boundaries with Claire."
His words were right, but something in his tone left me uneasy. It wasn't a promise to distance himself from her, only to be more "careful."
I nodded, too exhausted to push further tonight. Despite his explanation, something still felt unresolved between us.
- Writer
