Chapter 41: Three Years Ago
Chapter 41: Three Years Ago
(Aria’s POV)
“That elderly she–wolf was your grandmother?” I asked, staring at Dominic in disbelief.
The memory suddenly flooded back to me. Three years ago, I was leaving the university campus after a guest lecture on rare herbal remedies. The day had been unusually hot, and I was hurrying to catch the bus when I noticed a small crowd gathering
near the gate.
An elderly she–wolf had collapsed on the sidewalk. Her silver hair was in disarray, and her face was pale with a bluish tint that
worried me immediately. What shocked me more than her condition was how people reacted.
No one was helping her.
Some passersby even had their phones out, recording the scene while whispering among themselves.
“She’s faking it for attention,” I heard someone say.
“Probably trying to scam young wolves,” another added.
My wolf had bristled beneath my skin at their callousness. Without hesitation, I pushed through the crowd and knelt beside her.
“Ma’am? Can you hear me?” I’d asked, checking her pulse. It was weak but present.
Her eyes had fluttered open briefly, silver–gray eyes surprisingly like Dominic’s, though I hadn’t made the connection then.
I’d called emergency services immediately. While waiting for the ambulance, I’d pulled out my small herbal emergency kit. I
always carried basic remedies with me a habit my mother had instilled in me. I’d prepared a quick tincture to stabilize her
heart rhythm, which I suspected was the issue.
When the ambulance arrived, I’d insisted on accompanying her to the hospital. I stayed until the doctors assured me she was
stable, never learning her name or family.
“If you hadn’t mentioned it today, I might have forgotten about it completely,” I admitted to Dominic. “It wasn’t anything special
anyone would have helped.”
“But no one else did help,” Dominic pointed out, his silver–gray eyes intense as he navigated through the morning traffic. “Only
you.”
Realization dawned on me slowly. “So that’s why you’ve been helping me? Because of what happened three years ago?”
Dominic glanced at me with a small smile. “I guess so…”
–
But something in his tone suggested there was more to it than simple reciprocity. My wolf perked up curiously, but I pushed the
thought away. After getting this explanation, my uneasiness finally settled. His help made sense now – he was repaying a debt,
nothing more.
Soon, the car pulled up outside Silver Leaf Herbalists. I hurriedly thanked him and reached for the door handle.
“Thank you for the ride,” I said, eager to escape the confines of the car and the confusing feelings his presence stirred in me.
As I stepped out, the car window rolled down. Dominic leaned across the seat, one arm resting casually on the steering wheel. His slightly open collar gave him a wild, casual appearance that made my breath catch.
“Aria, see you tonight,” he said.
The words were ambiguous, but now that we lived across from each other, we really would see each other every day. I stood stunned for a moment, then nodded quickly.
“Drive safely,” I managed to say.
Dominic waved lazily as the window slowly rose. Then the car sped away, leaving me standing there with my heart beating uncomfortably fast.
“Aria?”
< Chapter 41 Three Years Ago
+4 Points>
I jerked at the sound of my name. Turning around, I saw Jason Hart standing not far away, a frown creasing his forehead. He was wearing his usual lab coat, his light brown hair neatly combed.
Suddenly remembering the herbal exhibition tickets he’d given me yesterday, I quickly rummaged through my bag.
“Jason, I’ll give you these tickets back,” I said, finding them at the bottom of my purse. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can make it.”
Jason’s gaze flicked to where Dominic’s car had just been. “Is that guy your mate?”
The question startled me. I shook my head quickly. “No, he’s just a friend.”
Something like relief flickered across Jason’s face. “Do you have a mate?”
I hesitated, realizing what he was really asking. “I’m mated, but in the process of severing my bond.”
Jason’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re…severing your mate bond?”
I nodded, watching his expression shift through several emotions.
“Is that so…” he said, visible disappointment on his face. He forced a smile, clearly about to say something else, but was interrupted.
“Aria!”
My heart tightened at the familiar voice. I turned with a frown to see Alexander standing by his car across the street, staring at me with intensity.
After not seeing him for several days, I noticed he looked tired – subtle dark circles under his amber eyes that his expensive suit and perfectly polished shoes couldn’t disguise. Despite my resentment, my wolf stirred slightly at the sight of our mate.
I turned back to Jason. “I need to go.
I’ll see you
inside.”
