The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria) novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48: You’re Given a Chance

Chapter 48: You’re Given a Chance

(Aria’s POV)

I was carefully measuring out precise amounts of dried moonflowers for a pregnancy–friendly remedy when my supervisor approached my workstation. Her face looked tense.

“Aria, your presence is requested in the manager’s office,” she said, her voice unusually tight.

I frowned, setting down my measuring tools. “Did he say what it’s about?”

“You have a visitor.” Her expression told me everything I needed to know–this wasn’t a pleasant visit.

With a sigh, I removed my work apron and headed toward the manager’s office. My stomach knotted with anxiety. Outside the door, I straightened my simple green blouse and smoothed my hair, trying to look presentable despite the herb dust that inevitably clung to my clothes.

When I entered, my manager wasn’t alone. A short, shrewd–looking woman with perfectly styled black hair stood beside his desk. She wore an expensive tailored suit with distinctive red accents. Her face held a haughty expression that instantly made my wolf bristle.

I recognized her immediately–Margaret, Claire Watson’s pack representative and business manager. The woman who had been pressuring Silver Leaf for weeks to make me work exclusively for Claire.

“Ms. Summers, thank you for joining us,” my manager said, his discomfort evident in his forced smile. “This is Margaret-”

“We’ve met,” I interrupted coldly, remembering our previous unpleasant encounter when she had cornered me in the herb storage

room.

Margaret’s lips curved into what might have been meant as a smile but looked more like a predatory baring of teeth. “Ms.

Summers, I’ll get straight to the point. We need to discuss your continued refusal to work with Chief Healer Watson.”

My manager’s eyes widened slightly. He obviously hadn’t been told the full story. I saw him shift uncomfortably in his chair.

“I believe I made my position clear when your assistant called,” I replied, keeping my tone professional despite the irritation

building in my chest. My wolf paced anxiously beneath my skin.

Margaret waved a dismissive hand, her silver bracelets clinking. “I assumed it was a matter of compensation. Chief Healer

Watson is prepared to offer you three thousand moon–silver per month for exclusive rights to your herbal remedies.”

i blinked in surprise. That was triple my current salary. With that kind of money, I could easily support myself and my pup without

any financial concerns. For a brief moment, I felt tempted.

Then I remembered Claire’s smug face as she left my apartment with a drunken Alexander. I remembered her cold smile at my

mother’s funeral. I remembered the scratch she’d left on my hand, drawing blood without apology.

“Not interested,” I said firmly, my wolf growling in agreement.

Margaret’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Four thousand, then.”

“The issue isn’t money.” My hands clenched into fists at my sides.

“Five thousand,” she countered, her voice sharp as a blade. “That’s my final offer. You’d be a fool to refuse. Do you have any idea

how many herbalists would kill for this opportunity?”

My wolf bristled beneath my skin, offended by her tone and condescension. “I’m not interested in this.”

Margaret’s face flushed with anger, her professional veneer cracking. Her eyes flashed with indignation as she took a step

toward me.

“A herbalist apprentice only, what are you so arrogant about? Believe it or not, I can make it so you can’t survive in this industry!”

Her voice rose with each word, making my manager cringe.

“Ms. Margaret, please,” he pleaded, clearly distressed. “I’m sure we can reach an arrangement that-”

Chapter 48 You’re Given a Chance

+4 Points >

“I’ve already made my position clear repeatedly,” I interrupted, barely suppressing my rage. My wolf snarled within me, wanting to challenge this woman who dared to threaten us. “I’m curious, since your Chief Healer is so popular, why are you chasing after a small herbalist apprentice like me?”

The pointed question hit its mark. Margaret looked like she’d been slapped, her mouth opening and closing without producing words. We both knew the answer–Claire wanted me under her control, not just my remedies.

“If that’s all, I’ll be returning to my work,” I said, one hand instinctively moving to my belly where my unborn pup was growing, my wolf’s protective instincts surging. “Good day.”

I left without waiting for a response, my wolf snarling with satisfaction inside me. Behind me, I heard Margaret’s angry voice and my manager’s placating tones, but I didn’t look back.

For the rest of the day, I noticed whispers and glances from my colleagues. Word had spread quickly about my confrontation with Margaret. By afternoon, I’d gained a new nickname-“Alpha Mate Aria“-referring to my supposed connection with Dominic Blackwood.

“I’ll be right down,” I promised, quickly gathering my things. My wolf perked up at the prospect of seeing him..

Jason’s eyes widened with realization, horror washing over his face. “Oh, right. Of course you would know. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. You were… you were the one he left, weren’t you?”

“It’s fine,” I assured him, though it wasn’t, not really. The memory still stung, even now.

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