The Pregnant Luna Mated to Ex’s Best Friend (Aria) novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Searching for the Truth

Chapter 96: Searching for the Truth

(Aria’s POV)

“Miss Summers, is something wrong?” Luna Thornton asked, her elegant features creasing with concern,

I quickly composed myself, forcing my expression into something resembling normalcy. My heart was pounding so hard I was certain she could hear it.

“Luna Thornton, I’m really sorry, but that bracelet is so important to me, I must find it…” I hesitated before taking the leap. “Would you allow me to see the surveillance video from the day of the territorial gathering?” “Surveillance?” Luna Thornton’s eyebrows shot up, clearly not expecting such a direct request.

I held her gaze, trying not to appear as desperate as I felt. The seconds stretched between us like an eternity. My palms were sweating now. This was my only chance to discover what happened that night.

After what seemed like forever, Luna Thornton pursed her lips and nodded. “Alright, Miss Summers, come

with me.

Relief flooded through me, making my knees weak. “Thank you, Luna Thornton.”

The elegant pack matriarch led me through the mansion’s winding corridors. Each step brought me closer to the truth – a truth I both craved and feared. What if I discovered something terrible? What if my worst fears were confirmed?

We entered a small, dimly lit room filled with monitors. A security wolf nodded respectfully to Luna Thornton before stepping aside.

“Show Miss Summers the footage from the territorial gathering last month, Luna Thornton instructed.

My fingers clenched nervously as the footage began playing. There I was, entering the grand hall in my emerald dress, looking so innocent and unaware.

The camera captured Richard Reed’s cold stare following me from across the room. I watched him approach, his face twisted with contempt as he berated me publicly. My stomach turned at the memory.

from a passing waiter shortly after. I My past self looked shaken, accepting the glass of wolf–whiske flinched as I watched myself drink it, now almost certain it contained moonberry extract.

The effects were visible almost immediately. My movements became unsteady, my expression disoriented. A waiter – not one I recognized – approached and helped me out of the hall.

And then… nothing. The camera didn’t follow us beyond the main gathering space.

“What about other areas?” I asked urgently, my voice rising. “The corridor outside the hall, and the guest lounge?”

Luna Thornton smiled apologetically. “We don’t have surveillance in those areas, especially not in the pri guest lounges.”

My heart plummeted. Without this footage, how could I ever know what truly happened? Who had taken advantage of me that night? My hands trembled with frustration and fear.

Chapter 96. Searching for a

Miss Summers?” Luna Thorton’s volce broke through my spiraling thoughts. Are you alright?

Iforced a smile that felt brittle on my face. I’m fine. Luna Thornton, may I visit the quest lounge to look

around?”

She hesitated briefly, her amber eyes studying my face. “Of course, I’ll take you there.”

We walked in silence through the mansion’s elegant corridors. With each step, fragments of that night began resurfacing in my memory – disjointed images that hadn’t been clear until now. Cold sweat formed on my brow as partial memories flickered through my mind.

1

The guest lounge came into view, its door slightly ajar. I stepped inside, and immediately more details flooded back, hitting me in waves of nauseating clarity.

The plush bed where I’d been laid down. The heavy scent of moonberry and wolf–whiskey in the air. The feel of unfamiliar hands on my skin. My heart raced violently as the memories intensified.

I moved through the room in a daze, pretending to search for my bracelet while really trying to piece together what had happened. My fingers traced the edge of the bed, and suddenly I remembered being pushed down

onto it.

The memories were becoming clearer, triggered by being in this space again. I remembered being pressed down against my will, heavy breathing against my neck, aggressive hands gripping my arms. My wolf cowered within me at the memory.

A flashback hit me so vividly I nearly collapsed – the male’s scent, powerful but completely unfamiliar. Not Alexander. Not anyone I knew.

My wolf whimpered anxiously within me as the chilling realization struck. The male who had been with me that night hadn’t been Alexander. The scent was wrong, the touch unfamiliar, the strength overwhelming.

The truth hit me like a physical blow- the pup I carried wasn’t Alexander’s.

I clutched the edge of a nearby table, my knuckles turning white. Terror gripped me as questions swirled through my mind. Who was the father? Was it someone Richard Reed had arranged to be there? A stranger chosen to create this exact situation?

My hand instinctively moved to my belly, protecting the innocent life growing there. My wolf, despite her distress, remained fiercely protective of our pup. But my rational mind raced with horrifying implications. What if there was a recording of the assault? What if Claire or Richard intended to release it after my mate bond severance was finalized? The scandal would destroy not only my reputation but potentially harm my unborn pup as well. I felt sick at the thought.

The sharp ring of my mobile phone cut through my spiral of fear. Dominic’s name flashed on the screen. My hand shook as I answered.

“Hello?” I tried to sound normal, but my voice cracked.

“Where are you?” His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of concern. “Olivia said you weren’t shopping with her. Why did you lle?”

My carefully constructed composure crumbled instantly. Tears burst forth, streaming down my face as sobs shook my body violently. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe properly.

“Aria?” Dominic’s voice grew increasingly urgent. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Are you hurt?”

2/3

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify