Chapter 68: Ominous Signs
Chapter 68: Ominous Signs
(Aria’s POV)
I sat across from Dominic at his kitchen table, the morning light streaming through his large windows. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air, but my stomach churned at the thought of what we were discussing.
“You said Claire was at the Reed family home yesterday?” Dominic asked, his silver–gray eyes watching me carefully.
I nodded, cupping my herbal tea with both hands. “Martha said she’s been coming almost every day now, acting like she’s already
Luna.”
Dominic pulled out his phone, his expression unreadable. After a few taps, he slid it across the table to me. “You might want to see this.”
I glanced down at the screen, confused at first by the medical document displayed. It took me a moment to realize I was looking at Claire Watson’s medical report.
“How did you get this?” I asked, skimming through the doctor’s notes.
“I have connections at Silvercrest Hospital,” Dominic replied simply. “Look at the diagnosis.”
My eyes widened as I read further. The report detailed a recent visit where Claire had been diagnosed with a threatened
miscarriage. The doctor’s notes suggested it had been caused by “vigorous s****I activity” and recommended she abstain for at least two weeks.
“This is revolting,” I said, pushing the phone back toward Dominic. My wolf bristled beneath my skin at the implications. “She’s been sleeping with Alexander while claiming to have a high–risk pregnancy?”
Dominic’s expression darkened slightly. “Are you sure it’s Alexander?”
I stared at him, suddenly remembering what I’d seen at the Reed pack house – Richard’s angry voice, a woman in Elizabeth’s room. The pieces clicked together in my mind.
“You think… Richard?” The suggestion seemed absurd at first, but then memories flooded back Claire, his hostility toward me, his insistence that Alexander reconcile with her.
“It’s possible,” Dominic said carefully. “It would explain a lot.”
–
Richard’s favoritism toward
I felt sick at the thought. “That’s… that would be beyond disgusting. She’s supposed to be carrying his grandchild.”
“A child that might actually be his,” Dominic added, his voice low.
The implication hung heavy between us. If Claire was having an affair with Richard Reed, it created a horrifying new motive for Elizabeth’s mysterious illness.
“It makes sense now,” I said, one hand instinctively moving to my own belly where my unborn pup was growing. “If Claire wants to be Luna, Elizabeth would be her biggest obstacle.”
Dominic nodded. “A mother–in–law who despises you and who would immediately recognize if the pup wasn’t her son’s.”
“Elizabeth always saw through Claire’s manipulations,” I agreed. “She’d know immediately if the pup wasn’t Alexander’s.”
“Did you manage to get those medicine samples from Martha?” Dominic asked.
I nodded, “She sent them to the lab yesterday. We’re waiting for the results.”
The thought that Claire might have poisoned Elizabeth sent a chill through me. I’d known she was manipulative, but capable of attempted murder? The idea was terrifying.
“I just hope we’re wrong,” I whispered, though deep down, I knew we probably weren’t.
The next morning, I was arranging my herbal remedies when my phone rang. Seeing Martha’s name on the screen, I quickly answered.
“Martha? Did you get the results?”
Chapter 62: Ominous Signs
The elderly housekeeper’s voice crackled through the speaker. “The lab found nothing suspicious, Miss Aria.”
I sank onto the edge of my couch, confused and worried. “Nothing at all? Are they sure?”
+8 Points>
“They tested everything – her pills, her tea, even the herbal supplements. Everything is exactly what it’s supposed to be.” Martha sounded as perplexed as I felt.
If it wasn’t poisoning, how could Elizabeth be falling so ill?
“Could they have missed something?” I asked, my wolf whimpering anxiously within me. “Maybe it’s something unusual that standard tests wouldn’t detect?”
“That’s possible,” Martha admitted. “But I’ve been thinking… if someone was poisoning her food or drink, wouldn’t others in the household be affected too?”
It was a good point that hadn’t occurred to me.
“Lady Elizabeth eats the same food as everyone else in the pack house,” Martha reminded me. “And no one else has shown any symptoms.”
“What about her personal medication?” I suggested. “Maybe someone tampered with those.”
“But the tests showed nothing wrong with them,” Martha countered. “And I’ve been personally handling her medicine since she first fell ill. No one else touches it.”
I rubbed my temple, trying to make sense of it all. If Elizabeth wasn’t being poisoned, what was happening to her? And if it was poison, how was it being administered without affecting anyone else?
“I’ll keep an eye on things here,” Martha promised. “And I’ll let you know if there’s any change in Lady Elizabeth’s condition when she returns from the hospital.”
After hanging up, I paced my apartment, restless and troubled. Something wasn’t adding up, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.
My phone rang again – Dominic this time.
“Dominic?” I answered, still distracted by my conversation with Martha.
“Aria,” his deep voice came through clearly. “There’s an awards ceremony for outstanding werewolf healers tonight. Claire Watson is receiving one of the honors.”
My mood soured instantly. “Good for her,” I muttered sarcastically.
“Richard Reed will also be attending,” Dominic continued. “It’s the perfect opportunity to observe them together.”
