Chapter 25: The Other Alpha
Chapter 25: The Other Alpha
(Aria’s POV)
My jaw dropped as Dominic’s words hung in the air between us. Had he really just claimed to be the “other Alpha” in my life?
Alexander’s face contorted with rage, his amber eyes narrowing dangerously as he took a step toward us. The hallway suddenly felt too small for two powerful Alphas, their pheromones thick in the air, making it hard to breathe.
“You?” Alexander hissed, his muscles tensing visibly beneath his expensive shirt. “You’re after my mate?”
Dominic appeared utterly unbothered by Alexander’s fury. He stood relaxed beside me, his arm still casually draped across my shoulders. The contrast between the two men couldn’t have been more striking Alexander coiled like a spring about to snap, Dominic calm as still water.
“Aria,” Dominic’s voice was gentle as he turned to me, ignoring Alexander completely. “Why don’t you go inside while I have a chat
with your soon–to–be ex–mate?
My eyes widened. Was he serious? Leave them alone together?
Dominic must have sensed my hesitation. He gently touched the top of my head, his fingers warm against my hair. Then he winked – actually winked and gave my shoulder a playful squeeze.
“Be good, don’t be afraid,” he murmured. “He can’t beat me.”
The confident smirk that accompanied those words made my wolf stir unexpectedly within me. I fumbled with my keys, my mind
racing to catch up with what was happening. This had to be part of Dominic’s plan making Alexander believe we were together would certainly expedite our mate bond severance.
But would Alexander actually believe it? I glanced back at my mate’s face as I unlocked my door. The hurt and betrayal etched
across his features suggested he already did.
“When?” Alexander demanded, his voice a low growl. “When did this happen, Aria?”
I froze, unsure how to respond to maintain our charade.
“Does it matter? Dominic answered for me, his tone casual yet somehow cutting. “Perhaps around the time you abandoned her at your mating ceremony to run after your childhood sweetheart?”
Alexander’s face darkened. “You know nothing about that situation.
“I know enough Dominic countered, taking a step closer to Alexander. “I know you left your mate alone on what should have
been the most important day of your lives.
I should have gone inside as Dominic suggested. But I couldn’t tear myself away from the unfolding confrontation, my hand still
on the doorknob.
1 know,” Dominic continued, his voice hardening with each word, “that your actions led directly to her mother’s death.”
That struck a nerve. Alexander’s control snapped. With a snarl, he lunged forward, his fist connecting with Dominic’s jaw in a
sickening c***k that made me gasp.
hey were
What shocked me more was that Dominic could have easily dodged the blow. I’d seen his reflexes in action before – they lightning–fast, as befitting an Alpha of his caliber. He had let Alexander hit him.
Dominic worked his jaw slowly, a small trickle of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth. Then he smiled a cold, dangerous
thing that sent shivers down my spine.
“Feel better?” he asked, his silver–gray eyes glinting with something that looked almost like enjoyment.
Alexander responded with another swing, but this time Dominic moved. He sidestepped the blow with graceful ease, then
retaliated with precision that spoke of military training. His fist connected with Alexander’s stomach, doubling him over.
“You broke the cardinal rule, Reed,” Dominic stated calmly as Alexander struggled to regain his breath. “Never let emotion control
your strikes.”
What happened next was almost too fast to follow. A flurry of movement, the thud of fists meeting flesh, and suddenly Alexander was on his knees, blood dripping from his nose.
Dominic grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the door and into the apartment in one smooth motion. Before closing the door, he looked back at Alexander,
Til have the severance papers delivered to your office tomorrow,” he said coolly “Sign them, and we can all move on with our lives.”
Alexander struggled to his feet, his amber eyes flashing with a mixture of pain and betrayal.
“Our friendship is over, Blackwood,” he spat, blood staining his perfect white shirt. “You’re dead to me.”
Dominic shrugged, unaffected by the declaration. “Small price to pay he replied before shutting the door firmly.
Inside my apartment, the tension dissipated like air from a balloon. Dominic’s shoulders relaxed, the dangerous Alpha persona melting away as he turned to me with a smile.
“So,” he said conversationally, as though he hadn’t just been in a fistfight in my hallway, “about that tea you promised me?”
I stared at him, my wolf still whimpering in confusion within me. “You… you just… with Alexander…
Dominic chuckled, wiping the blood from his lip with his thumb. “Yes, I believe I did. Tea?”
“R–right,” I stammered, moving toward my small kitchen on autopilot. “I only have chamomile, though.”
“Perfect, he replied, making himself comfortable on my sofa
My hands trembled slightly as I prepared the tea. What had just happened? Dominic had not only claimed to be involved with me but had physically fought with Alexander over it. The charade was escalating beyond anything I’d anticipated.
“Here,” I said, handing him a steaming mug a few minutes later.
“Thank you.” He took a sip, then nodded appreciatively. “You brew excellent
tea.”
I sat across from him, clutching my own mug like a lifeline. “What just happened out there?
Dominic set his tea down, his expression becoming more serious. “Taccelerated our timeline. Alexander now believes there’s something between us, which will make him more likely to sign the severance papers.”
“But the fight-
“Was inevitable,” he finished for me. “Alexander was looking for an excuse. I simply provided one.”
I couldn’t argue with his logic, but the cost seemed high. “What about your friendship with him?”
Dominic’s laugh was short and without humor. “Friendship is a strong word for what Alexander and I had. We were allies when it
suited us, nothing more.”
He leaned forward, his silver–gray eyes intent on mine. “Besides, any man foolish enough to be manipulated by Claire Watson
while neglecting someone like you doesn’t deserve my respect.
My cheeks warmed at his words. “Still, I appreciate what you’re doing. Alexander will think twice about bothering me now that he
believes you’re involved.”
“That’s the idea, Dominic agreed, taking another sip of his tea. “I’ve already contacted Benjamin Quinn again, Hell push forward with the proceedings while Alexander is still reeling from this revelation”
He tilted his head slightly, studying me. I hope you don’t mind playing along with this charade until your mate bond is severed.”
“Not at all,” I assured him. “It’s worth it if it means freedom.”
My thoughts drifted to Claire, and I bit my lip, wondering if I should share what Olivia and I had witnessed at the hospital.
“There’s something else,” I said hesitantly. Today at Silvercrest, I saw Claire at the obstetrics and gynecology department.”
Dominic’s eyebrows rose with interest. “Obstetrics and gynecology? That’s… significant.”
My hand moved instinctively to my own belly where my pup was growing. “Olivia thinks she might be pregnant. It would explain
her renewed efforts to secure Alexander’s attention.”
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes flashed with interest as he set down his mug. “That would complicate matters considerably. Perhaps we should look into this further.”
