Chapter 9: Claire’s Suicide Attempt.
Chapter 9: Claire’s Suicide Attempt
(Aria’s POV)
I stood frozen in the hospital hallway, my hand unconsciously resting on my stomach where our unborn pup grew. Alexander’s admission echoed in my head like a death knell.
rid Claire sever her mate bond because of you?” Dominic had asked.
Yes.”
That single word shattered the fragile hope I’d been nurturing. After all his explanations about Claire’s injured mate and professional relationships, the truth emerged like bile–Claire had severed her bond for Alexander.
I pressed myself against the wall, desperately trying to stay hidden while straining to hear their conversation.
“That’s quite a burden to bear, Dominic’s deep voice carried down the corridor. “Especially when you have a mate who’s loved you for years”
There was a heavy pause before Alexander responded.
“It’s complicated,” he said, his voice tense, “Claire’s mate was injured saving my life. I owe him everything”
“And what do you owe Aria? Dominic challenged, his tone hardening. “She’s your mate, Alexander. Your true mate.”
My heart raced as I waited for Alexander’s answer. The silence stretched unbearably
“Are you planning to reconcile with Claire now that she’s free?” Dominic pressed when Alexander didn’t respond.
“No,” Alexander said firmly. “That’s not what this is about.”
Then what is it about?” Dominic’s voice grew sharper. “Because from where I stand, it looks like you’re neglecting your mate while chasing a ghost from your past.”
I held my breath, desperate for Alexander’s answer. Did he love me at all? Had our mating meant anything to him?
“You don’t understand,” Alexander said instead of answering the question.
My heart sank. He couldn’t even defend our relationship.
1 understand perfectly” Dominic replied coldly. “You can’t have both women, Alexander. You need to decide where your loyalty lies.”
The sudden shrill ring of Alexander’s phone cut through their tense conversation. I heard him answer, his voice shifting from annoyance to alarm in seconds.
“What? When?” His voice sharpened with urgency. “I’ll be right there.”
My wolf whimpered inside me, somehow knowing what was coming.
“Claire attempted suicide, Alexander said, his voice strained with panic. “I have to go.
“Alexander, Dominic’s tone was warning. “Think about what you’re doing.”
“She’s in critical condition, Alexander snapped. “What would you have me do? Let her die?”
“And Aria?” Dominic challenged. “You’re going to abandon her again?”
There was a painful pause.
“Take her home, Alexander said finally, “Please, Dominic. I can’t deal with this now.”
The sound of his rapid footsteps moving away from me felt like physical blows to my chest. Once again, Claire had called, and once again, Alexander had chosen her over me.
Ack Al
I backed away, desperate to escape before either of them discovered me eavesdropping. My legs trembled as I stumbled into a nearby utility room, closing the door just as Alexander rushed past.
Through the small window in the door, I watched my mate–the father of my unborn child–race down the hallway toward Claire without a backward glance. My wolf howled in despair within me.
I pressed my forehead against the cool metal door, trying to control my breathing as tears burned behind my eyelids. The tiny room smelled of antiseptic and cleaning supplies.
“How could I have been so blind?” I whispered to myself.
All this time, rd believed in our mate bond, in the destiny that had drawn our wolves together. But now I questioned everything Had Alexander ever truly loved me? Or had I been merely a convenient alternative when Claire mated with his Beta?
The cruel irony cut deep. I’d spent years trying to conceive a pup with Alexander, wanting to give him an heir, to complete our family. Now I carried his child, and he was rushing to another woman’s side.
“Foolish, foolish girl, I murmured, wrapping my arms around myself as the first tears fell.
I thought of my mother lying in her hospital bed, joyfully anticipating a grandchild and believing Alexander’s smooth lies. I thought of my brother James, who had always been suspicious of Alexander’s intentions.
And I thought of my unborn pup, innocent and unaware of the turmoil surrounding its existence
The utility room door opened suddenly, I spun around, hastily wiping my tears, only to find myself facing Dominic Blackwood’s imposing figure.
His silver–gray eyes took in my tear–stained face and the protective way I’d curled my arms around my middle. His expression softened with understanding.
“You heard,” he said simply. It wasn’t a question.
I nodded, unable to form words past the lump in my throat.
Dominic stepped into the small room, closing the door behind him. His powerful Alpha presence should have felt threatening in the confined space, but instead, it offered strange comfort.
“Claire attempted suicide after learning her ex–husband’s condition has worsened,” he explained quietly. “Alexander feels responsible.”
“Of course he does,” I whispered bitterly. “He always feels responsible for her.”
I couldn’t stop the fresh wave of tears that spilled down my cheeks. My wolf whimpered in distress, confused by her mate’s abandonment.
“She severed her mate bond for him,” I said, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. All his explanations about professional relationships were lies.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened. “Alexander is caught in a web of guilt and obligation. Claire knows exactly how to manipulate that.” “And I’m just collateral damage,” I concluded, wiping angrily at my tears. “His Luna when it’s convenient, forgotten when Claire calls.”
My voice broke on the last words, and to my surprise, Dominic reached out, his large hand gently squeezing my shoulder. “You deserve better than this, Aria,” he said softly.
In that moment, surrounded by the scent of hospital cleaner and my own misery, those simple words of validation broke something inside me. I covered my face with my hands and sobbed.
Dominic didn’t try to pull me into an embrace–a boundary that would have been inappropriate between an unmated Alpha and another Alpha’s Luna. But his hand remained on my shoulder, a steady anchor amid my storm of emotions.
When my sobs finally subsided into hiccupping breaths, he spoke again.
e
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“My offer stands,” he said, his voice low and serious. “If you decide to sever the mate bond, I’ll help you.”
I looked up at him through swollen eyes. “Why would you do that? What do you gain?”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Perhaps I simply don’t like seeing injustice.”
Something in his silver–gray eyes suggested there was more to his motivation than simple kindness, but I was too emotionally exhausted to decipher it.
“Severing a mate bond… I whispered, the very idea sending a shiver through me. It’s dangerous. Painful.”
“Yes,” he acknowledged gravely. “But sometimes necessary”
I’d heard stories of werewolves who had severed their mate bonds. Some never recovered, their wolves damaged beyond healing. Others survived but remained forever changed, carrying a phantom pain where the bond had been.
The thought of living
g without my connection to Alexander terrified me. Despite his betrayals, despite his divided heart, he had been my world for so long. I had loved him since I was eight years old–ten long years before our wolves recognized each other Could I really walk away?
And then there was our pup to consider What would severance mean for my pregnancy? Would Alexander fight for custody if we separated? Would the pain of breaking our bond harm our unborn child?
So many questions, so many fears.
Yet looking at Dominic’s steady gaze, I felt a strange flicker of hope. Here was someone offering me a way out–a chance at freedom from this cycle of heartbreak and neglect.
“Thank you” I said finally, my voice steadier. 1 might take you up on that offer someday”
Dominic nodded, his expression solemn. “Whenever you’re ready”
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