Vale
Chapter 27: He Knows
Chapter 27: He Knows
(Aria’s POV)
“You knew I have weak seed and can’t sire pups, right?”
Alexander’s question hit me like a physical blow. My breath caught in my throat as I gripped the phone tighter, my knuckles. turning white.
How? How could he possibly know?
For three years, I’d carefully hidden this truth from him. Three years of protecting his Alpha pride, of enduring Richard Reed’s snide comments about my supposed infertility, of shouldering the blame.
My silence must have confirmed his suspicion.
“So you really knew,” Alexander’s voice came through the phone, low and hoarse, tinged with betrayal.
I pursed my lips, my mind racing to formulate a response. What could I possibly say? Once, I had done everything in my power to conceal his condition from him, fearing how devastating the knowledge would be to his Alpha pride.
But now? I realized with startling clarity that I no longer cared.
“How did you find out?” I asked instead, curiosity overcoming my initial shock.
“You’re asking me how I knew?” Alexander interrupted, his tone sharp with anger. “Didn’t you tell Dominic Blackwood?”
“Dominic?” I repeated, genuinely confused. What did Dominic have to do with any of this?
Alexander let out a bitter laugh. I was wondering why he suddenly suggested I go to Silvercrest Hospital for a checkup when he visited last month.”
His voice grew increasingly agitated, each word cutting through the line like a blade.
“Do you dare say you didn’t tell him? Yesterday I was wondering why he suddenly targeted me. Today I found the medical report from a month ago and realized!” He practically shouted the last words. “Aria, do you hate me so much?”
My wolf bristled at the accusation, indignant.
“It wasn’t me,” I frowned, pressing the phone closer to my ear. “I haven’t told anyone about this, believe it or not.”
The line went silent. I couldn’t tell if Alexander believed me or not. The only sound was his breathing, heavy and controlled. My hand instinctively moved to my belly, protective of the tiny life growing inside he despite Alexander’s ‘supposed infertility.
After a long pause, he took a deep breath.
“Aria, I’m in a bad mood today,” he finally said, his tone irritable but calmer. “Can the mate bond severance be postponed to another day?”
My mouth opened automatically, ready to protest. Even though I had expected complications with the severance process, I still felt a wave of depression wash over me at the postponement. All my hopes for a clean break, for finally being free…
But I couldn’t refuse. What grounds did I have?
“Fine,” I responded sullenly, the word tasting bitter on my tongue.
Without another word, Alexander hung up.
Istared at my phone for a moment before frustration overwhelmed me. With a growl of annoyance, I threw it onto the sofa, watching it bounce harmlessly against the cushions.
What a twisted chain of events! Dominic’s casual remark had prompted Alexander to get a checkup. Dominic’s defense of me
had sparked Alexander’s suspicion, And Alexander’s subsequent review of the medical report had revealed his infertility–the secret I’d protected for three years.
All that, and the mate bond severance that had been within my grasp was now postponed indefinitely.
My wolf whimpered inside me, sensing my distress. The pup would complicate everything when Alexander eventually discovered my pregnancy.
My phone buzzed with an incoming video call. Olivia’s face appeared on the screen, her expression already furious.
“Let me guess,” she said before I could speak, “that scumbag didn’t even bother to call you.”
I sighed, sinking onto the sofa. “Actually, he did. The severance is postponed.”
“What?” Olivia practically shrieked. “Why?”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to decide how much to share. “He found out something I’ve been keeping from him.”
“Aria Summers, if you don’t spit it out right now, I swear fil-”
“Alexander has fertility issues,” I blurted out. “He can’t sire pups. Or at least, the chances are extremely low!
Olivia’s eyes widened as she processed this information. “Wait… he’s the one who can’t… but I thought….
“Everyone did,” I shrugged wearily. “I let them think that.”
One expression shifted from shock to outrage. “You’ve been taking the blame for his problem all this time? Why didn’t you
ever tell me?
I looked away from the screen, ashamed. “I was protecting
protecting him. You know how important virility is for an Alpha’s reputation.”
“Screw his reputation!” Olivia snapped. “What about yours? What about all those snide comments from Richard Reed? All the whispers behind your back?”
