Chapter 42: A Brush of Lips
Chapter 42: A Brush of Lips
(Aria’s POV)
Alexander stood before me, his amber eyes filled with distress. The revelation of Claire’s pregnancy had clearly shaken him, though I knew it couldn’t possibly be his. Not with his infertility issues.
“Aria,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion, “do you truly want to sever our mate bond?”
For a brief moment, I hesitated. Despite everything he’d done, we shared
I of history. My wolf stirred uncertainly within me, sensing my conflicted emotions.
But then I remembered all the nights I’d cried myself to sleep while he was with Claire. The humiliation of being abandoned at our mating ceremony. The way he wasn’t there when my mother died.
“Yes,” I answered firmly. “I do.”
Alexander’s broad shoulders slumped. He ran a hand through his golden–brown hair and sighed heavily.
“Fine. I’ll meet you at the Territorial Registry Office tomorrow morning.”
I blinked, hardly able to believe what I was hearing. After weeks of fighting me on this, he was finally
agreeing?
Alexander gave me one last long look, his amber eyes searching my face as if memorizing it. Then he turned away, taking Claire’s hand and leading her toward their car.
Claire, clearly pleased with her victory, didn’t bother to lower her voice. “I knew she’d never change her mind! She’s too stubborn. Besides, you still have feelings for her, don’t you? Even though I’m the one pregnant with
your pup!”
Alexander silenced her with a sharp look. “Get in the car, Claire.”
He practically shoved her into the passenger seat before walking around to the driver’s side. I stood frozen in place, watching as they drove away.
The reality of what had just happened slowly sank in. Alexander had agreed to sever our mate bond. After three years of being mated and twelve years of one–sided love, it was finally ending.
A burst of incredulous laughter escaped me. I couldn’t control it. I laughed until tears streamed down my face, attracting curious stares from passersby.
I was going to be free!
As soon as I gathered myself, I pulled out my mobile phone and called Olivia. She answered on the second
ring.
“What’s up?” she asked, the sound of rustling papers in the background.
“He agreed!” I practically shouted into the phone. “Alexander agreed to sever the mate bond!”
“What? No way!” Olivia sounded as shocked as I felt. “What changed his mind?”
“Claire is pregnant,” I explained quickly. “She’s claiming it’s Alexander’s pup.”
< Chapter 42: A Brush of Lips
“But that’s impossible,” Olivia lowered her voice. “You said he can’t have pups”
“I know,” I replied, moving away from the curious ears of other werewolves on the street. “But either he believes her, or he’s using it as an excuse to finally let me go.”
“And you’re okay with that? Him believing some other wolf’s pup is his?”
નીરવ મો
I laughed again, the sound lighter than it had been in months. “I don’t care what he believes, as long as he signs those papers tomorrow.”
“True,” Olivia conceded. “What about your own pup, though?”
My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. The irony wasn’t lost on me. While Claire was likely carrying another wolf’s pup and claiming it was Alexander’s, I was carrying his actual heir.
“After we sever the mate bond, I’ll terminate the pregnancy,” I said quietly. “It’s for the best.”
“Are you sure?” Olivia asked gently. “I mean, it’s your decision completely, but…”
“I am,” I replied firmly. “I don’t want to be tied to him forever through a pup.”
I remembered the night it happened. Alexander had come to me drunk on wolf–whiskey, more passionate than he’d been in months. Looking back, I wondered if he’d been thinking of Claire the whole time.
“I’ll go with you,” Olivia promised. “Just tell me when.”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling a rush of gratitude for my friend. “I should go. I need to finish my work at Silver Leaf.” “Call me after tomorrow,” Olivia instructed. “I want to hear all about the severance meeting.”
The rest of my workday flew by. I was so energized by the prospect of freedom that I completed my herbal remedy preparations ahead of schedule. My supervisor seemed surprised when I submitted all my work early. With time to spare, I decided to pick up groceries on my way home. My pregnant wolf was constantly hungry these days, and I’d been neglecting my pantry.
Arms laden with shopping bags, I waited for the elevator in my new apartment building. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t notice someone approaching until they were right beside me.
“Something’s different about you today,” Dominic observed, studying my face. “You’re practically glowing.” I couldn’t hold back my smile. “Alexander agreed to sever the mate bond!”
“Claire is pregnant,” I explained, watching his expression carefully. “Or at least, that’s what she’s claiming”
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria)