Chapter 62: Someone Poisoned Her!
Chapter 62: Someone Poisoned Her!
(Aria’s POV)
My heart raced as Dr. Nathan Lewis’s words echoed in my mind. The phone call had left me stunned, my thoughts spiraling with implications too terrible to process.
“Aria? Did you hear what I said?”
I blinked, suddenly aware of Dominic’s voice beside me. We were stopped at a traffic light, his silver–gray eyes watching me with
concern.
“I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head slightly. “I was thinking about what Dr. Lewis just said.”
The light turned green, and the car moved forward smoothly under Dominic’s control.
“What exactly did he say?” Dominic asked, his deep voice cutting through my troubled thoughts.
I took a deep breath, trying to organize the scattered pieces of information.
“He believes Elizabeth Reed was poisoned,” I said, the words feeling heavy on my tongue. “The toxicology results showed traces of silver moonshade in her system.”
Dominic’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles whitening slightly.
“Silver moonshade? That’s rare,” he remarked, his tone carefully controlled. “And extremely toxic to werewolves, especially older
ones.”
I nodded, staring out the windshield without really seeing the road ahead.
“But who would want to poison Elizabeth? She’s always been kind to everyone. She doesn’t have enemies,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dominic was silent for a long moment, his face thoughtful as he navigated through morning traffic.
“You mentioned Claire was the first one to find Elizabeth when she initially collapsed, correct?” he finally asked.
The realization hit me like a physical blow. Of course. Claire.
“You’re right,” I breathed, my mind racing with connections. “Claire has the most to gain from Elizabeth’s illness. Elizabeth was the primary obstacle to her relationship with Alexander.”
Elizabeth had always seen through Claire’s manipulative nature, openly supporting me as Luna despite her husband’s opposition.
“If Claire managed to remove Elizabeth from the picture…” I continued, the horrible logic of it all becoming clearer.
“She’d have one less barrier between her and her goal,” Dominic finished my thought.
I turned to look at him, gratitude welling up inside me.
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. “I don’t think I would have made that connection so quickly.”
His lips curved into a slight smile. “I can have some people look into Claire’s movements and purchases over the past few months. Silver moonshade isn’t something you can pick up at the local herb shop.”
The offer touched me deeply. Even after our awkward encounter last night–which we’d both silently agreed not to mention–he was still willing to help me.
“I’d appreciate that,” I said softly.
We pulled up in front of Silver Leaf Herbalists, the familiar storefront offering no comfort today.
“I’ll let you know what we find,” Dominic promised, his silver–gray eyes meeting mine with intensity that made my pulse quicken.
I nodded, unable to hold his gaze for too long. The memory of his lips on mine was still too fresh, too unsettling.
“Thank you for the ride,” I said quickly, gathering my bag and opening the door.
As I watched him drive away, a plan began forming in my mind. I couldn’t wait for others to uncover the truth. I needed to take
<Chapter 62 Someone Poisoned Her!
action myself.
With determined steps, I walked into Silver Leaf Herbalists, straight to my manager’s office.
“I need a half–day leave,” I announced without preamble. “Family emergency.”
Twenty minutes later, I was in a taxi heading toward the Reed family compound.
The familiar gates of the pack house loomed before me, simultaneously familiar and foreign. Had it really been less than a month since I’d left this place? It felt like years.
The security guard at the entrance did a double–take when he saw me.
“Luna–I mean, Ms. Summers,” he corrected himself awkwardly. “We weren’t expecting you.”
I forced a smile. “Alexander called me to pick up some personal belongings I left behind.”
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I needed access to the compound.
The guard hesitated, clearly unsure of protocol in this situation.
“I’ll just be in and out quickly,” I assured him. “I’m sure Alexander mentioned I’d be coming.”
Not wanting to risk contacting Alexander and exposing my lie, the guard reluctantly opened the gate.
“Thank you,” I said, walking past him with all the confidence I could muster.
+8 Points >
The garden path leading to the main house had been completely redone. The elegant roses and moonflowers that Elizabeth had lovingly tended were gone, replaced by gaudy sculptures and artificial–looking arrangements.
Claire’s touch was unmistakable. I felt a surge of anger at how quickly she’d erased Elizabeth’s presence from the home.
Strangely, the usually bustling pack house seemed deserted. I’d expected to encounter at least a few pack members, perhaps even Alexander himself. The silence was unnerving.
Taking advantage of the emptiness, I moved quickly through the familiar hallways to the second floor where Elizabeth’s room was located.
I placed my hand on the doorknob, only to find it locked. Frowning, I tried again.
“Who’s out there?” Richard Reed’s angry voice boomed from inside.
My heart leapt to my throat. I hadn’t expected him to be here.
Before I could decide whether to answer or flee, the door was flung open.
Richard Reed stood before me, his amber eyes–so like Alexander’s–widening in shock before narrowing dangerously.
“You,” he spat, immediately trying to shut the door again. “What are you doing here?”
In the brief moment the door was open, I caught a glimpse of someone else in the room–a woman whose face I couldn’t make out.
“Alexander called me,” I lied smoothly, despite the fury bubbling inside me. “He said I could pick up my remaining belongings.”
I needed to remain calm. The discovery of Elizabeth’s poisoning was my priority, not confronting Richard.
“Liar,” Richard growled, his Alpha presence expanding threateningly. “Alexander would never invite you back here. You’re trying to steal something.”
Before I could protest, he pushed me roughly. The force sent me stumbling backward against the opposite wall.
A sharp pain shot through my abdomen at the impact. I gasped, clutching my stomach instinctively, sudden fear for my unborn pup overriding everything else.
“What’s happening here?” a familiar voice called from the end of the hallway.
Martha, the elderly pack housekeeper who had always been kind to me, rushed toward us with surprising speed for her age. “Goddess above, are you alright, child?” she asked, her weathered face creasing with concern as she helped me straighten up. The pain subsided as quickly as it had come, leaving only a dull ache. I took a deep breath, cautiously releasing my protective hold on my belly.
+8 Points >
<Chapter 62: Someone Poisoned Her!
“I’m fine, Martha,” I assured her, relieved that my pup seemed unharmed.
“She was trying to break into Elizabeth’s room,” Richard accused, still blocking the doorway.
Martha’s
eyes darted between us, clearly assessing the situation.
“Mr. Reed, perhaps I should escort Ms. Summers to collect her things?” she suggested diplomatically. “I believe some of her possessions are still in her old den on the third floor.”
Richard looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he huffed in annoyance.
“Fine. But make sure she doesn’t take anything that isn’t hers,” he ordered before retreating into Elizabeth’s room and slamming the door.
Martha placed a gentle hand on my arm, guiding me toward the stairs.
“Are you truly alright, dear?” she whispered once we were out of Richard’s earshot.
I nodded, though my hand still hovered protectively over my belly.
“Thank you, Martha,” I said sincerely as we climbed the stairs to the third floor.
My old den with Alexander was untouched, as if frozen in time. The clothes I’d left behind still hung in the closet, and the books I couldn’t take remained neatly arranged on the shelves.
Martha watched me from the doorway as I moved around the room, pretending to consider what to take.
“You didn’t come for clothes, did you?” she asked suddenly, her voice barely audible.
I turned to look at her, surprised by her perceptiveness.
Martha’s eyes, faded blue with age but still sharp, held mine steadily.
“What are you really looking for, child?” she asked, glancing
her shoulder to ensure we were alone.
N
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