Chapter 56: Exposed!
Chapter 56: Exposed!
(Aria’s POV)
The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Blackwood family compound as Dominic and I descended the grand
staircase. My cheeks still burned from our encounter upstairs and the lingering embarrassment of my dream. I tried to focus on anything else but the powerful Alpha walking beside me.
As we entered the dining room, Eleanor Blackwood’s silver–gray eyes–so much like Dominic’s–lit up at the sight of us. The knowing smile on her face made my stomach flip.
“Good morning, dears,” she called cheerfully. “Did you sleep well?”
Victoria, sitting at the table with her husband Marcus, didn’t bother hiding her smirk. “I hope the accommodations were…
comfortable?”
The emphasis on that last word made my face burn hotter. They knew. They all knew about the moonberry wine in last night’s
soup and exactly what effect it would have had on Dominic.
“Perfectly adequate,” Dominic answered smoothly, pulling out a chair for me. His hand brushed my back, sending a jolt of
electricity through my body that made my wolf stir beneath my skin.
“Aria, come sit by me,” Eleanor patted the space beside her. “I have something for you.”
I glanced uncertainly at Dominic, who nodded encouragingly. As I settled beside the Blackwood matriarch, she reached for an
ornate wooden box on the side table.
“I want you to have this,” she said, opening the box to reveal a stunning silver moonstone bracelet. The delicate band shimmered
with an inner light that seemed almost magical.
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly-“I started, but she was already clasping it around my wrist.
“Nonsense. This was a gift from my mate, Dominic’s grandfather. It’s been passed down for generations to the mates of
Alpha line,” Eleanor explained, her weathered fingers surprisingly gentle as she secured the clasp. “It belongs to you now.”
Guilt pierced my heart. I wasn’t really Dominic’s intended mate. This was all a charade, a temporary arrangement to
Dominic avoid his grandmother’s matchmaking efforts. I didn’t deserve such a precious family heirloom.
“Thank you, but I really shouldn’t-” I tried again.
help
our
“It looks perfect on you,” Dominic interrupted, his deep voice carrying a note of finality that silenced my protests. His silver–gray
eyes caught mine, communicating a silent message: Just accept it.
The moonstone gleamed against my skin, its weight comforting yet somehow binding. I wondered if Dominic realized what this gift symbolized–his grandmother formally acknowledging me as his future Luna.
The conversation shifted to pleasant morning topics. I relaxed slightly, answering Eleanor’s questions about my herbal
knowledge while Dominic discussed pack security matters with his uncle. The breakfast was delicious, especially the
moon–berries that appealed to my pregnant wolf’s cravings.
Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by noisy chatter at the entrance. I looked up instinctively, my fork pausing
halfway to my mouth.
“Alpha Blackwood’s grandmother, if you see who’s here, you’ll definitely be happy!” Eva’s voice rang out before she appeared in
the doorway.
She walked in with exaggerated grace, her high heels making crisp sounds against the floor tiles. Every movement screamed of
practiced elegance, the hallmark of an elite pack family upbringing.
“Grandmother, look who’s here?” Eva’s excitement seemed forced, her eyes darting between Eleanor and Dominic.
Behind her walked a stunningly beautiful she–wolf with perfect blonde hair and striking blue eyes. Her designer clothes and
immaculate appearance spoke of wealth and status equal to the Blackwoods.
“Eleanor, I’m here to see you…” The newcomer smiled warmly, placing an exquisite gift box on the table. “This is a specialty I
< Chapter 5C Exposed‘
+8 Points
brought back from the Southern Territory, please try it.”
Eleanor smiled faintly. “Vanessa is thoughtful.”
So this was Vanessa. The name triggered a memory of Eva’s comment yesterday about her arrival in town. I instantly understood the situation – this was the she–wolf they believed Dominic should mate with.
“I’m glad you like it,” Vanessa replied, her eyes already shifting to Dominic. Her gaze softened noticeably, a layer of watery ripples appearing in her eyes. “Dominic, long time no see.”
Dominic merely raised his eyebrows and responded with a faint expression that couldn’t even be called a smile. I bit my lip to hide my amusement at his obvious disinterest.
A trace of embarrassment flashed across Vanessa’s perfect features before she quickly recovered. Then, her calculated gaze fell on me, feigning surprise as if she’d just noticed my presence.