Her indignation on my behalf warmed me, but I waved it away. “It doesn’t matter now. What matters is that he knows, and he’s postponed the severance.”
Olivia’s brow furrowed as she thought about the implications. Suddenly, her eyes snapped back to mine.
“Wait a minute, if Alexander can’t sire pups, then… Her gaze dropped meaningfully to my stomach.
“It’s his,” I assured her quickly. Tve been secretly treating him with rare herbal remedies for months. The chances were still incredibly low, but… I trailed off, my hand moving to my belly again.
“A miracle pup,” Olivia murmured, her anger momentarily forgotten.
“Something like that,” I agreed. “But now I’m worried about what happens when he finds out
“And what about Dominic? Olivia asked. “Alexander seems to think he knew?”
I shook my head. “It must be coincidence. I never told Dominic about Alexander’s condition.”
“Coincidence is a lot of power to give fate, Olivia remarked cryptically.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with another incoming call. I didn’t recognize the number.
“Hold on,” I told Olivia, switching over. “Hello?”
“Ms. Summers?” a formal voice inquired. This is Elaine from Silver Leaf Herbalists. We’ve reviewed your application and remedy samples. We’d like to invite you for an interview tomorrow afternoon, if you’re available.
My heart leaped. Silver Leaf was one of the most prestigious herbalist cooperatives in the territory. Even getting an interview
was a significant achievement.
“Yes! Yes, I’m available,” I replied, trying not to sound too eager.
After confirming the details, I switched back to Olivia, unable to contain my excitement.”
“Silver Leaf wants to interview me tomorrow!” I practically squealed. “They liked my samples!”
Olivia’s face lit up. “That’s amazing news! We need to celebrate!”
Before I could protest, she continued, “And you need a new outfit for that interview. Meet me at Moonsilver Boutique in an hour.
No arguments!”
The next day, I found myself amid racks of elegant clothing at Moonsilver Boutique, a shop frequented by pack members that Olivia had insisted offered the perfect blend of professionalism and style.
“Try this one,” Olivia handed me a navy blue dress with subtle silver embroidery. “It’s formal enough for an interview but still
btle
shows some personality”
I took the dress into the changing room, slipping it over my head. The fabric was soft and flattered my shape without being too tight around my midsection- a concern I was becoming increasingly aware of as my pregnancy progressed.
Just as I was examining my reflection, I heard raised voices from the shop floor. One of them was unmistakably Olivia’s, her tone. sharp with anger.
Hastily pulling on my cardigan over the dress, I rushed out of the changing room to find Olivia facing off with Alexander. My heart sank at the sight of him, his amber eyes cold as he silently absorbed Olivia’s angry tirade.
“You have some nerve showing your face around here, Olivia was saying, her finger jabbing in his direction. After what you did to Aria-
1 spotted Claire Watson emerging from behind Alexander, a smug smile playing on her perfect lips.
“Oh, is this your little friend, Alexander?” Claire’s voice dripped with condescension. “The one with the… territorial management position? How quaint.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “At least I earned my position, not slept my way to it.”
Claire’s emerald eyes flashed with fury. “How dare you”
Before I could intervene, Olivia lunged forward, grabbed a fistful of Claire’s perfect hair, and yanked hard.
Claire screamed, more from indignation than pain. Alexander immediately sprang into action, roughly pulling Olivia away with more force than necessary. I saw her wince as his fingers dug into her arm.
My wolf surged with protective rage.
“Let her go!” I demanded, rushing forward.
Alexander released Olivia immediately upon seeing me, his expression shifting to something unreadable.
“Are you okay?” I asked Olivia, who was rubbing her arm where Alexander’s grip had left red marks.
“Tm fine,” she muttered, glaring at Claire who was dramatically checking her hair for damage:
I turned to Alexander, my anger boiling over. “You’re here with her? Instead of finalizing our mate bond severance?”
Claire’s head snapped up at my words, her emerald eyes widening as she glanced between Alexander and me
“Are you going to cut off the mate bond? she asked Alexander in surprise, her voice a perfect blend of innocence and shock.
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