Chapter 67: Mixed Emotions
Chapter 67: Mixed Emotions
(Aria’s POV)
I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom, my hand resting gently on my slightly swollen belly. The morning sickness had finally
subsided, leaving me with just a lingering fatigue that kept me in bed as the doctor had ordered.
My thoughts drifted to Dominic. Since our conversation by the roadside, he’d maintained his distance. He still drove me to work occasionally, but the teasing remarks and intense gazes had stopped. It was exactly what I wanted–wasn’t it?
A part of me felt relieved. Whatever he might have felt for me seemed to have faded, sparing us both the complication of impossible feelings. Yet another part–a small, quiet voice I tried to ignore–felt oddly disappointed.
I shook my head, dispelling these thoughts. It was better this way. The prestigious Blackwood family would never truly accept a she–wolf like me–pregnant with another Alpha’s pup and in the middle of a mate bond severance.
“I won’t repeat past mistakes,” I whispered to my unborn pup. “No more chasing after what can never be.”
A knock on my apartment door pulled me from my thoughts. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and Olivia had her own key.
Wrapping myself in a comfortable robe, I padded barefoot to the door and peeked through the peephole.
Dominic stood in the hallway, his tall frame laden with grocery bags.
I quickly unlocked the door, confusion written across my face. “Dominic? What are you doing here?”
His silver–gray eyes swept over me, taking in my disheveled appearance with a hint of concern. “You’ve been on bed rest for three days. I thought you might need groceries.”
I glanced down at the bags in his hands. “That’s… thoughtful. But I could have ordered delivery.”
“I know,” he said, stepping past me into the apartment. “But I promised you moon–seared lamb shank, better than any restaurant. I’m here to deliver on that promise.”
The memory of our dinner at Silver Moon restaurant came rushing back–how he’d criticized the lamb and claimed he could make a better one.
“You’re going to cook for me?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
He set the bags on the kitchen counter and began unpacking ingredients. “Is that so hard to believe? I told you there’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
I watched in astonishment as he moved around my kitchen with unexpected familiarity, locating pots and spices as if he’d cooked here a dozen times before.
“Sit,” he commanded, pointing to a stool at the kitchen island. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
Too surprised to argue, I perched on the stool and watched him work. His movements were confident and precise as he trimmed the lamb and prepared a marinade that filled the kitchen with a mouth–watering aroma.
“Where did you learn to cook
A small smile played at his lips.
or not.”
asked, genuinely curious.
y grandmther She believed every wolf should know how to feed themselves properly, Alpha
The mention of Eleanor Blackwood brought back memories of our visit to Shadow Pack territory–how surprisingly accepting she’d been of me despite my complicated status.
“Eleanor doesn’t seem like the type to spend much time in a kitchen,” I remarked.
Dominic chuckled, the sound warming something inside me. “You’d be surprised. Before she was matriarch, she was known throughout the territory for her culinary skills. It’s how she won my grandfather.”
Our conversation flowed easily as he worked, his presence filling my apartment with a comfortable energy that made me forget my earlier resolution to keep my distance.
My phone rang suddenly, interrupting our easy exchange. I glanced at the screen and froze.
<Chapter 67: Mixed Emotions
“Richard Reed,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dominic’s expression darkened. “Your father–in–law?”
I nodded, my finger hovering over the accept button. What could he possibly want?
“I should take this,” I said, more to myself than to Dominic.
I answered the call with a hesitant, “Hello?”
+8 Points
“You manipulative b***h!” Richard Reed’s voice boomed through the speaker, so loud that even Dominic’s head snapped up from
across the room. “What have you been telling Dominic Blackwood about me?”
I pulled the phone away from my ear, wincing at his volume. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play innocent with me! The Shadow Pack just shut down my racecourse. Years of investment, gone! And my sources tell
me it was Dominic Blackwood’s direct order.”
My eyes widened in surprise, automatically seeking Dominic’s across the room. His face revealed nothing, but his jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
“I had nothing to do with that,” I stated firmly. “I haven’t spoken to Dominic about-”
“Liar!” Richard cut me off. “First, you try to take my son away from his true mate, and now you’re using your new Alpha toy to destroy my business!”
Anger flared within me, my wolf bristling beneath my skin. “I am not responsible for your son’s choices or Dominic’s business decisions. And I am not using anyone.”
Richard’s bitter laugh cut through the line. “You expect me to believe the timing is coincidental? The day after you come to my house, the Shadow Pack terminates their agreement with my racecourse?”
