The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Scandalous Headlines

Chapter 14 Scandalous Headlines

(Ane’s POV)

Do you intend to stay? Dominic’s question hung in the air between us.

I stared at him, struck by the directness of his question. The ceremonial gown suddenly felt heavy on my

shoulders

“How did you know Alexander isn’t here?” I asked instead of answering

Dominic’s silver grey eyes held mine steadily. He opened his mouth to respond when Olivia burst through the

door, her face pale with panic.

“Aria! You need to see this!” She thrust her phone in front of me, her hand trembling

My eyes widened as I took in the screen. Social media was exploding with trending topics. The top three

trends were all about Alexander and Claire.

AlphaReed Affair

JiltedLuna

ClairesConquest

Beneath the hashtags were blurry photos of Alexander rushing into Silvercrest Hospital, his face clearly recognizable despite the poor quality. Another showed him embracing someone with auburn hair–Claire.

“It’s everywhere, Olivia whispered. “Everyone at the ceremony is talking about it.”

My blood ran cold. “My mother-”

Without finishing my sentence, I gathered my ceremonial gown and rushed out. The elaborate headdress bobbed precariously as I hurried down the corridor toward the main hall, my heart hammering against my

ribs.

1 found my mother seated in her place of honor, her face ashen as she clutched her phone. Around her, guests whispered and stared, some not even bothering to hide their gossiping

“Mother,” I called softly, kneeling beside her chair.

She looked up at me, her amber eyes–so like my own–filled with confusion and worry.

“Aria, dear, everyone is saying Alexander isn’t coming,” she whispered. “They’re saying he’s with… with that

healer woman.”

I forced a smile, taking her frail hand in mine. “It’s just a misunderstanding. He’s… he’s fetching someone

important for the ceremony.”

Even to my own ears, the lie sounded hollow.

My mother’s gaze sharpened. “Call him. Call your mate right now.”

“Mother, I don’t think-”

“Please, Aria,” she insisted, her fingers tightening around mine with surprising strength. “Call him where I can

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Cluster 14 feandalous H.

hear.

With trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone and dialed Alexander’s number. Olivia and Dominic had

followed me and now stood protectively nearby, Dominic’s powerful presence keeping most of the whispering guests at a distance.

The phone rang for so long I thought it would go to voicemail. Then, unexpectedly, it connected.

“Hello?” The voice that answered wasn’t Alexander’s.

It was Claire’s.

“Alexander can’t come to the phone right now,” she continued, her voice honey–sweet. “He’s in quite the…

position.”

The implication in her tone made my stomach turn. In the background, I could hear rustling fabric and soft

murmuring.

“Claire,” Alexander’s voice suddenly cut in, sounding irritated. “Give me the phone.”

More rustling, then Alexander’s voice came through clearly.

“Aria, I’m on my way,” he said quickly. “I’ll explain everything when I arrive.”

“Alexander, the ceremony starts in ten minutes,” I replied, my voice surprisingly steady despite the storm

raging inside me. “Where are you?”

Before he could answer, Claire’s voice intruded again, closer to the phone this time.

“Alex, I need help with this wound dressing,” she purred. “It’s coming undone.”

I looked at my mother, whose face had drained of all color. Her eyes were wide with shock.

“I’ll call you back,” I said quickly, and ended the call.

“It’s not what it sounded like,” I began, desperate to protect my mother from the truth. “Claire was injured and

Olivia shrieked while I cradled my mother’s limp form. The ceremony guests gasped collectively, Some

rushing forward to help, others backing away in horror.

“Emily!” Dominic was suddenly there, gently taking my mother from my arms. “We need to get her to

Without waiting for a response, he lifted her effortlessly and strode toward the exit. I stumbled after him, the

I followed him, half–running, half–limping. Guests parted before us, their shocked faces blurring as tears

climb in beside her. Olivia squeezed in on the other side, her face streaked with tears.

The engine roared to life, and we shot forward with a speed that would have terrified me under normal circumstances. Dominic drove like a man possessed, weaving through traffic and running red lights.

I cradled my mother’s head in my lap, whispering desperate prayers. Her skin felt cool beneath my fingers, her breathing shallow and irregular.

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