Chapter 92 Pushed Downs.
Chapter 92: Pushed Down the Stairs by Claire Watson!
Chapter 92: Pushed Down the Stairs by Claire Watson!
(Aria’s POV)
“I told you I didn’t want to do this test, Alexander. It’s painful and unriecessary,” Claire whined, her emerald eyes flashing with annoyance as Olivia and I accidentally overheard their conversation around the corner of Silvercrest Hospital’s prenatal wing. “The pup is yours, why would you doubt me?”
I instinctively placed my hand on my own growing belly, feeling a surge of protective instinct wash over me. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin, sensing potential danger
I’m not doubting you, Claire,” Alexander’s familiar voice replied, his tone placating in a way I’d rarely heard during our marriage. “It’s just standard procedure for the pack records.”
Olivia tugged at my sleeve, her eyes wide with warning. “Let’s get out of here before they see us,” she whispered urgently.
I nodded, not wanting a confrontation with Claire. The last time we’d crossed paths, it had been disastrous. We quietly backed away and hurried toward the exit.
“Did you hear that?” I whispered once we were safely outside. They’re doing a silver–blood amniocentesis.” Olivia raised her eyebrows. “That’s the werewolf paternity test, right? Where they extract a bit of blood from the pup before birth?”
“Yes,” I confirmed, feeling a mixture of vindication and disgust. “Seems Alexander isn’t as convinced about the pup’s paternity as Claire would like.”
We quickly made our way to my car, eager to put distance between ourselves and the volatile couple. “Silver–blood testing is supposed to be pretty accurate, Olivia commented as she buckled her seatbelt. “But I’ve heard it can be manipulated if you know the right people.”
I started the engine with a sigh. “With Claire’s connections, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s found a way to fake the results.”
The drive to Wolf Moon Medical Center was mercifully short. Unlike the prestigious Silvercrest Hospital where Claire’s influence was strong, Wolf Moon specialized in werewolf reproductive health and operated independently from pack politics.
Dr. Maeve Wood greeted me with a warm smile as she entered the examination room. Her gentle demeanor always put me at ease.
“How are we feeling today, Aria?” she asked, her experienced hands already preparing the ultrasound equipment.
“Good,” I replied truthfully. “The morning sickness has finally eased up.”
Dr. Wood nodded approvingly as she applied the cool gel to my exposed abdomen. “That’s normal at this stage. Let’s check on your little one.”
Olivia squeezed my hand supportively as the doctor moved the wand across my belly. After a moment, the rapid whooshing sound of my pup’s heartbeat filled the room.
1/4
There we are, Dr. Wood anid, pointing to the screen where a small form was clearly visible. Brron, heartbeat, good size for this stage. Your pup is developing beautifully,
Relief flooded through me, my woll humming contentedly within me at the positive report. Despite all the chaos in my life, my pup was healthy.
“Everything looks perfect,” Dr. Wood confirmed, taking measurements. “No complications whatsoever
After finishing the examination and wiping the gel from my skin, I sat up feeling lighter than I had in weeks “Thank you, Doctor,‘ I said sincerely.
She patted my hand. “You’re doing everything right, Aria. Just keep taking your supplements and getting plenty of rest.”
As we left the examination room, Olivia linked her arm through mine. “This calls for a celebration. Lunch is on you!”
I laughed, my mood brightened by the good news. “Fine, I’ll treat you to lunch.”
We decided on Silver Moon, a popular restaurant nearby that catered to pregnant she wolves with their specially prepared moon–sage dishes that supported healthy pup development.
As we approached the restaurant entrance, a familiar voice called out, “Arial”
I turned to see Dr. Nathan Lewis waving at us from the host’s station.
“What a pleasant surprise,” he said, his friendly smile welcoming. “I just finished an early shift and was about to have lunch with a family member. Would you ladies care to join us?”
“That’s kind of you,” I replied politely, wondering which of his relatives would be joining us.
Dr. Lewis led us to a corner booth where, to my surprise, Dominic Blackwood sat waiting. His silver–gray eyes met mine, and I felt my wolf stir with unexpected pleasure.
“Dominic,” I said, unable to hide my surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Olivia’s eyebrows shot up as she glanced between Dominic and Dr. Lewis, a mischievous smile playing on her
lips.
“My, what a coincidence to find you two together again,” she teased, settling into the booth. I’m starting to think you plan these meetings.”
Dominic’s lips quirked up slightly. “We simply share similar taste in restaurants,” he replied with a hint of amusement in his silver–gray eyes.
Dr. Lewis placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Are you implying I would orchestrate such encounters? I’m wounded by the accusation.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at their playfulness, a welcome distraction from the tension of the morning. “How did your appointment go?” Dominic asked, his tone casual but his eyes attentive.
“Very well,” I answered, surprised by how comfortable I felt sharing with him. “The pup is developing perfectly.”
His expression softened momentarily, and I caught a glimpse of something warm in his gaze before he returned to his usual composed demeanor.
2/4
< Chapter 92 Puched Down
Lunch progressed with surprisingly easy conversation. Dr. Lewis shared amusing hospital stories while Olivia contributed gossip from the neutral territory commerce circles. Dominic mostly listened, occasionally adding dry observations that made us all laugh.
I found myself relaxing in their company, momentarily forgetting the complicated mess that was my life.
When the meal concluded, Dr. Lewis announced he had errands to run, and Olivia conveniently remembered a business meeting.
“I can drive you home,” Dominic offered as the others departed, leaving us alone at the table.
I hesitated only briefly before accepting. “Thank you, that would be nice”
In his luxury SUV with the Shadow Pack emblem, Dominic’s powerful Alpha scent surrounded me, strangely comforting rather than intimidating.
We drove in comfortable silence for several minutes before he spoke.
“I received an invitation today,” he said, his deep voice carefully neutral. To Alexander and Claire’s marking
ceremony.”
My stomach tightened at the words, though I’d been expecting this news.
“It’s scheduled for the end of the month,” he continued, his eyes briefly shifting to me before returning to the road. “The same day your mate bond severance becomes final. I thought you should know.”
I swallowed hard, processing the information. The timing wasn’t coincidental – Alexander was ensuring he could claim Claire the moment our bond was legally severed.
“Would you like me to take you to the event?” Dominic asked unexpectedly. “It might help to show them you’ve
moved on.”
The offer stunned me. “You want us to attend together?”
“Only if you want to,” he clarified. “Sometimes the best revenge is living well.”
I considered his words carefully. Part of me wanted to hide away on that day, nursing my wounds in private. But another part, the stronger part that had emerged since leaving Alexander, wanted to show them I wasn’t
broken.
“I’ll think about it,” I finally replied.
The next morning at Silver Leaf Herbalists, I was organizing my workstation when I overheard raised voices from my department manager’s office. Curious, I moved closer to the partially open door.
“The collaboration would benefit both our organizations,” a familiar voice said – Claire’s manager, Margaret, from the Storm Pack’s healing center
“Ms. Watson’s reputation in healing circles is unparalleled,” my manager replied diplomatically.
My blood ran cold as I realized what was happening. Claire was trying to establish a collaboratic inevitably force me to work under her.
at would
I backed away from the door just as it opened, revealing Claire in all her pregnant glory, her emerald eyes lighting up with malicious pleasure when she spotted me.
“Aria,” she called out sweetly. “What perfect timing! We were just discussing a new partnership between our facilities.”
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