The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Who’s the another Alpha?!

Chapter 24: Who’s the another Alpha?!

(Aria’s POV)

The tension from our encounter at the Neutral Grounds lingered as we drove away. Dominic’s sleek luxury SUV purred beneath us, but the silence between us felt deafening. I kept my gaze fixed on the passing

scenery, trying to process what had just happened.

Elder Marcus had assumed we were a couple. And Dominic hadn’t corrected him.

“What’s wrong?” Dominic’s deep voice broke through my thoughts.

I glanced over to find him studying me, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Are you upset?” he asked, his silver–gray eyes briefly meeting mine before returning to the road.

I shook my head quickly. “No, I just… why didn’t you correct Elder Marcus just now? What if they

misunderstood…”

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. Dominic was unmated, his status as Alpha King making

him one of the most eligible bachelors in the werewolf community. If rumors spread that he was planning a marking ceremony with a she–wolf who was still technically mated to another Alpha….

“It’s fine,” he replied with an easy smile, as though my concerns were trivial.

I stared at him in surprise. What did he mean by “fine“? Didn’t he understand the implications?

Olivia’s teasing voice echoed in my mind: ‘He likes you!‘

I pushed the thought away. Impossible. He was just being kind, helping me with my mate bond severance.

“If I had corrected them,” Dominic continued, “they might have asked more questions, and we wouldn’t have

been able to leave so easily.”

My shoulders relaxed as understanding dawned. Of course. He was simply being practical.

“What? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?” he asked, glancing at me sideways.

The evening light caught his silver–gray eyes, making them gleam like scattered diamonds. My wolf stirred within me, inexplicably drawn to that piercing gaze.

“How could that be possible?” I shook my head quickly. “I’m just concerned about embarrassing you.”

Dominic merely smiled, returning his attention to driving. His fingers tapped occasionally on the steering wheel with lazy confidence, betraying none of the concerns that plagued me.

I didn’t dare look at him again, but from the corner of my eye, I noticed his pristine shirt with dark silver cufflinks that gleamed elegantly in the dimming light. Gentle yet powerful, noble yet approachable – he truly deserved his reputation as one of the most respected Alphas alongside Alexander.

A sudden melancholy washed over me as I wondered which she–wolf would eventually become his Luna. She would be fortunate indeed to mate with an Alpha who showed such kindness to others.

“Here we are,” Dominic announced as we pulled into the parking lot of my apartment complex.

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The building wasn’t particularly impressive – just a modest structure in a neutral area of the territory. Nothing like the grand Reed family home or what I imagined the Shadow Pack’s Alpha residence must be.

“You should invite me up for tea,” Dominic said with a hint of playfulness. Since you’ve just moved in.”

I blinked, surprised by the suggestion. “Oh. Yes, of course. That would be nice.”

We walked to the elevator in companionable silence. As we waited, Dominic’s mobile phone rang. His expression shifted subtly as he checked the caller ID.

“Quinn,” he answered, his voice taking on a more professional tone. “What news?”

I watched his face carefully, trying to decipher the one–sided conversation. His jaw tightened, a flash of

something hard entering his eyes.

“I see,” he said simply. “And how did he justify that?”

Another pause. Dominic glanced at me, his expression unreadable.

“Keep me updated. We’ll discuss our next steps.” He ended the call just as the elevator arrived.

“What is it?” I asked, anxiety knotting in my stomach. “Is it about the severance?”

Dominic nodded as we stepped into the elevator. “That was Benjamin Quinn. Alexander is taking an aggressive stance. He’s deployed the entire Storm Pack legal team to fight the severance.”

The news hit me like a physical blow. “What? But why would he do that?”

It made no sense. Alexander clearly wanted Claire. His actions at our mating ceremony had made that painfully obvious. Why fight to maintain a bond he’d already betrayed?

“So it’s true,” he growled, his gaze fixed on me. “You’ve found another Alpha.”

He ignored my question, advancing toward us with predatory grace. “Is this why you want to sever our mate bond? For him?”

My wolf bristled beneath my skin, enraged by his accusation. “That’s not-”

“Who helped you hire Benjamin Quinn?” Alexander demanded, cutting me off. “Quinn doesn’t take just any case. Someone with influence arranged it.”

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