I hesitated. The thought of watching Claire receive an award while suspecting her of such terrible acts made my stomach turn. But if it meant gathering more information about her relationship with Richard…
“I don’t know, Dominic. I’m supposed to be on bed rest, remember?”
“I could provide a live stream instead,” he suggested, amusement coloring his tone. “Set up a hidden camera and narrate everything I see. ‘Claire just touched Richard’s arm. Now they’re exchanging meaningful glances over the shrimp cocktail.” Despite everything, I laughed. “Fine,” I conceded. “But I’m not sure I can handle seeing Claire receive an award for her supposed ‘healing talents‘ when I know what she really is.”
“I’ll be right beside you,” Dominic promised. “If it becomes too
”
we’ll leave immediately.”
His reassurance calmed me. Having Dominic nearby made the prospect of facing Claire and Richard seem more manageable. “What time should I be ready?” I asked.
The awards ceremony was being held at the Lunar Hall, one of the territory’s most prestigious venues. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow over the gathered werewolves in their finest attire.
I wore a flowing midnight blue dress that concealed my slightly showing two–month pregnancy bump, with an elegant shawl draped over my shoulders for added coverage. My wolf was surprisingly calm despite the crowded room filled with unfamiliar
scents.
Chapter 69: Ominous Signs
+8 Pounts
“Do you see Richard?” I whispered to Dominic, who stood beside me in an impeccably tailored suit that emphasized his powerful Alpha build.
“Not yet,” Dominic replied, his silver–gray eyes scanning the room. “Don’t worry. The formal presentations will end soon, and then we’ll have the banquet. That’s when people will mingle and interact more naturally.”
My eyes drifted to the front of the hall where Claire stood, surrounded by photographers. She looked radiant in a form–fitting emerald gown that tastefully showcased her early pregnancy, her auburn hair styled in elaborate curls. She was smiling brilliantly as she posed with the territory’s most prominent pack leaders.
“She’s good at this,” I muttered. “Playing the role of the innocent, dedicated healer.”
Dominic’s hand brushed my shoulder, sending a surprising warmth through my body. My wolf reacted with contentment rather than wariness at his touch.
“You look uncomfortable standing. Here,” he pulled out a chair from a nearby table. “Sit down. We can watch from here.”
I gratefully sank into the chair, realizing my feet had started to ache. Dominic’s consideration touched me in a way I hadn’t expected.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
He nodded, his attention already returning to the crowd. “Look,” he said quietly. “Richard is approaching Claire now.”
I followed his gaze to see Richard Reed making his way toward Claire as the photoshoot wrapped up. He was dressed in an
expensive suit, his silver–streaked hair perfectly styled, exuding the confidence of a former Alpha.
Claire turned toward him, her emerald eyes lighting up with what appeared to be genuine pleasure. Even from this distance, I could see the way her body language changed – the subtle tilt of her head, the slight sway toward him.
Richard’s hand moved to the small of her back in a gesture that seemed too intimate for a future father–in–law.
As Claire finished her photoshoot with the territory’s prominent pack leaders, looking radiant in a form–fitting gown that showcased her early pregnancy, Richard approached her.
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“Do you see Richard?” I whispered to Dominic, who stood beside me in an impeccably tailored suit that emphasized his powerful Alpha build.
“Not yet,” Dominic replied, his silver–gray eyes scanning the room. “Don’t worry. The formal presentations will end soon, and then we’ll have the banquet. That’s when people will mingle and interact more naturally.”
My eyes drifted to the front of the hall where Claire stood, surrounded by photographers. She looked radiant in a form–fitting emerald gown that tastefully showcased her early pregnancy, her auburn hair styled in elaborate curls. She was smiling brilliantly as she posed with the territory’s most prominent pack leaders.
“She’s good at this,” I muttered. “Playing the role of the innocent, dedicated healer.”
Dominic’s hand brushed my shoulder, sending a surprising warmth through my body. My wolf reacted with contentment rather than wariness at his touch.
“You look uncomfortable standing. Here,” he pulled out a chair from a nearby table. “Sit down. We can watch from here.”
I gratefully sank into the chair, realizing my feet had started to ache. Dominic’s consideration touched me in a way I hadn’t expected.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
He nodded, his attention already returning to the crowd. “Look,” he said quietly. “Richard is approaching Claire now.”
I followed his gaze to see Richard Reed making his way toward Claire as the photoshoot wrapped up. He was dressed in an expensive suit, his silver–streaked hair perfectly styled, exuding the confidence of a former Alpha.
Claire turned toward him, her emerald eyes lighting up with what appeared to be genuine pleasure. Even from this distance, I could see the way her body language changed the subtle tilt of her head, the slight sway toward him.
Richard’s hand moved to the small of her back in a gesture that seemed too intimate for a future father–in–law.
S
As Claire finished her photoshoot with the territory’s prominent pack leaders, looking radiant in a form–fitting gown that showcased her early pregnancy, Richard approached her. Heres gran
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