Chapter 46: Keeping the Pup
Chapter 46: Keeping the Pup
(Aria’s POV)
I was waiting with Olivia near the hospital entrance when I spotted Dominic approaching from the parking lot. My heart skipped before I noticed something was wrong.
Blood stained his right sleeve, a concerningly large patch of crimson against the light fabric. His face was tight with pain, yet he moved with purposeful strides.
“Dominic, you’re bleeding!” I called out, rushing toward him. “What happened?”
He seemed not to hear me, his silver–gray eyes sweeping over me from head to toe. His jaw was clenched, and for a moment, I felt like prey being assessed by a predator. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin.
After what felt like an eternity, his tense posture relaxed. Whatever he’d been searching for, he seemed satisfied.
“It’s nothing,” he finally said, his voice rough. “Just a scratch.””
“That doesn’t look like ‘nothing‘ to me,” I argued, gesturing to his bloodied sleeve. “You need medical attention.”
Before he could respond, Dr. Nathan Lewis appeared through the hospital doors, his white coat billowing behind him.
“There you are!” he exclaimed, relief evident in his voice. “Why haven’t you been answering your calls? I’ve been trying to reach you for an hour!”
Dominic pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket–or what was left of it. The screen was shattered beyond repair.
“That explains it,” he said with a grimace. “What’s the emergency?”
Dr. Lewis shook his head. “False alarm. The enforcer is fine–just some minor bruising. Nothing serious.”
Olivia stepped forward, confusion written across her face. “Wait, what ‘pack member‘? What’s going on?”
Dr. Lewis glanced at her, then at me, seemingly realizing we weren’t aware of the situation.
“One of Dominic’s enforcers had what appeared to be a serious injury during training,” he explained. “I called Dominic when they
were brought in, but couldn’t reach him.”
“And you rushed here with your own injury?” I asked Dominic, gesturing again to his bloodied arm.
He shrugged, wincing slightly at the movement. “It happened during a territory patrol. Nothing serious.”
I frowned, not believing him for a second. The wound looked deep, and judging by the amount of blood, it needed immediate
attention.
“At least let Dr. Lewis look at it while you’re here,” I insisted.
“It’ll heal,” Dominic replied dismissively.
Dr. Lewis stepped closer, exchanging a meaningful glance with Dominic. “The enforcer is asking for you. Room 307.”
Dominic nodded, his expression softening with what looked almost like concern. Without another word to us, he strode into the hospital, leaving Olivia and me staring after him in bewilderment.
“That was… strange,” Olivia commented, raising an eyebrow. “He came all this way, bleeding himself, for an enforcer who’s apparently fine?”
guess the enforcer must be important to him,” I mused, still staring at the hospital doors.
Dr. Lewis cleared his throat. “Domenic values all his pack members, especially his security team. They’re like family to him.”
With that cryptic statement, he excused himself and headed back inside, leaving us even more confused than before.
“Well, that was weird,” Olivia stated as we walked to her car. “Should we wait for him?”
I shook my head. “He didn’t even acknowledge us before leaving. I think we should just go.”
<Chapter 46: Keeping the Pup
As Olivia drove us away from the hospital, she couldn’t resist speculating about what we’d just witnessed.
“So,” she began, a mischievous glint in her eyes, “who do you think this ‘enforcer‘ is to Dominic? Must be someone special to make him rush to the hospital like that.”
I hadn’t considered that possibility. “You think they’re… involved?”
Olivia shrugged dramatically. “Well, have you ever seen him with a female companion? I mean, romantically?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean anything,” I protested.
+4 Points >
“All I’m saying is, for all we know, Dominic could play for the other team. Or both teams!” Olivia laughed. “Maybe he likes male and female wolves. That would explain his apparent interest in you while also having a ‘special enforcer‘ he rushes to see.”
I rolled my eyes at her theories. “Olivia, stop. You’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I though?” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “The man is gorgeous, powerful, and somehow still single. There’s got to be a reason.”
Despite myself, I laughed. Olivia’s playful banter was exactly what I needed after the emotional morning at the Territorial Registry Office.