“This is…?” she asked, though the slight narrowing of her eyes told me she knew exactly who I was.
Almost instantly, I recognized the look in her eyes. This she–wolf was in love with Dominic. The realization wasn’t surprising – a powerful, wealthy, attractive Alpha like him probably had admirers throughout the Northern Territory. But the poor thing had clearly never had her feelings reciprocated, judging by Dominic’s cold response.
“Hello, my name is Aria Summers,” I offered with a polite smile.
“Aria Summers?” Vanessa frowned slightly, immediately turning to Eva with an exaggerated puzzled expression. “Eva, why do I hear this name is familiar?”
Eva looked momentarily stunned, as if she hadn’t expected Vanessa to be so obvious with their scheme. She pursed her lips, feigning unhappiness. “I remember that the she–wolf in the mate bond severance incident that was a sensation in the Northern Territory a few days ago was named this.”
“Oh, yes, that’s the name!” Vanessa clapped her hands in pretend enlightenment.
I nearly laughed at their terrible acting skills. They were clearly younger than me, probably university students or recent graduates. Their eyes still held that clear naivety of youth, unaware of just how transparent their little scheme was. Did they really think they were fooling anyone in this room?
I glanced at Dominic with amusement, only to meet his dark silver–gray eyes. His expression was unreadable, neither angry nor amused. I quickly looked away, returning my attention to Vanessa.
“What a coincidence, the Aria Summers you are talking about is me,” I said calmly.
Pride flashed in Vanessa’s eyes before she quickly masked it with exaggerated shock. She raised her hand to cover her mouth, her face a study in feigned disbelief. “You… You are Alexander Reed’s soon–to–be ex–Luna?”
–
And there it was my identity exposed to everyone. In a strange way, I felt relieved. The charade had been exhausting, and now I could at least be honest about my past, if not my pregnancy or the true nature of my relationship with Dominic.
“Okay, I’m a little tired…” Eleanor suddenly stood, her smile fading into an expression of quiet dignity. Despite not raising her voice, her presence commanded the room’s attention.
Vanessa looked genuinely surprised now. She clearly hadn’t expected Eleanor to remain so calm after her dramatic revelation about my identity. Anxiety flickered across her perfect features.
“Eleanor, I heard from Eva that this Aria is the intended mate brought back by Dominic. She…” Vanessa’s voice trailed off, her tone dripping with artificial concern. “Could there be any misunderstanding?”
“Yes!” Eva nodded eagerly beside her. “Dominic might have been deceived!”
“Eva!” Victoria’s sharp voice cut through the room like a whip c***k. She marched across the floor in quick strides, grabbed her daughter firmly by the ear, and pulled. “You little she–wolf, what are you doing in front of your grandmother?”
I couldn’t help but stare in astonishment. Dominic had mentioned his aunts were former Enforcer wolves in their youth, but seeing the elegant Victoria transform into this fierce disciplinarian was startling.
“Oh, Mother, what are you doing…” Eva whimpered, quickly grabbing her mother’s wrist. “It hurts, let go.”
“It hurts so much!” Victoria mocked, glaring fiercely. Then, she turned to Dominic with an apologetic expression. “Dominic, Eva is spoiled by me, don’t bother with her…”
< Chapter 56 Exposed!
+8 Points >
“She’s nineteen years old, she’s not a pup anymore.” Dominic’s voice was cold as ice, his eyes sharp as knives. “She’s so stupid
that she’s being used like a tool. It seems that grandmother has taught her in vain!”
Eva’s face paled visibly. Despite her schemes, she wasn’t entirely stupid. She clearly realized she had been used by Vanessa,
who had promised to be the one to expose me but instead had manipulated Eva into doing the dirty work.
“I… I’m just afraid that you, Dominic, will be deceived!” Eva protested desperately. “Besides, this she–wolf who’s severing her mate
bond is not worthy of you at all! With your Alpha status, you can find any kind of she–wolf. Why did you bring back one who’s
severing her mate bond?”
Her words stung despite their predictability. I was used to being considered unworthy – first as Alexander’s Luna due to my
modest bloodline, and now as a potential mate for the even more powerful Dominic.
Dominic’s response, however, shocked everyone in the room, including me.
“I’m happy with it!” he declared firmly.
