Chapter 43: To the Territorial Registry Office
Chapter 43: To the Territorial Registry Office
(Aria’s POV)
I froze as Dominic’s finger lingered on the corner of my mouth. His subtle cologne enveloped me, a mix of cedar and something uniquely him. Those silver–gray eyes held mine, intense and searching.
The moment stretched between us, charged with something I wasn’t ready to name.
I quickly pulled back, nearly knocking over my water glass. “I should clean up these dishes.”
“Leave them,” Dominic said, his voice deeper than usual. “I’ll take care of it later.”
I shook my head, already gathering plates. “You cooked. It’s only fair I clean up.”
My hands trembled slightly as I stacked the dishes. What had just happened between us? More importantly, why had my wolf responded so eagerly to his touch?
“You ate quite a lot,” Dominic observed with a slight smile. “Hungry today?”
I felt my cheeks flush. My pregnancy appetite had made me devour nearly twice my usual portion.
“I guess I was starving after work,” I said, avoiding his gaze. “The herbs we work with at Silver Leaf can really build up an
appetite.”
My stomach suddenly felt uncomfortably full. I pressed a hand against it, trying to be subtle.
Of course, nothing escaped Dominic’s notice.
“Are you feeling alright?” he asked, frowning slightly. “I have some digestive medicine if you need it.”
“I’m fine,” I assured him quickly. “Maybe just a walk? I could use some fresh air.”
Dominic nodded, his expression clearing. “A walk sounds perfect.”
The evening air was crisp as we stepped outside. Moon Valley’s landscaping was immaculate – carefully maintained gardens
with night–blooming flowers that released sweet scents especially pleasing to werewolf senses.
“This place is beautiful,” I said, grateful for the neutral topic. “I never thought I’d live somewhere like this.”
“It’s convenient,” Dominic replied, walking beside me with casual grace. “Close to everything important.”
The soft lighting along the pathways cast a gentle glow on his features. In this light, he looked less like the intimidating Alpha King and more like…just Dominic.
We walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes. My mind drifted to tomorrow’s appointment at the Territorial Registry Office. After years of unhappiness, I was finally going to be free.
The shrill ring of my phone shattered the peaceful moment. I pulled it from my pocket, surprised to see my brother’s name on
the screen.
“James?” I answered, unable to hide my shock.
I hadn’t spoken to my brother since our mother’s funeral. He’d been distant even before that, disapproving of my marriage to
Alexander from the beginning.
“Is it true?” His voice was cold, so unlike the warm brother I’d grown up with.
“Is what true?” I asked, motioning to Dominic that I needed a moment.
He nodded, stepping a respectful distance away to give me privacy, though I knew his enhanced Alpha hearing could probably
still catch most of the conversation.
“Are you having an affair with Dominic Blackwood?” James demanded. “While you’re still mated to Alexander?”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “What? No! Who told you that?”
“Everyone’s talking about it, Aria! The Luna of Storm Pack seen everywhere with Shadow Pack’s Alpha. You’re making a
(Chapter 43 To the Territorial Regis
spectacle of yourself!”
14P
“It’s not what you think,” I insisted, turning away from Dominic’s concerned gaze. “Alexander and I are severing our mate bond tomorrow. Dominic has just been helping me with the process.”
James scoffed. “Helping you? Is that what they call it now?”
“James, please-”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” he cut in. “Mom died waiting for you and Alexander to have a proper mating ceremony. She held on for months hoping to see you happy, and now you’re throwing it all away!”
Hot tears pricked at my eyes. “That’s not fair. Alexander is the one who refused the ceremony. He’s the one who abandoned me repeatedly for Claire. I tried everything to make our mating work!”
“You didn’t try hard enough,” James snapped. “Mom would be ashamed of you. First you fail as a Luna, then you run off with another Alpha before your mate bond is even severed!”
The accusation cut deeper than any physical wound. “You have no right to say that to me! You weren’t even there when Mom was dying. You didn’t see how Alexander treated me, how he couldn’t even show up when she took her last breath!”
“I know exactly what happened,” James said, his voice ice–cold. “Alexander was with Claire when Mom died. And now you’re doing the exact same thing with Dominic. You’re no better than Alexander.”
“That’s not true,” I whispered, tears now streaming down my face.
“Mom died because of you, Aria. Because you couldn’t hold your mating together. I will never forgive you for that.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
I stood frozen, phone clutched in my trembling hand. My wolf whimpered within me, distressed by my brother’s cruelty. I tried calling him back immediately, but the call wouldn’t connect.
