Chapter 15: Mother’s Passing
Chapter 15: Mother’s Passing
(Aria’s POV)
“It’s off,” I repeated, my voice steadier than I expected as I clutched the phone.
“What do you mean ‘off‘?” Alexander’s voice rose with indignation. “You can’t just cancel our mating ceremony! The guests-
“My mother is in emergency surgery right now,” I cut in, anger rising in my throat. “And you’re worried about the guests?”
Dominic shifted beside me, his powerful presence a silent support. His silver–gray eyes never left my face.
“Aria, be reasonable, Alexander continued, his tone softening into the one he used when trying to manage me. We can complete the ceremony quickly and then visit your mother together.”
The audacity of his suggestion stole my breath. “You left me on our ceremony day to be with Claire.”
“She attempted suicide! Alexander protested.
“Did she?” I laughed bitterly. “Let me guess–another ‘overdose that somehow didn’t require stomach pumping? Another “accident” that miraculously leaves no lasting damage?
“She’s hospitalized, Aria, Alexander insisted
“Of course she is.” I closed my eyes, fighting back a fresh wave of tears. “Tell me, Alexander, was her timing convenient as always, or did you actually plan this together?”
His sharp intake of breath told me I’d hit a nerve. “That’s ridiculous. How could you accuse me of-
“My mother is dying” I shouted, no longer caring who heard me. “She collapsed when she heard Claire’s voice on your phone. She’s fighting for her life while you were comforting your childhood friend.”
“Aria,” his voice became pleading, “come back to the ceremony. We can fix this. Il apologize to your mother when she recovers.”
The word “when” pierced my heart. He had no idea how serious her condition was
“Your place is here,” Alexander continued. “As my mate. As Luna. The ceremony-”
The sound of doors swinging open caught my attention. Dr. Lewis emerged, his face grim.
“I have to go,” I whispered, and ended the call
I tried to stand but winced as pain shot through my injured ankle. Dominic was instantly at my side, his arm around my waist supporting me as I hobbled toward the doctor.
“How is she?” I asked, breathless with fear.
Dr. Lewis’s expression gave me my answer before he spoke. “We need to talk, Ms. Summers. And I need your signature on some consent forms.”
A nurse appeared with a clipboard, her face carefully neutral. “Your mother’s condition is critical. We need your authorization for emergency procedures.”
I reached for the pen, but my hand trembled so violently I couldn’t grip it. The enormity of the situation crashed down on me. My wolf whimpered within me, sensing my distress and instinctively curling protectively around my unborn pup.
“Aria!” A familiar voice called out.
Iturned to see my brother James rushing down the corridor, his face etched with worry. Olivia trailed behind him, her ceremonial
dress wrinkled and tearstained.
“What happened?” James demanded, taking in my ruined ceremonial gown and Dominic’s steadying presence.
“Mother collapsed” I whispered, my voice breaking. “At the ceremony. She–she heard…”
I couldn’t continue. Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
James’s expression hardened as he looked from me to the clipboard in my hands. Without a word, he took it from me and signed
his name with a quick, angry stroke.
“This is your fault,” he hissed, anger masking his fear. “If you hadn’t married that self–centered Alpha-”
“That’s enough,” Dominic interrupted, his silver–gray eyes flashing with authority. “Your sister is not responsible for her mate’s
actions”
“If you want someone to blame,” Dominic continued, “direct your anger where it belongs–at Alexander Reed, who chose another woman over his mate on their ceremony day.”
Dr. Lewis cleared his throat, reclaiming our attention. “If I could speak with the family privately?”
We were ushered into a small consultation room. The sterile walls and harsh lighting seemed to amplify the gravity of the moment. James and I sat side by side while Olivia hovered nervously by the door. Dominic remained just outside, giving us privacy while staying close enough that I could still sense his reassuring presence.
Dr. Lewis sat across from us, his expression solemn. “We did everything we could,” he began, and my heart stopped.
The world around me seemed to slow down as he continued speaking, explaining medical terms and procedures that washed over me like meaningless noise. Only one thing penetrated the fog descending around me–my mother was gone.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head in denial. “No, she can’t be…
James’s face crumpled beside me, his earlier anger dissolving into raw grief. He reached for my hand, gripping it tightly as if it were a lifeline.
“The blood loss was too severe,” Dr. Lewis explained gently. “The strain on her already weakened system… I’m so sorry.”
My vision tunneled, darkness creeping in from the edges. I heard James calling my name, felt Olivia’s hands on my shoulders, but they seemed distant, as if coming from underwater,
“Arial” Dominic’s voice cut through the fog, sharp with concern.
Then nothing.
I woke to the smell of antiseptic, so sharp it made my pregnant wolf’s sensitive nose twitch in protest. The celling above me was unfamiliar–white tiles with fluorescent lights that hurt my eyes
“She’s awake,” Olivia’s voice came from beside me.
I turned my head to see her sitting in a chair next to the hospital bed, her face drawn with exhaustion and grief.
“Mother?” I asked hoarsely, though I already knew the answer.
Olivia’s eyes filled with tears as she shook her head.
The confirmation unleashed a torrent of grief I couldn’t contain. I curled into myself, sobs wracking my body as I mourned the woman who had raised me, loved me, supported me through everything. She had been so excited about the ceremony, about the prospect of seeing her grandchild…
The grandchild she would never meet now.
“I need to see her,” I choked out, pushing myself upright despite Olivia’s protests. “Please, I need to say goodbye.”
Olivia helped me from the bed, steadying me as my legs threatened to give way beneath me. I was still wearing my ruined ceremonial gown, though someone had removed the elaborate headdress.
We made our way slowly down the corridor, my ankle throbbing with each step. As we approached the room where they had taken my mother, I saw them–Alexander and Elizabeth Reed, standing in hushed conversation.
Something snapped inside me. Before I could think, I was moving toward Alexander, rage giving strength to my limbs.
“You” I hissed, my voice barely recognizable. “You did this.”
Alexander turned, his eyes widening at my appearance. “Aria, I came as soon as I heard-”
The c***k of my palm against his cheek echoed in the quiet corridor. The shock on his face only fueled my fury, and I struck him again, harder.
“My mother is dead because of you!” I screamed, my wolf’s rage burning through me. “She’s gone because you couldn’t stay away
from Claire for one day–our ceremony day!”
Alexander’s amber eyes flashed with anger, a red handprint blooming on his cheek. “I was already on my way back when you called! What happened was an accident!
“An accident?” I repeated incredulously. “You left our mating ceremony for her!”
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” he insisted. “Claire only answered my phone because I was driving. I accidentally pulled her hair when I grabbed the phone–that’s why it sounded like-
“Like you were in bed with her?” I finished, my voice deadly quiet. “While my mother was listening?”
Elizabeth moved between us, her expression stricken. “Aria, please, this isn’t the place
“There is no place or time appropriate for his betrayal, I spat, raising my hand to strike Alexander again.
My wolf snarled beneath my skin, grief and rage making her savage. Alexander’s face darkened, and he moved to catch my his own wolf rising to meet my challenge.
Before he could grab me, another hand shot out from behind him, seizing his wrist in a punishing grip.
I slapped Alexander in the face again.
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