“I don’t care what you believe,” I replied, my patience wearing thin. “I had nothing to do with it.”
“Listen to me, you little nobody,” Richard growled, his Alpha presence somehow palpable even through the phone. “Whatever your think you’re achieving by spreading your legs for the Shadow Pack Alpha, it won’t work. You’re nothing but Alexander’s leftovers,
and once Dominic Blackwood realizes that-”
Before I could respond, Dominic was beside me, plucking the phone from my hand. His expression was glacial, his Alpha presence filling the room.
“Richard Reed,” he said, his voice deadly calm. “This is Dominic Blackwood. I advise you to reconsider your words carefully.”
There was a shocked silence on the other end.
“The decision to terminate our agreement with your racecourse was mine alone,” Dominic continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It had nothing to do with Aria, and everything to do with your own actions.”
Without waiting for a response, Dominic ended the call and set my phone down gently on the counter.
Dominic returned to the kitchen, resuming his preparation of the lamb as if nothing had happened. “Yes.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. “Did you really shut down
his race in
se…
“Why?” I asked, confused by this revelation.
He met my gaze directly. “Because he put his hands on you and endangered your pup.”
My breath caught in my throat. “How did you-”
“You told me he pushed you against a wall,” Dominic reminded me. “The same day you ended up in the hospital with a threatened miscarriage.”
I hadn’t realized he’d made the connection. The fact that he’d taken such decisive action on my behalf left me speechless.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” I said finally, though there was no real conviction in my voice.
Dominic’s silver–gray eyes softened slightly. “Don’t let him upset you. Stress isn’t good for the pup.”
I felt my eyes unexpectedly well with tears. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Suddenly, the acrid smell of burning interrupted the moment.
< Chapter 67: Mixed Emotions
+8 Points>
“The lamb!” Dominic exclaimed, rushing to the stove where smoke was beginning to rise from the pan.
He quickly moved the scorched meat aside, fanning away the smoke with a kitchen towel. The look of dismay on his usually composed face was so comical that I couldn’t help but laugh.
The tension broken, Dominic joined in, his deep chuckle filling my kitchen. “So much for impressing you with my culinary skills.”
“You’re still a better cook than me,” I assured him, still smiling.
As Dominic salvaged what he could of our meal, my thoughts turned to the photograph David Turner had given me. “Dominic, what do you know about Claire’s ex–mate? David Turner?”
He glanced up, his expression curious. “Why the sudden interest in David Turner?”
“I met him outside the hospital,” I admitted. “He gave me something… unusual.”
Dominic set down his knife, giving me his full attention. “The Turner family used to be prominent in werewolf society. They specialized in perfumes and scent blockers–a valuable skill. David was the last of his line with the talent.”
“What happened to them?” I asked.
“They lost favor when David’s father aligned with the wrong side in a territorial dispute. David was trying to rebuild their status when he was injured saving Alexander.”
“And that’s when Claire severed their mate bond?” I prompted.
Dominic nodded. “She claimed his injuries were too severe, that he’d never recover. The pack council granted the severance on compassionate grounds. Why are you asking about him now?”
I hesitated, then pulled out the photograph from my pocket. “He gave me this.”
Dominic took the photo, his eyes narrowing he studied it. “Your brother and Claire Watson?” He looked up sharply. “When did they meet?”
“I have no idea,” I admitted, the confusion evident in my voice. “I didn’t even know they knew each other.”
“Have you contacted your brother about this?”
I shook my head. “He won’t take my calls. He blames me for our mother’s death.”
Dominic handed the photo back to me, his expression serious. “I can find someone to track him down if you want.”
“You’d do that for me?” I asked, touched by yet another offer of help.
“Of course,” he replied simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Despite the burnt edges, the lamb was delicious. We ate together at my small dining table, the conversation flowing easily between us.
“What happened to your plan to move back to your old apartment?” Dominic asked suddenly, a teasing glint in his eye. “I thought you couldn’t wait to get away from me.”
I felt my cheeks warm. The truth was, I no longer felt the urgent need to keep my distance from him. Whatever his initial interest had been, he seemed to have moved past it, making it safe for me to remain.
“I think I’ll stay,” I said, meeting his gaze. “If that’s alright with
you.”
The smile that spread across his face was genuine and warm.
“More than alright,” he said, and I couldn’t help but return his smile.
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