“Aria?” Dominic’s voice was gentle as he approached. “What happened?”
I wiped at my tears, embarrassed to be falling apart in front of him yet again. “My brother,” I managed. “He thinks… he blames me for my mother’s death.”
Dominic’s expression darkened. “That’s absurd.”
“He said everyone knows about us,” I continued, unable to stop the words now. “About how I’m still mated but always with you. He thinks we’re having an affair.”
“I can speak to him if you want,” Dominic offered, his Alpha protectiveness evident. “Make him understand the situation.”
I shook my head. “No, that would only make things worse. He’s always been stubborn.”
We stood in silence for a moment. The joy I’d felt earlier about my impending mate bond severance had evaporated, replaced by a hollow ache in my chest.
“Do you want to go back?” Dominic asked softly.
I nodded, suddenly feeling drained. The weight of my brother’s accusations, my unborn pup, and tomorrow’s life–changing meeting all pressed down on me at once.
The walk back was quiet, each of us lost in our thoughts. At my door, Dominic hesitated.
“Try not to let your brother’s words affect you too much,” he said finally. “Tomorrow is about your freedom. Don’t let anything take that away from you.”
I managed a weak smile. “Thank you, Dominic. For everything.”
He nodded once before disappearing into his own apartment.
Inside, I leaned against the door, one hand resting on my belly where my pup was growing. James was wrong. I hadn’t caused our mother’s death. But his words had awakened old doubts, old pain.
Sleep eluded me for hours.
The next morning, a persistent knocking pulled me from my restless sleep. I dragged myself to the door, already knowing who it
<Chapter 43: To the Territorial Regis
would be.
+4 Points>
“Good morning, soon–to–be–free wolf!” Olivia chirped, pushing past me with bags of food. “I brought breakfast! We need to fuel up for your big day!”
Her enthusiasm was like a burst of sunshine in my gloomy mood. She bustled around the kitchen, unpacking pastries and containers of fruit.
“Why the long face?” she asked, finally noticing my expression. “This is supposed to be a happy day!”
I slumped onto a barstool, picking at a moonberry pastry. “I heard from my brother last night.”
Olivia froze. “James called you? After all this time?”
I nodded, recounting our conversation. With each word, Olivia’s expression darkened.
“That self–righteous jerk!” she exclaimed when I finished. “Where does he get off blaming you? He wasn’t even there!”
“He’s my brother,” I said quietly. “And he loved our mother too.”
“That doesn’t give him the right to hurt you like this,” Olivia insisted, placing a comforting hand on mine. “Are you having second thoughts about today?”
“About severing my mate bond with Alexander?” I shook my head firmly. “No. That part I’m still certain about.”
“Then what’s really bothering you?” she pressed, her eyes studying my face. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
“No,” I said truthfully. “But seeing him today, making it final… it feels like admitting failure. Like James is right about me.”
“Hey,” Olivia said sternly. “You did not fail. Alexander failed you. Over and over again. Today isn’t about failure – it’s about
reclaiming your life.”
Her words bolstered my spirits slightly. I made myself eat something, knowing my pup needed the nutrition even if my appetite
had vanished.
An hour later, we stood outside the Territorial Registry Office. The imposing stone building had witnessed countless pack
ceremonies over the centuries- matings, pup namings, Alpha successions. Today, it would witness the formal end of my mating
with Alexander.
“Ready?” Olivia squeezed my hand.
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Ready.”
Inside, the scent of old books and ceremonial herbs filled the air. The registry clerk directed us to waiting room three, where
mate bond severances were processed.
Alexander was already there when we entered. He sat alone, looking more subdued than I’d seen him in years. His amber eyes
met mine, and something flickered in their depths – regret?
“I’ll wait in the car,” Olivia whispered, sensing we needed a moment alone. “Call if you need me.”
I nodded gratefully as she slipped out, leaving me alone with the wolf who had been my mate for the past three years.
Alexander stood slowly. “You came.”
“Of course I did,” I replied. “This was your idea, remember?”
He stepped closer, his familiar scent washing over me. My wolf recognized it but remained oddly calm, as if she too had accepted our separation.
“Aria,” he said softly, reaching for my hand. “Do you still love me?”
His fingers closed around mine, warm and familiar. His expression was hopeful, almost vulnerable.
“If you want to stop this,” he continued, “we can. We can walk out of here right now and try again.”
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