Jason nodded, his expression wary as he glanced between me and Alexander. “Of course. If you need anything…”
I gave him a grateful smile before walking toward Alexander, steeling myself for the confrontation.
“What are you doing here?” I asked coldly when I reached him. “How did you know where to find me?”
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I had to ask Lucas to find out where you’ve been working. You changed your number, moved out of your apartment without telling me did you think I wouldn’t look for you?”
–
“I was hoping you wouldn’t,” I replied honestly.
Hurt flashed across his face before hardening into anger. “Why are you doing this, Aria? Running from me, trying to sever our
bond? I’ve apologized for everything with Claire.”
“Apologies don’t erase what happened,” I said, crossing my arms. “Why are you here? I’m going to be late for work.”
Alexander ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration I’d seen countless times during our marriage. “I came to ask you to
come home. We can try again, Aria. Start fresh.”
I laughed bitterly. “Start fresh? After three years of neglect? After you abandoned our mating ceremony for Claire? After my
mother died waiting for you to show up?”
Alexander flinched but pressed on. “I know I’ve made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. But I want to fix things between us.” His voice
dropped lower, more intimate. “We could even try for a pup. I know a specialist who can help with my… condition. There are
herbal treatments we haven’t tried-”
“Stop,” I cut him off, disgust rising in my throat. “Don’t talk to me about pups when you’ve repeatedly made it clear that my
inability to conceive was a failure.”
“That’s not fair, Aria. I never said-”
“You didn’t have to say it. Your father said it enough for both of you, and you never defended me.”
Alexander stepped closer, his amber eyes pleading. “Please, Aria. Give me one more chance.”
Before I could respond, the passenger door of his car opened. Claire emerged, her emerald eyes fixed on us with an expression
of irritation.
“Alexander, what’s taking so long?” she called out, walking around the car to join us. “We’ll be late for the appointment.”
< Chapter 41: Three Years Ago.
My blood boiled at the sight of her. Of course she was with him. She was always with him.
Claire’s eyes widened in mock surprise when she saw me. “Aria! What a coincidence.”
“Is it?” I asked dryly. “Seems like you two are inseparable these days.”
+4 Points
Claire smiled sweetly. “Alexander’s been very supportive. Unlike you, playing hard to get. You don’t really want to sever your mate bond, do you? You’re just trying to make him jealous.”
I stared at her in disbelief, then turned to Alexander. “You told her I don’t really want to sever our bond?”
Alexander looked uncomfortable. “Aria, it’s complicated-”
“No, it’s not,” I snapped. “You agreed to sign the papers. Why are you still giving her false hope?”
Claire’s smile faltered. “What papers?”
“The mate bond severance papers,” I said, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice. “Alexander agreed to sign them.”
Claire’s emerald eyes flashed with anger as she turned to Alexander. “Is this true? You’re actually going through with it?”
Alexander looked trapped, his amber eyes darting between us. “Claire, I told you, it’s not that simple-”
“It is that simple!” Claire interrupted, her voice rising. “You need to make a choice, Alexander. Right now.”
A tense silence fell over us. Claire suddenly placed a protective hand over her belly – a gesture that made Alexander’s eyes widen with panic.
“Tell her,” Claire demanded. “Tell her why you can’t sever your bond with her.”
Alexander’s face paled. “Claire, not here-”
“Fine, I’ll tell her myself,” Claire snapped, turning to me with a vindictive gleam in her eyes. “I’m pregnant, Aria. With Alexander’s
pup. And he’s going to take responsibility.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. Pregnant? But Alexander couldn’t… he had fertility issues. The doctors had confirmed it
when we were trying to conceive.
My mind raced back to the night I’d found Alexander drunk outside my apartment – the night I’d called Claire to take him away. The wolf–whiskey on his breath, his inability to stand straight…
Alexander reached for my arm. “Aria, it’s not what you think. I was drunk that night. She… she took advantage-”
“Took advantage?” Claire screeched, her composure shattering. “You came to me! And now you’re denying your own pup?”
Alexander’s face contorted with anguish. “Claire, please, can we discuss this in private?”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” Claire said coldly. “Either you take responsibility for our pup, or I’ll terminate the pregnancy. Your
choice.”
I watched realization dawn on Alexander’s face. His amber eyes revealed his internal struggle – torn between our failing mate bond and the possibility of a pup, something he’d always wanted.
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