“So,” Olivia said, her tone shifting to something more serious, “have you made a decision? About the pup?”
My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. After seeing the ultrasound and learning about the risks, I’d been wrestling with my decision.
“I’m keeping it,” I said quietly, surprised by the certainty in my voice. “I know it’s going to be hard, but… I want this pup.”
My wolf hummed contentedly within me, agreeing with my decision. Though I’d only known about the pregnancy for a short time, I already felt bonded to the tiny life growing inside me.
“Are you sure?” Olivia asked gently. “What about Alexander? What will you tell him?”
I sighed, gazing out the window at the passing scenery. “I don’t know yet. But I have thirty days before the mate bond severance is finalized. I’ll figure it out by then.”
Olivia reached over and squeezed my hand. “Whatever you decide about telling him, I’m here for you. We’ll figure it out together.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.
In that moment, I knew I’d made the right choice. No matter what complications arose, I would raise this pup without regret. My wolf felt stronger already, protective instincts surging as we acknowledged our commitment to our unborn pup.
The emotional morning combined with the hospital visit had drained me. I found myself dozing off in the passenger seat, lulled by the gentle movement of the car and the soft music playing on the radio.
I awoke when we arrived at Moon Valley Residences, feeling groggy but somehow lighter. The decision about my pup had brought me unexpected peace.
“Thanks for everything today,” I told Olivia as we hugged goodbye in the lobby. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d be fine,” she assured me with a smile. “But significantly less entertained.”
I laughed, waving as she departed.
The elevator ride to my floor was quiet, giving me time to reflect on the day’s events. Between finalizing the mate bond
severance proceedings and deciding to keep my pup, it had been life–changing.
As I reached for my door, the apartment across the hall opened. Dominic emerged, looking tired but significantly cleaner than
when I’d last seen him. He’d changed clothes, but I could see he hadn’t properly treated the wound on his arm. The hasty bandage was already showing spots of blood.
“You’re back,” I said, stating the obvious. “How’s your arm?”
He glanced down at it as if just remembering he was injured. “It’s fine.”
“It doesn’t look fine,” I countered. “Did you clean it properly?”
His silence was answer enough.
Chapter 46 Keeping the Pupi
+1 Points
“I still have some moonflower salve left from when you treated my hand,” I offered. “It would help with the healing.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you.”
To my surprise, he gestured toward his open door rather than following me to my apartment. I’d never been inside his place before.
His apartment was easily twice the size of mine, with floor–to–ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The furnishings were minimal but expensive–all dark woods and leather. It was undeniably masculine, yet somehow elegant.
“Sit,” I instructed, pointing to a stool at his kitchen counter. “I’ll get the salve from my apartment.”
When I returned with my supplies, Dominic had removed his shirt, revealing not only the fresh wound but numerous scars across his torso. The sight momentarily stunned me. Each mark told a story of battles and pain that I couldn’t begin to imagine.
Focusing on the task at hand, I cleaned the wound with antiseptic, wincing sympathetically when he tensed.
“So,” he said as I worked, his voice surprisingly casual given the circumstances, “you completed the mate bond severance proceedings today?”
I nodded, carefully applying the moonflower salve to the gash. “Yes, though there’s a thirty–day waiting period before it’s finalized.”
“That’s standard procedure,” he replied. “Are you relieved?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “Though thirty days seems like an eternity when Alexander could change his mind.”
“He won’t,” Dominic stated with such certainty that I looked up, meeting his silver–gray eyes.
“How can you be so sure?”
He smiled enigmatically. “Let’s just say he understands the consequences of interfering with your decision.”
I didn’t want to know what that meant. I finished bandaging his arm in silence, using the specially treated wrappings that promoted a werewolf’s natural healing.
“There,” I said, stepping back to admire my work. “Keep it clean and dry for at least 24 hours. The moonflower salve should speed up the healing process.”
Dominic examined the bandage, then looked up at me with an expression I couldn’t quite decipher.
“Now you’ve repaid one of your debts to me,” he said, a hint of mischief in his silver–gray eyes that made my wolf stir curiously within me.
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